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

Feeling a little bit blah tonight. Not sure why. I don't feel like drinking, but I'm just feeling a bit down.

I did manage to do some exercise today. Had a go on my spin bike and then did a short but (for me) challenging enough body weight workout. It did feel good to get moving. I haven't done proper exercise in months!

Hope everyone else is alright and ready for a sober Saturday night! I have fancy lemonade and cola chilling in the fridge. Even dh had an AF ale with dinner. He wasn't in love with it, but I tried a sip and liked it, so might buy some more for me! Planning to watch some nonsense on Netflix and read my book. We might take the kids to the cinema tomorrow which will be lovely

Thanks, @GoodMuse and @BunniesBunniesBunnies - and thanks for the Insta recommendation. I'll have a look... all these snippets of inspiration add up and are useful for reading through on 'weaker' moments. I hope everyone's doing ok tonight. I had a mild wobble earlier (typical day one thinking for me is why I shouldn't start tonight, so I was thinking Monday would be a better night to begin) but got some M&S treats/fave food and soft drinks instead and now 'marked safe' at home with PJs, fire and Neflix!

Just crossed posts @GoodMuse. Sorry you're feeling down. Hopefully the exercise will help with sleeping? Well done for doing it. It usually does with me, though I haven't done any since my last AF attempt last year. Enjoy your Netflix night!

Thanks @LipstickCat! I'm alright really, just a bit out of sorts. A lot going on with leaving work and giving up alcohol and then some extended family nonsense which is always a bit of a stress.

But at least I'm not drinking! It can only help.

Hope you enjoy your night in too

Evening everyone and sending my best to those feelings below par and congratulations to those reaching milestones! And welcome all newbies! I too have a couple of sobriety practice runs under my belt @LipstickCat. I think they make us stronger!
Nothing exciting to report, just checking in really. Had minor smug-sober moment yesterday. I went to collect my latest anti-biotic prescription. It’s for pills you absolutely must not take with alcohol. Yippee 🥳!! All I could think was what a major catastrophe that would have been for the old me- a 5 day sentence not to drink starting Friday afternoon. I would have been distraught. I might even have decided to just put up with another week of awful toothache 😂. Instead it’s actually a bonus making it easier to sit home on Saturday night watching DH drink. Anyway. It’s the little positives we need to cherish.
Have a nice evening all and I hope your treats are working for you @GoodMuse. Ps. I’m another with history of Eating Disorders. There are so many of us on this thread. Someone should be writing a thesis on us wonky women with all our damn issues 😆.

@LipstickCat welcome . I’m glad you’ve made the leap to post , this thread and the support is great

@GoodMuse sorry you’re a bit low . Sober life is in glorious Technicolor isn’t it! No dulling of the edges . We get to see and FEEL everything . A double edged sword for sure . It gets slightly easier . Most days now I’m happy that I’m present and feeling and experiencing the ups and downs . Stick at it

@iamyourequal we take the victories were we can

I’ve had a challenging day at work . Emotionally a tough one . Winding down now and trying to find peace in my head.

Then I get to do it all again tomorrow!!

Happy sober Saturday guys xxx

Evening Freedom Soberistas! Checking in with a little proud/relieved moment - I’m at my sort-of-DMIL’s, and it’s always a very boozy occasion when we come here. I knew it would be a tricky one to navigate sober, especially the first time, and I’ve got that out of the way now. I had a kombucha, then an AF cider. They all drank more moderately than usual, too… which either means that they’re inhibited by my not drinking, or that I was a terrible influence on them!

I’ve struggled this week, tbh - some stressful stuff going on that I had the impulse to try to drown. I didn’t, but it did sake my foundations a bit.

@iamyourequal hope your tooth is feeling better!

Well done for the exercise @GoodMuse! It has been my number 1 coping strategy. Which is funny because I’m not naturally fit or athletic, and I’ll never be very “good” at my sports. But they make me feel good so I keep at it!
@iamyourequal well done for your sober smug moment (love those!) and hope the antibiotics start working soon.

