Still stopped in 2020; a thread for anyone abstaining from alcohol.

[Drybird2020]

Dry January is over and the next phase has begun! Wherever you are on your sobriety journey, you're welcome here for encouragement, advice and support.

We love hearing from people who have been dry for a long time, so if you've swung by to have a look, please post to inspire us!

Equally, if you've woken up hungover, regretful and ashamed, determined that it's the last time, we've all been there and we're here for you now.

Lurky-lurkers, we know you're there! I observed the alcohol support threads for years before I felt ready to take the plunge, I hope these threads help others; if and when you feel ready to post, you'll get a warm welcome.

Might I respectfully ask that if your aim is moderation, you join the long running moderation thread in this topic. I find moderation chat difficult; it weakens my resolve, and many others feel the same.

I'm Drybird, 31 days sober. In that time I have saved 183 units, £192, and 12600 calories! I intend to be sober for the rest of my life, and I use this thread to keep me accountable.

It would be great to know how everyone is getting on, so if you'd like to check in below, please do! No need to share stats unless you want to, just give us a wave.

Here's tae us!

I hope everyone is bearing up. I'm still sober. 😊

Yep, still going, @Drybird2020. And so, so glad that I started this back at New Year. It feels much better to be dealing with all this worry without alcohol involved.

Yep, still going, and not having to rely on willpower either, thanks to quit-lit. Would still be interested to hear from long time quitters if anyone lurking! Keen to hear about long term benefits and how they differ from when you're just a few months in (something to look forward to)

I'm glad to hear it! @OhGoodness I feel the same, there's enough to worry about without constantly fretting about drinking, or not, and having my energy sapped by all its dreadful side effects.

Pamela there have been a few drop ins by long term sober folk but understandably they don't use the thread in the same way as people who have recently quit. If you get time to read back through the threads you will find some of their experiences. I was toying with the idea of starting a new thread in Alcohol Support specifically to have input from long term quitters all in the same place, what do you think?

I'm still lying in bed, listening to DC3 chatting to his playmobil people. In a minute I'm going to get up and make some pancakes. Then I'm going to garden for a few hours without looking at or listening to any news. Have a good Sunday everyone!

Hello everyone, I've nothing much to report, but have been keeping up with the thread.

Day 144. It's great to read all the inspirational posts on here. In these worrying times, I am grateful that alcohol is no longer constantly occupying my thoughts as it once did. It doesn't make anything better. All the literature emphasises that it's a depressant and I'd rather deal with life's problems with a clear head.

I hope you start the long term quitters thread @Drybird2020, that would be very helpful.

I spent a few hours tidying the house and the garden and keeping busy and it did me the world of good. The plan is to go for a family walk today to clear away the cobwebs.

I've been rewatching Mad Men for the millionth time to help me through the evenings. It's a real comfort watch for me but there is an awful lot of drinking on it. There's time I feel a bit wistful when Betty Draper always has a small glass of wine with her dinner and it looks really civilised. However, there's no compulsion from me into buying wine therefore drinking it.

That's a great idea for a thread @Drybird2020. Enjoy your Sunday

Did have major wobble last night, but stayed sober, and super pleased this morning. In my defense I had 20 5 year olds here for a party yesterday and I was in a daze for a few hours after they left😂
Had a absolutely great night sleep last night and really am proud that I didn't cave in, I normally would have.
Taking the kids out for a nice walk down to the local meadows then to the library on the way home.

Omg 10! Not 20!

I've been sober since June 17. Prior to that I was exceeding 100 units a week and my life was starting to unravel.

In Feb this year I got married, a really small wedding just us and my parents and no evening do but I had been harbouring thoughts of having a drink, just for that occasion. It had been going round and round my head and in the evening I made the decision to have a drink with dh. I had a very small glass of wine and immediately regretted it, I wasn't drunk but got a flush all over my face and neck and felt woozy.

