Hi everyone,
Just joining. I'm doing DJ but only started on 6 (when the holidays ended - seemed like the reset point generally). I've been lurking for a few days and this thread is great - it's good to feel there's a virtual community out there sharing in the process.
I've been drinking too much for literally decades... For escape, to counter the occasional boredom of having little kids (don't shoot me down - everyone knows what I mean), because I love it... But increasingly have been feeling guilty, worried about my long term health, pathetic for being dependent, ashamed of myself, and aware that I'm setting a terrible example for my children who are now old enough to notice and comment. I've been experiencing racing heart at night, sore guts (liver?), feeling sick, and I know it's just ridiculous to do that to myself.
My husband is just as bad and we know that we encourage our mutual bad habits. Most of our drinking is at home, wearing pyjamas, just habitual. I find it much easier not to have anything at all, than to stop after only one glass. Once I've had three, I lose all control.
I've been using an app counter for around 4 months and the results are, erm, sobering. Typically 25 or so units/week, way more in December. I've tried DJ before and only lasted until the 11th 🙈 This time I'm determined to do it and my husband is in too- we need to do this together. There's loads of leftover bottle from Xmas but I've put them all in the attic!
I know some won't approve of this as a goal, but we have an event on 8 Feb which is the target, and I will be drinking on that occasion. But I'm hoping generally for DJ to be a complete habit reset, a break for my liver, and a mental/emotional challenge. I don't think I've gone more than 5 days without booze in my adult life, except when pregnant or in countries where it was unobtainable. I don't think I want to be teetotal long term but if I could be happy with 'only' sharing two bottles of wine/week with hubby (so around 10 units each), I'd feel ok with that. If I can't stick with it I'll need to reconsider.
I was worried about last night- the first weekend night of DJ, and usually we don't fail to crack a beer followed by a bottle (or more). But I had some ginger beer and rhubarb fizz left over from Xmas and it felt surprisingly ok to stick with that, I think I have a very positive mindset towards DJ right now. Like others I definitely experience that blood sugar low around 6 when I'm hungry and start cooking, so deliberately heading that off with a sweet drink seems like a win in comparison. This morning I've woken up with a headache which is quite annoying! Maybe it's the toxins coming out...
In case this is helpful to others, I've collected all the recommendations made previously during the thread about helpful books etc and AF drinks.
Good luck everyone, we can do it 💪💪💪
Podcasts, books and sites:
Sassy Sober Mum
Sober Diaries audiobook
Glorious Rock Bottom
Sober on a Drunk Planet
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober
thisnakedmind.com/ and Naked mind book, Naked Life Stories
Holly Whitaker's "Quit Like a Woman
Adrian Chiles program “Drinkers Like Me"
Recommended AF drinks:
My personal faves all have perfumed unusual flavours that taste special, or have a kick to them (though all sugary): Cawston press Rhubarb, Old Jamaica ginger beer (fiery), Fentimans rose lemonade, San Pellegrino Chinotto (slightly bitter, not readily available in UK but very nice), Appletize
Others suggested in this thread:
0% Martini and tonic (£9 in Sainsburys, tastes like Campari Spritz)
Grapefruit Tonic over ice with a slice of fresh grapefruit and a rosemary sprig
Goodrays cbd drinks
Folkingtons - sparkling elderflower presse or lemon and mint presse (you can buy both via Amazon).
medahuman (Sainsburys)
Guinness Zero
Trip cpd drinks
lime and mint robinsons cordial
Oddbird
Kylie AF Prosecco
Schweppes elderflower tonic
AF corona and peroni
M and S sparkling presse - elderflower, ginger and Mexican lime
AF kopperberg
Erdinger 0%
Martini Floreane
Bitburger AF lager
Martini Vivante