Ok so for me moderating anything, let alone alcohol is impossible! I am definitely an all or nothing sort of person, some people call it an addictive personality, I like to think of it as passionate! I don’t do sitting on the fence, moderating or grey areas, I’m either in or out, I either love it or hate it!
So for me moderating alcohol was just a no go area although it took me a long time to realise this. The amount of time I would spend thinking about how much I should drink? Should I have another glass? Should I open another bottle? Should I say I’m driving? And to be honest as soon as I had a couple of glasses any plans I had spent all week putting together of moderating went out of the window, so all that time was wasted, pointless energy!
And then, if on the odd occasion I would manage to have just one glass, I would think well what’s the point? There was no enjoyment in one glass it would just leave me wanting more and feeling miserable, not pleased or happy with myself.
People will debate this and there are a lot of mixed views out there. But I do strongly believe there are people who CAN have just one drink then stop, they are the people who will probably never need to stop or want to stop drinking because they don’t have a problem with it. But then there are others, like me, for who that one glass is never enough.
So for me the only option was to have a total break from the booze and see how I felt, see if I could manage and carry on as normal without drinking. I didn’t put a time limit on it but just seemed to carry on and on, one day at a time. I realised that by removing alcohol from my life I had also removed all the time I spent thinking about trying to control it too. Suddenly I had all this space and time to fill with other stuff! So with me being all or nothing I went all out healthy! I started filling my mind with positive stuff, such as exercise, challenges, recipes, planning healthy meals, and just more of the good positive stuff!
This blog isn’t about preaching to others to stop drinking, it’s just to share my journey to better health. Everyone knows that you don’t have to stop drinking to get healthy, but for me I felt it was the only option and it’s what worked for me. It’s totally turned my health and lifestyle around, I’ve turned into someone I never thought I could be and that’s a pretty amazing feeling!
So are you one of the lucky people who can stop at one glass? Can anyone give any advice for other readers on how to moderate? Or are you like me – an all or nothing kinda person? And that’s nothing to be ashamed of, we are the passionate, crazy ones don’t forget! I would love to hear what you guys think………..
Happy Saturday!
Angie xx
PS. if you want to leave a comment, just click on the title and the option comes up
Find Your Sober Glow! 
Hi, I don’t really have a comment on this topic but I wanted you to know I’m reading the blog. I sometimes clicked on your name to see if you had a blog when you used to comment on SM’s blog as I thought you made interesting points. Look forward to reading more of your journey and advise. I’m still on day zero:(.
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hi, ahhh thanks for letting me know your there! I had a million day zero’s, the main thing is that your looking into it and reading about it. I used to spend ages reading sober blogs, then one day it just clicked. I’m here if you need me 🙂 xx
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I really like this post. I unknowingly was trying to moderate for decades. In October it came to a head and I stopped drinking and started on antidepressants. It is working for me at this point so that is my experience.
My blog is retiredfromdrinking.com and I plan to live up to the name!
George
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I am the same as you; although for decades I didn’t think I had a problem, until I did. It’s been three years this April since I’ve struggled with giving up the booze. I’ve tried moderating, and I do well for a while, then…let’s just say, the on switch goes haywire and before you know it, I’m blacked out! From reading various blogs, mainly from women, as you age (I’m 55) it takes less alcohol to black out; also, I switched to wine (I was mainly a beer drinker) in my mid 40s because I could get “drunk” (hate writing this) faster on less. Anyway, on day 86 here and I do feel better and all, but I still reminisce about drinking those couple glasses, ahh! But I know I haven’t, nor will I ever, figure out how to moderate. I enjoy how positive and upbeat you are about your journey, provides motivation for me know know I can be this way too. Mind over matter, right?
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Hi Dana! Wow 86 days is amazing, close to the big 💯!! Hope you’ve planned to celebrate or treat yourself. Thanks for the comments. Personally for me as it’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself health wise and I feel so much better for it, I would never want to go back to “trying” to moderate! You should be so proud of how far you’ve come 👍🏻😊x
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. Like you, I am an all or nothing kind of girl. Moderation is impossible for me. I’ve found that it is exhausting thinking about drinking, not drinking, how much to drink, how much not to drink…feels so much better to just not drink. Thank you for sharing your journey.
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Exactly – it feels amazing to be free of all that doesn’t it!!! It used to take up so much of my mind!!! Thankyou so much for your comment- hope your having a fab weekend 💗xxxxx
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Hi
I read the Sober diaries about 3 months ago, and I am now 59 days without alcohol after drinking consistently for almost four decades. I had occasionally read other books/ blogs about reducing or giving up alcohol but somehow they didn’t resonate with me. Yours did.
I think the realisation that I am never ever going to be able to moderate my drinking has been a revelation. Stopping completely is actually far easier than trying to limit my consumption. One is never enough for me. One bottle maybe….
I found drinking sparkling water with a few drops of organic cider vinegar in my wine glass helps. Also alcohol free beer.
The benefits so far are financial( well over $1000 nz as I drank expensive wine), skin improved drastically, dropped a little weight, feel better, look younger.
Thank you.
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Hi!!!! That’s amazing – and you are so welcome!!! Yes it’s a bit of a light bulb moment when you realise that you can’t moderate and even more so when you realise you don’t want to!!!! I love ACV in sparkling water too and I only discovered it a few months the ago – apparently in the sober world it’s called a V & T !!!! Love it!!! Thankyou for your comments and please keep me posted on your sober journey – it just gets better and better!! 💗xxx
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