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

[Adm1010]

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

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

[quote AlloftheTime]@Blackberryblossom - thank you! Nice question too
Had a takeaway and a zero cider as it happens 😊[/quote]
I’m glad you marked the occasion!

Bunnies your comment about “the Bloody Mary go round of moderation* is absolutely bang on and so well put! I honestly must have tried moderation dozens of times over the years. I drank a little, most days, and I suppose there was never the urgency because I was rarely drunk. The habit just got completely bedded in over lockdown though and I’m so glad that I’m now disengaged from both that drinking pattern and the never ending attempts to only drink on weekends or special occasions.
I had a really interesting conversation with dh about drinking today. Since I quit he is drinking much, much less. I mentioned that I’d read that alcohol is a carcinogen and that even drinking at levels under the “safe” drinking threshold can increase the risk of several cancers and he was really surprised. Then he said, oh actually my dentist said that too. We looked it up when we got home, and yes, it’s a carcinogen. Yet somehow neither of us were as sure about that as we are about tobacco being a carcinogen. I think he understands my decision a bit better now.
A big wave to SunshineForest, Goodmuse, Borrowbox well done for hanging in there. I climb occasionally, it’s a brilliant way to exercise. Also Congratulations to savBbunny on six dry weekends! I hope this week is a bit calmer for you.
I had a huge “we don’t talk about Bruno” earworm at the weekend which changed to “we don’t talk about Pinot (no no no) 🎶” after I walked down the booze aisle at the supermarket.

Evening all !

Feeling tired today and generally a bit off! Got headache and brain fog . I have a pretty serious caffeine habit and trying to cut down . It’s actually making me feel ill !! The headache is not fun!

Ha! We don't talk about pinot made me laugh a bit too much - it's the sobriety sending me loopy, clearly.

Fair play to you cutting down on caffeine @Adm1010. I've heard that's a killer. Wouldn't know as haven't tried yet 😬. Are you aiming to cut it out entirely or just down to one a day or so?

@GoodMuse I think I’d like to get to none . I currently drink 6 cups a day on average if pretty strong coffee .

Of not if

It's a good goal! I know someone who never drinks alcohol or caffeine and (not that this is the most important thing) she looks absolutely incredible. She really glows. One day I'll do it, but not yet!

Yeah it’s taken me till now really to start looking at the other factors that contribute to my poor health. I’m 5 and half months in and only just starting to think I can begin to tackle the other issues . I’ve gone by the old adage …. Tackle things in the order they are killing you !

That is an excellent policy

Checking in on day 8. I tried to post earlier but computer said no.. 🙄 I hope you don’t mind me joining your merry band. I need the accountability. DH and I went out for dinner last night, when I pointed out I would drive because I’m NOT DRINKING he seemed to click I meant. Ever. And sort of shrugged an ok. He doesn’t get it, he’s never smoked, never had a problem with moderation. Will have a beer most nights but not every night and can regulate his drinking seemingly without thought…. Lucky bastard. But I don’t think he knew how much I was thinking about it. I was moderating by not drinking Mon-Thurs, unless I did… and he would have one or two bottles of beer, I would have a bottle or more of wine. Fridays Saturday Sunday and want more. Pass out at 10.30 wake up,at 3am… regret all morning and swear that that night I would not drink until 4pm when the wine witch would convince me to have a small glass and get an early night, and we all know how that ends. Anyway, I feel fab, sleeping still not great but the quality is so much better and my energy levels are MUCH improved. Not sure I could give up caffeine though 😱 so good luck with that !

@Fortheloveofgodwhy ahhh the good old waking at 3am!!! I do not miss that ! I remember lying there , sweating and hating myself, so much regret , so many promises that today will be different . Only to start the cycle again and again .
Now if I wake at 3am . It’s a quick wee, some water then snuggle back down peacefully and “ clean “ in thought. No self hatred .

As for the caffeine …. If I beat this I’ll surprise myself!! I’ve normally had three cups by 8am!!

@Fortheloveofgodwhy, I could honestly have written your last post myself. Dh moderates, but I can't. Think he is maybe getting that now (although he just offered me some champagne for Valentine's Day . I've said no, obviously. I will join him with a soft drink. I have some AF spirit; that three spirits nightcap stuff. It's quite nice and meant to be good for sleep, which is indeed much sweeter without alcohol!

I have a mega order from the Wise Bartender coming tomorrow. I shall be spoilt for choice this weekend. Even found gluten free alcohol free beer ! So that should be interesting at least.

