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?

@SophieB100

That’s amazing, Sophie! Is it weird to say I’m proud of you? 😆

Lots of love to those struggling at the moment. I’ve got to 50 days and honestly - it is one day at a time. It helps not to think too much beyond today. Keep going x

Well done everyone!
Day 4 for me ( I’m not counting Saturdays slip up😀) Already sleeping better and feeling better!

Morning all
Thank you for your lovely words, it encourages me more than you know to carry on.
@iamyourequal, the biggest change is actual a mental one for me, I feel I like myself more. I used to get the hangovers etc., but I just used to feel so low and ashamed of myself, waking up with a hangover, because I knew I was putting my health at risk, and that scared me. So, feeling more positive about that is really good. The first couple of weeks were rough - really poor sleep, nightmares, the lot. And of course over 5 weeks of cravings. I don't want to go through that again. I got to a month last year, and caved and it amazed me how quickly I returned to my previous habits. So, I'm mindful of that and like I've said many times, it has completely reinforced that for me, moderation is not an option. I wish it was, but it isn't, so now I just think, well you don't drink and that's that and the turning point is instead of feeling sad about that, I'm starting to feel something like relief.

@AvoidingTheWineAisle Thank you! It means loads to hear that you are proud of me - because you know how hard it is! And that's why this thread has helped and is helping - we get it, we all know we're one drink away from day 1 again. And if we slip, no judgement, just understanding and encouragement.

Have a great day all - keep going.
Don't forget to Stay Alert (to the wine witch!)

Can I ask if anybody has experienced weight loss as a by product of stopping drinking please?

@randomer, I’ve lost around 4 pounds since I stopped drinking just over 7 weeks ago. My frame is what you would call skinny fat. I store fat around my tummy. I started to become repulsed by the size of my stomach and cellulite on the backs of my legs which motivated me to stop drinking. Unfortunately the weight seemed to want to come off from everywhere else before it would consider my belly 🙄😄, but I am starting to notice my shape changing now. My belly does feel a bit weird though. Less hard and more jiggly like a half full water bottle...

All of you well done hugs to you all, I’m trying not scream again more stomach pain last night hot water bottle again, I’m sick of this crap, but I’ve loads of bitter lemon 🍋 and beanie coffee mil sends me them nice hot choc as well, Diary more evidence.

Well done everyone, we're all doing so well!

I haven't lost any weight yet this time (typical apple shape also) but last time when I stopped for 4 months I did. So I'm hoping that happens again.

I definitely feel lighter mentally. It's hard to put into words - I just feel brighter and more present. I know that sounds wishy washy but I don't know how to explain it.

Sorry you're in pain again @Holothane. Feel better soon.

To anyone struggling, hang in there, it will get better. One. Day. At. A. Time.

I....will...not....have....any......wine.....gnashes teeth and gnaws nails.

messaged you haggis!

Have you heard of HALT. Are you Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired?

Stay strong Haggis ru okay now?

Thanks for answering Sophie that all sounds very positive and is definitely very encouraging. I got to a month too, twice and then decided to have a couple on a night out thinking. ‘’I will just have one to fit in while out’’ and that was me back on it almost daily for months!

I hope you are feeling better now . Take care all.

Thanks randomer-appreciated. I just REALLY wanted a glass of wine after doing some exercise and having my dinner. It’s my absolute trigger. I managed not to have any though so I’m into the safe zone. Three nights-delighted with myself!

Great result

My initial weight loss hasn't continued as I'm eating chocolate and snickers ice cream bars but the sugary snacks are keeping me off the wine! Once I'm a bit more used to no booze I'll try to lose a bit more weight.
That evening glass of wine is very hard to resist - it was my reward for a busy day, I'm doing a jigsaw which is a bit more distracting than nothing!
HALT definitely influences me, lowish blood sugar and I reached for the wine which would give me an instant lift.
Well done everyone - one day at a time.

@bluemoooon I definitely hear you on the snickers ice cream bars! I was eating more sugar anyway with lockdown, I've definitely slipped into a habit of looking forward to food with lockdown life being a bit dull - and chocolate and ice cream is more realistic than trying to recreate a restaurant style meal at home (eating out is definitely something I'm missing)
I am finding I'm keeping up exercise more which is something, not neccessarily workouts as such but being more active, eg having the motivation to get out for a walk or do the garden instead of sitting around.

