Leave alcohol behind and re-learn your life. The freedom thread.

[Drybird2020]

This is thread 6, the Anniversary Edition! Welcome to old hands and newbies! From Day 1 onwards, you’re all invited to share this safe, supportive and encouraging place.

If you've not yet decided whether total abstinence is for you, do feel free to 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.

It might help to have a read through the previous threads;

1 is here, www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/3781133-Anyone-else-stopping-completely-in-2020
and

and 5 here;

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/4043965-YES-it-is-SO-worth-it-YES-it-gets-easier-and-YES-we-thought-it-was-impossible-as-well-its-not-A-thread-for-those-embracing-an-alcohol-free-existence?msgid=101761283

You'll find links to the others in there somewhere.

The 31st December is my Soberversary. I'm 2 stone lighter, I've taken up running, I'm better off, more present and more patient with my children, and I've found the courage to address some difficult and traumatic parts of my life. And I couldn’t have reached this point without the threads to keep me accountable, and my lovely sober buddies to keep me sane.

Thank you @Drybird2020, I feel a shift in me this time, I’m approaching 50 and decades of drinking have taken their toll on all aspects of my life. I really want to leave that life behind and start afresh...metaphorically speaking, as I have a wonderful husband and kids!

I need to keep reading the previous entries on here as I see this thread has some history.

Hello Brainfreeze JustTitOff and OppsUpsSide so great that you’ve made this decision. I think one of you said you’d started the ‘Alcohol Experiment’ I’m on their day 18 now as came to it late (day 28 today) and it has been very thought provoking.
I’m still getting headaches but I think it’s poor hydration and late nights. I sleep brilliantly now once I turn the light off but I’m having extremely late nights and then exhausted the next. I’ve no idea why I’m staying up so late. I go to bed and then start looking at threads on here or googling stuff. It’s like a catch up time. Need to change that as my sleeping through is actually really good.
Someone also mentioned that they could sit whilst their DH drinks. I think that’s quite an accomplishment and proves a decent mindset. My DH has a drink every night. Just one and although I notice it’s not an issue. I didn’t think that would’ve been possible. He had said he’d do dry January to support me but... Have any of you had an issue with your partner continuing?

I don’t think I could have done it with my ex! We’re staying with my DP’s at the moment, they had wine with lunch on Sunday and finished the bottle over the next few nights, it didn’t bother me though because I had a nice fizzy drink at lunch with DC and when they had it in the evening I was busy with the DC. I think it would be harder with a DH/P drinking.

I actually don’t want to drink, at the moment, just hoping it stays that way! I dread having any, ever again, in case it kicks off the whole cycle again.
Was hoping I’d be feeling full of energy by no, I’m exhausted! @Stayingvigilant I go to bed at a reasonable time but then look on my phone too and go to sleep later than I should, but it’s like my own little ‘quiet time’ and I’m finding it difficult to crack.

@Hangingover no way have you drunk more than the slightest trace of alcohol, which as others say will also be present in ripe fruit and squeezed fruit juices! There is just no way this would affect you physically, you probably felt woozy because you had a very exciting day! Many congratulations on getting offered some work, that’s great!

I had a Becks Blue over Xmas and thought ‘wow that’s strong!’ So much so I kept checking the bottle to ensure I’d picked up the right thing. I also felt a bit whoozy- placebo effect? Seedlip is branded as a non-alcoholic ‘gin’ (not low but non) so there’s no way there’s any harm done hangingover. Huge congrats on your work!

I just wanted to share some happy news (or at least a happy thought): one of my kids has a January birthday and normally I really struggle this time of year, feeling really low and sluggish after Christmas and probably using the birthday as an excuse to just keep drinking throughout January😳

This year felt so so different. Obviously it’s still a difficult time this year because of everything going on with the restrictions, but we made my daughters birthday really special, and I was really “present” this year and so enjoyed it. One thing I noticed which was really different was that even when the day became chaotic (messy and over excited children) I felt so much more relaxed and thought - so what if there’s a bit of chaos? Everyone is having a good time! It felt lovely and I know not drinking played a huge part in that.

Hello everybody. I'm still lurking and reading your stories. Well done to all on staying sober during challenging times.
Today I'm day 42 AF and despite having been a bottle of wine a night drinker (and more) I seem to be craving Gin and Tonic occasionally. Maybe it's because I now love to drink sparkling lemon and lime with ice and a slice.
I have put Gordon's AF Gin on my online shopping list for my next delivery and I wondered if anyone had tried it and how they rate it?
Keep up the good work. x

Hi all

hangingover sorry that has stressed you. I felt the same after some fake fizz last year and had the same worry but once I knew it couldn't possibly be then i felt more reassured. I also worried one time when I drank a 'low alcohol' cider rather than a 'non alcoholic' cider but came on here and again was reassured. I have chosen not to have that again though. Not worth the brain stress at the moment. So good to hear you've had a job offer. Are you taking it? When do you start?

