Sober October - Plan Ahead

[notroundthebend]

I managed dry January, even did Feb! Then the virus hit and I went backwards with the wine drinking and it's really got to stop. So sober October it is (and beyond)..! So, Thursday will day one 🙌 join me if you wish.

I've stuck it out but still feeling low, I'm lucky my dh doesn't drink so there's no temptation from him. I would have struggled tonight if he was drinking. I know I'll be glad I didn't cave tomorrow, I wish alcohol didnt occupy my mind so much. How long does it take before you get to the point where you're not mentally deciding not to drink every night? I'd like to be someone who makes an active decision to enjoy a drink now and then, not someone who actively decides not to drink. How long to break the habit?

I’m not sure how long it takes at all! Earlier this week I was really thinking how nice a glass of wine or beer would be, now I’m not really feeling like I want it at all, but drinking daily was never really my thing. I just can’t always find my off switch when I’m on a roll.

I am home... my lovely friends all drank non alcoholic drinks. I have had a lovely cuppa to warm up.

Just a quick hello, and well done Hoho for sticking it out.

I know exactly that low feeling you describe - been there myself many times and always caved, so well done for staying strong.

I've just got through my 2nd alcohol free October Friday evening. This was the night I ALWAYS drank as my daughter and I have the place to ourselves, so so it's a girlie night - wine, snacks, movies and a nice long lie in tomorrow morning.

Tonight I've just been drinking tea and she had tall glasses of squash with ice although she's not trying to abstain, just did it to keep me company.

Thank you Fanny, I slept so well last night and feel good this morning. I think I will just have to concentrate on that to ward off any more feelings of weakness. The fact that alcohol occupies too much of my mind is the reason I have to do this. Other people can't be leaving work thinking to themselves 'nope, not having wine tonight, not stopping at the shop to buy a bottle, just going to have my cordials'. It wouldn't even be a decision they have to make. I want to get to that point

Good morning all! I need some ideas for grown up drinks that aren’t booze. Problem is, I can’t have sugary drinks (not that I really like them anyway) and I’m getting a bit bored of water. I also avoid sweeteners, and caffeine in the evenings.

Fresh mint in hot water? I've bought mint in this week's shop, I like it after a meal out

HoHo I suspect a lot more people than you realise have that internal monologue as they leave work. You are not alone on that score - the difference is that you have chosen to confront it and do something positive rather than make it go a way by giving in to it. Well done!

Cha that is when I have the bitters in soda water. Homemade lemon presse - you can reduce the amount of sugar to taste. I often put a bay leaf or cardamom in the syrup to give it a depth of flavour. I realise that is not helpful if you are avoiding sugar altogether - not just disliking the level of sweetness.

Hoho I was exactly the same as you and so far have completely changed - okay so only about twelve days in but it's been a breeze. I read the Allen Carr book. Can't remember what it's called exactly but it's specifically about women and alcohol. He has got a few about alcohol but this relates to women. It's very repetitive but it's totally changed my mindset to the point where I genuinely haven't even considered a drink. I'm away at the moment in a situation where ordinarily I would've packed at least two bottles of wine for the weekend but it didn't even cross my mind until my DH expressed surprise that I hadn't! It's definitely worth a read. I think it's a available on audio book too. Well done for staying strong last night. Xxx

Thank you user. Enjoy your weekend away, I'll look up the Allen Carr book. I have bought Rose and elderflower Belvoir cordial for my sparkling water tonight. No pangs for wine yet but it's a bit of a different type Saturday in terms of who's in and out of the house so I hopefully I won't get it tonight, definitely feeling more positive today. I read the Michael Moseley article about alcohol and disturbed sleep in The Mail today, I really identified with it. Look it up if you get chance, I can't link, but even if I could a link to the Daily Mail would probably get me banned from MN!!

Well as of midnight tonight, it's two weeks since I last had an alcoholic drink!

Hope everyone had a good booze free Saturday.

Feeling fresh and energetic, we are heading out for a bike ride.

Yay well done Fanny and Hoho. Listening to my husband slurring his words slightly and talking repetitively about things last night made me glad I wasn't in that situation. Had a rubbish nights sleep for various reasons but feel pleased I'm not feeling crap and groggy to add to it this morning!

Hi everyone.

Although I slept really well (when I eventually got to sleep!), both yesterday and today I've had a slightly upset stomach. Feeling uneasy is the only way I can describe it, Anxious and agitated, with a fluttery nervous stomach. Not sure what's caused it because mentally I'm not missing a drink, but maybe physically?

Anyone else feeing out of sorts?

Hi everyone! Got through the weekend booze free. Yesterday I bought a bottle of Wonderleaf non-alcoholic gin. Quite nice with some dry tonic and a dash of bitters. Had a friend to lunch today and tried a Paulaner alcohol-free Helles beer. Rather disappointing, I won’t bother with that one again, kind of thin but over-sweet. Expected to be sleeping better but I’m not, perimenopause has me firmly in its grip and I’ve been waking up with hot flushes every night. 🥵

Are you drinking more caffeine Fanny? Too much coffee gives me that edgy feeling. I'm doing well today, feeling good, had a roast which wine would have been good with but didn't feel much of a pang. Been invited to meet friends in a pub tomorrow, I'll drive so no chance of any temptation

It’s been a hell of a week and weekend but got through it sober. Fair play to all those of you who are going out to pubs and still not drinking, I think I would crack.

I don't drink coffee Hoho.

Not sure what was causing the agitation but it's worn off now. Went for a lovely bike ride round the park late afternoon as the sun was just starting to drop in the sky. It was absolutely glorious. Sat on a bench for a bit and just chilled. It was so lovely and peaceful and I felt better after that.

Well done to everyone for getting this far.

Glad you're feeling better Fanny, sounds like a nice day. Sorry it's been a difficult week Vik1ng but at least you've been able to face it fresh and sober so hopefully everything else will be a breeze.

The beginning of the second full week sober, I quite often started Monday thinking I won't drink in the working week only to cave that very evening and finish the bottle I started the night before. Now I'm feeling strong and positive and know I definitely won't do that, I have a very a real commitment to this. I was scrolling through some of the other alcohol support threads on here and what some people are living with is terrifying. I wonder if that's my future if I carry on drinking my routine half bottle a day, would it inevitably progress? Beginning to think I should make this sober thing longer term?

Last night didn’t go well - back to day 1

Oh no Vik1ng. How do you feel about it?

Oh no, how did that happen?

All good here still, been to fitness class and just about to have rose and elderflower cordial, how are other people's evenings?

I'm still going strong too. Just about to get into a bubble bath and I've got a big mug of green tea.

It's 17 days for me now which is the longest I've gone booze free since May.

Vik1ng it happens to the best of us. Don't let it get you down. Just climb back on the wagon when you are ready. X