LOL, Jackson. It is probably a good thing we don't actually know each other in person. We'd probably just get in a lot of trouble together!! Cosmopolitans go down way too easy. AND, my husband, who really drinks very little, is a fantastic bartender and makes KILLER cosmopolitans!! So I am at danger at home as well as out. It's probably a good thing for me that when I make my own drinks they taste terrible. But then there is always wine, no skill needed, just open bottle and pour. I really do like to drink and wish that I had not ruined it for myself but, we are where we are. Nal on!! Newlife

OK gotcha Newlife, I was going by probably US Units. I think we all are measuring a little different in UK, US Units and then in Drinks but as long as we know what amount we are drinking that's all that matters in keeping track.

Wow newlife, you sound super-motivated. I'm very impressed.

I am also interested in this binging at weekend thing. When I drank it was always a binge, so if I drank on a Tuesday it was a binge, if I drank on a Sunday, it was a binge, if I drank on a Saturday, once again maximum units and couldn't keep it to weekends/days off/holidays. When the cravings got to bad and I decided to drink it didn't matter what day of the week it was!

The units thing can be confusing.

Most 568ml (pint) cans of beer here in the UK contain 2 UK units, stronger beers can be up to 3 units and Stella 5 units per pint glass.

I would drink 30 units of Scrumpy, each pint can had 2.5 units in, 12 cans and I was done. Or 3 bottles of wine. My worst was 37.5 UK units in one night, which was in the form of 1 litre (just under 2 pints) of Vodka. Couldn't move the next day, I was paralytic.

Also had to miss an important exam.

Sorry I'm taking over, but shows what different people and different units mean.

BTW I am a smallish female and not terribly old.

Newlife - great on the 2 AF days - how did they feel ? I know that with mine I really do wonder why on earth I start to drink after them again - but it sounds as if you have got a new lease on this - and yes you are very early days yet! I think you are doing just fine - and love that you had the 2 AF days !

Hugs, Maggie x

Wow, UK Blonde, you must have had quite a tolerance level! Impressive that you could manage to quit after all of that!!

Yes, the weekend bingeing. It is my nemesis. I think it is all part of the "I work hard, I deserve to relax and have fun" mentality that takes over me on the weekend. I do sometimes overdo during the week, but for some reason I can keep it more under control then.

Yes, the units is confusing and I probably do it wrong, but I just figure as long as I am doing it consistently then I know if I am getting somewhere.

Thanks for the support!! I am super-motivated. 3 AF days in a row!! Woo hoo!! Going for another one tonight. Going out Friday; going to drink but going to see whether or not I can be more in control. Thanks for the support!! XOXO Newlife

And hugs to you, Maggie. Hope all is going well over in the UK and that you are getting to spend some time with your mom. Well I actually had 3 AF days now, and they feel great!! It's like a completely different person. I am looking around me, I am seeing trees, birds, all kinds of fabulousness that has been here all along that I have either been too out of it or too hungover to see. Yes, life can be hard but our world and our lives are also completely amazingly wonderful at times. Going for 4 in a row, as I told UK Blonde. Wish me luck!! XOX O Newlife

VERY happy for you, newlife! you really are on a roll and inspiring me.

It's really interesting how you see alcohol as a 'reward' that is 'deserved'. Looking from what I'd call the outside of an alcohol problem, I don't think anyone 'deserves' alcohol. I do however know all about it, my drinking started with weekend drinking, because it's part of being young, going out and have a good time. Sure I had some great times, BUT there were some horrendous times because I had blackouts, collapsing and throwing up right from the go get, and it seeded the horrendous problem much further down the line.

Not sure if you can identify with any of this?

It becomes something which justifies a behaviour, but I am certain you know that already!

Newlife, that is wonderful ! I was so happy to read of your AF days ..... Yes it does feel good doesn't it? I think we are both starting to see changes now that we know we have to actually WORK at this......

Yes thanks, I am having a great time.... very relaxing compared to how my trips usually are, so it is great !

Hugs, Maggie x

UK Blonde, it sounds like my problem has been more of a gradual buildup than yours. I have been drinking since the end of high school, when I was about 16. I'm 54, and I didn't have, or at least didn't recognize that I had, a problem with it, didn't have blackouts or regular horrendous hangovers, until maybe 10 years ago. And they have gradually gotten worse over time, so I could see where it would end up. It is very interesting how everyone's experience is just a little bit different.

Well I had the 3 AF days, thought I would try for 4, but it was not to be last night (Thursday). I just really started to feel cravings so I went ahead and took the nal and had a drink a few hours later. I didn't go crazy, had 2 drinks, certainly didn't get drunk. Slept OK, but not as well as the 3 nights before. And, even though I am not hungover, I can feel a HUGE difference in the way I feel today. Almost like having too much MSG in your Chinese food or something, a poison in your body, I guess is the best way to describe it. Maybe that is the nal, but since I have had really zero side effects, I am inclined to believe it is the alcohol. My body must have been so surprised that I didn't have a drink for 3 days that it is now sitting up and really taking notice.

Have a good weekend all and thanks for all of your support and replies. Hugs, Newlife