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!

And yes to calling the Dr first thing, just to be sure.

You are sober treating like a boss stop.

Good on you.

Well done, @stoptheride, only half an hour left until the witching hour is over. Have you eaten?

And, if in doubt, clean the bathroom.

Ha! That made me laugh.. clean the bathroom. I'm through it and have a Diet Coke for the evening. I'm looking at triggers, what makes me want to drink.. I'm in quite a reflective mood for a change. I've had my head buried in the sand for a long while sadly.

@Hangingover love that meme😂😂😂

I'll post a couple of the best ones now and then for those who aren't on Insta.

Second day in a row of no cravings, even at dinner time. DELIGHTED.

Some new campers have appeared beside us and I HATE them. The man was really weird to me earlier and I can now hear him and his girlfriend (?) in bed hooting with laughter in between him making disgusting loud throat clearing sounds. Like, REALLY vile. Boak!!

Currently running a survey. Tell us how your drinking has changed due to COVID-19. The survey takes 10-20mins, is anonymous and if you are eligible and choose to complete the survey you can enter a draw to win an iPad Air, Classic or Mini

hhtu.eulogin.redcapcloud.com/survey.jsp?code=a3Q9eLn3OmWEQGUJ

@ICAHR_UoH
@KingsAddictions
@UniKent

Well done to all - on day 6 here and chugging along happily, fingers crossed.

Can you recommend quit apps to me? I'm using one but its a bit dull so alternative suggestions gratefully received.

Oh forgot to tell you all - my blood test was completely normal with no sign of the elevated liver enzymes!!! Yay!!
I'm 7 weeks on Friday. Bloody mad I've managed that!!

Urgh, he sounds gross, @Hangingover. Hope he moves on soon.

Well done, @Ravenswick. The days will soon start adding up

Amazing news, @OrlandoInTheWilderness. And very well done on 7 weeks

Hello everyone.

a month tomorrow since my slip.

Great news Orlando. !

yay day 6 Ravenswick

Drink du jour- pink grapefruit cordial with tonic water. Mmm.

@ColdGreenTeaMug that's great, you've done so well to get back on it after your slip up, and with loads of other stuff going on too 😊

Thanks Drybird. :)

I was a bit triggered today thinking of my milestone. So that is why I reported in today and now I am heading for month 2. :)

Massive well done to you @ColdGreenTeaMug🤩🤩🤩

Hello, please may I join?

Day three for me. Last nights sleep was horrendous, I woke 3-5 as usual - but I hadn't had a drink! How is that fair? I had a lazy day on the sofa, as if I had a hangover! I was expecting to feel, if not amazing, at least not shit. Can anyone tell me what that's about and when I can expect a decent sleep and to wake up as fresh as a Disney princess?

@WinWinnieTheWay

It took a while for my sleep to settle and I suspect you're suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Hang on in there, it will improve. Well done on getting this far when feeling rotten.

I'm sure sone others will be along later with additional words of wisdom.

@myhandsareverycold

Thank you for replying.

I've been awake for an hour now. Tomorrow I'm going to do some exercise and try to tire myself out.

Welcome Winnie. I agree ... you are probably still in withdrawal a bit.

Don't be discouraged!

Morning everyone- it is sunny outside- could it be that we get a summer finally?!

Hope you feel better this morning @WinWinnieTheWay. I’m only on day 7 here but its definitely been an upward curve since day 3 (which is when I decided to stop long term).

I’d forgotten about pink grapefruit @ColdGreenTeaMug - no cordial but have grapefruit so will have that later, thanks for the reminder.

@WinWinnieTheWay exercise is a very good idea, try to wear yourself out and definitely don't nap! Lots of us found a self nurturing evening routine helpful in the early days; bubble bath, hot drink, clean pjs and early bed with book, podcast or kindle. It's a good way to use time in the evening too. I hope today is a good one for you. 😊

@Drybird2020

I think a long dog walk and some vigorous housework should do the trick.
I'm also going to try and eat light dishes so that I feel more energised.

Good idea @WinWinnieTheWay, a vitamin B complex would be an idea for your energy levels as you might well be a bit deficient. You could consider a carby evening snack to help you sleep, also if you feel you want sugar, just have some. It's a common craving, not great for you but SO much better than drinking alcohol.

How lovely that you have a dog to take you for walks and provide you with unconditional love when things are tough. I've not got one but I do have other pets and find them therapeutic.

It's a common craving, not great for you but SO much better than drinking alcohol

Toast is good too, especially with something sweet or salty had six pieces today and not even sorry

Marmite is full of B vits of course. Can’t think of a better option than toast and marmite but that may just be me :-) Snuggling under the duvet with the dog also a fab way to spend the evening...