Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Alcohol support

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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:
Kindtomyself · 26/02/2022 07:50

Morning all

Interesting about not getting as angry @SavBbunny.

I'm meeting a friend this afternoon for a catch up which I'm looking forward to.

Fortheloveofgodwhy · 26/02/2022 07:55

Loving sober weekend mornings 🙌 I am the opposite on the anger, well the last couple of days but only on day 20 so still adjusting maybe. Or more likely HRT related.. or could be my family (teens and DH) actually ARE ASSHOLES 🤔 so hard to tell

Enjoyed a gf and af beer last night. Just the one. Busy day isn’t he garden ahead today.

Hope you all have woken refreshed and ready too.

Newmum738 · 26/02/2022 09:23

Thanks for the good wishes all! @sunshineforest keep going, when you get to 90 days you will find you have settled into a new way and see that it feels really short!

I made beef bourginon, tiramisu and had AF G&T and lots of Nosecco as my treat. The cooking is an achievement because we have no kitchen right now!!

MagratLancre · 26/02/2022 09:56

Hi everyone! So happy right now, first Saturday morning feeling so fresh in a long time, really feels like I'm living life again rather than existing through it ifsyim. DS and I are dressed, fed, and he's on the trampoline enjoying the sunshine. Going into town later with DH and DS, my DS is autistic so we always do the same Saturday routine but I quite like the predictability too! I finished Alcohol Explained last night, what an eye opener.

Original poster
Adm1010 · 26/02/2022 10:48

@Borrowbox I’ve just started 16 8 as I’ve only just felt ready to start tackling my weight . I’ve joined a thread on the weight loss board and tbh it’s really working for me in that it doesn’t feel like a “ diet “ I don’t “ do diets! “ iyswim . It’s making me actually listen and understand when I’m hungry which is a revelation

@SavBbunny my moods and anger are much more stable as well

OP posts:
BunniesBunniesBunnies · 26/02/2022 14:08

Glad to hear that @MagratLancre💪

Blackberryblossom · 26/02/2022 15:39

Congratulations @Newmum738 on your 90 days! You’ll be at 100 in no time, then you get that levelling up buzz from going into 3 figures!

All the best to everyone struggling with the weekend, for whatever reason, and to everyone in the early days. It’s worth it 🏆

I am just over 3 weeks away from a really big AF milestone. I am treating myself to a new bike. I am choosing to respond to uncertainty with bike rides rather than wine.

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 26/02/2022 16:02

@Blackberryblossom a new bike🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 Bike rides are a great tool to have for responding to uncertainty. You’ve earnt this!

Original poster
Adm1010 · 26/02/2022 19:44

So today we had a chat about our silver wedding . Planning a nice evening out in the city . Music , cocktail bars that kind of stuff . My DH asked if I’d be ok …. I genuinely meant it when I said I’d love it and alcohol free cocktails might be good!! At nearly 6 months now …. I won’t get complacent , AT ALL , but this seems to be my life now .

OP posts:
AlloftheTime · 26/02/2022 21:40

@Adm1010 that’s fab 💐

Borrowbox · 26/02/2022 21:58

Evening all, checking in before bed. 3 weeks today.

Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary @Adm1010 and your plans sound great. I am also enjoying 16:8 and feel like it is resetting my body, and my assumptions about signals. Managed to steer clear of all the junk this evening. Not too virtuous as had plenty earlier!

Great news on the milestones and bike @Blackberryblossom That is a great way to celebrate.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Mine has been very peaceful but pleased with that. Apart from now hearing next door getting steadily more drunk this evening. Aren't drunk people annoying, can say that now Grin

Fortheloveofgodwhy · 26/02/2022 22:27

Whoop on the 3 weeks @Borrowbox I’ll be there Monday.

AF mocktails sound like they might be better than the real thing! Never a spirit fan here.

