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!

@YouJustDoYou I just wanted to suggest you consider the AA online meetings. They are on 24 hours a day. You can just join and/or drop off as you wish. You also dont have to put your camera on if you dont want to.

I was just struck by you saying that 1. you have no one to talk to and 2. you cant risk a meeting.

Good luck.

@YouJustDoYou... you sound like you are doing amazing and are taking the first steps to beating this, so keep going and be really proud of yourself.

The previous poster mentioning an online AA may be something for you to consider, it may be a great place for confidential, anonymous help and chats.

But keep going and there is always someone about on here to chat and give support.

I'm not dependent on alcohol but would buy a bottle of wine every Friday. Since I've almost stopped drinking at home, will drink if out at a restaurant or social function, I have lost almost 2 stone. I sleep better, no hot nights or booze breath in the morning.

Besides the fact that my health improved and I lost a stone without even trying (I was eating a lot of cake!), the best thing is I realised it’s not a big deal to go to things where other people drink and just not.

Like yes, you think the football is on and I have a wedding and a birthday dinner and a festival to go to. But believe it or not, people do these things all the time and don’t drink. And once you’ve done it a few times, you’ll not think it’s a big deal either. That being said, you also don’t have to go to anything if you don’t want to until you figure it out. Just stay at home, eat cake, go to bed. It’s wonderful. I was drinking 3 bottles of wine a night, every night, when I quit. If I can do it, anyone can.

The second most amazing thing has been how much of a positive impact it’s had on everyone around me. I come from a heavy drinking family and all my friends drink. I’m 14 months sober now. In that time, my MIL also went sober. Dh went from drinking 5 nights a week to maybe having 2 drinks once a week. And now my BIL has stopped drinking too. I’ve had friends come to me to talk about their own worries about their drinking. My preteen thinks it’s great I don’t drink and says she isn’t sure she’ll drink either when she gets older.

It’s been like the flood gates opening for the whole family. Dh lost his dad to alcoholism 20 years ago. It didn’t change anyone’s problematic drinking even though he died an awful death. But one person making a change has kicked off a whole new way of living for the people closest to me. I mean, I won’t take all the credit, they’ve worked damn hard too. But it got people thinking differently about alcohol and I feel really proud of that.

The shame I felt has turned into gratitude and pride. It can for anyone. You just have to close your eyes and leap. Even if you don’t know what the future holds without drinking, there is no way it will be worse than now.

I've recently gone dry for health reasons after a set of blood results that I'm being monitored on - although I was starting to worry about my drinking habits so having those results and the threat of my health being affected and/or deteriorating has been the kick up the arse I needed.

Been 3 weeks and never felt better.

Sleep so well, my skin is clear and bright and my face is not puffy anymore. I've already lost nearly half a stone. Instead of sitting down and having wine I go out walking with the dog and listen to a podcast, so I feel much fitter. I've stopped eating shite - takeaways when drinking then junk food and sweets the day after.
No more waking up with my heart racing.

My moods and anxiety have calmed right down and I feel so much more level and in control of myself. My mind is sharper at work.

I've never thought that much of non-alco wine but recently discovered Heineken 0% which tastes exactly the same as lager and only 73 cals. Asahi 0% is also really nice. I also have those Trip drinks which give me a mellow sensation.

Been out a few times and with the taste of the non-alco drinks so good now, I don't register that I've not had the tipsy feeling to accompany it. I was only going to stay off it for a few months but honestly as the days go by, I'm wondering if I'll ever go back now.

This is all fantastic. I have since dipped into the alcohol support threads but, while I need to stop for a bit, it's not due to excessive drinking / possible alcoholism so didn't seem quite right.

I feel great today after the match too - which is a very pleasant change all things considering!

Nice post !

I need to cut out alcohol too, last night I had 4 beers and I regret it !! I can’t wait to feel more motivated and have nicer skin. I might even loose weight too - I’m just hoping I see some results in them areas so it stays more of a permanent thing. I drink too much, every day a few beers or half a bottle of wine - could easily manage a full bottle.
Also I’m pretty skint at the minute so I’d like to see my money save better x

Really helpful post. I didn't drink last night and have picked up some good tips.

I have the wine itch now - these posts are helping hugely! While the main reason is for reasons that are not visible, it’s the more obvious ones that keep me motivated.

I’m riding the craving and hoping it passes soon! @xTheLoudLeaderx @Therunecaster - how are you doing tonight….?

I've never been addicted to alcohol so I guess I can't really understand it.

I worked on a summer camp in a boarding school last year. We were in the middle of nowhere for a month. Just healthy food and cold drinks.

I didn't even notice the lack of alcohol.

One of the other older female teachers kept saying "I really miss wine. I can't believe I'll have to go without wine for a month."

It's all she talked about. It was sad

How is this helpful to post on a thread where people are talking about alcohol issues? It’s great you don’t have a problem with booze, but many people do 🤷‍♀️

It doesn't say in the thread title that this thread - is for people with alcohol issues.

The op doesn't even say in her opening post that this thread is for people with alcohol issues.

A lot of people who aren't alcoholics and who just drink moderately, also completely give up alcohol for certain periods of time. Dry January for example. Those kinda of people also are commenting on this thread.

I was commenting of my experience of when I completely stopped drinking.

It didn't change anything at all for me. My life wa scompletely the same.

I would disagree with you that "many people have a problem with booze". I don't know anyone that does

An aura of quiet smugness.

You might find it works for you to replace the habit/ritual of an alcoholic drink with an alcohol-free one. For example, this evening I had a 0.0% beer and a 0.0% gin and tonic. Alcohol free wine is not worth the money.I prefer facing life as the real me rather than as a version of me altered by substances.

Oooh, I love my life but I was an alcoholic so it's a bit different to you.
I love waking up and not worrying about what I did.
Waking up and being able to drive straight away.
But in more fun things... I love dancing on a night out and knowing it's because I love it even though I'm a terrible dancer, and not because I'm drunk.
I love having a huge belly laugh sober, it's brill.
I eat so many more puddings now and don't gain weight 🤣

I managed to resist tonight - however I still haven’t done anything productive, just watched crap TV ! But I am making it my mission to be active tomorrow morning and do what I haven’t today ! How about yourself ?

Also @MargaretElsie I’ve found journaling helps. Putting a tick on my calendar in my diary when I’ve had an alcohol free day, or writing what I drank or how many units helps me see what I’ve had rather than previous just having free range all the time and not being bothered. Makes me more aware and I like to see the “tick” of an alcohol free day

anxiety gone and skin much less dry. Didn't lose any weight though, I think I swapped the wine for sweets.

@Merrow that's great to know about Guinness Zero thanks! I always lose the run of myself over the summer holidays but this year I'm trying to reign it in & only drink in company as opposed to by myself in the evenings

Good luck @MargaretElsie it's not easy but that's what these boards are for x

I am up fresh and early! Rather than just early!
As I am now on Day 4 I will surely be half a stone lighter AND have an inner glow, yes…?!
Well done if you’re doing it too - I’m loving checking in and reading updates x

Good for her 👍

I have cut down massively and it has helped with my skin too. I would love to find an alcohol free red wine though - do they exist?

https://wednesdaysdomaine.com/collections/selection-packs

They've started stocking these in my local deli. I had one of the reds and it has a good tannin tang, and had a cork, and smelt of red wine. Doesn't have the same mouth feel but it's the best I've had so far. I had a white from waitrose and it was quite nice.

At over a tenner a bottle I wouldn't be drinking any of these very often, but it's nice to have something on a special occasion.

A tenner a bottle?? I usually pay 2.50. 😂 I might give it a go, though. Thanks.