DRY 8!!!!!!

[CheesyNachos]

Hello! This is our 8th! thread for those who are abstaining from alcohol and for those who want to abstain. :) We love newbies and lurkers. We have people who have been DRY for years, for months, for weeks, days, and hours. :) ALL are welcome. We have heaps of tips and we offer support at any stage.

DRY 7 the previous thread is here...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/2347295-DRY-7?

[gladistopped]

Hurrah! Shiny new thread :)

[CheesyNachos]

Hello! Hope everyone finds us.:)

Have developed a bad headache... and it is raining so I am in bed with a book, my laptop and the electric blanket on. And sober. Despite the headache, life is good, truly, deeply good.

Hope everyone is fine. :)

[PinkPopPony]

Hello
Its raining here.
I love lying in bed all warm and cosy listening to it pattering on the roof.
Not so nice if you are out in it though, the roads were awful earlier and its still tipping it down.

I cant quite believe it will be 3 weeks for me tomorrow and I am feeling so great .
Ive lost another 3kg without trying- I cant stop smiling

Hope everyone is ok thanks for the thread

[Degustibusnonestdisputandem]

Checking in to new thread . Tis raining here too.

[SoberAsMyJudgeypants]

It's been a while. I lost the thread out of my convos! I've now lost count of weeks so that's good, right? It's been a struggle and I'm fast losing the love for San Pellegrino but I'm still going!

Apologies as I can't remember the name of the poster who was worried about their friend in the last thread, but if you aren't able to talk directly to them, I would presume the DH is already very aware. I have had 2 school mum friends who I suspected had similar problems to mine. One is, as far as I know, still spending most of her life drinking. Her DH left her. The other turned out to be on heavy duty anti depressants and wasn't an alcoholic at all.

[CheesyNachos]

Morning all.

Still have a headache here but at least it is not raining. I had plans to take DS to various attractions but he has asked just to go to the library and McDonalds. so a quiet day planned!

[LastGleaming]

Morning all. Found you..thanks cheesy. :) mine are the same, asked to go to Burger King as a treat the other day

Excellent news pink! Seeing and feeling results makes it all worthwhile.

Beautiful morning here but looks like it's gonna turn. Just in from a long run, nearly hitting my half marathon distance and it's still 2 months away so stiff and achy but happy but I'm on track. Fingers crossed for no sicknesses or injuries.

Dc free myself - wee trip into town planned, new running clothes needing bought and maybe try the sushi place that has opened up.

Enjoy your sober Saturday everyone whatever you end up doing :)

[PinkPopPony]

Afternoon!

Have also got a cracking headache because I slept in until 10.40
Most unlike me and I feel a bit groggy now.
ThanksLast
Im also hoping to go for a run later depending on the weather and after the TdF

Is it me or are their a few "Am I drinking too much?" threads popping up atm.
Not judging (cos Ive been there and hoping not to go back) but there are a lot of people drinking a bottle of wine several times a week and telling each other its fine.
Have resisted the urge to post as I don't want to sound preachy or be rounded on.
Its scary, so close to home for many of us and I cant help wondering what triggered this as a way of coping for many women.

[Degustibusnonestdisputandem]

I've noticed those threads too, pink. It's hard not to say anything without sounding smug/preachy though I think

Well, I've woken full of beans and have almost finished the kitchen cupboards. Quick stop for a bite to eat and back to it. I've even defrosted the chest freezer

[PinkPopPony]

Can you come and do mine Degust

[Degustibusnonestdisputandem]

Hehe Pink . Have stopped for the day now, spare room cupboard can wait til tomorrow. I am rather ashamed to say the kitchen hadn't been spring cleaned since we moved in almost 4 years ago

[Lucy2610]

Marking place now I've found you! :) Still buried under packing and boxes. No rain today so lots moved to new house - now just have to start bloody unpacking at the other end

[LastGleaming]

Yay Lucy! Unpacking is the nice bit, making a home out of a shell.

Wish I had your motivation degustibus. Dc have been off here for summer hols three weeks already and I've been doing the bare minimum. Don't see the point when the kids and their mates are traipsing in and out of the house.

Haven't been on mn much lately (see above paragraph), haven't noticed lots of those threads bar the one in active atm. Do you reckon people are becoming much more aware of the damage alcohol causes, in a similar way smoking went hence the questioning threads?

[CheesyNachos]

Hi everyone,

Congrats Lucy! Hope your new house is everything you dream. :)

I think there has been an encouraging increase in recognition in the media about the damage alcohol causes lately. The info about the potential harm to over 50s for example. That seems to have triggered discussion about drinking habits on MN. Did anyone listen to a pretty idiotic approach taken by radio 4 though the other day? They had a side by side interview with a Dr who is experienced in alcohol and liver issues and an actor from the Archers who was discussing it WHILE he uncorked and drank wine. It was interesting how the Archers character was dismissive and bringing up all the old cliches about how guidelines have more to do with Nanny stateism than healht; how he works hard and deserves to drink; how we all have to die of something; etc etc etc. The radio 4 host found it all amusing, but it did not feel all that amusing to me. The Dr was trying to explain the research and the findings sensibly and it was all treated as a bit of a joke.

