I'm fucking done this time

[LittleDonk]

Said this so many times before, but I feel like last night was the final straw.

I'm sick of waking up feeling sick and dizzy and having to pretend I'm fine. Fucking sick of it. I'm injuring my body and I don't like myself.

I'm done with it. No more alcohol.

[OverTheRainbow88]

Best of luck to you.

[Drybird2020]

Good for you, welcome to day 1. Come and join our long running thread, full of people who have made the same decision as you. It's the one called Still Stopped... You'll get tons of support and useful tips, and a place to siybd off if you need to. 😊

[LittleDonk]

Thank you!

[MissConductUS]

I had so many rough mornings like that, I used to dread them. Props to you OP for seeing the need to change.

I now get up at sunrise and run three miles before work.

[FusionChefGeoff]

How was today? Did you manage to stay off it?

[jullyg]

How much were you drinking each night. Cold turkey can make you feel quite unwell might be best to cut it down over a few weeks if the quantities have been high.

[LittleDonk]

Thank you. I wasn't even drinking every day, maybe 1-3 days a week. But I was full on into blackout when I did drink. Never just a couple.

1 glass of wine would be 2 bottles, a g&t would end up the whole bottle, a couple of beers would be 6 beers and half a bottle of vodka.

[LittleDonk]

Didn't drink yesterday!

[Nishky]

Well done for yesterday, you are very brave taking the first step

[Hangingover]

Good for you - you're going to feel SO much better soon. Yes, join the thread DryBird suggests - loads of friendly helpful people on there.

[Northernsoullover]

I decided I was done 16 months ago. I cannot believe that I really am! I said it so many times.
Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck was a complete game changer and its totally changed the way I see alcohol. Are you a Facebook user? If so I am in two groups which are incredibly supportive. The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober (unofficial group inspired by the book) and Soberpunks Gang the Quit drinking club (this is my favourite because you can swear copiously) both of which have mumsnetters in (I don't know their MN ids though ).

[LittleDonk]

Could someone please link the MN thread for me? I can't seem to find it.

[Drybird2020]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/3910349-Staying-Stopped-Alcohol-Free-permanently

[LittleDonk]

Thanks!

I'm in the local pub having a Heineken zero. It's minging.

[OverTheRainbow88]

Minging but worth it!! You may grow to love it!!

[ThatLibraryMiss]

There are nice non-alcoholic drinks. Seedlip gin is good.

[Mustardbay]

Erdinger alcohol free is ok if they have that.

[LittleDonk]

I'm home! 4 hours in the pub with no booze. It was good to see friends and not drink. Definitely missed the alcohol though.

Nanny state is my favourite AF beer but they didn't have any. Heineken zero is vile piss, I switched to cokes.

[LittleDonk]

I think driving my car to the pub is the key. I've always been terrified of drink driving, I won't even drive after 1 drink, so it was definitely good motivation to stay sober.

Thanks for the support all. Will be nice to not wake up feeling disgusting next to a cold kebab. I'm going to get into bed with the cat and watch yesterday's match of the day.

[OverTheRainbow88]

Congratulations, you’re doing fab😊

Hope you’ve managed to enjoy the sunshine this morning without a sore head!!

[LittleDonk]

Thank you so much! I was very very bored last night when I got home alone.

But I know drinking will only make me feel worse.

[JustHavinABreak]

I say this as someone who was once in your shoes, but I think it's going to take more than just still going to the pub and not drinking. It will help you if you look at a change on lifestyle. Look at how bored you were after one night off the sauce. Life needs to move away from the pub. It's only with some distance that you'll realise that your life has so much more potential once you get away from that rut and all it entails.

[JustHavinABreak]

And feel free to send me a virtual slap if that's not what you want to hear right now. I just say it because I really was you and I was a train wreck

[LittleDonk]

No you're right, thank you.

I've done yoga 2-3 times a week for the last 8 years pre-lockdown and plan to throw myself right back into that once the studio reopens. I just don't get on as well doing it at home or doing zoom classes.

My other main hobby is reading which obviously isn't as helpful as yoga because I often read with a bottle next to me.

[JustHavinABreak]

I know how it feels. I'm a natural introvert, though to watch me you probably wouldn't realise it. Sometimes a natural extension for a reader is writing and if you join a writing group, it might be the right balance between solitary and social. Oftentimes when someone stops drinking there's a whole lot of stuff that suddenly comes up amd writing it down can be theraputic if nothing else. I don't want to come across as preaching at all but if you really feel that this is your time to stop, there are ways to make it work and I'm always here if you ever need help. Feel free to pm me