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Original poster

The freedom thread ( continued ) Riding the rollercoaster of an alcohol free life!

972 replies

Adm1010 · 23/01/2022 13:06

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🙂).

We are a supportive welcoming bunch. No question is ever to “ silly “ and their is generally someone around if you are struggling

So just come here to chat or vent or check in . Whatever you need as you ride the rollercoaster of an alcohol free life Smile

Thankyou to bunnies for hosting the last thread.
And here’s to the next 40 pages Grin

OP posts:
sunshineforest · 04/02/2022 11:30

I also made homemade cake, again, very out of character Hmmand have been eating as much of that as I fancy. Wierdly haven't put on much weight - which is testament to how many wine calories I was necking I guess

Kindtomyself · 04/02/2022 11:31

@Shortkiwi when you say hole in your stomach what does it feel like?

Blackberryblossom · 04/02/2022 11:38

@Onewildandpreciouslife congratulations on your 35 days! You've got some great suggestions here. All the best with recovering from your surgery. Continuing alcohol free will definitely help your recovery. Can you walk or cycle? Just to give your body something while you're recovering.
For everyone in the early days and weeks, I can't remember when the actual Hallelujah moment came. I just remember noticing one day that I hadn't checked my dry day in the app the day before. Another day I noticed that I really wanted a cup of tea whilst cooking dinner. Or when I walked past all the expensive Seedlips in the supermarket and realised that I wasn't anxious about running out. It does happen eventually, I promise.

Shortkiwi · 04/02/2022 12:08

@kindtomyself - just like an empty feeling, not hunger, more of a craving that I can’t satisfy. Feel like a drink would satisfy this but I’m not going there.
I just want to not be obsessed with it. Those of you who are much further along, do the cravings subside with time?

Shortkiwi · 04/02/2022 12:11

@Onewildandpreciouslife - glad you said that about the seedlip as I’m like that about expensive alcohol drinks that I’m stocking up on and I’m using as a crutch at 6pm.

Kindtomyself · 04/02/2022 12:23

@Shortkiwi I was wondering whether it was emotions that you were feeling. I've been AF for nearly 5 months and have found that I have this empty type feeling but it's not actually craving it's emotions that I used to try to repress with alcohol. I am slowly learning to not be scared of this and try to deal with it. I'm not saying that's what's happening to you but could be (just a thought)
However you do just get into a new way of life and stop obsessing about drinks, I tend to drink tea or lime and soda these days although I've just bought some kombucha.

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 04/02/2022 12:58

Totally agree with @Kindtomyself.
@Shortkiwi it will get so much easier. The first part of sobriety can be really hard. I had to really rediscover who I was and how to deal with difficult emotions. I had to learn new coping mechanisms and my body had to heal too. I felt empty and tired and anxious and ashamed all at once.
I’m so glad I stuck with it though. Giving up alcohol is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I am happier, stronger and healthier now than I have ever been. Tonight I’m going out with some friends. They will be drinking and I won’t, but I don’t even care. I just look forward to their company and being hangover free tomorrow!
Hang in there, it gets (a lot!) better!

Kindtomyself · 04/02/2022 13:06

Exactly @BunniesBunniesBunnies but I have to say when people were saying these things early on I could not get my head round it and couldn't imagine it happening to me but it is about healing physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I'm so much better and stronger all round than I was when drinking.

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 04/02/2022 13:09

Same here @Kindtomyself, I wouldn’t believe it either but I’m sooo glad I stuck with it!

Shortkiwi · 04/02/2022 16:18

Thanks everyone. Will hang on in there. Got my big birthday celebration weekend with my family at the end of this month. Can’t imagine not having a glass or 2 of champagne but maybe I need to visualise me celebrating with AF fizz?!

Kindtomyself · 04/02/2022 17:00

@Shortkiwi just remember the reasons you have stopped, don't project into the future, be in the present. Think of today.