Realised yesterday I've got into double digits, and if this continues will be my longest streak since starting to think about my drinking in march. Instead of feeling like those few months were lots of day 1's (which felt at the time like failing) I now see it as doing the ground work, as things feel easier now - I know it's early days but it feels different this time. Im not really craving because I don't think I like drinking now? Probably helped by my hayfever being atrocious and knowing that booze makes it worse!

Sugar cravings when you’re giving up a regular booze habit are really common. You were consuming a lot of sugar in the alcohol, so now your body is used to it and in a cycle of craving. It DOES calm down eventually, though, although it can take a while.

I’m a sugar addict anyway, but I went absolutely sugar-bonkers for the first month I stopped drinking. I was putting away family sized bars of chocolate on a daily basis, but no wonder really - I was suddenly starving my poor, confused body of a bottle or two of wine most days! I’m at the 6 week mark now, and it’s slowly subsiding. I mean...I had a cornetto last night , so I’m certainly not virtuous, but I’m generally not experiencing the same level of craving.

Just thought I’d chip in for those of you feeling guilty about your ice cream scoffing. It’s not that bad when you think of how well you’re doing staying sober...and it will pass

Hi all (waves)
I'm a bit behind the rest of you but I'm on day 4 AF now so seems a good time to join.
I'm 46 and I've been drinking too much all my adult life, except during pregnancy and a few times I've stopped for a month or so, then tried to moderate, then slid back into it. I know it's a problem. When lockdown started I just took the brakes off and was drinking a bottle of wine every night.
I realised a few days ago I couldn't get into my jeans (been in track bottoms for months.) I am 2 stone overweight, struggling to get out of bed in the morning or take my DD for a walk to the park.
I am aiming for the first month AF and then who knows. I have been through the cycle of trying to moderate so many times and failed.

Chiara I’m exactly the same! This will be my fourth af night and I’m begrudgingly accepting I can’t moderate. I want to lose a stone and going af will definitely help! I have also drunk too much all my adult life.

No drink but😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞😞

Oh no holothane-what’s yo?

Hi!
I am on day 3 now and I am sooo tempted to open the wine! But I won't.

In short - I have been drinking all my adult life (about 20 years) except for pregnancies and one dry January that I remember as the happiest month of my life. I was on a bottle of wine a night or few beers or few g&ts..

I have recently come out as gay and divorced my husband. I am very aware that my unhappy marriage was the reason I was drinking so very heavily. To avoid him or to get too drunk to care.

Anyway, he moved out 3 days ago and I am now living with my two children. I knew that , being still furloughed and having my kids back at school - I would just drink every night like there is no tomorrow...
But I also knew that I am in charge of my family now and I need to stay sharp. And, being now single, there is no need for me to drink to escape my marriage. So I decided to stop drinking.

Guys, this is hard. I also quit smoking in April, so I am craving either a smoke or a drink..
I am thinking - haven't I been too ambitious - starting new life as a single mum and quitting alcohol the same day? Should I do one thing at the time? I thought I wanted to start my new single life in the most positive way I can but then, my alcoholic brain is telling me - just have a glass to wind down. You have been through so much lately - now is not the time to stress yourself further with quitting cold turkey..

I am staying strong for now!

My bloody period pains yet again I’m so sick of this, this coil has been nothing but trouble, I knew this would happen but they know best, bunting all over the place the day I get a hysterectomy.

Sorry, holthane, don't know the back story, but why did you choose the coil?

I tried asking for a hysterectomy but at the time they wouldn’t consider it, I’ve had polyp removed, I’ve got an inverted womb so a simple smear forget it, this has been going on for 18 months now, on hrt, when coil fitted under ga by the way, they found a fibroid but left it in situ.

@KirstyHasLeft I can't think of anything harder than keeping it together as a single parent whilst being hungover. I used to drink due to work stress and something I read stuck with me (Annie Grace) - if it was true that alcohol helped with stress then surely it would follow that the more you drank the less stressed you'd be?
Well, I can safely say that's not the case!

Can you find something else as a reward instead of drink? I started treating myself to a good book instead of a bottle, as they're about the same price!