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

Posted a while back, end of January, I think.

Took me a while to get started, but twenty nine days so far. Hands up, it was because I became ill.

Nothing terribly serious, stomach bug type of thing, but I lost my appetite and taste for just about everything. And that included wine.

So far so good. Will read back on the thread now.

Oh crunchy, that sounds stressful, I hope the youngest is ok. And the PCR Is clear for the elder.

I’m on mend thanks for the well wishes.

Day 38 and still likely to wrestle anyone to the floor for a sugar hit although I’m eating less now as I’m mostly in bed. I’m. It good with general anaesthetics so will be a few more days until I’m back in the cupboards 🤣

@JillyC2022 30 days tomorrow! That’s amazing!

@Crunchymum I hope your kids are okay!

@Kindtomyself I am glad you feel supported!

I hope all those with recent blips are regaining strength and looking forwards.

Will respond more when I can.

Checking in 🙌

@Crunchymum. Sending my best wishes for your kids. I know it’s so hard not to worry. You are doing great staying strong through it!

On a lighter note, @AlloftheTime, is cabbage ever truly ‘devoured?!’ 😂. (Maybe @SavBbunny can clarify?) I buy them as DH likes it, but more often than not I can’t face cooking and eating it and feed it to our pets.

Glad you are making a fresh go of it @Kindtomyself. Only way to go.
Wee reminder to all that we can stay strong and do this. Especially to anyone else effected by it being St. Patrick’s day ☘️ tomorrow.
Nothing to report today except 16,426 steps. So eating cake at supper time. 🎂

@iamyourequal
I like sweetheart cabbage me!
Just had visions of house which always smelled of kitchen soup….
Or a partner searching out what’s in the veg rack only to be disappointed…..
I picked stuff like sink cleaner or toilet cleaner beacause it ‘needed to work overnight’

Morning all.
In answer to the Cabbage question, my lot love it! weird I know but we eat nuts and licorice etc.
I have a cupboard full of af wine but i think I prefer Gordon's zero. Nice and dry. Seller of house a nutter i think. May have to withdraw.
Further tests for wls and have to have liver scan! I think my GP may believes me to have been a huge drinker which on reflection i wasn't. My poison was taken in embarrassing binges. I could not resist a free bar. You can't drink if you have weight loss surgery so i have the devil on my shoulder playing 'don't do it games'.

Morning all.

@Kindtomyself morning, well afternoon now. Slowly healing. How you doing? 💜

@ChampooPapi glad you're slowly healing, yep me too. Feel more 'normal' today. How's the placement going?

@SavBbunny hope the tests/scans are ok. I too was a binger and did lots of embarrassing stuff. I think this was a result of not being listened to or having a voice as a child/adult (I'm guessing this - it may or may not be this)

@kindtomyself

Yes there is an element of being unheard. My family growing up were vile. Bullying from my older sister and brother. My sister hasn't stopped yet!
I am finding the therapy useful. Drink was my pain blocker. Physically and mentally. 68 days and I do feel lighter.

Evening everyone. Loving all the cabbage talk!

Sorry to hear about your children @Crunchymum That sounds very stressful. Hope it all works out OK. Part of my drinking comes from my DS being very unwell as a toddler. It has taken a long time to get over that and I was definitely drinking to avoid processing that fear.

Hope the tests go well @SavBbunny

I finally have some energy back and it is such a relief. I was beginning to get really down about it. I have been cleaning today before and after work and will continue tomorrow as not working. The sunshine helps so much, windows open, proper Spring cleaning.

40 days today so really pleased with that. Pregnancy aside I haven't done this since I started drinking as a teenager, probably not even made longer than a week before.

@Borrowbox

I'm assuming your DS is well now? It must have been an awfully stressful time. I understand only too well.

I've always enjoyed alcohol but my drinking really ramped up after DC3 was born (rare genetic condition / registered disabled / globally delayed). I've really struggled with DC3 diagnosis and all that comes with having a child with high needs. Don't get me wrong DC3 is an utter delight and is currently thriving but it's very different and my role as a mother is being taken to another level. I drank to numb the pain and the fear and the sadness that comes with having a disabled child.

Just as I began to get a handle on that, I lost a parent very, very suddenly and drinking was a natural remedy for that too.

