Day 1 for anyone just starting out

[Justdonthavethefirstone]

Hi all. This is my day 1. I have joined some other threads for support but thought I would start a new one for anyone just starting out on this journey. I have a drink problem. It got worse over lockdown.i have had day 1 before and failed but this time I am starting off prepared. I have books to read. I have joined Mumsnet for support and have told my family and friends.

[Seaside1234]

@Hotchocolatesforeveryone I have significant problems with anxiety, and not drinking really, really helps. Shout out any time you’re struggling, it’s a horrible way to feel x

[joy66]

Morning all it's still joy but with a small namechange. My anxiety is a little better already thank goodness. Hope you all had a good weekend.

[Newernewist]

Hi everyone, I've not posted for a while.
Hope everyone old and new is doing ok.
I'm day 96 today.
I cant believe how amazing I feel.
I've come to the conclusion I am an alcoholic, and I'll never be able to drink normally (what is normal anyway)
Thing is I dont miss it one bit.
Anyone reading and considering stopping drinking and doesnt think they can do it.
If I did anyone can, I was lucky enough not to need medical withdrawal, which was surprising, but it really is just one day at a time.

[wintertime6]

Hi, I'd love to join. I'm on Day 7 and can't quite believe that I've had a whole weekend without a drop of alcohol (that hasn't happened since January when I had thoroughly sickened myself with alcohol due to the Christmas excesses) but more importantly than that, I have had zero desire to have a drink. I never remember feeling like this before.

It was the Allen Carr book that has helped me massively. I don't even quite understand how as I didn't learn anything I didn't know before, and I finished the book wondering if that was it? But I have just lost the desire to drink. I'm so hoping that I can keep this up as I feel so much better after a week and much more productive too.

[writingsonthewall]

Afternoon gang.
I have no time to post at the minute but just wanted to say welcome @wintertime6 sorry the thread is a bit quiet at the moment. It will liven up again I'm sure. Well done on your alcohol free weekend whoop, hopefully you're still going and still don't want one. I haven't read the Allen care book but apparently it's very similar to Annie Graces This naked mind which I have listened to. It did make a few pennies drop for me also and I think definitely helped me get this far.

Hope everyone is doing well. @Newernewist must be 100 days today??? Congratulations superstar

Lots of love to everyone else xx

[Newernewist]

@writingsonthewall, 100 days tomorrow!!!
I never ever thought I'd get anywhere near this.
@wintertime6 well done on an alcohol free weekend, you going AF this weekend too ?
Hi everyone else x

[hazelnutmochi]

Hi, welcome @wintertime6!
And lovely to hear from you @Newernewist, happy 100 days eve! I'm just behind you, day 95 today. Also know I'll never be able to drink normally and tbh even if I could I'm a bit like what's the point....really feeling the benefits at the moment and so much happier than I was.

[Newernewist]

@hazelnutmochi, I've come to the same conclusion.
I dont even miss it.
When I think about the mess my life and health was in, I don't ever want that back
Well done you on 95 days, I knew we were roughly the same time.

[writingsonthewall]

94 for me! Also shocked and unsure how I have got here but v pleased!

[Newernewist]

Well done !!!

[wintertime6]

Thanks for the welcomes everyone! @Newernewist I'm trying not to think too far ahead at the minute, but at the minute I've completely lost any desire to have a drink, so as long as that continues then I won't be drinking. I'm not sure how I'll manage if that desire starts to come back, I guess I'm just hoping that it won't.

I bought some nice new filter coffee today and have just made myself a coffee which I'm very much looking forward to. DH is out working tonight and usually I'd be well into a bottle of wine by now, telling myself that it's nearly the weekend, I feel like I hardly recognise myself now!

[Newernewist]

@wintertime6
Its just one day at a time, that's all you can do

[hazelnutmochi]

Congrats on 100 days @Newernewist, did you do anything to mark it?

I feel the same @writingsonthewall, really struggled to get past 2 weeks the last few years. Been in a bad mood today, tired I think. Feeling better after a hot bath and some chocolate now.
Hope you're doing OK @Sneachta and @Ynwa12345

[Newernewist]

@hazelnutmochi
Thank you!!
I made a really nice tea for the kids, and treated myself to something I've had my eye on for a while that I normally would have said was a waste of money, but ive saved so much on not spending money on alcohol.
I'm so grateful to be sober. What a difference

[writingsonthewall]

Top work @Newernewist

[Newernewist]

@wintertime6 how you doing x

[Ynwa12345]

Congratulations to everyone on all your days. I hope you are all very well. Working today didn't really feel like it though! How's everyone doing x

[wintertime6]

@Newernewist I feel bad as I had a couple of glasses of wine last night. I don't think I even wanted them, but it was a cold day, the fire was lit and the Christmas tree was up and I just poured a glass of red. I'm trying to look at the positives though....I didn't drink anywhere near as much as I usually would have done, I just ended up falling asleep on the sofa around 10pm which really reinforced the fact that alcohol does nothing for me, it just makes me fall asleep!

I had a few days off work this week, so hadn't been listening to my audiobooks in the car on my way to work, and they had really been helping my mindset. So I put on the sober diaries this morning, and feel like I'm back on track!

I'm not going to let it get me down, my relationship with alcohol is definitely changing for the better and that's what I'm focusing on.

[Newernewist]

@wintertime6
Only you know what is right for you
I know I will never have a responsible relationship with alcohol so for me it's got to be zero, but you know what is right for you

[wintertime6]

@Newernewist I think I need to be totally alcohol free too, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it. If I do, then I'll only feel worse about myself which is more likely to make me want to start back on the alcohol, it's such a vicious cycle.

So I'm looking at the positives.....I'm doing so much better than where I was a few weeks ago, I've reinforced the fact that alcohol doesn't do anything for me, and I've realised that, for now anyway, I need to keep listening to the quit lit books. I feel like I'm back on track today and ready to keep going with my new sobriety, last night was a blip, I'm sure I'm not the only one to have experienced it.

[Newernewist]

Do not beat yourself up about it!!
You are doing a brilliant job, to cut down.
Just take it one day at a time.

[writingsonthewall]

@wintertime6 if you like an audiobook I highly recommend "glorious rock bottom" by Bryony Gordon. The audiobooks definitely got me through the first few weeks.

But yeah, don't beat yourself up.

[hazelnutmochi]

Yep don't beat yourself up @wintertime6. Sounds like you're back on track so well done.
100 days here today, off for a walk in the woods with dd this afternoon and ordered myself a few treats on black Friday.

[Newernewist]

Well done @hazelnutmochi!!!

Hows everyone else doing?

[Sneachta]

Morning folks, everyone's doing so well. Just had a quick read. I have been really really struggling but 141 and still sober :) its definitely xmas that's getting to me. I'm having arguments in my head (absolutely no one has suggested any nights out) yet I'm refusing to go......

Anyway I'll catch up with the thread later