Day 4 of giving up alcohol

[Saltypotato]

Hi all,

I am on another thread that started in Jan and is still running. We all started together and the support was immense, it was the only thing that got me through the first month. At the end of Jan/beginning of Feb I started having 'just the one' and we all know how that goes if you have a problem. The group are now at 100 days and whilst I love checking in they aren't at the starting stage I am at the moment.

Lockdown has meant I am out of routine and haven't had a reason to keep my drinking under control (no work, not driving etc) so after drinking every night since it began I ended up passing my last full bottle of booze to a friend a few days ago and making an attempt to give up.

That was a few days ago, I am just starting my day 4. It's been easier than I thought as there isnt the option of just popping out to the shop so I'm not taunting myself. I have got a bottle of vodka and one of gin in my amazon cart that I keep hovering over buying but its on a few days lead time so I don't want it to arrive when I'm a week in and undo my hard work. That thought is stopping me.

But we have to go out today for essentials and tonight I have a zoom call with friends in the "pub". I am really tempted to get something whilst I'm out and my brain is doing the 'oh you deserve it, its a stressful time' and 'you can just have two to join in' (from experience, I can't)

If anyone else is feeling similar or just started their journey into the wonderful world of tonic water please join me. Strength in numbers, right?

Possibly, although lots of my friends don’t drink very much (most of them do, but it’s a lot less judgemental than it used to be in terms of not drinking). I keep telling myself (and you!) that If you can quit fags, you can absolutely stop drinking.

Nooooo, after tw nights af, had, just one glass last night, so of course it was most of a bottle, sleepless night and now feel crap and anxious. Whyyyyy did I do it

Morning all!

Haven’t posted in a while, so just popping in to say hello and welcome to all newcomers .

I’m on day 49 of not drinking, and am doing OK. The desire to drink has reduced massively, but I’m not complacent. Every day is a new day!

I know it’s not for everyone, but I’m doing AA and it’s helping enormously. If anyone is interested in coming to a Zoom meeting, PM me and I’ll give you details.

Have a great day, all. And for those struggling or hungover today, be gentle to yourselves. You can start again today. Xxx

Oh gulp I know the feeling! You’ve done two nights, you can do them again.

I might actually try an online zoom aa meeting.

I feel hugely anxious and out of it today and my son is coming for drinks and food. I don't know what to do. It provides some relief but its horrible.

I met with friends last night and DH took a bottle of champagne so I had a glass and a half. However as I was sipping it slowly to make it last (as if I was a normal drinker) I think I'd have been happier with a lemonade that I could drink as fast as I liked!! I usually guzzle anything in front of me - nibbles, booze, whatever, so I think I'd probably happily miss it altogether next time so I'm not having to restrain myself and pretend the odd sip is enough!!
Drinking had been making me very sleepy so I didn't really want to drink with others to avoid the 'forcing my eyes to stay open' scenario later in the evening. I will probably not have anything alcoholic when we go out again.

My bitter melon has arrived britvic bottles small but that’s the ones I can get at the moment, lovely afternoon in the sun opposite our flat.

Great to hear you're doing so well @AvoidingTheWineAisle. I'm working on not getting complacent too as I know that's what tripped me up last time.

@Bluemoooon it's so tricky when people are around you are drinking isn't it. We have friends coming over to sit in the garden next week and I know I'm going to find it hard not to join in. It's all experience to make us stronger!

Enjoy your bitter lemon, @Holothane!

Hi all. I hope everyone has had a lovely day in the sun. I just wanted to pop in to share with you that tonight I will be having my final drink, ever. I’ve been trying to cut out and cut back for 9 months now. I have done lots of research, kept a full diary of my drinking patterns and can finally admit that I know I cannot happily moderate. (I have spreadsheets and charts to prove it -sad!). Sometimes I manage it but it’s miserable and I see now with complete clarity that there is no point. So this is it, I’m sharing with you guys as I don’t feel I can tell anyone in real life (well I have told DH but I think he is skeptical). I know you guys will understand, I have been following all the great success stories on here since January. Many of you have coped with stress and illness and bad news and stayed so strong.

So this is it. Tomorrow is 1st June, a fabulous day of the year, so if anyone wants to join me in starting over, or reaffirming their commitment that would be fabulous. I am feeling positive but I am asking for your support, as this feels pretty scary too. I have been weepy all weekend at the thought of losing my ‘friend’ the booze, but I know he is also my worst enemy and it’s time to part company for good.

