The Freedom Thread; for those embracing a life without alcohol.

[Drybird2020]

Welcome to the 7th thread in this series, which has helped me and many others find the way to a life free of and free from alcohol.

Anyone is welcome! Newbies, you will find emotional support, tips for handling cravings, strategies for handling social occasions and plenty of first-hand experiences to mirror your own. An alcohol problem makes you feel lonely and isolated, but you are not alone.

Please be aware that this is an abstinence thread – it can be difficult and triggering in the early stages to be around alcohol related chat (however, it might help to know that one of the gifts of long-term sobriety is not being at all bothered by people drinking or talking about drinking in your presence!) So, if you feel that moderation is for you, or if you feel you need to cut down before stopping, there are other threads in Alcohol Support that can help, or you can start one for the specific support you need.

Oldies, come and share milestones, enjoy the chat, and pay forward the kindness and non-judgemental support we have all benefitted from. And when you have the time, do yourselves a favour by finding where you started and reading through all your posts, it will show you how far you have come and what you have achieved! (I'll add links to previous threads in my next post).

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-58011992

Great to see this story. So much of it resonates with what we write about here. Total admiration for this woman for opening up about this publicly. Well done her.

All of what you are saying @Soberanne and @Breathmiller are really resonating with me. Also thought, wow the fog is lifting and this is such a good feeling. I wouldn’t want a hang over now or even the feeling of having a couple of drinks the night before. Just love the clarity. I was watching an outdoor show with my kids today and felt so genuinely happy and smily and clear. Very odd feeling - but great. Just have to keep being strong and it’s also what do you say when old friends who drink lots try and ply you with the same. Still struggling with that one… so far been able to avoid! Seeing them later today actually but I will be strong!

Well done everyone, keep going.

Ps really admire the woman above in the news - she’s done so well!

@Clouds78 I’m going to do the strong thing too 👍
@Allhallowseve @Breathmiller and actually everyone here I’m feeling quite calm and am drawing strength from all the posts and comments
I’ve nearly run out of milk but am considering not going out to buy more until the morning. I don't feel tempted now but not sure I can go to somewhere selling alcohol at this point in the day.

I’m going to drink water and check my tomato plants

Six days! Your comments and tips are so helpful. So happy I found you. Well done soberanne and allofttime and all.

About to turn of the light for another blissful early night, looking forward to waking up fresh tomorrow morning. Hope everyone had a good day today

Well done everyone.

winenota 6 days is amazing. You are nailing this. So good to see you getting in to it.

Thank you so much. Your kind calm words are super helpful, and it’s so amazing to be acknowledged! Definitely turned into invisible mum here. I think half the time i was (!) trying to recreate an identity that I no longer have. I’m guessing that we will all be building new identities as part of this. That’s why I’m interested to see you are starting the ten a day thread.
Well done for not going to the shop! It’s so inspiring to hear you guys mention waking up calm and with clarity. Well done champoopapi. You are right focussing on how good you will feel and things to be grateful for are useful. Also that the sleeplessness and anxiety will pass. If I didn’t know it was a symptom I’d be being conned again.
Thanks so much for listening. X

Great to catch up and see how well you're all doing!
So lovely and positive.

Frustrating day here - the plumber didn't turn up as planned, so that involved a lot of waiting around when I could have gone out. Never mind, I didn't drink!

Onwards and soberly upwards all!
Soph

@Winenota I agree with the lost identity. Now a mum of three, I used to binge on nights out trying to be the party girl that I once was . It's just not me anymore , I can't even drink caffeine as it disturbs my body and affects my anxiety. Yet I would happily binge drink spirits with coke on nights out doesn't make sense to me now. I am trying to find the me before alcohol again . The once confident kid who enjoyed hobbies and spending time with friends who I lost in the teenage years. I used to tell myself that I couldn't do things without alcohol. I am now proving to myself that I can and it's liberating . I'm also saying yes to new things so much more , I am going kayaking next weekend so let's see how that goes . Waking up every weekend hangover is still such a treat and I am grateful every day.

