Tell me what happened when you kicked the booze?

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I'm doing Dry January... in fact I think I'll go whole hog and do Dry 2023. I calmed down a bit last year but in 2021 I went through a series of personal matters and really, really hit it hard. I'm not talking a few extra beers. At my very worst I did 17 bottles of wine in one week. It was terrible.

Last year I was better as I say and I started knowing the lovely feeling of waking up fresh as a daisy on a Saturday morning. It felt great. But I still drank somewhat. I still regularly experienced The Fear. Oh, The Fear. It's crippling.

This year I've snapped. I just don't want it anymore. I've been reading all about clearer skin, thicker hair, brighter eyes all that shit. But for me mainly the biggest positive would be less anxiety and less bowel issues. I've just bought a book called "The Unexpected Joy Of Being Sober" and will spend tomorrow night getting stuck into that instead of drinking something that will only make me feel euphoric for an hour, two tops.

I'm only a couple of weeks in but already feeling relieved.

So tell me - what's it like on the Other Side?

Thanks everyone. I went for a walk with my Mum earlier and she said my skin (face) looks clearer and smoother. It's been less than two weeks! This weekend, although for a slight second was a bit flat last night, has been much better than any I've had in a long time. My bones are aching... but that's because I cycled for the first time in months!

Nothing.

I stopped drinking in October. I used to drink a few times a week, usually a bottle of wine

I just got bored of it, I don’t like the taste of alcohol anyway. I winced with every sip, it’s like battery acid.

I was just drinking out of boredom but I was still bored when I was pissed, I don’t have any friends to drink with or go out with so it was just with just dh at home.

I’m still waiting for any benefits!

Do you mean a bottle of wine a few times per week? Or a few times per week equalling a bottle of wine in total?

I’m just over a year sober now and feel so much better. I’ve lost 1.5 stone, but have so much more energy and feel so much happier and more stable. No more frantic pints of water at 4am, lying in bed dreading opening my eyes because of the pounding in my head, dragging myself through the day waiting for evening, beating myself up, overthinking everything- it’s just lovely! Good luck on this journey ☺️

A bottle of wine 2 or 3 times a week, sorry.

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