looks like you know the blueprint to success 
and congratulations on giving up smoking, especially as you’ve been drinking. I know I could not do that.
Knowing & doing are two different things. Sigh. Terrible response I know but honest … I’m wondering when the glass recycle guy will put a AA announcement on my bin when he empties it. I just started put “a bottle or two” in my garbage instead so another sign there “may be” a problem for me.
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There’s a recurring motif in your words here 
(and I’m observing this in a gentle way). If you’ll permit me to ask: what would you say intimidates you so much about that word?
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I was introduced to Kombucha at my Yoga studio. I use it as a probiotic. I was wondering if “any” alcohol content would trigger a want for something else too. Thanks for the input.
Welcome pickles! Hope you find the answers you are looking for.
I relate to your opening post. I don’t think I’m an alcoholic, but noticed the habit messing with other parts of my life. It’s just easier without it now. Not worth the mental energy of the negotiation. And i have a ton more time & entry for things I’ve been putting off. Which is an added side bonus of being booze free
And it’s nice to read here & chat. We all have similarities.
Enjoy!
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Yes I know. I hear myself “talk”. I’m being honest & open and the reason I’m exploring it. I cannot say that the word alcoholic bothers me at all (really!). What DOES bother me is giving it all up. Getting my head around there being no moderation for me or control over it. Again, just like with smoking at one time I hear myself say, “but I enjoy it” and “it is not an issue for me” … yet.
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Can identify with this, “Not worth the mental energy of the negotiation.” I find myself procrastinating & putting off others things more & more and choosing to drink instead to “relax”. Thanks for your input.
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Hey Pickles!! Love the name!
If you have a desire to stop drinking then absolutely you belong!!
From what you’ve written, you realize that something is not quite right and that seems to make you uncomfortable. I think a lot of people have a hard time coming to terms with their relationship to alcohol, I know I did. As far as being an alcoholic, that’s up to you to decide, and regardless of what you decide, it doesn’t make your decision to quit any more or less valid. Whether you are getting drunk every day, weekend binge drinker or just glass of wine a day, quitting is the easy part, it’s the learning to cope and navigate this life without alcohol that is the hard part, and that’s what we’re here for.
Welcome!
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oh god don’t remind me 
my bin was embarrassing, nothing but tins. I did consider taking it to the scrap yard and getting money for the metal by the tonne 
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hi, pickles! if you think you could have a drinking problem, you probably do. 
welcome! 
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I found with SMOBRIETY (8-1/2 years grateful & thankful now) that deciding to QUIT was very hard (“The Event”) for me. The Stay Quit brought a lot of personal growth (“The Process”) but wasn’t easy either.
A lot of similarities for all addictions I see. Get one under control another one wants to bulge out (even one that wasn’t known or a problem before). Hmmmm. Thinking.
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Hi Pickles! Welcome to TS 
I drink Kombucha for the same reasons, and I actually just like the taste. At no point have I felt triggered by the drink or addicted. Like you said the % of actual alcohol is so low it’s like an NA beer.
I personally wouldn’t worry about that, but if you can get away from the wine you’ll be better off in the long run…I loved my wine, and then loved vodka…and then finally just couldn’t stand myself…until now anyways!
Stay healthy and be blessed!
I look forward to chatting with ya!
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Hi, @pickles! I’m glad you’re here. From personal experience, I know the word alcoholic can have some really appalling connotations. For quite a while, I danced around it, but I finally came to the conclusion that the word only has the power I allow it to have. Am an alcoholic? Yep. But it’s not my defining characteristic, unless I let it be. I used alcohol as a very unhealthy coping mechanism, and then I decided to do something different. So, yeah, I’m an alcoholic. But I’m also a loyal friend, a hard worker, a proud sister and daughter and granddaughter. All of us are so many things, one word simply can’t define us.
You’re here because you’re concerned about your drinking. You don’t have to call yourself an alcoholic. You don’t have to be an alcoholic! You can just be you, wanting to try something different, and we’ll all still be here to lend what support we can as you figure out your path. And I, for one, am very glad you’re here!
PS- I wouldn’t worry about the Kombucha so much. The sheer amount of kombucha you’d have to drink to get a buzz would mean you’d be peeing every two seconds. 
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We’ve all been there Pickles. Welcome home. I think you’ll find a lot of the people here have been in your shoes 
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Hey Pickles - welcome! I can relate to a lot of your post. I would hit the wine shop after a good yoga class, hey - it was right on the way home - not like I was going out of my way! I could go a day or two without wine, no problem (er, sort of) but always had a plan that the 5-day cleanse or whatever it was would end with a trip back to the wine shop. In the end - it wasn’t only the amount I drank that had become “questionable” (to say the least), but just how much mental space was taken up by moderating my consumption: the efforts it took to go without, to actually have only one glass or two (at the stupid bartender line). SO MUCH EFFORT! I could also easily justify that I had earned that drink/bottle on any given day - a good/hard/fun/sad/happy/stressful day.
When I wake up in the morning, refreshed, free of shame and remorse and a hangover, and know that I am absolutely not drinking today - even just for the day - I have a lot more mental space. So much more real estate in my mind! And it feels amazing to put my head on the pillow knowing I’m going to love waking up without a hangover.
@Matt and @TSan put it well. Never mind what you call it. Just do today. 
EDIT: as for yoga from home during lockdown? only a few days before signing up here, last spring, I was rehydrating with prosecco beside my yoga mat. antigrowth! 
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Welcome Pickles! Glad you are here!
Welcome pickles!! 
Hi and welcome here 🙋
A lot of good suggestions you’ve got from other members. So I hope to see you around often and welcome into a heathier lifestyle! 
Welcome Pickles!.. I can relate to the wine. All was ok until life through me several different curve balls. Mum got diagnosed with lung cancer, dad had heart attack (ok this time but poorly), nephew died of carbon monoxide poisoning, mum died, dad had another heart attack. Family fractured… wine, wine, wine! Then I couldn’t stop! Opening a second bottle each night, feeling ill, depressed but the wine kept me going 
NOT! Then 12 years later, little sister killed herself leaving my nephew and niece behind and I finally broke down! The wine was all good at first but as soon as life got hard it was my go to! If you think you have a problem babe, you probably do! Glad you’re here! 
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