Christmas alcohol associations :(

[BentNeckLady]

It’s 11 month since I had an alcoholic drink and I have no intention of ever drinking again. I stopped with Alan Carr and it was literally like switching off the circuit in me that wanted to drink, It was incredible. I feel incredible for managing it.

I didn’t really think about it much until Christmas started getting closer and I realised how much of my Christmas thoughts were tangled up with wine, baileys, fizz, more wine, brandy soaked Christmas cakes,more wine, more wine. In my head Christmas Eve is wrapping presents with baileys. I generally don’t miss it at all so this has knocked me about a bit.

Any one have any tips for my first sober Christmas?

Could you revisit the book to refresh those immediate, stronger feelings that made you want to give up in the first place? When I think of Xmas, booze doesn't even enter my head. Do you think the fact that you do shows there's still an element of addiction there?

Christmas Eve is wrapping presents with hot chocolate and mince pies

After dinner tipple becomes after 8 mints

Cake is fine (if you're happy with that)

Christmas parties are much more fun as you can people watch the other drunken antics without the feeling of 'oh god, what did I do last night'

No hangovers, no horrific weight gain and red faced bloating. Being able to eat more as you're not drinking so many calories.

I think you're brilliant and I hope you have a wonderful festive season

I'm already looking ahead and visualising the days, what I'll be drinking and doing and how I'll be feeling (not pissed or hungover!) I heard it as a tip on a podcast (Home) and I think it will really help me.

itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/home-podcast/id1021126077?mt=2&i=1000357676310

This one.

Episode 20

Great advice already from OP to revisit the book that hot you in a great frame of mind and shore up your motivation.
I'm not a big drinker (DH drank & starved himself to death) so I like to have really nice non- alcoholic drinks. There's loads of stuff around- fizzy elderflower type stuff, rhubarb, clementine, ginger etc etc are some of my favourites. Always do it in a nice glass with ice cubes or buy a bag of crushed ice. Make fruit ice cubes etc. Just make your non alcoholic drinks inviting, celebratory and festive.