Bunnies happy birthday to your dd and great to hear you enjoyed it this year. It's amazing the shift isn't it? I worried I would enjoy my 50th last year less because I was doing it dry. But it was the total opposite! I enjoyed it more. I was more present with every lovely moment of it.

I had a slightly crappy week, nothing major but it's turned a corner now. All feeling positive and happy in this household. It's like a fog has lifted. Roll on the (AF) weekend. Its like Narnia here so we might go sledging.

Sorry, not to tag or reply to everyone but I am really enjoying reading your stories whether on day 1 or beyond.

Thanks everyone ❤️

I do worry I maybe felt a tiny effect because I weigh basically nothing and haven't had a drop in nearly 8 months....

My brain immediately went, "well, we can just keep buying these and secretly feel a bit woozy - yay!"

So my gob immediately ratted out my brain to DP to be on the safe side and I said, "I think this making me feel funny so I'm not going to buy any more".

Think I'll do a meeting tonight just for reassurance.

Job is a bit of freelance stuff...comedy again but at least it's WFH so no temptation at boozy comedy clubs late at night (not that that's on the cards for a while anyway!) Xxx

Are you sure it wasn’t just a placebo effect @Hangingover? I know I still get that ‘relaxed’ feeling if I have an alcohol free drink of an evening, but it’s not the alcohol, just my brain thinking ‘yes, time to chill!’

90 days today. Just wanted to write it down!

Yay!! Well done lamentations that's fantastic

Well done @Lamentations!!! Fab milestone!

@BunniesBunniesBunnies happy birthday to your daughter. I love your post and how you were more present for your family and how the chaos was manageable this time. I’m only day 6 but feel like I too have more patience, especially in the morning when I’m setting the kids up for distant learning (I’m in the states we have been doing distance learning since March 🤦🏼‍♀️). It is definitely easier without a headache 🤕...

Love to read of everyone’s successes.
Day 15 so early days here but going well. Ran my first ever 10K on Tuesday. I’ve been running for just over a year but only ever 5K and often with a hangover or feeling rough. Nice to feel able and capable of more.
Well done everyone

Well done on the first 10K @Sandseasurfsun that’s a wonderful achievement under your belt!

Congratulations @Lamentations on 90 days!! Next step the big 100!

Welcome to all of the new joiners, it gets loads better very soon we promise. In my case I’ve been making up for years of bad sleep it would seem. I’ve gone from waking all night to sleeping like a log, it did take a few weeks but it’s been a revelation.

Checking in on day 132. Had a good sober week, gave a presentation to over a hundred folks today, I was nervous but it went really well. Nice way to end the week.

Looking forward to the sober weekend ahead, I wish it looked like Narnia where we are! I’m on my tod as DH is working so will spend the evening trying to come up with a little plan to keep two toddlers occupied and entertained! Have a lovely sober evening all.

@Horlicks4me I've tried the Gordon's alcohol free tonight with ice, lemon and Sainsbury's posh tonic, I thought it was lovely, tasted like a weak gin and tonic but for me more or less like the real thing! Enjoy!

@CherryDocsInYrBalls Thank you! Sounds lush and right up my street. Just have to wait until next Wednesday when my shop arrives.

CHEERS!!

@Horlicks4me I bought ovaltine I hope you'll forgive me.

@Cartooner. OVALTINE???? That had me reaching for my smelling salts! Seriously I have never tried it so maybe I might add that to my shopping list. My weekly online shop is the highlight of my life now. It's amazing how much food you can buy for the price of a box of wine.

Wow well done on the 10k @Sandseasurfsun!!! There are lots of runners on this thread. I myself am slightly guilty of replacing booze with running😂 I love the buzz, the highs and the endorphins!

Morning all, I also love reading all your news from good b’days, 10k runs, 90 days, comedy job (sounds fab), to imagining Narnia. I think we’re amazing!
Day 29 here. No bdays, definitely no running, not at all funny and raining rather than snowing but it’s all good! Slept like a log til 8am despite being awake til 1am reading government report re GCSEs & A levels. I’ve two in exam years so it’s a tadge stressful at the mo. But we’ve just got to roll with it. Happy weekend all.

So as a reluctant but wannabe runner I love reading your running stories.
I have been making sure I get oit for a walk every day and when it has been sheet ice or too sjowy I have a treadmill. And guess what?! I have just started running for a song each time or even two. And it feel so good. Just that 4 minute burst of endorphins I find myself smiling. I can't seem to get my head around couch to 5k so maybe this is the way for me. Just keeping building up little bursts of running when I fancy it.
So, you fabulous 5ks and 10ks, hit me with your inspiring running songs. The song that I cant help but run to is Pink's "Raise your glass!" - the irony is not lost on me.

raise your glass 🤣

@Breathmiller well done on the running!!! I listen to really cheesy songs (80s and 90s) playlists on spotify... I was pounding the pavement to Shakira this morning😂😂😂😂

Massive well done to you @StayingVigilant you are nearly at one month! Wow! Especially impressive with two in exams years which must be so stressful