Checking in. Stupidly early start today. This is my last week of early shifts though (hurraaaaaay)! Changing jobs after half term and I am counting down the seconds.

Day 15

Morning all.
I use to think the 3am wee was my husband getting up for work.
I have been thinking why my drinking got so out of control and I think it was stress. My mother died suddenly and the booze blotted the pain. Later we lost our home in the crash and spent years in rented houses where the landlords were abusive and never left us to 'quiet enjoyment'. We have turned a corner now financially and I don't need the booze to give me oblivion.
I still think about wine but each night gets easier. I don't drink coffee but have two comes of strong Yorkshire tea a day.
Meeting my bf today and she is the one who said you need to give up the booze before weight loss surgery. Thank God she is supportive.
I am also reading Allen Carr and I agree with him on the recovering alcoholic versus ex alcoholic. If you can never be free then I think that is penance. He says that 20 years sober people describe their selves as 1 drink away from death. I could not live my life like that. I feel the fear everyday (fear of a binge, letting people down, making an arse of myself again ) however I believe woman, particularly mothers have a core of steel. We can do this. I remember the forceps and I would rather give up the booze!!

Well done @SavBbunny you are doing an amazing job. Do you have a date for your surgery yet or is it dependant on other things?

@Adm1010 “Tackle things in the order they are killing you!” 😂😂😂 I love that!

@Blackberryblossom I often have Encanto songs stuck in my head on loop😂😂😂 “What Else Can I Do” quite appeals to me, because it’s about being yourself (and accepting yourself) even when you’re not perfect, which is something I’m trying to channel at the moment😝

My 22 milestone came and went this week, I’ve got my eyes on the (2 year) prize now!

Checking in 🙌

Starting to think about drinking, so arming myself with af beers this week 💪

Get that tool box ready @ChampooPapi

Amazing achievement @BunniesBunniesBunnies

Thanks @Adm1010🙂
@ChampooPapi well done for recognising how you’re feeling and for stocking up on AF beers! Hang in there

Hello all, checking in, about to make 10 days. Have really struggled with the cravings the last couple of days, and such low energy and mood. I am hoping it is a blip. I have been reading the thread though and taking comfort in your conversation so thank you all! Hope to make more of a contribution tomorrow

We are at similar stages @Borrowbox. Well done to you. Well done us!

I've had some thoughts of drinking creeping in today which was unexpected and annoying. But didn't drink and am in bed with my book. Think I was actually just hungry, as I had some dinner and didn't think about alcohol after that.

Another early one for tomorrow, so it's the best place for me. Just tomorrow and Thursday and I'll be free from the early commute which I am extremely excited about! I will still have a similar length of commute, but on foot and not my car and also a later start. Excited not to be spending all that money on petrol too. Can spend it on books and coffees instead mwahaha!

Congratulations on nearly 2 years @BunniesBunniesBunnies! That's amazing .

Hello @GoodMuse and @Borrowbox. 10 days is excellent work. Those first few days and weeks can really feel like a long time, it can require a lot of hard work and determination. I felt bloody grim at times in the early days so don’t worry if you don’t immediately feel amazing. For me it wasn’t even missing booze, but more the fact that I finally had to face lots of things in my life I had been numbing with booze. It was quite painful at times but I couldn’t be more grateful I stuck with it. I’m so grateful every day that I don’t have to think about alcohol anymore! I am honestly a different person now. Keep at it and you will start to/keep reaping the rewards. Alcohol is just a non-issue for me now, something to bother other people, or even something for other people to enjoy. But it’s not for me and I’m so glad it’s out of my life. Anyway, great work, keep going👍

Thanks @BunniesBunniesBunnies

Checking in; day 16

Morning .

Feeling a bit blah today . Sore throat and runny nose , just a bit off!

Also I know this isn’t a weight loss thread ; I joined one of those! ) but I finally weighed myself today . It’s not good . And since stopping drinking I’ve actually gained another stone!!! the comfort eating and excuses stop now !

Have a good day all xxx

Morning all,
Checking in day 39.

@Adm1010
I didn't lose any weight last week but was out scoffing three times. I couldn't slim without giving up the booze. It made me hungry and nibbly. I use nutracheck and that has been more successful for me. I can't do the cod science of SW (frozen banana is a syn).
I have got plenty of people trying to persuade me not to have wls but few commenting on the booze. I have either embarrassed them or they are lashers theirselves.
On a different note I am having my drinkers red veins done. Lazer yesterday and Jesus that smelt. Your senses heighten without alcohol. It was a case of frying tonight.