Tell me all the amazing things that happened once you gave up alcohol!

[MargaretElsie]

I need to go dry for a bit, around 6 months for medical reasons (not alcohol related!) and need some extra inspiration for when times get tough. Not only is there the football tonight, but I have two weddings and also a holiday to maintain it through all of which usually involve a few drinks.

I've read plenty of information online, but it's always nice to read things from a personal angle too.

So, please tell me your stories about being alcohol free and how AMAZING it was so I can dip in whenever I get the urge to drink.

Thank you ever so much!

Tipping point...dear God, so many. I feel such deep shame. I'm on my own all the time as dh works abroad and no friends or family. I have such dependency to drink, for 3 decades. It steals my memories, it makes them see me as a horrible drunk loser...I hate it. I hate ME. I bought in all my fave foods and pop drinks. pork scratchings, chocolate, lemonade etc, and I just eat and drink pop and I'm fighting it....but when you have no friends you can talk to, no one at all...it's a battle. But I want to win it. I'm doing it. I wake up SO refreshed!! I'm not ill every morning! The weight is dropping off...I remember my little wonderful children's conversations at bed now...I don't hate myself....FUCK YOU ALCOHOL.

Honestly I haven't noticed massive changes, but I don't think I was a big drinker. I stopped for pregnancy, and then because I was cosleeping, and then just because I was so tired that it didn't feel safe to add alcohol and look after children during the night! So I've not drank for a couple of years now. Alcohol free Guinness is definitely the best alcohol free beer there is.

I will say that I'm less anxious socially. I had to push through a lot because I didn't have the comfort blanket of a drink and the relaxation of a drink, so now I feel more confident that I can hold my own in the awkward small chat stakes.

Giving up drinkng doesn't really change your life much in any way.

What do you think will happen

@YouJustDoYou How much were you drinking?

Aww bless you. Keep posting on these types of forums! We all need support through different stages of our lives and feeling isolated never helps me.

There are also a number of free and highly confidental support services that you'd be able to contact, should you wish. If you are UK based, I know that the Samaritans is a confidential service. Link below in case you'd consider it helpful to you.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI44zW8Y6dhwMVeJFQBh0ZVAAwEAAYASACEgIVOvD_BwE

I put on 15kg when I gave up alcohol!! I did feel my sleep was better though.

You enjoy everything better for what it is, rather than feeling like alcohol gives it that special 'edge' but in reality it dulls everything.

Early morning coffee when the house is quiet and you are awake, alert, content. Bliss.

Not exactly what you asked for but my sibling used to drink a lot. I avoided them - they were always angry, aggressive, paranoid... Horrible to talk to. Since stopping, we get on surprisingly well! I can see how much happier and calmer they are in everything they do. It's been really nice to have a closer relationship.

The feeling of waking up fresh. The joys of being present. Its hard I want to drink my life away because life is hard however money is saved and life is clearer

You're not alone, @YouJustDoYou ! Right here cheering you on! 😄

It does if you're drinking too much. If alcohol spoils your sleep and saps your energy and stops you achieving your goals and makes you anxious or irritable or argumentative and means you can't enjoy yourself without a drink... just for starters... 😁

I only recently discovered that alcohol can raise cholesterol, so that is a motivator for to drink less or not at all.

@Maffit
Hear hear

Six months no alcohol on Sunday. I have lost a stone (no dieting just no booze), and I sleep like a teenager. I am post menopausal and sleep and weight loss has alluded me for a few years. Plus my bank balance at the end of the month looks good. I am not going back to booze.

My husband gave up 4 months ago. He has lost a stone and a half. His sleep is still shit though!

Honestly, I have absolutely no one to talk to about this, and can't risk either ringing aa or going to a meeting so, thank you

@YouJustDoYou, why not a cheap burner mobile to ring the AA and listen to online meetings with a blank screen? No need to speak. Totally anon.

Or same for Smart Recovery if that's more you than AA.
smartrecovery.org.uk/

Most people need some support/community. Be careful you're not self-sabotaging by telling yourself that you can't engage with any support.

I gave up alcohol in cough syrup when I was about 5, and I've been sober since.

Since then, I've gone to school, gotten degrees, fallen in love, bought a car and a house, some fantastic cats, travelled the world.

Life without alcohol is pretty sweet :)

This is inspirational. For anyone trying to make any change.

Your clear headed determination shines through.

Good for you, and all the best to you.

Well I can’t relate to the weight loss as when I quit booze I gained weight. My sleep isn’t much better either. I was a binge drinker and just decided to stop. Positives, however - no hangovers, fewer bad decisions (none related to being drunk!), no more making a dick of myself, much less self-loathing, save money.

Not what you asked OP but thank you for this thread.

I don't smoke or drink (I just don't like alcohol), but have seriously been considering taking it up due to a ridiculously stressful lifestyle that I can't change

This thread reminds me why it isn't a good idea.

Lots of people in my position joke about being functioning alcoholics. Because it gets them through

This thread reminds me why it's bloody stupid to start something you've not done and is bad for you, by the bucket load

Well done everyone for going sober with something you are stuck to

I've lost 6 stone. Skin looks loads better. I'm happier.

I'm going through a shit time atm and I feel so much more mentally strong to deal with what life throws at me now than before giving up. Alcohol made me tired, overweight and mentally exhausted.

I did Dry January which turned into Sober Spring. I wasn't a big drinker although in the past couple of years, I found myself drinking more especially on a Friday night.

My skin is much better, I go out without makeup on. I'm also on the whole a lot happier. I can also drive to places so I don't have to worry about public transport, and I can leave when I want.

The most noticeable thing though, is I can have as much fun sober.

I've had all of 3 drinks this year and that was at a wedding.

Exactly this!

Non alcoholic gin and tonics are nice

Well done!!

I have a jawline and a waist with a flat tummy for the first time since my teens, and I am late 30s with a toddler.