The Freedom Thread (Continued) - Enjoying the positives of an alcohol free life *Title edited by MNHQ*

[BunniesBunniesBunnies]

Hello all,

This is a thread for people who have decided that life is much better without alcohol!🤩 These threads were started by @Drybird, and they have changed the lives of many people.

Some posters on these threads have been sober for a long time, and some are only just starting. We are a very friendly and inclusive bunch and we are always excited when someone new joins the thread. The only thing we ask is that our posters have given up alcohol completely. Talk of moderation can be triggering for some people, so this thread is not the right place for that (there are other moderation threads🙂).

I hope to see many familiar names on this thread, and some new ones too! We always welcome anyone to share their feelings, ask questions or simply “check in”🙂

I’d also like to thank @Breathmiller for hosting the last thread (and to ask for your forgiveness for shamelessly stealing your thread title😳) - Thank you @Breathmiller 💐

Thanks all!

Bunnies

@Kindtomyself I’m going to get some nosecco and cook a nice tea

@Adm1010 sounds like a very good plan to me. I've not had nosecco yet - can't find the bloody thing anywhere. Is it good?

[quote CardinalCat]@Kindtomyself be careful which type of magnesium you go for. Some can have a helluva laxative effect (and is actually poorly absorbed.) I like mag threonate and mag glycinate.[/quote]
Thanks I'll be very careful when choosing. Any particular makes that you have?

@Kindtomyself Tesco sell it . It’s actually ok after me initially poo poohing it!!

Day one again. Drank two bottles of wine last night from about 7pm untill midnight. Just me in front of the telly. Then threw up like all of it.

What is wrong with me ☹️

I was so resolute. So 'changed' three weeks ago and here I am again. F F F.

Just going to get back on the horse again. No excuse , I really got trashed for absolutely no conceivable reason other then thinking it was some kind of getting through Christmas reward.

I did nearly 100 days, but since that relapse I've only managed to get to a month, then another fall from grace. And now just under three weeks.

The gaps are getting shorter 😫

My thinking really has totally changed but My mind totally overpowers that. I hope it's also the break off university. I'm back on the 10th, this is all so much easier when I have somewhere to be! But should it be? Shouldn't it be easy when I have to be home too with the family ?

@ChampooPapi up you get and carry on .

The reward centre of the brain is bloody powerful and will keep at you . It’s sneaky and will try everything .

You can learn again from this . The triggers and what tools might help .

Be kind to yourself , you are alcohol dependant and it’s not easy xx

@ChampooPapi such a tough question to answer- we are all different and who knows what combination of environment and family dynamics at this time of year have affected you.
You’re back here and being open so I see that as your way forward.

👍

Well done for your honesty and accountability @ChampooPapi - this isn't easy, if it was, everyone would be at it.

@ChampooPapi I'm sure most of us have been there! I've done long long stints and been waylaid by the silliest of things (and some less silly things.) I cal it a "reference point". Examine what happened- triggers, feelings, which aspects of my sobriety toolbox let me down, how can I bolster them for the future? Not only does this make me feel empowered but it also neutralises any shame or bad feelings. Do NOT beat yourself up. You are here, and we are here with you and for you.

Sorry to hear about that @ChampooPapi that sounds tough. Dust yourself off and try again. I hope you don’t feel too rough today.

Thanks for the recommendation of magnesium, I do take it usually but have run out. Must stock up!

[quote Adm1010]@Kindtomyself Tesco sell it . It’s actually ok after me initially poo poohing it!![/quote]
Ha! You're probably the one who put me off in the first place

@ChampooPapi

I did nearly 100 days, but since that relapse I've only managed to get to a month, then another fall from grace. And now just under three weeks.

The gaps are getting shorter 😫

My thinking really has totally changed but My mind totally overpowers that. I hope it's also the break off university. I'm back on the 10th, this is all so much easier when I have somewhere to be! But should it be? Shouldn't it be easy when I have to be home too with the family ?

Be kind to yourself love kindtomyself. It's really important. What were the triggers? Christmas Eve for me was the trigger- wrapping presents and watching Just Like That or whatever it's called the new Sex in the City. Totally took over my head and there was no space to question it.

Actually that wasn't just the trigger there was other crap stuff and I felt I was overwhelmed. So a number of things all mixed together in a big pie

Could viewing alcohol as a reward be key ChampooPapi, when really it’s a form of self-harm? Had you been actively rewarding yourself up to this point? Maybe planning in regular rewards every week or two would help going forward. I might do this - have already saved about £25 if I’m honest about what I was spending.

I don’t know if anyone has mentioned dry drinker? They have a fantastic selection of AF drinks. Including AF Prosecco and cider - the thatchers is lovely.

Good luck everyone. I think taking each day at a time, recognising trigger points, factoring in other rewards and looking at what I gained rather than lost were key to me. I also told quite a few people which helped keep me AF!

I also started planning early morning adventures on Sundays. Walks/bike rides/gallery trips. New experiences. Morning swims. Watching sun ruses. Just having more (sober) adventures. It’s led to so much fun and new experiences. ❤️

@doorornottodoor I love planning adventures too!

And yes yes @AfreshAfreshAfresh to rewarding yourself!!! I rewarded myself for all the early milestones! Not so much lately but I’m saving up for a big reward now (2 year milestone).

@Drybird2020… it’s your 2 year soberversary tomorrow isn’t it🤩

The moderation voice has gone …. But I’ve eaten my body weight in chocolate log …. At least I’m sober

@doorornottodoor

I also started planning early morning adventures on Sundays. Walks/bike rides/gallery trips. New experiences. Morning swims. Watching sun ruses. Just having more (sober) adventures. It’s led to so much fun and new experiences. ❤️

Yes I've started to have more adventures too, it's fabulous isn't it? How long have you been AF?

@Kindtomyself nearly 2 years. ❤️ How about you?

Checking in 👍
Feeling ok, no cravings at the moment.

@doorornottodoor that’s amazing well done. You sound very grounded and comfortable in your decisions and with your life which is definitely something to be aspire to.

@doorornottodoor nearly 2 years is great. Your posts seem so grounded (as someone else mentioned) and I am so pleased that adventures continue. I'm nearly 4 months (with a recent blip) and the interest I have in doing things has really taken me by surprise- I always had a low level depression and high anxiety and a bit of a 'what's the point' attitude and that's changed I now have enthusiasm for visiting an art gallery, cinema, walk etc etc and it's everything I dreamed of.

Sorry if that sounds over the top but it's true. Obviously my life isn't amazing all the time but that low level depression lifting is a gift from somewhere

Hi all hope you don’t mind if I join this thread. I have also just joined the DJ one.
Fell over Xmas night and am badly bruised with no memory of how it happened apart from embarrassing info from DH. Need to get a grip on this. Trying to keep myself accountable all over the place.