Staying Stopped - Alcohol Free, permanently.

[Drybird2020]

This thread is a kind and supportive environment for anyone committing to an alcohol free life.

From Day 1 onwards, you are welcome here for support, encouragement, tips and chat. There are many of us, at different points on the journey some have been sober for years, months, or weeks, others are just starting out, but all are
committed to an alcohol free life and the freedoms it brings...

Freedom from the tyranny of booze and the effort of figuring out how much to drink, and how and when to procure and drink it.

Freedom from guilt, self loathing, and 3am wake ups, and the fear of what might have been said and done the night before.

Freedom from the pervasive sense of dread and shame.

Freedom to embrace life with energy, and to face challenges with an uncluttered head, a lighter heart, and a lighter recycling bin.

If you've not yet decided whether total abstinence is for you, do feel free to hang out and ask questions but please be aware that discussion of drinking can be triggering, especially for those in the early stages of sobriety.

If you are still drinking, or planning on moderating (and this includes occasional or once in a blue moon drinking) have a look at the moderation threads, which might be a better fit for you.

I check in here every day as part of my recovery. It has kept me accountable, and the wonderful posters who contribute have helped me more than they could possibly know. This is day 137, and I'll be here for a long time!

*Wine( I know exactly what you mean re time.

I hope you like the facial cleanser Dry.

I am back in the office tomorrow. NOT looking forward to it at all.

I'd like to join you please. I'm one month sober and I've had some fantastic support on another thread to get to this point. But now I feel ready to commit to making this a permanent decision - even if I can't say that out loud just yet (not even to myself). I would have been one year sober on the 27th if I had kept going but I got complacent and started drinking again after 4 months. So I want to stay focused this time. At the moment I'm feeling really positive about my decision

Welcome @Teetotallyperfect!

A month is great!!! I’m 38 days in so at a similar stage. This thread is great

I’ve been glum too, @GreenTeaMug. I need to remind myself that being AF is an achievement in itself even though it doesn’t make me any less irritable, tired etc. I’m struggling more with food and having any kind of routine, and alcohol rarely crosses my mind now. Although I don’t feel complacent as I realise this could easily change.

@teetotallyimperfect, hello and welcome. The first month is a very important first, you've done it before so you know. There are quite a few people who have taken a few goes before settling into long term sobriety, including me. From the quit lit I've read it seems that it's common to quit for a few days then for increasing lengths of time, before taking the plunge.

Actually, reading quit lit and talking to you lot made me realise how common most aspects of alcohol abuse are. The drug has totally predictable effects over time.

Hi everyone - hope you're all doing okay. Day 78 for me. Got a lot going on athe the moment and, like you all, am glad one thing I can control is not drinking rather than it controlling me anymore. I don't have any cravings or wanting of it either and the weather doesn't affect me either as I could never drink in the sun- use to make me feel ill- how ironic.
I tried one of these fancy botanical drinks the other day, was meant to be cardomon and chilli flavour tonic thing - it didn't taste of anything😂

Hey all, Jess we sounds similar! Lots of stuff going on but glad to not be drinking. I also don’t have cravings and not affected by the weather.

I’m careful not to get complacent though as I know there probably isn’t much between me and a bottle of scotch. Or wine. Or beer. Or anything really!

Still I am enjoying being sober. It’s probably the only reason I am (sort of) coping with lockdown.

God yes, can't imagine how I'd be trying to home school 4 kids feeling seriously hungover with no break in sight. I don't think I'd have half the patience I do and that's wearing thin recently😂

Hello! I'm still going supported working a programme. I'm 135 days tonight

Hi everyone, I'm in need of gentle support. It's only day one for me, but today I have made the decision to give up the drink completely. I have been drinking pretty much every night and I know I need to stop.

Welcome, @WeMustGetOffTheMountain. Well done on an important and excellent decision. I was also drinking every evening, it’s just not good is it? Have you read back at all on these threads? That might be helpful.

That’s amazing, @IronNeonClasp. What program are you following?

Welcome back @IronNeonClasp and welcome, @WeMustGetOffTheMountain. Day 1 is the most important day of all! Honestly, I'd have done this much sooner if I'd realised how great it would be.

Hello all. Good to see you again hope all is going ok. I have been keeping quiet this time it feels different. Day 11 day. Sleep not great but trying to be patient have a good day.

@SparklingLime Thank you, yes I have had a read through and I am feeling even more positive about my decision now.

@Drybird2020 thank you! I think I should have done this a LOT sooner, but I am feeling empowered that I have made the decision and feel like I've taken back some kind of control.

And now it's day two!

Sunny bank holiday weekend? We’ve got this...

Welcome back, @Rupertpenrysmistress.
We do, @StillDumDeDumming!

@StillDumDeDumming we do indeed. Hope everyone is well and doing ok. Welcome to everyone new to the thread.
Am doing the online shop due for delivery tomorrow so going to order some nice soft drinks t have. Still can't bring myself to have af beer or wine yet even though it's 80 days now.
Happy weekend everyone

Day 13 here.

@jess3817 I did the same and had my order arrive today. Kombucha, ginger beer, cherry cola, raspberry lemonade, cordials coming out of my ears... I went a bit overboard!

@jess3817 can’t believe it’s 80 days. @Dryheave I have a £50 Waitrose voucher still to use hmmm

There's a storm going on here, but I'm happily settled with my bitter lemon, watching Dark. Have a great weekend all 😊

@DryHeave I need to up my game by the sounds of things lol @StillDumDeDumming I know ! Me neither, it's been a roller coaster at times! Can't believe I've made it this far.

Morning all and thanks for the lovely new thread @Drybird

I'm three weeks away from six months and without doubt this thread kept me going in the early days, particularly navigating my way around my first AF Christmas.

I find running a good substitute for booze although I've had so much work on I haven't done as much as I'd like. But I got a nice 10k in yesterday and think I'll escape for one this morning, too.

Running gives me the mental buzz I also enjoyed in booze. Minus the crap night's sleep, puffy face and morning after shame of 'what did I say'...

Good to see some old faces here! How's your DH @StillDumDeDumming ? Hope you're doing ok.

Hit 5 months sober yesterday! I'm very much enjoying sober me.

Onwards troopers!