I'm giving up drinking.

[WeAreAllAdults]

I'm writing this so I can come back and remind myself why I'm doing this when I feel weak.

I don't want to drink anymore. I don't want hang overs. I don't like how irresponsible I am drunk. I hate waking up and wondering what I did last night. I hate feeling guilt and remorse the next day. I hate that if I don't get to have a drink on a Friday night I get annoyed. I hate that I can't just have one without wanting more. I hate that my friends buy me alcohol for my birthday because they know I like a drink. I don't want to end up like my dad.

I don't want it. I don't need it.

[seaweedandmarchingbands]

comfortablynumb1

This is great! I didn’t think I could make it a week either but here we are.

[pennyhasdropped]

Morning all! Bright as a button here this morning ☺️ I have a list of stuff that needs doing and I'm ready to start crossing them off! Happy Sunday to you all x

[orenisthenewblack]

Good morning. Popping in to say I'm reading and following.
I've had this discussion with my self so many times.
This is my last day of my holiday and I have half a bottle of red left. I'm telling myself that's it. The last of it. No more. Gave myself this week "cos I'm holiday and it's allowed " in the hope that tomorrow will be day one of many AF.

I have this discussion so many times, and on a holiday a year ago started reading Annie Grace, but got nowhere.

Here's to starting again. Tomorrow.

[comfortablynumb1]

Good morning!
What a difference a week makes. Never thought in my wildest dreams that I would go a week without my beloved wine and feel mostly fine about it.

@orenisthenewblack we are here for you. We are in the same boat as you, just take it one day at a time. Download Allen Carr audiobook or just the book if you prefer and listen or read on repeat.

Have a lovely day

[Bilingualspingual]

Just quickly - you’re all amazing. I’m about 70 days AF and in my opinion, it’s removing the doubt that makes it easier. As soon as you start agonising over whether to have a drink or not, the evening is spoiled because you’ll be disappointed whichever you choose. Which is why being pregnant often makes it easier to not drink - it’s a simpler decision.

I recommend Nanny State low alcohol beer or Erdinger if you miss the taste (obviously not if you feel it might be triggering) and Kombucha - basically my soft drinks are as posh as possible! I’ve got through a hen night and a wedding without drinking and driven home - I’ve enjoyed the company and bailed when everyone gets too loud and repetitive.

Also Instagram is full of sober people which is handy and inspirational.

[pennyhasdropped]

Welcome @orenisthenewblack come and join us! Drink that last half bottle and enjoy the rest of your holiday then start afresh. I can't tell you how much better I'm feeling already. YES is miss the wine, but the blur I feel afterwards is just bloody awful. I have kind of decided I really need to just quit altogether as I can't seem to moderate - all or nothing kind of girl 🙈

You've got this, if I can go AF I'm pretty sure anyone can! X

[comfortablynumb1]

@Bilingualspingual thank you for your support, can you recommend anyone on Instagram to follow?

[Bilingualspingual]

Sobergirlsociety, thesoberschool asobergirlsguide. And loads more. I think what I did was put #sober into the search and found them all. Then I followed #sober so I see lots of different ones every time I scroll which just helps.

[Bilingualspingual]

@comfortablynumb1 and thank you. You’re supporting me too!

[Bilingualspingual]

Also if people ask why I’m not drinking I say that I’ve had plenty of alcohol in my life. When someone stops smoking no one says ‘oh, weird, why don’t you just cut down?’

[pennyhasdropped]

@Bilingualspingual thank you I shall follow on Instagram- motivational support can be a good daily reminder.

[3rdNamechange]

The unexpected joy of being sober is a great book.

[3rdNamechange]

I'd love to stop , but honestly the though makes me a bit panicked. I suppose that means I don't have a very healthy relationship with alcohol

[HoneyandSpice]

Hi all. I've stumbled across this thread whilst lying in bed with a hangover.
Almost everything that's been said completely resonates with me. So I'm vowing to stop too. I've downloaded the I am sober app, and am following a couple of recommendations on Instagram.
I'm now going to throw last nights empty bottles into my embarrassingly full recycling bin, start prepping something lovely for dinner (DD home at 4pm) and look for a good film for us to watch together.

Thank you so much for this. It's the kick up the arse I needed. Couldn't seem to do it on my own so to speak.