Just me again. I’ve put my post on both threads! Sorry for jamming this one up with duplication..Lol

@iamyourequal, wow, what an amazing decision to have made. I can understand why you don't want to go public yet, but we understand, and we can support you until you feel strong enough to shout it from the roof tops! I'll definitely join you - so much to look forward to . New beginnings!

Hi everyone, just checking in - completed day 8, which feels really significant for me as it's the first weekend I've got through in a while! I kept slipping up with my 'what's the harm' Saturdays. There's no great storm if I drink, but I still don't like what it brings out in me. Tetchy or maudlin and always a headache the next day. Ironically today I woke up with a horrendous headache anyway but I'm trying to tell myself it would have been worse if I'd drank!
Went out for a walk this afternoon and just enjoyed being in the sun and watching wildlife, wouldn't usually have the patience for that.
I'm enjoying finding new drinks to have in the sun, today was some flavoured fizzy water - very cheap, but in a nice glass with lots of ice & some frozen berries thrown in it was lovely. I think if I was own my own I wouldn't bother about having a 'fancy' drink but I prefer it when someone else is drinking (eg DH) as having plain water feels like I'm depriving myself and regular fizzy drinks feel like a childs drink. Not that they should, but anything that makes it easier I suppose.

Looking forward to a clear June, that's my new goal.

@iamyourequal we've got this!
@Teetotallyimperfect just remember how your friends will look and sound a few drinks in and remember why you're doing this!

Thanks Teetotally your support means lots to me. Well done getting through a sunny weekend Threeflying. I’m totally stocked up too: Coke Zero, Fanta, lemonade, posh cordials, becks blue, nosecco, alcohol-free fruit cider and (I’m in Scotland) Irn Bru....and detox tea, will need a lot of that 😳.

Well done guys. @iamyourequal, I’m in. I can’t moderate either and I also have the excel charts! I’ve managed sober tonight and I’m determined to break my two night af streak. We can do this.

IAmyourequal that is such an inspirational, clear cut goal, would LOVE to join in xxxx
Respect to all, it’s scary to do, and scary to stop. Very glad to do it with you guys xxxx

That’s funny Haggisfish I didn’t imagine anyone else would have alcohol consumption excel charts! Does anyone else want to ‘fess up to being a sobriety nerd too😆? Great you are joining. Thank you Sorted. We have strength in numbers. My first thoughts this morning were ‘you are now a non-drinker.’

It was great waking up with a clear head this morning.

My dd is 9 and said something about drinking wine last night. I said ‘well I hope you’re not going to drink too much wine! Why do you want to?’. ‘Well, you do mummy’. That just absolutely highlighted to me why I need to stop-I do not want my children to follow me down the same path.

Evening all
Some lovely and inspiring posts on here.
I feel I've turned a corner, after about 6 weeks of being dry.
I feel a bit more settled and the wine witch must have gone on holiday - because she's left me alone the last few nights!
So, I'm now going to bed later, because I don't feel I have to avoid the cravings. And starting to feel a bit more optimistic. Early days I know, and I mustn't get too confident.
Love to all for those of you struggling, I understand totally.

Day 7 for me today! Feeling pretty proud of making it through a
Weekend, particularly as my husband went on a massive bender leading to me being insanely angry with him which would usually lead to me drinking.

Bender brief he is on board for not drinking in the week for him which is a huge improvement to his drinking and is helping me.

Well done all of you, those who’ve had good days, those of you struggling hang in there, get today over you can start again.

Evening everyone. 6 weeks is amazing Sophie. What have you found the biggest change so far?

Well done on a week Tiny, nice to get a weekend under your belt. I totally get you Haggis. My DH often casts up (for fun) an evening when the kids were goofing about and I shouted ‘’careful, watch my drinks!’’ As I actually had more than one of them on the go at the same time. Not the best of role modeling either!!

Well done Tiny for holding out despite DH getting stuck in.
It would be easier if there was no drink/drinking around, but not feeling hungover would have been great on a weekend morning.
6 weeks is great, Sophie - I've just counted up and I'm 6 weeks today too, 42 days - wow, I can't believe it. It must be lockdown and the days just running into one another! Can't believe it's that long.

Six weeks is so great-well done! I’m on my second night and deluging myself with quit lit. I signed up for the soberistas newsletter which has a really good checklist of things to think about when stopping.