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.

Welcome to all the newcomers, and I hope that you'll find this thread as supportive as I do. I've tried many times to stop, and seeking out a community is new and makes a difference (I was inspired by Catherine Gary in this - I know some people don't get on with her book but I loved it.)

Here for you salty on day 1. well done on picking it up and coming back on the thread - not easy!

Hello from me too to new folks.

And salty don't worry. It's going to take years of unlearning what we've all been used to doing. One step at a time.

So here we are weekend nearly over... and still AF! I'm bloody amazed and delighted. I've saved over 3,000 calories and £50+ pounds.!! Oh and my dear supportive husband (not) is downing yet another bottle this evening..! This makes me all the more determined if I'm honest, I feel like I'm really taking back control instead of using wine as an emotional crutch and hiding away from reality.

How we all doing this evening? What's your tipple tonight? I've sat here with anti pasti and Pepsi max 🥳 watching dancing on ice.. whatever your up to stay strong, let's tick off another successful weekend. xx

Day 12 almost finished, I've also saved over 2800 calories and also saved 48quid I'm well pleased.
Drinking iron bru tonight & having crisps and a twirl soon.

Lemon Fanta for me !!!

Thanks for the support and not shooing me out of the door ladies, it's really helped ♥️
I'm back on track tonight! I'm calling it Day 12 with a hiccup on account of A) I need the confidence boost. If I call this day 1 I don't think I'll stick to it. B) I didn't go ott for the first time ever & I still went to bed sober. C) I'm a dirty cheat, never play monopoly with me! But we all know the truth and what I did 😁
Onwards we go....heres to a good week (with no cheating from me)

I'm drinking lemon fevertree with lots of ice and some grapefruit slices. And resisting the Tyrells salt and vinegar crisps that my husband is munching on.

I had Fentiman's ginger beer tonight - rather disappointing tbh but never mind.

We went out to lunch today with boozy friends and it was so easy to stick to ordering a fizzy elderflower. As long as I'm enjoying the food, staying AF is manageable most of the time. I couldn't do this and diet at the same time - I'm really treating myself on the food front.

Going through a crap sleep cycle at the moment which is annoying - I felt almost hungover with tiredness today.

On the plus side, today is day 31 so I've nearly done a whole month!

Well done everyone and especially @Saltypotato for getting back on the horse. I don't know if I'll give up for ever this time but even if I don't, I'll have a good long stint under my belt and will know I can do it again.

It's great to see how well you are all doing and the positivity is fab. Sadly I have failed again and had a bottle of wine today. I really hate myself for this I have to stop but i don't know if I can do it anymore and this is me now.

My children deserve better than this it's so stupid, didn't even enjoy it. Don't know if I have the strength to do it again. Will check in again tomorrow as the chat on here is so uplifting.

@growingboys that is a really helpful perspective (borrowing tomorrow's happiness). I've not been doing brilliantly this week, have had a drink most days, but stayed AF last night with this thought in mind

Salty - I agree it’s not Day 1 for you.

Much easier night tonight. Day 11 done

Can I be a nosy cow and ask which app people have that shows calories saved? I only have money saved and 'life back' on my 'sober time ' app. I would love to see all the calories saved too that would help. I'm eating for Scotland as it is so would 'offset' that.
On the other hand I realised last night that I have been working SO HARD to do this and my dp has done just the same but with no effort at all. He's not even thought about a drink once. That says something.

Hi all. Day 10 here. Just completed my second weekend. Tried a few fake beers yesterday. Beer Moretti is very nice & tastes exactly like proper beer. Becks blue tastes a bit like crusty bread. V odd! Nothing today. Long term I don't think the fake alcohol drinks help, so I probably won't get more. I have downloaded some apps & they are very helpful & encouraging. Highly recommend them if anyone is yet to download them!

Oh Rupert! Do not self destruct, it was what it was and today is a new day. I find re-reading posts v helpful, and when I'm really struggling, AF beer.

You are in control of this, you have done it already. Count up all the dry days, don't focus on the wet ones.

What are you up to today? Can you get out for a long walk to clear your head? Find a cafe to sit in and make a list of your reasons for stopping?

I don't know, my advice is probably garbage, I'm still v new to all of this!

Come back and post, don't give up.

Sponge I use Try Dry. V simple!

Morning! Lying in bed trying to find the motivation to get up, it's not easy. I still have the vestiges of a migraine and would much rather stay here...

@Spongeface I will join you on the Scottish eating team, I decided not to worry about food intake this month, but to get AF January done and address healthy eating in February. One thing at a time. But I am going to get on the scales this morning and it won't be good news.

Welcome to the newbies who joined over the weekend.

@Rupertpenrysmistress how about you decide not to drink today? Dont overthink it, just do that.

@Saltypotato it's good to hear you sounding so positive, good luck this week.

Right, I really do have to get up now! 😊

Thank you all for your advice. Day 1 today, feeling better so far. Have a great day everyone.

Thanks @HouseTornado that's downloaded

Morning.

Not much to add today, day 21 so 3 weeks in.

I see a few here have stumbled along the way. I wonder if those peeps have sought out any real life help ie GP/Alcohol team? It is worth mentioning that I think a couple of us have gone through the 'medical' channel and sought out the help of a medical detox - it help those that really cannot stop without assistance/or cannot stop due to risk of DT's.

Just thought I mention as there is help out there, you don't have to struggle alone with this beast.

Hope you feel better soon, Dry.

Good to see you, Rupert and Howl - yes, wise words.

I'm feeling ready to address my eating this week, and have joined LC Bootcamp. I'm worried about swapping one addiction (drinking) for another (food), and I'm already overweight. I'm seeing it as a treat to myself, to make my body healthy, rather than a punishment.

I also need to get out and walk for half an hour every day, too.

Happy Monday everyone.

@drybird yes I'm kidding myself it is all high fat nutritious whizz to help rebuild the body (and liver!) Next month.
@HouseTornado new addiction sounds good I'm gonna try to do the walking too. Also overweight and was kind of hoping weight would magically slip off when stopped drinking!

Sponge I know, right? It's been 16 days! Why am I not skinny yet?!

I was thinking the same.. not lost a pound!! Last week I wasn't great with eating but this week I'm going to try hard to lose a few pounds so doing intermittent fasting. No food after 8pm - 12 midday. Been in the harden all morning trying to tidy up some of the leaves and dead rubble.. 8 garden sacks later 😂 well that kept me busy!! I have so many wonderful birds and wildlife out there.. two rather friendly woodpeckers, robins and a rather large hawk of some sort .. I assume he's catching the mice for me so all good.

Now I'm off to tackle the spare room / office. Needs sorting out and despite asking my H several times over the last couple of weekends it's now turned into my job as I can't bear the sight of it anymore. Wish me luck..

Happy Monday all xx

Happy Monday

I am a week dry. Amazing. Went to another meeting last night. Really good stuff. Feeling better than I have in years.

Took 6 bags to the charity shop Saturday and my bike to the Bike Doctor so that will save me a fortune on hire bikes (currently getting a train and riding to my meetings and back!).

Have a great day

I'm always amazed that after over a decade of abusing alcohol I don't immediately lose half a stone in 5 days of not drinking