[comfortablynumb1]

@HoneyandSpice I was you last Sunday.

Though for some reason my anxiety was through the roof, worse than the usual hangover horrors I normally get.
I genuinely thought I was going to have a heart attack as my heart was racing so fast all day, trying to cope with all the booze I had consumed the night before and trying to piece together 3 hours I had blacked out as well. I never want to feel like that again.

My advice is get through today and get through tomorrow and continue like that. I'm hoping it gets easier and I hope at some point I stop thinking about drinking/not drinking all the bloody time.

[comfortablynumb1]

@3rdNamechange I felt panic too and still do.

I'm already thinking Christmas??!! With no drink?? No red wine, no Buck's Fizz, no champagne, no baileys while I wrap presents? I think the fuck not.

But I'm blaming this on the 'voice' that wants me to drink and panic and give up.

So I'm just concentrating on not drinking today. Not tomorrow. Just today.

[Newuname199987]

I've just come across this thread and wanted to say stick with it everyone, it gets easier! I stopped drinking in February 2017 after realising I was drinking far too much wine and feeling generally crap about it all. Tried to moderate, have days off etc etc but just ended up continually counting units, feeling guilty and taking up so much head space with it all. Found Soberistas online and just stopped.
I'd suggest lots of reading on the topic, many books already suggested on this thread. Also keep busy, the evenings were hard for me so I would have a bath, read, go to bed early, anything to not drink.
The first month I was SO tired, which I've found out is very common and it does ease off, so don't get disheartened. I was falling asleep at 8pm sometimes! Also stock up on lovely cordials, teas or whatever you like. I seemed to be having all my soft drinks in a wine glass to start with!
Over 2 1/2 years on I'm so glad I did this. Yes it can be hard, but don't worry about things coming up ahead such as Christmas. Yes I was worried about Christmas, holidays, summer bbqs, birthdays etc but honestly they are better than before.

[HoneyandSpice]

@comfortablynumb1 oh the blackouts. The panic. The anxiety. The shame. No, I never want to feel like that again. I sat up bilt upright at 5am this morning thinking Shit, shit what did I do? What did I say? I had to grab my phone to check I hadn't been drunk texting etc. It's horrible. And so the self inflicted loathing starts all over again.

I've read the thread through twice now. 2nd time round, I've screenhotted the posts that particularly hit home for me.

Couple of good bits of advice on here that I will use as mantras. I never want to feel like that again can be added to the list. I also just watched Martin Bashir on Celebrity X Factor, and although totally unrelated to alcohol. He said his motto in life was 'You have no excuse' it was in relation to making things happen.
So I've written it down and stuck it on the fridge. And written DAY 1 in my diary.

[Rupertpenrysmistress]

Great to hear everyone feeling positive, some great advice also.

Take one day at a time don't think ahead, it does get easier there will be a time when you stop thinking about alcohol. There are some great alcohol free alternatives that make that occasion special. The tiredness will lift and your sleeping will be amazing. Waking up hangover free us never boring I am so pleased I quit alcohol 3 months ago, I didn't ever think I could stop, I hated myself, and that awful anxiety and dread is gone!!!

If I wake with a headache now I can say it's not a hangover and that is weirdly satisfying. let's keep supporting each other. We can do this.

[itreallyisanicefence]

Hi I know I'm late to the party but wanted to place mark to read through this thread later! I'm 3 weeks in! Well done to you all

[pennyhasdropped]

Welcome @HoneyandSpice been where you are, the awful regrets the next day really got to me. Hope you have a lovely evening in front of the tv with your DD. One day at a time 😘

[pennyhasdropped]

@itreallyisanicefence hey! Wise one.. welcome to the AF party 🥳

[3rdNamechange]

@comfortablynumb1 , absolutely

[HoneyandSpice]

Morning everyone. Hope you are all ok. I've got day 1 under my belt. Had the usual FOMO feeling last night. Told myself it was just an excuse. That it's a habit. That I don't even really enjoy the wine that much, and that in the end, I would only feel like shit.
I wrote this in my I am sober app. Seemed to help. And for sure, this morning i am so pleased i didn't cave. I want to be one of those people who have Willpower.

Unexpected bonus that even after just one night of guzzling wine, my bloated belly has gone down, and I don't feel like I'm 'fetmenting'

[HoneyandSpice]

of not* guzzling wine!