*hangover free

Morning all. Not posted for a couple of days but have caught up and so very very impressed with everyone’s hard work! Huge round of applause 👏🏻

allhallowseve nice to know I’m not alone! And kayaking sounds great fun, well done you!
I’m checking in to help reinforce into my brain that like you I’ve woken up hangover free! Yay. Still tired and blurry and anxiety is going bonkers, but I believe this will pass. But, yay!
Thats nice of you stayingVigilant! everyone here is amazing!
I’m hangover free! Who would have thought it, it’s great, really great.
Thanks all.

Morning all, amazing to read all these positive posts. Another hangover free morning and the thought of ever going back to that dull, fuzzy, anxious existence is so unappealing.
@Allhallowseve I recently bought a kayak, it's so much fun! Days out on the lake is my favourite thing to do now. Enjoy!

Morning everyone, another clear day ahead 🌞

Morning everyone, also just checking in. Lovely day today - great to have a clear head!

morning everyone, after much ruminating I've decided to quit alcohol (hopefully for good). Have had some health problems recently and also find that these days drinking even a couple of glasses has a terrible impact on my sleep and anxiety levels. My family are big drinkers so alcohol is absolutely standard at all family events and I know there will be quite a lot of pushback - so joining you all for accountability! Day 4 today...

Can anyone recommend a good abstinence tracking app?

Also, I'm really hoping that going totally AF will help with brain fog. Has that been the case for others?

I went out for lunch yesterday which in the past i would have had a glass of wine [or several].
But i hada diet coke,a lovely coffee and a dessert.
I didnt miss the wine,even though there was a menu beside us for alcohol.

Im getting stronger by the day and im feeling great for it.

Just had my mother round the whole afternoon for her birthday. Usually this would be a big trigger/reward situation for me to have most of a bottle of wine when she's left and the kids are in bed. Feeling strong and not going to do that this time! My reward for being a patient kind daughter will be tea and chocolate and an early night with Agatha Cristy postcast 🙌

Evening all
Good to hear the positive posts.
I’m day nine and sleeping a little better. I’m going to do the shower and pj’s tip from one of you, ant remember who sorry.

I have felt quite sad the last couple of days and put this down to actually feeling the emotions I’ve drowned out for a while.

Will have another early night as it seems to work for me atm.
I have not drunk or wished to drink for another day - I’m pleased with myself.

Well done everyone 👍 keep going!

Also @ChampooPapi and @BorderlineHappy well done for not allowing any of the old triggers. Saw friends a few days ago and they are big drinkers - but got through it without any so I’m v happy!

@AlloftheTime I’m sorry you’re feeling sad - I do think the alc masked things before and these feelings were just stored somewhere else. Then when there is more stress it just adds to it until we deal with the things that get us down. It’s really hard. Keep with those early nights and good self care. 🌷

To everyone here - well done 👏 on all the tactics to avoid slip ups it’s inspiring
I’m day ten and definitely feeling less fatigued after work, sleeping slightly better and think I look less haggard!
I’m away for a couple of days first thing tomorrow but am designated driver which should make it easier.
Wishing you all a good weekend 😊

@Clouds78 you should be very proud of yourself for seeing friends and sticking to the tea! Now that taboo is broken you'll find it a lot easier at other social meet ups to not drink. That spell that 'you must drink' has been broken.

Day 12 for me @AlloftheTime so we are at the same point pretty much, glad to have you in my company, you sound like your doing so well.

It's great to see the daily tallies creeping up, well done all. 👏

@deathbyprocrastination I'm afraid the brain fog still exists for me but I think it is hormonal, mid forties stuff. Have you found the TryDry app? I used it for the first few months, it helpfully tracks how many units, calories and pounds you save which was SHOCKING to see, but also very motivating.

@Drybird2020 that’s so helpful, thank you. Will try that app. Day 6 today - my first proper cravings last night and I was quite shocked at how my brain tried to talk me round. “Why are you doing this anyway? Nothing wrong with a glass of wine on a summer’s evening etc…” As soon as I had something to eat I was fine but when I was hungry & tired I was so up for a drink!