Going 'dry' for 4 weeks

[CurlieSue]

Hi, I have a real problem with wine. I find it hard to admit but I'm addicted to it. I can easily drink a whole bottle without even feeling drunk and often drink a bottle and a half in the evenings. Spirits I can take or leave, I don't actually like most of them, but there is something about wine that I find so addictive. I have to do something because I'm so worried about the effect on my health - mental and physical. I'm fed up of feeling tired, sluggish, feeling overwhelmed by day to day stuff like housework. I've decided that starting tomorrow, I will do my utmost to go dry for 4 weeks. Does anyone want to do it with me or is there a 'dry' support thread I can join? Thank you.

Look forward to hearing from Curly Sue and Jess. Thanks for getting us started

I quite like a Beck's Blue, especially topped up with a tiny bit of lime cordial or a wedge of fresh lime in the bottle.

I completely agree that making the decision and then the first day is the hardest.

I've got half a case left of Becks Blue! Do you think it goes off...lol! I drink all beer with fresh lime squeezed in it...we must have the same good taste

Trust me - there is a better world beyond Becks Blue.

Thank goodness for that
My choice of non-alcoholic drinks are water, Belvoir cordials and the other bad habit..coke! Sugar has a strong hold over me too!
I don't know if I should admit this but I've just failed today. The seed was laid when Monday was mentioned as a start day and my addicted brain will twist anything to justify just one more night. Sorry, not such a great influence or support as of now so will stop posting but continue reading until my day 1 starts again tomorrow. X

Hi everyone, it's great to have you all on board, thank you for joining me, we can all support each other! Today is my first dry day. It's been ok to be honest, as I had bottle and a half of wine last night plus a large G&T and felt horrible today so I don't want any tonight. Tomorrow though I'll be hangover-free and then the thoughts of buying a bottle of wine or two will start to creep in and I know I'm going to have to be so strong to resist. I know it's going to be really hard to do this, but I have so much to lose if I don't do this and everything to gain if I do.

Nomadali don't feel bad at all. It makes perfect sense to start on a Monday rather than a Sunday. I only started today because I don't normally drink on a Sunday, so I thought it would get me off to a good start. Tomorrow is a fresh start for you. Let us know how it goes. You can do this!!!

Hi everyone, I have gone dry for Lent too after noticing I was becoming more addicted to wine. Polishing off a couple of bottles every weekend.

I started last Monday so this is my 8th day. I am.already sleeping better but I feel moody. I hope it's ok to join you, good luck everyone we can do this xx

Hi christmaswreaths, it's been quiet on here tonight and I wasn't going to post either as yet again my addictive/habitual side won out and I haven't even made day 1. It's so helpful to hear from people who are further along than me and it gives me the incentive to keep posting and keep trying. I hope everyone else has had a more successful day than me but if not please don't stop posting. I believe we all need each other to keep the intention and positivity at the forefront of our minds. Thinking of you all and looking forward to hearing from you Xx

thank you nomadali44, to be honest I have tried a number of times before and failed, so I know how you feel. This time my main driver was the lack of sleep/disturbed sleep, which was making it really hard to cope. I also got scared of how much I was looking forward to a drink all week..

Today for me has been really hard. I felt terribly moody and had a bad case of the Monday blues. I feel out of kilter, and very tired. I am having a very early night...I had water and a couple of sugary sweets from my daughters' sweeties bags, I won't be loosing weight at this rate lol x

Good luck with trying, remember tomorrow is another day!!!! Please do keep posting!!

Good luck Nomad and everyone else, I'm on the Brave Babes thread and it really does help to talk to people who understand and have similar goals so I think you are doing the right thing by posting here.

It's tough to face our issues and tackle them especially when our culture 'approves' of drinking and it's so ingrained (wine o clock, 2 for £10, 25% off 6 bottles etc.)

Hi Christmas, glad you could join us! It's really good to hear you're sleeping better by not drinking. I'm sure that feeling moody will pass - keep going as you're doing so well!

Hi Nomad don't give up on this, I hope I can support you through this, as I know how hard this is. I struggled today. I went shopping in Tesco and so badly wanted to buy some wine, but instead I walked straight past the alcohol aisle and managed not to buy any. I know Wednesday will be really hard as I always drink mid-week and Friday and Saturday will be extremely hard as I so look forward to cooking a nice meal and drinking in the evenings. I have to keep reminding myself why I am doing this and that it is only for 4 weeks. I really hope that at the end of it (if I am able to stick to it, which I honestly don't know if I can) I'll be able to look at alcohol differently and be in control of it rather than vice versa. It was nice waking up this morning without a hangover and I managed to get some paperwork sorted that I've put off for ages because I always felt too tired and groggy to do it. Even so, I feel very fragile and I know that I have tried to do this many times and failed. It's really good that we are all here to support one another xx

Thanks for your kind words and support CurlieSue, luxurywoman and christmaswreaths (how on earth do I get the names in bold like you do??)
You're all doing so well and I know that because I've been drinking tonight I will have a rubbish nights sleep, probably waking at 3/4am boiling hot and face red and dry. It's crazy that I drinks to help me relax and sleep, yet it does exactly the opposite. Every day you don't drink you're actually living life, by drinking every day I'm wasting and losing days which should be cherished and valued. Anyone already abstinent, please remember you're living not wasting your precious life. Xx

Nomad to bold just put an asterisk * before and after a word ☺

I will add since quitting wine just before new year my skin has reversed a decade, no more coarseness and blotches, I sleep better and have lost a little weight.