After lunch yesterday we met up with a bunch of boozy friends and we went on a mini-pub crawl. (It just worked out that way.) drinks at one place, then meeting others at another, drinks at yet another. I had pineapple juice and soda water, and the only comment I got was from a friend who said; 'Actually, I might join you. I've had enough now'. Was a good afternoon. No-one got blind drunk, and we finished at about 6 after good conversation. In my drinking days I would have probably outpaced everyone, and demanded we carry on through the evening or gone home at 6 and gone to bed. Instead I went to the shops, made a gorgeous butternut squash frittata for dinner, gave DS a bath, did some reading with him and then settled with DH in front of the Big Bang while researching camping spots. Bliss.

[fabuLou]

Can I join? I'm not sure that I want to give up but I would like to have a week off and try and cut down after that?

I currently drink about 3 bottles of wine a week, quickly downi g a whole bottle ay once. Sometimes more if I go out at werkend. Rare.

I am ovet weight and often feel hungover and rubbish on days after I don't drink to. I also suffer with deoression.

[CheesyNachos]

Welcome fabuLou. :)

Good to see you. Alcohol and depression- that is part of my story as well. Bloody awful. You will find heaps of support here.

A book I found helpful relating to that is;

www.amazon.co.uk/Eating-Drinking-Overthinking-Destructive-Relationship/dp/0749926708/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437893990&sr=1-1&keywords=eating%20drinking%20overthinking&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[EarlieBirdie]

Not sure why I am posting, maybe just to be understood by people who have been or are in the same boat....

Despite being fully aware of the consequences of drinking too much then having to deal with two young children the next day, I can't seem to help bouncing in and out of this binge drinking behaviour. I know it's destructive in many ways, I know it takes away real quality time with the kids as I may have no energy, be tired etc.

Why is it that I can't find the will power to stick with a healthier way of life, for them if not for me? I was like this pre children as well, suffered badly from depression, one suicide attempt. Alcohol is a depressant....which I know...it is such a vicious cycle....but I want it to stop now, for all our sakes. I also want to not feel guilty anymore.

[fabuLou]

Thanks cheesy I'll upload that on my kindle.

This drinking thing seems to be raging on our society. I have friends who are also in the same place or worse.

[Lucy2610]

Thanks Gleaming and Cheesy :)
Welcome fabuLou and Earlie. To answer your question about why can't we stop the cycle (without wishing to teach grandmother to suck eggs!) it's because it is an addictive substance. We find it difficult to stop after one glass because of this fact and we become psychologically addicted to the feeling we get when we drink so don't want to stop either. It is a vicious circle but it can be broken as us here are all testament too You learn new ways to reward yourself or switch off and then its power diminishes. Not had a drink for 673 days and honestly don't miss it most of the time. All depression and anxiety has gone and life is fab without it :)

[PinkPopPony]

Such a good post *Cheesy8
I think you are right - I read something this week about "young people" DC hate that phrase turning away from alcohol because they have seen the effects on their parents.
Roughly 20% of those 18-24 don't drink any alcohol at all .


Its interesting that the MH harm that alcohol causes is now being reported- it was always assumed that "self medicating" depression/anxiety was the cause of dependent drinking.
Evidence seems to suggest its the opposite, the more you drink the increase in anxiety/depression and we are only just realising this.

Like Lucy my symptoms of severe anxiety have gone .

Off to clean my kitchen waves to Degust

[Degustibusnonestdisputandem]

Waves back . I've thrown out a total of 4 large bin bags and have two large bin bags of clothes to donate Throwing things out is quite cathartic!

[gladistopped]

Welcome Fabulou and Earlie :) We like new people :)

peeing down with rain, here :( But have done loads of ironing, done business accounts and cleaned out (counts in head) 5 chicken houses and runs. Now having a cuppa.

Then to make some supper and maybe have a AF cider or two :)

[PinkPopPony]

Its very cathartic but DH is terrible for keeping stuff.
So I chuck it when he is out!

I gave my kitchen a really good scrub, fending off hungry teenagers who have to eat about 5 times a day
Sounds like we have all had a productive day

[Suzietastic]

is it OK if I watch until I bite the bullet? I know it's all or nothing for me, I can't do moderation but im not sure I'm ready yet. I'm hoping to get some motivation from you all x

[LastGleaming]

I was listening to a news report this week that said the same Pink and linked the rise in social media and differences in socialising in the 'yoof' of today and the fall of alcohol. Too simplistic I feel but may play a small part.

Hmm not so productive day myself considering I didn't get out of bed until half eleven

Hello to Earliebirdie and fabuLou and not a problem Suzie, hope you gain some motivation from us all. Best thing I've ever done. Another one who anxiety and depression has all but disappeared.