Anyone else stopping completely in 2020?

[Drybird2020]

I don't mean moderating or cutting down, I know that I can't control my drinking this way and I need to stop.

I have stopped for periods of time before and enjoyed the peace of not thinking about alcohol, or stressing about my consumption, or negotiating with myself about whether or not to get a bottle of wine on the way home on a Wednesday night.
There's no point in doing dry January, because I will just use it to justify a wet February.

There used to be a series of threads for total abstinence, think it was in Relationships but it seems to have tailed off. I could really do with a place to talk about this, but with an emphasis on being dry, not moderate. And if nobody else is keen I can use it as somewhere to witter away to myself.

whiskey I bet your body is adjusting and detoxing - hang on in there. sometimes I try to think about the inside of my body, my poor liver and what it has had to cope with, and that it needs some time to heal. like my body is a new born baby and I have to take care of it having abused it for a long time. good luck and I hope you start to feel the benefits that I know are there soon xxx

I have terrible skin too - spots in a new place - all around my jawline. not fun. the rest of my skin looks better tho so I'm telling myself the fundamentals are better ..

On the shingle that’s interesting because mine are all chin and jawline too

I’m 48 and had read that spots around jaw is menopause related but maybe it is no alcohol. Interesting.

I have spots too! Awful! I've never really had spots so this is not good! Jaw and forehead.

I think spots on the chin are hormonal and read that forehead ones are stress, which makes sense to me as I've been exhausted this winter - one of the main reasons for quitting booze.

I decided my liver needed help doing a massive detox so I ordered some liver support capsules on Amazon. No idea if they work or not but my skin is slowing getting better I think.

Hope you feel better @testing987654321 - when that feeling strikes it all feels so pointless.

Ah well I have both so maybe it is the menopause

Hows everyone doing tonight?

I've just ordered a massive indian takeaway and some coke, going to watch the office us and chill out. No cravings for me which makes a change since last weekend, looking forward to a nice lie in tomorrow.

Hope everyone is doing well

Hi. New to this board.

I need help to stop drinking. I just cannot go on like this anymore. DH says that we are going to split up if I carry on

I can't just have one or two glasses it has to be a bottle and then another.

I've woken up this morning cringing at my awful behaviour last night. I was sick in public. I am such a twat. I really want to stop this.

Thankfully DC are with my parents all weekend. I hate myself so much

Dont be too hard on yourself we have all been there, take it as a wake up call. I'm day 11. Have a read through this thread and you will see we are all in the same boat. Make today your day 1 and join us on a healthy and sober new chapter

Welcome @puguin86- I'm on day 15.
I should most people on this thread, definitely me, can empathise with your feelings. One of the best changes for me so far is losing those feelings of self-loathing and feeling good in the morning.
You've made a great start by posting. Happy Day 1. What are your plans for tonight?

@puguin86 it is hard if you think of something as never again. Why not reframe it as giving yourself the gift of mornings with no hangover. Also, what can you do to change your habit tonight so you don’t drink? I have switched to tea or when I am out for dinner a sour fizzy drink. You need to plan a distraction. Good luck - it can be done.

Hi puguin86 welcome to the thread. Don’t beat yourself up, this is the best time to change things around so stick with us on the thread and get some support from other quitters.
I’m on Day 6 here and feeling really pleased to get through the week without any big wobbles. Except earlier when I was in the supermarket and found myself in the wine aisle. Quick u-turn there. Chilling now with an AF beer. Wasn’t going to do that, but Saturday night is a bit of a challenge, so I am pretending it’s real to get me past until dinner. 7-9pm my itchy hours!
& Boots20 I enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant too. Funny and heartwarming. All have a good Saturday Night!

Welcome puguin, you are amongst friends here.

We all have many stories, and many reasons for stopping. It's a cliche but one day at a time is all you need to think about.

There are tons of tips and resources on the thread to seek out. I hope you find one that clicks with you!

I'm having an energy dip tonight, no idea what it could be. I'm taking vit B12 and nuclear strength vit C as my cold has still not fully gone!

Going to put DS to bed soon then head off myself.

Well done today everyone, esp if you find weekends hard. Day 15 for me now.

Evening all and a very warm welcome to @puguin86 you are amongst friends here 💕 I'm on day 11 AF and have to say I'm feeling strong and most definitely looking a bit brighter despite the cold 🥶 I've had a terrible time over the past 2 years with wine and really blocked out reality. This year I am absolutely determined to change that! Waking up having had a bottle + of wine the night before and not actually knowing what I've said / done was a regular occurrence. Please don't beat yourself up, pull those big girl pants up and get this sh*t together lady! We've got your back xx

Tonight's tipple.. cloudy lemonade from M&S mused with tonic in a giant gin glass 😊 happy Saturday night all xx

Oh that sounds delicious dotty

Thanks all. Currently lying on the sofa with some chocolate feeling sorry for myself. I'm so angry with myself. I just want to stop being a total dick.

I've called my mum and told her and said that she wants to help. Now DH is talking to me again he is telling me I need to stop it altogether. I know I do

I'm a professional women in my mid 30s fgs throwing up in the street and at a train station . Jesus Christ I'm an absolute joke.

I know I will be fine this week then come next weekend I will have forgotten this feeling and want a drink again.

I am struggling tonight and very grumpy. I feel a bit childish and tantrum-y. Like it’s unfair that I have to make so much bloody effort. It’s a bit embarrassing really.

Hello @puguin86, it was an appalling, puking non-stop all day hangover that led me to this board, so don't be embarrassed.

What I have found helpful in moments of weakness, when I want to give up giving up, is remembering how awful I felt in that hangover. Crying as I was sick, texting friends asking if I was going to die, etc. I think it would be a good idea to write down your reasons for quitting now, so you have them there, clearly reminding you why you're doing this, when you need them.

Also quit lit - order The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley as it's good and very helpful.

And another tip I read on here was get loads of sweets in as you will have sugar cravings when you quit the drink - you really do!

One last thing - I read somewhere that when you drink, you're borrowing tomorrow's happiness for today. I find that so helpful to remember.

Welcome puguin86
I am only over day 5 so a newbie too. It is a tough decision to go AF forever. I decided to join the AA community outside of this thread as I gave up for 10 weeks a couple of years ago but couldn't do it on my own. It is great to have a safety net under me this time..

There are some great books recommended in this thread (I'm reading This naked mind) and it's a fantastic support day to day. Brilliant people encouraging each other..

Just about to have a shower and order pizza. On Mango pop and a sleepy tea in a bit.

Have a lovely Saturday

Don't feel ashamed, puguin. Feel proud that you're taking back control.

I just hope I stick to it this time.

I have never been sick in public I am so horrified at myself. I have the worst fear that someone in work will have seen me although unlikely for a huge city

I have the fear ☹️

I will have a look at some AF beer and wine see if that helps next weekend

@puguin86, there's no need to feel overwhelmed. Everyone on here is taking things one day at a time.

I found the Annie Grace 30 day alcohol experiment invaluable, as it seemed doable. It encourages you to examine your feelings about alcohol. After the 30 days were up, I was amazed to find I had absolutely no interest in drinking, and I still don't.

I have so much time and energy, and my mind is so clear. Check out the stories on this thread, they are very inspiring.

@StillDumDeDumming imagine how grumpy you would be if you did have a drink tonight in the morning.. that's what o keep telling myself! Don't break the seal, be strong woman xx

@dottydolly72 thank you- I’m in the pub drinking tonic. Cheered up a bit.

And welcome @puguin86 - one day at a time or sometimes half an hour at a time. All life is made of moments and they all matter! You can do this. Get through tonight. Go from there.