A bit of a gamble but it killed off the thoughts of drinking and now I know I can stay sober forever; it's not needed in my life. It could have gone the other way though and earlier on in my sobriety it might have tipped me back into drinking again!

Our minds can play tricks on us, that we need alcohol to do x,y or enjoy z - but it's not true. Being sober is being free

That’s amazing, @Panpastels.
I’m still going and very grateful for this thread, @Drybird2020. I guess pre-January me would be stockpiling wine or at least worrying about it?

Hello I’m sorry just to drop in like this. But I’m still sober. DP still in intensive care but doing well (4weeks now). This bloody virus feels very unfair right now. If we can’t visit him it’ll be hard as he can’t really understand what we’re saying. I feel like with all this going on, would a drink or red be sooo bad. But I’m actually proud that I’ve kept it together and there’s lots more to go yet

Oh, @StillDumDeDumming, so glad you have stopped by, and best wishes for your DH's recovery.

You have it so hard at the moment, well done for staying strong.

Hey all, I’ve Namechanged - used to be Trees 😊 Day 77 here and DH is staying dry too. Everything is MUCH better.

I am comfort eating chocolate tho because of this virus. Not had any urge to go for the wine though.

Love to all of you

Glad you are all still being steadfast and strong (especially with the uncertain times now). Been spring cleaning today little jobs to occupy my headspace. I'm still sleeping well, thankfully.
Wish you all a peaceful Sunday evening .

Good monring. May I join? I did 5 months last year then though I could moderate and had 'fixed' whatever it was that made me unable to moderate.

Guess what (spoiler alert) I CAN'T moderate.

Back and on Day 1 and hoping to join your lovely crew. I love the idea of Sober Spring!

Welcome, @GreenMagnolias.

Day 79! I was quite enjoying naturally waking up at 5.30/6am when I first gave up but unfortunately it wasn't to last.

How many of us would have been panic buying WINE at the weekend if it was this time last year??

Hello all :)

Just jumping on as a lurker. I've been teetotal for 8 months and counting, due to having a condition called Tietzes. I found alcohol triggered flares, but alongside that I've had to have my pain medication increased and obviously it would be incredibly stupid of me to drink with them ( 3 of my 5 meds are controlled ones)!

I'm finding it fine but it's always awkward to explain why I'm teetotal. I'm on the dating scene and the first assumption is that I have a drink problem so health issues is the reason I give. But it's alarming how embedded it is in society - something I didn't really think about when I could drink.

I get that "god I need a drink" feeling occasionally so I've worked out I can have a couple on alcohol infused chocolates and that stems the "craving". Other than that, I'm happy to resign myself to a lifetime of Diet Coke or ginger beer! To be honest my hangovers were getting worse as I got older anyway and I certainly do not miss that hanging feeling!

Anyway, solidarity to all of you being teetotal, we keep on keeping on!

So glad you dropped in still, don't ever apologise for doing so. Congratulations on staying sober through such a terribly difficult time.

Welcome back gal and hello to newbies.

I am full of gratitude for this thread as I'm not sure where my resolve would be without it just now. To the newbies, it's the right place to come just to take heed from the experiences of those further along the road, so thanks to you guys too.

Yes, thank you everyone. And all good wishes and reserves of resilience to StillDumDeDumming

First time I've wanted a fucking drink in months today - work stress, life stress pish! Bed early for me tonight I think.
Hope you are all bearing up.

Good on you, @howismovingbungalow. Another day done ✊🏽

I've just woken from such a vivid drinking dream, my heart is pounding with relief! I even dreamed the dread and shame of having to come on to the thread and explain to you all that I'd had a glass of wine without thinking and then gone on a bender. That's exactly how it would happen in real life, I'd slip up and then think "to hell with it".

I'm so, so relieved, and grateful to my brain for coming up with such a useful lesson for me.

Day 1 can fuck itself, I'm not going there.

Wow dry! Clever brain