Sobriety support for anyone wanting to quit alcohol for good.

[rupertpenryswife]

Hello, I have commented on a few sober threads recently to help me on my journey to sobriety. I thought I should start my own support group rather than hijacking other threads!!

I thought we could support each other, give suggestions that have worked, ideas for alcohol free drinks, blogs and books etc

If you want to share your story feel free no judgement on here. All welcome at any stage of trying to get sober not moderate. Don't worry if you are stop starting in your journey or are stop starting as long as your goal is to quit.

My story, married 40 something mother of 2 work in a professional job with a history of severe depression. Probably heavy drinking for about 10 years increasing after a few lifechanging events.

I have tried and failed to stop multiple times I had to quit, so 27 days ago I did just that. Ironically I have had counselling and sought GP help but alcohol was always dismissed as a problem. It was always the same advice address your personal problems exercise etc so, I thought if I did this naturally the quitting alcohol would follow, not a chance. So 4 years later here I am and guess what my depression has improved and I am talking to my GP about stopping my anti depressants, do you see a link there?

I honestly feel better than ever and don't miss alcohol.

Please join me and share advice, tips and stories, I am aware that I need to work at my sobriety or risk loosing it so I would love some support to.

Sorry I did put paragraphs in honest.

Just me then.

That's amazing. Well done ! So good to hear you feel so well. I am seriously considering giving up alcohol myself. I am a single parent And use it to relieve stress but I don't feel like it's helping me anymore. Any tips for the first month ?

frst of all thats great OP! you must feel so much better. can i ask how did you find the early days/months?

I would like to join this thread! 30 something mother of 2 under 4s. always had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol (never been able to have just 1 or 2 drinks - always want another) stopped through pregnancies and cut right down while breastfeeding but I can see my intake increasing again now and becoming more of a habit that I can't control. it doesn't make me happy and I'd love to be in control of my life again which I feel goes out of the window as soon as I have a glass of wine!

I had a really unhealthy relationship with alcohol too and could never stop at one, I tried to moderate a few times but was always looking ahead to the days I could drink, this would lead me to making deals with myself such as if I change my drinking day to today I won't drink at the weekend, I aways had an excuse. This led to me deciding to quit completely. This was not easy as I was scared of missing out, not having a drink at Christmas etc but it's the only way I could deal with my problem. Once I had made that decision I felt free I was not constantly thinking about my next drinking day or how I could persuade DH to come out for just 'one drink'.

The first 2 weeks were not too bad I almost felt ecstatic the fear had gone, I was able to enjoy life fully I felt good. Week 3 however was tricky the initial euphoria was gone and I was getting fed up drinking coke. This was the time I thought about drinking again, I came on here and got some support to pull me through. I was constantly listening to Allan Carr's audio book and reading sober blogs and books, I ate copious amounts of chocolate too.

It honestly has not been as difficult as I thought but you need to commit to it and work at it. I feel like I am a better mother/person generally and feel more relaxed, I am a nicer person around and have patience. I sleep well, I don't have the feeling of always wanting to change and be better because removing alcohol has allowed this to happen. I would say I have saved money but I have spent it on chocolate, books, nail varnish.

I sound like everything is perfect but removing alcohol has made me see things for how they are, my anxiety and depression have improved so much.

I did not think I would ever stop drinking it's what I did and everyone knew that, even my DC.

Amazing to read your story, well done! You give me hope. I have been a binge drinker since my teenage years, I never seem to know when to stop. I've had a lot to contend with the last few years and my wine consumption has gone through the roof. This isn't what I want my son to see as he grows up. I am tired, fat and unhealthy. I can go three days without alcohol and then I'll drink again. I know I need to stop for good it's the only way but it's a scary thought. I stopped a few years ago for 5 months and I found the pressure from everybody around me to drink was the hardest thing to cope with. I know I need to do this now and I'm determined. Well done again xx