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.

Me too, DryBird - I don't like sweet drinks, so I'm drinking AF beer - if I have to drink a lake of it this week, I dont care (sorry, Jason Vale).

Sorry you woke up feeling terrible. All inconsequential piffle welcome.

I will not drink wine.. I will not drink wine..! I will feel better, I will feel better! Sorry just rambling... 😌 it's that time again of day and it's horrid. The one thing I look forward to all day has gone. I know it's gone bet it's bad but still ..

I need to start considering interesting drinks, I do end up having loads of cups of tea which is warming but lots of caffeine isn't brilliant either.

It will get better dolly!

It’s the time of day for me that no matter what we’ve been doing my toddler throws a tantrum and I turn to the wine after an hour long battle with her. We can do this, we can do this.

An idea to make drinks mildly more interesting, freeze some fruit like sliced lemon / lime etc, then add them to fizzy water as ice cubes.

@dottydolly72. I feel your pain but it will pass.

Get a few packets of your favourite ‘sucky sweets’. Have a few in a wee bowl on your coffee table.

I went through bags of chocolate limes like nobody's business, it helped.

Can I join? My user name says it all! I've actually been AF for 75 days now and really seeing the benefits but I still struggle every day, so keeping accountable here would be great. I keep telling people I'm just "having a break" because I don't feel able to admit I've actually got a problem and also I'm in a very wine-orientated social circle (serious wine collector/connoisseur type people). And I do like that... but suddenly I realised... enough. I need to stop, so right now I have.
The resources I've found really helpful so far are the Sober Time app, which just keeps track of how long I've succeeded and gives me a boost every day. And also keeping a journal of how I'm feeling/doing. Again, it's just about accountability to myself. I've just started using Sober Starts Today 100 day sober journal and it seems just what I need. Not just diary pages but also lots of info and encouragement. I really like the weekly what-to-drink-when-you're-not drinking ideas.
I've also lost a load of weight since I started 75 days ago. Yay!

Hello, I am planning a 'Teetotal 2020' to see what I can achieve when not sucking down a bottle of red every evening. Godspeed!

ineedtostop and Teachers those ideas are all great, I'm going to investigate. And 75 days - wow! That's brilliant.

What sort of benefits are you experiencing?

I've just done Day 6...I'm ok so far, no massive cravings, but I'm really not 100% free of a cold, so that's helping. When I go back to work next week and all the routines come back again, I'm going to start to struggle, I think, and feel stressed.

I'm healthy eating also and so tired I'm already in bed

Can I join please? My main aim is 30 days beginning now, then 45 then 100. My consumption has shot through the roof lately. Starting earlier and earlier, upsetting my children, partner and friends. Feeling bloody horrendous. Not in a hungover way but mentally. Day 1 done. Good luck all

Wow @ineedtostop that is really impressive, well done. I have managed 45 days in the past then convinced myself I could moderate but miserably failed so it's AF now. I didn't manage to lose any weight though. I am on day 2 and Becks Blue is keeping me sane.

Sorry also meant to say hi to @ilovejumpers welcome!

Hi @professionpollington and @housetornado thank you! I am really proud of myself for succeeding in the 75 days and I really notice the benefits. Firstly, I'm sleeping properly for the first time in several years. I've lost 6 kilos and dropped two dress sizes. And I've got so much more time to do things - because I'm not smashed in the evenings! God, it's pathetic when you think about it. I've had a lot of fun playing around with the mocktails in the Sober Starts Today, and it makes me feel like I'm having something a bit more grown up. And I really think writing down my thoughts helps a lot. When I get a habitual craving for a glass of wine, I try and write down why, and think it through, and usually that helps me move away from it.

That’s fantastic, really amazing

Well done everyone so far. It's so good to hear from folk that are doing it and making me feel like it's worth it. At the end of a long week Tomorrow night and going to a house party... Normally the question would be one or two bottles of mixer to go with my vodka... Now it is can I even bear go to a party? Shots and lots of drink are involved... Thoughts starting to creep in like ah but it's a special occasion (pals birthday) and it's the weekend (controlled, normally would have drank tonight) keeping checked into this chat is helping. Come 8pm tomorrow I will need some resolve. Just have to remember how mortified I have been recently.. and the blackouts.

@Spongeface would driving to the party make it easier? It often works for me

Hi everyone, I'm also struggling with sleep and waking up feeling really groggy. Hopefully it's just adjusting to AF. I'm really looking forward to the days when I wake feeling fabulous so I don't think oh I may as well have had a drink last night if I'm going to feel rubbish regardless.

One good thing, I'm now able to read a bit before going to sleep rather than just passing out before even going to bed.

Well done everyone else on another day x

Hi all. I'm going AF from Monday under the guise of Dry Jan to start with but actually I need to stop completely before I actually lose everything. I'm functioning completely fine at the moment - high level professional job, well-adjusted late teen children and okay marriage. But the wheels will come off unless I stop so Monday is the day. First day back at work - new start. Wish me luck

@Spongeface I feel you on this one. But, that feeling when you have a great night, remember it all, wake up fresh and no blackouts or beer fear will be so worth it. That's the aim of all this surely? So don't doubt your choice for a minute ♥️

Seedlip (sp?) and nice tonic? Just fancy tonic or favourite soft drink? Or if you really can't do it, could you pop in and say you can't stay? Or even cancel until you're ready for that scenerio.

Sending you positive vibes ♥️

When I did this before, about 6 years ago I was disappointed that I didn't start feeling much better for ages, still woke up groggy. However I distinctly remember after a few months having to get up early on a Sunday morning and feeling absolutely fine, it was lovely. Other benefits, not waking up mortified at being an idiot when drunk.

I am the same nofriendsatll. Good luck!
I am taking mine to the twelfth day of Christmas too but I know that’s the end of the line, well and truly. I am a chubby middle aged working mum with no energy and an increasing list of ailments and need to tackle this. My teenage son has started to comment on the fact we drink too often and I feel bad about that too. I was going to stop NYE but still had a bottle of champagne and also have final festive party to attend this weekend- then I am done. I am setting a target of 100 days sobriety as I know 25 days is not enough for me. Good luck everyone.

Day 1 done. I have a lot of emotional stuff coming up and I need to have my wits about me. I have a dp that drinks daily and although he supports me stopping he also says that I use alcohol as a stick to beat myself with. It’s not like that. I find it hard to stop and I’d rather not have spent my allotted time pissed. I’m not telling him.

Morning all! Well I managed to stay off the dreaded wine last night.. kept busy and even hoovered the house at 8pm ☺️ normally I'm far too gone by then to care! But boy oh boy do I feel rubbish this morning.. I won't let it deter me. Onto day 3. Have a wonderful Friday xx

Well done Dotty - it takes a good few days to stop feeling shit, drink plenty of fluids it really helps. I had a cracking headache for 4 days straight in my first week AF.

My sober app is telling me I have saved £77 in 11 days by not buying alcohol, something else that is shocking .

Have a good day all.