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.

Great to hear you're doing so well @moochies. Day 15 AF for me. Not sure when the last time I went this long I without a drink. Missing the wine but focusing on each day. Keep thinking it will get easier but it isn't.

No difference in skin or appearance yet sadly.. except fatter!! But think anxiety better and definitely sleeping longer and more soundly

Haha-I’m definitely a bit porkier as I’m eating my weight in sugar! I don’t care though. I’m sober and am more proud of that than anything else at the moment. Had two alcohol free milk stouts-like real ales. They taste really good. Hope everyone else is ok and well done! To anyone else reading thinking they could never make 13 days (my current tally)-it has taken me about six years of seriously wanting to quit to get to this point. Hundreds of day ones, the odd couple of days here and there, an almost dryish January once, substandd CD e counselling and loads of quit lit. It’s finally sinking into my sub conscious and genuinely changing my beliefs about alcohol and drinking.

@firefly123

Great to hear you're doing so well *@moochies*. Day 15 AF for me. Not sure when the last time I went this long I without a drink. Missing the wine but focusing on each day. Keep thinking it will get easier but it isn't.

It's great being less anxious isn't it. But yeah I agree, it'd be nice if it started feeling easier, or at least more natural to not be drinking. I'm really noticing the absence of drink. Especially at the weekend or with nice meals.

At the moment I feel like I'm just counting down to the end of January. Are you planning to carry on after January?

Something that does help stop me wanting to drink is going back to the beginning of this thread and remembering how bad we all felt and why we stopped in the first place.

@Haggisfish3 Ha! I was sure I'd lose a good 10lbs by now...nope.

I lost 3 at the start (probably from hangover puking and anxiety) but that's back on now, and I'm hitting the haribo pretty hard so I doubt I'm going to be a size 10 anytime soon.

Yes hoping to carry on past the end of January... for as long as I can, hopefully forever. Your first post @moochies resonated with me so much

It's quiet sad reading back on how we were all doing those first few days isn't it. I don't want to go back there.

But it's hard to get your head around the idea of no more alcohol ever.

How can it be that you crave and miss something that could have ruined your life? I suppose that's what addictions do.

Stick with it ladies! One day at a time. It does get easier. Thinking what you've gained rather than what you’ve lost. ❤️

Wow, over 400 posts on the thread! Well done everyone.

Wait until you have a month before you worry about calories/carbs/sugar etc. Your body is still adjusting to now having all of the empty calories the alcohol was proving.

Just think how virtuous we can all feel compared to the Tory party who are apparently knocking back their wine at every opportunity

@moochies

*You sound like you're still doing great too! I can't believe the difference in our posting after Christmas.

How are you feeling about carrying on after January?*

Thanks so much! You starting this thread has helped me no end! You've done great and I remember how low we both were after Christmas. I'm feeling good about carrying on after January. How about you?

So I took some af beer round and muttered something about having a lot to do tomorrow and she was fine! She had one as well. Her DH doesn't drink so I think she likes someone to drink with but I think she gets it too. It's just so nice to have a clear head. My anxiety is awful atm so alcohol will be a quick fix until I feel worse the next day.

And it's funny I kept thinking I can't come back to this thread and say I had a drink

@teaandtoastwithmarmite

And it's funny I kept thinking I can't come back to this thread and say I had a drink

This is the power of peer support, and it works even better in person.

Ok guys, disclosure time. I wasn't going to post but what's the point of lying? I relapsed yesterday evening I went to the pub with dh and had two pints of lager. Was home by half 7, had tea and drank coke. I don't have a hangover and was in bed by ten. I was bored. I was bored before I went and I was bored when I was there. Anxiety level is low. Didn't get on the vodka. Normally with my anxiety I would have a drink before I went to the pub, but had nothing in so I didn't think about it and walked in fine sober. So I think I can do the funeral and meal sober if I stay sober now, because it's obviously had a massive effect on my mental health already. It wasn't worth it tbh, I'm proud I had two pints and left but I'm annoyed and disappointed I'm back on day one.
Onwards and upwards. Happy sober Saturday guys

Morning @MinnieJackson . Well at least you stopped at two pints. I think that's progress in itself . The boredom is a killer so totally relate there. Today is another day so sending positive vibes your way

Thank you @firefly123 it's taken the rose tinted specs off it. which is helpful in a way. But it was a dangerous move, if I'd been in the 'get drunk' mindset, no doubt I would be ashamed, panicked, skint, hungover etc. As I is I won't be repeating it, and even feel more confident that my previous sober days have had such a great impact on my MH that I be a fool to do it again. Well done everyone! Also, the pub didn't stop my eating, I had 2 packs of scampi fries while I was there

Ah @MinnieJackson you may be back on day one but you still have all your sober days ‘in the bank’, they haven’t been erased. Well done for coming back to the thread. Have a look at the Dry Days app, it’s really helping me.

Day 12 for me today. Closing in on the elusive two weeks.

@MinnieJackson-it’s a blip and a learning experience. Reframe your thinking-you didn’t get hammered and you realise it didn’t help you. And that you can stay sober when you really put your mind to it. Don’t be harsh on yourself.

@MinnieJackson you might think it's a failure but it's really not. You had a blip, you stopped before it got too bad then you came back here and told us. That's progress in itself. Please do not beat yourself up about it.

The comments on this Club Soda post are very motivating!

www.facebook.com/groups/joinclubsoda/permalink/5214391151905050/

Thanks so much guys. It's a shame but I've learned from it

When does it get easier?

I am only day 2 today and I feel fine because its early days but I know from past experience that usually around day 4 or 5 when I feel quite good and rested that I cave in and have a glass, which ultimately leads to a bottle and then some more.

I really want to do this. I really want to at the least hit the 14 day mark but in all honesty I feel a bit scared, even today, that when I get to tuesday/wednesday the craving will start up or I will have had a stressful day and say frig it and drink.
Quitting drinking causes me anxiety because I think about what days I think and know from past experience I will cave in. It is like its a looming date that I can't avoid. How pathetic do I sound but it has just become such a norm for me
Then, as per the usual cycle, I will wake up LOATHING myself and feeling utterly horrid that I am now back to day one and the cycle continues.

Any tips or advice or words of wisdom would be much appreciated.
I intend to check in here every day just to keep those days hopefully adding up and keep me focused.

The early days are hard. When I first stopped I felt so depressed, anxious and unhealthy I really didn't want any until the first weekend hit, then it was a change of routine. I did find my craving passed after about half an hour (it would have done yesterday aswell, I was stupid). I had full sugar coke and loads of snacks and did some colouring as I couldn't concentrate on my book or tv.
There are so many better people to advise you on here! Could you keep a journal of your feelings, then look back?