Kindtomyself · 04/02/2022 17:03

Sorry my last message sounded like an order it wasn't meant to Grin

Shortkiwi · 04/02/2022 17:49

Thank you @kindtomyself.
I don’t think I drank to deal with stuff/emotions/stress, well not consciously anyway. I think my drinking was just pure habit, probably addiction tbh. It was something I did every evening at 6. If I got the opportunity to drink on other occasions e.g. at a ladies lunch or on holiday then great! I was greedy with alcohol, unlike food. I could moderate to 1 or 2 glasses in the week as I was working but then went a bit mad at weekends which got me into some scrapes.

Original poster
Adm1010 · 04/02/2022 18:34

So excited tonight ! Reacher is out on Amazon prime!!

OP posts:
SavBbunny · 04/02/2022 18:53

Evening all.
I have tried the 0% Riesling tonight (quite expensive Waitrose). Not worth it, a bit sweaty sock.
I have two books and a magazine.
Found a gorgeous house to buy. Need DH to agree.

Nouveaunew · 04/02/2022 20:05

Amazed by how long some of you are AF. Honestly, it’s incredible. 5 months is amazing!! I have family visits coming up & I’m already worried I’ll cave. Day 5 here! If you had asked me 20 years ago if I’d be counting 5 days AF as a win, I’d have laughed at you. Happy Friday to you all.

Shortkiwi · 04/02/2022 20:39

@Nouveaunew. Well done on day 5 AF! Keep going. Have a good weekend!

ChampooPapi · 04/02/2022 22:02

Gah. Tired today but will try and read through this weekend. This nursing lark 😴

Checking in 🙌

Nouveaunew · 04/02/2022 22:22

Thank you Shortkiwi Flowers

I actually feel a bit happier already despite having had a crazy week & only being on Day 5. Really makes me realise how much alcohol was depressing me & preventing the anti-depressants from working.

I can’t wait to be like so many of you lot - where not drinking becomes normal

SavBbunny · 05/02/2022 07:36

Morning all. Day 28

More success on the weightloss (I am using nutracheck). My liver must be shrinking! Blood tests this coming week for wls.
Tried the AF Riesling, sweaty sock. Have Noughty for tonight.
Went to sleep dreaming of the new house. Usually wine and cheese 🧀

Nouveaunew · 05/02/2022 08:50

That’s great SavBbunny Weightloss is a great motivation to keep going. I’m hoping to drop about 3 or 4 kg but for now, I’m eating as I please as it’s all I can do not to drink Blush

sunshineforest · 05/02/2022 09:32

Morning. Day 19 here. I slept so badly for the first couple of weeks but have had three nights of undisturbed sleep which is a big relief. I have been so exhausted.

I am really realising how much I have been using alcohol to numb my emotions. I used to be depressed a lot in my twenties and have prided myself on my resilience since (my forties were very difficult, lots of bereavements and a divorce). I think now that one of the differences, or perhaps the main one, is that I'd didn't drink as much.

I've always been a big drinker but big glasses of wine at home every night crept up on me when I had kids.

Shortkiwi · 05/02/2022 09:46

Hello all, day 29. It’s great to be sleeping well and to wake up without a hangover BUT I’m really missing drinking and I’m not feeling particularly happy. Just feeling sad that I can’t drink again as I know I can’t moderate. In a previous post I was advised to stay in the present which I will try to do. Bit upset that I don’t feel particularly energised or motivated to exercise. I realise alcohol is a drug that I’ve become addicted to so it will take time to feel better and normal without it. On the plus side I’ve just made myself a lovely cappuccino and will now plan the day with a clear head! Will hang on in! Have a good day everyone!

DoingAway · 05/02/2022 10:02

Hi all Just checking in on day 90 for me. I was here before with a different name.

SavBbunny I’ve got nutracheck too and lost nearly a stone. It’s so much easier without the booze giving me stodge cravings.

Things in general getting easier for me so now I have to watch out for the ‘I can manage to moderate’ lies to self creeping in.

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 05/02/2022 14:44

Congrats on your 90 days @DoingAway!!! That’s an amazing milestone.

@Shortkiwi it sounds like you’re feeling a bit flat. What else is going on in your life at the moment? What sort of things do you do for joy?

@SavBbunny great news on the weight loss.

@ChampooPapi I hope you get to have a rest x