Day 1

[moochies]

I posted another thread earlier about my disaster of a Christmas Day.

I just can't do it anymore, looking into the future I can see myself losing everything, my DH, friends, family. I was considering taking myself to a&e this morning because I was such a mess.

I'm absolutely determined to do it this time, so this is day 1.

Please join me.

Well done @firefly123 you will feel much better tomorrow. I can't imagine how you must be feeling though but you got through it. You're brilliant.
I'm thinking about DH's family and nights with them are so crazy I can't keep up. Usually I'll say I'm driving home but I think next time I'm going to book a lovely hotel for myself and go there at some point towards when everyone starts getting drunk and read a book or something. Probably sounds boring but it's better than being the source of jokes and gossip the next and worrying for weeks after. I have a friend I go for craft beer with. I'm a bit worried about next time we go out but I'll just say I'm having a break from it. She usually gets the beer fear too so she might be pleased. So glad for this group

As far as discussing my sobriety goes, I've always used the need to know rule. My husband and my doctors need to know. Others just need to know that I don't want a drink.

Keep up the great work, ladies. 😇

Thanks so much @teaandtoastwithmarmite - we are all doing amazingly. Thought I would cheer myself up by jumping on the scales this morning.. maybe not, I have put on 2kg in my 13 days sober!!! . I don't know why I'm surprised seeing as I've been eating loads of chocolate and cake to stop myself reaching for the wine bottle. .

@firefly123 I can't stop eating either. I'm so bloated! I'm not weighing myself 😖 definitely need to cut down on white bread though. I just found loads of tasty shit that we didn't eat at Xmas as well and I was already planning on eating it tonight after dinner some peanuts and after 8's.
Just getting the kids ready for school then im going to have a nap as I barely slept last night. Happy sober Wednesday everyone!

Hi all, great to see everyone still doing well. It's amazing isn't it?!

I lost 3lbs almost immediately after a few days stopping but have now put that back on plus 2 more, probably from substituting alcohol with cheese and crisps. But fuck it, at least there's no anxiety and enormous fear, so that's ok for now.

@moochies a lot of the quit lit I have read talks about not trying to worry about food as well as booze! I think it’s natural to reach for things as the booze had a lot of calories in, right? Although I have a bad habit of crisps and takeaways after drinking so hoping that will counteract it somewhat

Today is day 9 for me. Starting to really feel like something. Can’t remember the last time I went this long without drinking. All previous attempts have fallen apart in less than a week.

I do feel quite down the last few days though. I don’t know why, I’m sleeping better, eating well and exercising. Maybe I’m missing the dopamine or whatever it was booze provided, or maybe I’m just not used to feeling my emotions. Hmm.

Oh meant to say @MinnieJackson you can get Drinking: A Love Story on Amazon for free/good price if you sign up to Audible! Not sure if audiobooks are your thing though. Is it out of print, is that why it’s so expensive?

Sorry you are feeling down @afoloren . You are doing amazing and should be so proud of yourself. I feel a bit like that too though so completely understand

Sorry meant @afaloren

@afaloren sorry you're feeling down. My emotions have been up and down aswell. We're feeling feelings! Our brains must be recovering some. I used to spend way too much time before just worrying about one drunk incident to the next, I'm so less anxious than before though. 9 days is amazing, I'm day 12 so only three ahead of you. We can do it!
Thank you, I'm going to sign up for audible, I found a second hand copy on eBay but it was still £8.

Thanks @firefly123 and @MinnieJackson

Just off to the gym to chase some endorphins!

Hang in there @afaloren. I do find I have a wobble every now and then. I had trained myself to look forward to wine so now I am not having it I have a feeling like there is nothing to look forward to. Which is rubbish. I can look forward to a nice glass of Heineken zero or a tonic water. I can look forward to watching Death in Paradise in bed with dh (and actually remembering it). I can look forward to reading my book. What I won't get is oblivion but that is a good thing.

afaloren, I also really related to Caroline Knapp's description of panic about how much wine there will be and will she get enough. I read the book probably 20 years ago when I really didn't have a problem - but that resonated with me even then - should have paid attention :)

Just got my hair done and am going to sit down with my book and a coffee and some chocolate. I am trying to cook healthy dinners (well I nearly always did that) and other than that am not bothering about food - my priority is not having wine. I can not have chocolate or crisps or cheese in a few months.

good luck everyone

Gone out and got alcohol free wine yet says 0.5% on the bottle. Discuss! Is this AF or not?

@Lushmetender

Gone out and got alcohol free wine yet says 0.5% on the bottle. Discuss! Is this AF or not?

Technically no, but the theory behind very low alcohol beer and wine is that you metabolize the very small amounts of alcohol as quickly as you ingest it. So sipped slowly, it will not get you drunk.

However, someone who is making the physiological adjustments from steady drinking to not drinking might retard their progress slightly.

I guess the bottom line is that if it makes you feel less deprived and therefore less likely to drink real wine, enjoy it in slow moderation. If you can skip it completely, that may be better.

Hi @Lushmetender . I would say that best to avoid 0.5% if trying to go AF and my brother says to avoid any chocolates with alcohol in them Then again I am easily led astray

How's everyone feeling? I had a major wobble earlier. I was so, so close to going for a drink with dh and getting dinner out with the kids. Thank God husband said 'x place doesn't cook on Wednesdays remember?' Had an ice cold glass of full sugar coke again. I'm just getting into the bath with some new Xmas smellies and dh is picking up an Indian for us. Phew, that was close! I'm so happy and relieved now the cravings gone.

Yes I’m just interested as the claims on bottle are alcohol free????

Oh well done @MinnieJackson that’s a real victory. I find Fevertree Mexican Lime Soda in a nice glass feels like a treat.

Well done for getting through yesterday @MinnieJackson
@afaloren hope you're ok. I've been feeling down these last few days but I think I'm processing all the crap drunken shit I've done in the past. DH is being amazing though.

No idea how they can claim it is alcohol free @Lushmetender! Hope you find something else nice to drink! I am on the full fat Coca-Cola, hence my expanding waistline!

Good morning all and happy sober Thursday!! At two weeks in I must admit I am sleeping better and getting almost six solid hours of sleep which is fantastic for me! Hope everyone else is feeling some early benefits.

I’m definitely sleeping better as well. My quality of sleep is far better, too. Well done everyone who has made it this far!

Morning, start of day 13.

Hope everyone is doing okay. Sleep marginally better last night, got some valerian tincture 'stuff' no idea if it helped tbh.

I am managing an exercise class every day and the 30 day yoga challenge. Have to say I am utterly shite at the yoga, very glad I'm doing it in my living room and not in an actual class. I still don't feel full of energy, I still look exhausted but I guess I'd look worse if I was still drinking wine nearly every night.

My positive is I booked a holiday last night in October with my youngest and a friend and her family. Something to look forward to.

Hope everyone has a good day, almost half way through (tho I'm thinking to do February too but best get through January first).

Sorry wrong group! I am on another but have been lurking on yours! Taking any motivation I can 😊