@iamyourequal I laughed at your description of “us wonky women”😂 However, I would like to flip that on its head! I’ve thought about this (my bundle of issues😬) a lot, and actually, I think the things within me that made me drink too much (and have food issues) are also the things that have caused me to have a really good career, and to be really outgoing, and energetic, and fun; to try new stuff and be fearless. I think some of the same character traits underly my weaknesses and my strengths. And although I can’t say for sure because you’re just a bunch of women on the internet and I don’t know you, but I think the same applies to many of you. You strike me as a bunch of super clever, funny, motivated, caring and interesting and STRONG women. Yes that comes with its challenges sometimes (booze! Food! Relationships!), but boy, there are rewards as well. And at least we aren’t boring😂😂😂

Morning all.
Bad day yesterday. Very emotional. Lots of tears. Had a slip, felt like hell. However won't be repeating it today which yesterday I thought fuck this I am AF but miserable. Husband fuming. He is not in my good books.
I am a bit fed up with the 'when are you stopping the AF'?

Thanks @BunniesBunniesBunnies! I love your interpretation of our quirks and issues.

I do think people who struggle with these sorts of issues are often very strong, funny and interesting, with great self awareness. Beware the shiny ones who sail through life. They're probably serial killers 🤣🤣🤣 (JOKING obviously)

Day 20 for me. Off to do some more exercise now 💪

Sorry x posted with you @SavBbunny.

Sorry you had a bad day. I also was getting the "but not forever" type comments. So helpful. I'm trying to come up with stock phrases to reply to that. Dh is being better this time round. I have alcoholism (sometimes fatal) all through my family, so you'd think it wouldn't be such a mad idea for me not to drink that I have to convince people I shouldn't drink

@GoodMuse Beware the shiny ones who sail through life you are really cracking me up, I love this😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

@SavBbunny sorry you had a bad day and a slip. It happens. Back on the horse! But do explore what made you slip, and what you could have done differently. You have a lot on your plate, be kind to yourself.

@GoodMuse
Morning. Me too to the alcoholics. Brother dying, only 53.
My family are policing me which I hate. My friends are big drinkers so not happy (shines a light on their consumption).
I can moderate but the last 6 months was so awful I sort solace in drinking. Hadn't done that for 4 1/2 years. It was the only thing that got me through the day as I was being bullied at work. Made a fool of myself at various functions.
I have to cease if I want wls. No fatty livers.
I am having therapy which is helping (except for the cost!).
Today is a new day.

It is a new day @SavBbunny and though the therapy is expensive it is worth it! The wls and quitting booze will add many years to your life! I’m really sorry you lost your brother.

@BunniesBunniesBunnies, thank you.

Brother still here but having dialysis and won't stop drinking. I keep going as I hope I can help him.

Very sorry to hear that about your brother @SavBbunny . It's so hard when they wont stop drinking as well. We've had one alcoholic in my family lass away, and two others managed to get away with it and are now teetotal thankfully.

Workplace bullying is terrible too. Sounds as if you're having a hell of a time.

Therapy definitely sounds worth it. I want to do the same at some point and should really get on with it!

Sorry to hear you had a slip @SavBbunny. You are back with us today, which is so positive to get right back to it. I too have a close family member on dialysis and still drinking. It’s not easy watching someone make such awful decisions with their own health when you see the work the NHS put in trying to keep them well.

@BunniesBunniesBunnies - love your post, yes we are all fabulous- I will take that 😀.

Thanks @PromisesMeanNothingSue. I think these antibiotics are the kick-ass ones, working where boring old penicillin failed. Dental treatment starts Thursday so I will be desperately searching through the medicine cabinet Wednesday night for something to get me through that. I don’t think a couple of Kalms& a camomile tea is going to do it 😞.
Have a lovely Sunday everyone. Im not even out of bed yet and don’t give a damn!!