Might have to try the 16:8 I’m ok without the alcohol but OMG the amount of sugar I am consuming is unreal… although maybe I just remember it now 😳🙈

Borrowbox · 27/02/2022 07:30

3 weeks feels so good @Fortheloveofgodwhy I am also consuming so much sugar but I keep reading that is normal as we are missing all of the sugary alcoholic drinks. I have given into it so far and am now trying to be a bit more mindful. The only other time I have been like this is breastfeeding and I was addicted to chocolate biscuits!

Morning all, hope you have a lovely sober Sunday.

SavBbunny · 27/02/2022 07:43

Good morning, 50 days here (two blips).
I have lost a stone which has come off as I am not drinking wine and eating cheese. I started the AF to enable me to have weight loss surgery. No fatty livers allowed. My family have been hugely supportive as nobody else really drinks and I embarrassed them so many times.
My best friend had said no point having wls if you won't give up the booze. Will make you ill if you drink to access after the op (her niece has had the surgery).
For me I have added in counselling with my wine budget- £50. I know that is a privilege but I need to close some doors on the past.
I am luckier than some as my DH doesn't really drink.
I look much younger and I am very grateful for all the support I have received on this thread. X

Fortheloveofgodwhy · 27/02/2022 07:57

@SavBbunny that sounds like a good friend!

Borrowbox · 27/02/2022 08:17

So glad you are seeing such positive results @SavBbunny and 50 days is amazing! I can't wait to get there. I think spending your savings on therapy is a brilliant idea, and such an investment in your future.

SavBbunny · 27/02/2022 09:10

@Borrowbox

I think I am still about £150 up as I was such a wine snob! I once said to my sister that I thought I was an alcoholic and she said 'you can't be as you won't drink the chardonnay at parties'. True but I would make sure I had my private bin SavB for when I got home!
The two blips I had were weird. One made me really ill (sweating, up in the night), the other, two 125ml glasses of prosecco and I was wired. Looked and felt spacey 🤓

I'll stick to AF gin.

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 27/02/2022 09:39

@SavBbunny massive congrats on your 50 days. You done amazingly and you are such an ace presence on this thread!🤩🥳

SavBbunny · 27/02/2022 09:44

@BunniesBunniesBunnies

Thank you. I thought I pissed someone off the other day! I prattle on as I am working part time at the moment.

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 27/02/2022 09:48

@SavBbunny I doubt you pissed anyone off. Everyone on this thread always seems really sensitive and aware of other posters, and the fact that we are all different despite this cause (booze free life) uniting us. That’s what I like about this thread. Anyway keep posting and keep rocking your AF life!

Borrowbox · 27/02/2022 10:07

I am shocked at my savings too @SavBbunny I have an app that has projected my savings for the year and it will be about 3.5k Shock I don't have that kind of money so no idea what I was thinking.

I am sure you haven't pissed anyone off. I have found you a really inspirational poster and have enjoyed seeing all of your posts.

Kindtomyself · 27/02/2022 10:16

Morning all

Such successes are a delight to read this morning Grin

Kindtomyself · 27/02/2022 10:20

Posted too soon. The successes of new bikes, weight loss, parties etc it's all good. I'm not saving any money cos I'm spending it on me and kids which is lovely to do. Although I need to watch it as I'm possibly getting carried away .

@SavBbunny I think it was me who pissed off someone as I was being very open about my emotions. However I concluded that this is a very open and supportive thread and it has been so helpful for me

SavBbunny · 27/02/2022 10:28

@kindtomyself
I think you are so helpful so I can't think why someone would take offence. Over the last few years I have had bad experiences with mumsnet. Been called a liar, thief, nutter, pissed etc (when I wasn't). This is the first time I have not felt judged. Had a few name changes to avoid the trolls.
The competitive yummies don't seem interested in us alcohol dependent poor souls. Long may that be so!

Borrowbox · 27/02/2022 11:08

I think you are both great and it is sad that you both worried it was you. I am such a sensitive soul atm that I nearly left the thread at the first sign of perceived criticism. I am also too scared to post anywhere else after taking a bashing in the past. This feels like a safe space.

Lovely that you are spending your money on positive things @Kindtomyself I have made a few skincare purchases guilt free. My vanity has really kicked in since seeing improvements in my skin!