Except drinking has never helped. It's never made me a better mother for my DC3 who needs me to be sharp and focused and determined. Drinking won't bring my parent back. I think I'm finally accepting that wine helped me forgot for a few hours but its made the pain I suppress so much more acute.

(I'm awaiting a referral back to therapy! So much going on I'm not even sure what I need to tackle first!!)

Sorry for the gloomy post. I'm actually a lot less sad since I've got a wonderful 32 days AF days under my belt.

Yes thanks, he actually fully recovered (stroke) and didn't have the disability they predicted. It was a really horrible time, made worse by a misdiagnosis of brain tumour and the oncology ward he was on. We/he was very lucky, but it took me a long time to process it all and move through the fear of a repeat stroke.

It sounds like you have had a lot to deal with. So sorry for the sudden loss of your parent too. I think therapy is is great idea, even when you are starting to feel better. Hope it goes well. Hooray on the 32 days though. I think one of the simplest things we can do to help ourselves is not drink (I say simple, but definitely not easy!)

Just quickly saying hello to all and congrats on the fabby milestones (my autocorrect put fanny milestones 😂😂😂 ).

I’ve read all posts and take my hat off to those dealing with or who have dealt with difficult family health issues, bereavement and stress.

Super busy all day long, will be back with you tomorrow x

Morning all.
Thought I got the sack again yesterday. Could have gone cracker dog but went to bed instead. Not even an af gin.
Woke up to a suggested appearance on Dragon's Den. Not sure I am up for that as too many 'party' pictures out there.
I was looking through old posts
@Shortkiwi are you OK?
Not much planned for the weekend. Not getting invites!

Morning all,

@SavBbunny sorry you had such a stressful day, well done on going to bed and just calling it a day. What a crazy email to wake up to though

I have my first proper night out test tonight. It is actually at a friend's house but will be boozy (well the others will be drinking). I am going to buy a nice sparkling drink and some good snacks. I will have to drive so that will help.

Hope everyone has a good day. I am currently sitting on a bench in the sunshine and it is wonderful.

@iamyourequal fanny milestones cracked me up. Sounds like a whole different kind of thread

Good luck tonight @Borrowbox, I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself!

I hope everyone is going okay!

Whoop whoop 40 days… 8896 calories saved, which obviously doesn’t count the additional 5000 a day I’m taking in in chocolate 🤭

Enjoy tonight @Borrowbox

I’m finally recovering from the GA and finding myself bored and a bit helpless with one arm again… also have a triggering family event this weekend but I’m staying strong and buying more chocolate.. 😏

Thanks @SavbBunny
Sorry, I haven’t been watching the thread! I’m doing fine and have been mostly AF since 7th Jan. I had literally a few drinks over 4 days in Feb - it was my big birthday weekend away but I managed to be extremely moderate without feeling deprived! I’ve surprised myself as to how I now exist without reaching for the wine every night. I have AF substitutes but think they are probably too sugary e.g AF cider etc. Need to knock them on the head. Also eating a fair bit of chocolate! Needless to say I haven’t lost any weight! One step at a time. I’m still not saying I’ll be AF forever but my mindset has definitely changed in that I don’t want to drink. My DH still has a drink most nights but I’m not bothered by it or tempted. I tried a sip of his wine out of interest ages ago and I really didn’t like it. Not having a hangover since early Jan has been marvellous! My plan is to now get fit and tackle the diet! Hope everyone is doing well 🙏

@Shortkiwi
Great to hear from you. A lot of your experiences mirror mine over the last three months.
I met a lady on Monday who was drunk in the morning (we met for coffee). I can actually say that was never me but it scared me. She is rich and successful but I just wanted to help but couldn't. A poor soul. I don't have cravings very often but Fridays were my wine night. As I am unwell I will not be out for a Cabbage!

@SavBbunny
Oh dear, that doesn’t sound like a good scenario. I never drank in the mornings but I certainly had a nightly habit and there for the grace of God, it could have been me. I hope she is able to address this.

I am intrigued by how many of us on this thread feel friends are ignoring you now you are af?
I am just starting to think I am not seeing as many invites even for lunches. I am happy for others to drink. Perhaps I need to voice that?

Checking in 🙌 end of the week reached. And end of placement one 👩‍⚕️