@SavBbunny really sorry things are so grim . Keep posting , it will help a little to get it out of your system .

Having a very very emotional day at work . Just had a blub down the phone with a collegue . Sometimes things really suck for people .

Yes, imagine those things to deal with alongside alcohol in the mix too, @GoodMuse... they'd feel harder to cope with. Hope you're feeling perkier today.

Yes, I really think so @iamyourequal... it's like building up muscle! I hope your toothache is on the mend now. I had those antibiotics years ago for a tooth infection and remember thinking the same about the no alcohol bit. I was horrified!

And thank you @Adm1010... yes it's a great thread for sure. I'm hoping that by actively taking part, it'll give me that extra boost I need. Sorry to read you're having an emotional day at work. I hope it gets easier...

@SavBbunny sending you good vibes... try not to be too hard on yourself. We've all been there. I'm so sorry to read about your brother and the dialysis :(
I totally agree about the 'when are you going to be drinking again?' questions. If we flipped that round on drinkers and asked 'when are you going to go AF?' they wouldn't like it!! I've had a good friend literally sneer at me when I ordered a tonic in the pub (she def has her own issues with alcohol) and she managed to down a bottle of wine in the time I sipped a couple of diet tonics. I don't want to come over as smug in front of her at all - that's not my intention in the least. I just don't want it even commented on! Like... 'you do you'. People don't seem to think you can have a good time or are capable of chatting in a pub without it. Though she was very grateful to get a lift home, I might add!
Hope everyone's feeling good for another AF evening.

Hi everyone, I slipped last week and drank again, finding it so hard. Reading Alcohol Explained again.
I'm getting an anxiety feeling right now at the thought of not having a wine tonight! Why?? When I came to bed last night after 3/4 of a bottle of red, I already felt miserable and not wanting to do it anymore, dehydrated etc. But the next night, it sucks me in again, and now I'm starting to understand the hormonal reasons why and how alcohol hooks you in! I'm determined this time.

Evening all!

Hello @MagratLancre. Sorry you're struggling. I want to read that book as I've seen it mentioned a lot on here. Sometimes the science-y bits about what alcohol actually does to you is more helpful than anything else. For me anyway.

Just got in from trip to the cinema and about to order pizza. Had a nice weekend and I am slowly decompressing a bit after finishing work last week.

The single biggest thing that’s helped me is understanding the science behind why I want to drink . By understanding it I can fight it . I’d advise anyone to get a basic understanding of what’s going on in the brain . It’s the building blocks of recovery

We are not powerless . We just have to understand . Knowledge is literally power !

Morning all.
Had a OK night, drank Gordon's 0% gin which I like. I treated myself to the fancy glasses.
RA is playing up but I have used alcohol to knock out the pain in the past (one of my triggers on Saturday).
Finished 'Again Rachel'. OK but I was expecting more in terms of insight. Tis only a novel.
Off to see another house to compare with overpriced one that I have fallen in love with. If we get to move this spring at least I will have painting to do to keep me off the booze.

Morning
Checking in. I'm reading the thread but aware not contributing. I'm still trying to deal with my feelings and emotions which is huge along with my critical thinking. I'm exhausted.

On the positive side my life experience is so much better, day to day I'm clearer and more focused.

Hope the house viewing is positive today @SavBbunny

Morning.

I didn't have the energy to post yesterday but I had a really difficult time on Saturday night. Was out for a friends birthday, at a wine bar. It took ages for my non alcoholic drink to arrive, I felt self conscious when people were toasting the birthday, and when we came to divide up the bill everyone had a go and then someone would say oh but sunshine didn't have any alcohol which was really nice of them but happened about five times! So I felt really self conscious.

For the first time I felt as if I was doing the because I have a real problem, rather than as a positive choice iyswim.

It was hard.