Our mantra on the Brave Babes thread is 'no one regrets not drinking the night before' so simple yet so true.

Sorry, I don't mean to be melodramatic. The majority of of people can enjoy life to the max when they have control over their alcohol consumption. It's when that control is lost that life can pass you by in a way you never imagined. (Talking from my experience, of course) X

So many people don't have control though Nomad or they think they do.

Boozing is endemic in our society, we may think it's no problem because we swig Prosecco or cocktails or good wine. We're not knocking back cheap cider at breakfast. But, we actually are drinking way to much for health and happiness, it's just dressed up as relaxing, or mummy time, or adult time and other such crap (that I bought into for years)

Nomad I totally can identify with what you say. I feel I have wasted so much of my precious life through drink. I went for a walk today and as I felt awake and clear headed I actually found myself enjoying it, wheras I wouldn't normally, and noticing things I wouldn't normally notice. I want to rediscover pleasures in life without feeling I have to be intoxicated with booze to feel any pleasure. Are you going to try to start again tomorrow? You should only do it when you're ready x x x '

Tomorrow will be day 1 again!! I am determined to change my life for the better and taking control of my alcohol habit is paramount to my mental health and my children's mental wellbeing. I have to do this and I will gratefully accept any support given. Thank you for your understanding, N'night X

Morning curlysue luxury nomad I had another proper night sleep - for context I hadn't been sleeping well since the summer. It's my 9th day today and I am.finding this week hardest.

I think it's the not looking forward to the weekend so I could have a drink part. I realise I need to find other quick wins. I bought a bath bomb set maybe I could try a nice bath. I have a really busy day ahead so hopefully should keep my mind off it. Have a nice day all xx

Hi everyone, glad you had a good night's sleep christmas. How are you finding it tonight? I totally agree with you on not looking forward to the weekend. It's my first AF weekend this weekend and I'm so worried I'll crack. I need to prepare some substitutes, like you. A bath bomb set is a great idea.

Nomad how are you getting on with day 1? Sending you big hugs xxx

Hi curliesue, it's been a very busy day and I am absolutely shattered tonight. I can't believe I have done 9 days. I am finding mornings harder than evenings, bizarrely. This morning for example I found it hard getting motivated and kept worrying about how am I going to get through another week. e day took over and never thought of it since.

How are you finding it? I am trying to organise stuff for the next few weekends, so I am busy. Friday and Saturday night will be hard though x

Hi christmas, it's good that you had a busy day and hopefully you'll get another good night's sleep tonight. For me, it's the afternoons and early evenings I find hardest. It's pretty much every afternoon that I think of buying a bottle or two of wine for the evening and it's very hard to resist, especially when I need to go to the Supermarket anyway. Early evening - around 5.30/6pm is when my cravings are strongest as I love drinking whilst cooking dinner. Fortunately from around 7pm onwards, I'm ok. I know I can't go out to buy wine as my daughter is in bed then.

I'm on my third day. I'm definitely feeling better and my mental health has improved. I do miss wine though. I really hope that at the end of the 4 weeks I can go back to drinking wine again, but limit my drinking to weekends only and no more than two bottles max per week. x

Well done on completing the first three days curlysue!! The first few days are the hardest!! I just dreamed I.was in a bar and was offered a drink but I bought a glass of juice instead lol xx

Ps managed another great night sleep although my mood hasn't improved much. Just feel a bit down. I think it's part of my body readjusting. I could do with some exercise but I have to.wait until the summer for the childcare arrangements to kick in xx have a good day everyone xx

Thanks Christmas it really helps having your support. I'm sure your mood will improve soon. It's a big shock to the body and brain when you stop drinking and as you say it's just readjusting. Give it time and I'm sure you'll feel so much better. It's amazing how alcohol can affect the mind and mess up your mental health. I slept really well last night, the best night sleep I have had in months. I had really vivid dreams too, they were really good, like I was in a movie! I'm glad you opted for a glass of juice in your dream - that says a lot about your subconscious! I feel on a roll at the moment but I can't take it for granted as I know I might crack at any point. Wishing good luck and positivity to you and everyone else xxx

curlysue Hi, I am glad you feel you are on a roll, that is brilliant news. Your support means a lot too, I don't really have anyone in real life to talk to about this. You have been brilliant and so pleased we are on thus journey together!

I had a much better day - day 10!! I haven’t thought about it all day for the first time. I feel strangely liberated. We did the recycling bins today and the glass bin was very light. I haven't even felt the need for substitutes after the first few days. Eg sweet cravings or fizzy drinks.

I am glad you slept well too, it's definitely the biggest benefit. I hope you have a great night sleep again and enjoy another day alcohol free!!