We are delighted that Kath decided to share her story here on Alcohol Free Review.  I’m sure many readers will be able to identify with a lot of the things she mentions below.  Also be sure to check out her blog, the address of which can be found at the end of the article. - 

I was a “functioning” alcoholic. I got to work every day, my kids didn’t go hungry, and sometimes I was even known to clean the bathroom. It’s just I drank at least a bottle of wine, every day, for over 15 years.

Towards the end it was pushing towards two bottles of wine a day. I generally felt dreadful; tired and dehydrated, as well as pretty snappy and depressed. I didn’t do very much; certainly no socialising that didn’t involve drinking, and a lot of it. I could be relied on to make a complete fool of myself whenever I did go out, and my journeys home were legendary. If I didn’t miss the last train I fell asleep on it.

Mainly I didn’t go out. I came in from work, shouted at the kids for a while, then slumped in front of the telly with some wine. Weekends were generally spent drunk or hung-over. I’d get up late, and possibly return to bed if I could late afternoon, so that I was ready to start drinking again in the evening.

I knew for a long time that I should stop drinking. Cutting down wasn’t an option for me. I’d wake up every morning determined not to drink that night, but would always end up with a glass in my hand by eight in the evening. And having just the one glass wasn’t ever an option.

Eventually, I approached Bolton Addiction Dependency Solutions (ADS). They assessed me as being alcohol dependent, and referred me to the Community Alcohol Team who said they would do a home detox with me. This meant taking a week off work, and having a nurse round every morning to check I was OK, and to breathalyse me. I took Librium in decreasing doses over four days to help with the withdrawal from alcohol, and started on Campral to reduce the cravings. I’ve to take this for a year.

I had my last drink on 19 December 2010. I found it really helped to have a date where it would all stop, although the weeks running up to it were not at all easy as I was so scared of a life without booze.

I can honestly say that all aspects of my life are better now I don’t drink. I did not expect this to be the case, and I didn’t listen to people who told me it would be. But I have a better relationship with my kids, my mental health is better, and I’ve done some DIY and the house is coming along. My hands no longer shake, I sleep incredibly well and I’ve lost masses of weight. I’ve taken up exercise; I did the Great Salford Swim in May, and now I’m training for a half marathon in September. I go to the cinema and the theatre. These are not things I would have considered at all before.

I started to drink non-alcoholic beer in February. It was my first dry trip to a pub, and I panicked on the way. I stopped off at an M and S and bought a bottle of alcohol-free lager and a bottle opener to take with me so I could drink it and look the same as everyone else. I’ve never liked soft drinks like coke and I felt asking for tap water (which I do like) made me look as though I was being a martyr.

Anyway, the pub actually sold alcohol-free Krombacher, so I didn’t need to resort to my M and S bottle. I couldn’t believe how good it was; everyone had always told me how awful alcohol-free beer was. Having since tried Kaliber I can see why it historically has a bad name…

Since then I’ve started having alcohol free beer at home most days. I drink Kobra or Bavaria 0.0% as they sell these in my local ASDA. I’m not that keen on Becks Blue, which seems to be the option of choice in many pubs, but I can certainly drink it. I’ve recently also discovered Fentimans vintage lemonade which has to be as close to a G and T as you get without having a G and T. And I drink Fre wines as well. I find all these options help me to have the rituals and treats that I associated with drinking, without the hangover, memory loss and justified fear of having made a complete fool of myself.

I’ve been blogging about life without booze since March. You’re welcome to take a look at it at http://haventhadadreaminalongtime.blogspot.com/ . Please note that I blog with a friend, Sam, who drinks and sometimes blogs about it, so don’t get the two of us confused!

Kind regards

Kath

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