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

You can manage this @HangingOver. Think of everything you have been through to get where you are. Sure a glass of Chablis would be lovely but it wouldn’t help any of us with anything one bit. Sorry you are missing your mum. Early to bed tonight I’d say. Tomorrow isn’t just a new day but a new month.flowers
Ps. People buying boxes of wine on a Monday night do not have an okay relationship with alcohol, far from it I would imagine!

Welcome @Nouveaunew & @Shortkiwi and all newbies. It does get easier. You start having days when you barely think of drinking and then they start joining up. Weekends and parties etc are still hard sometimes. Shitty wet Mondays ditto sometimes. But you never ever wake up regretting that you DIDNT drink the night before, that’s for sure!
@SavBbunny. Good on you staying on the AF after shitty work-related day. Focus on the bright new job!!

Hi @AlloftheTime. 👋🏻

Thank you @iamyourequal On Day 1, it feels like a long road right now … but it really is one day at a time I guess!

The first few days are brutal @Nouveaunew. It really does feel like some kind of existential crisis (well it did to me!) You have so much time thinking but don’t like all the thoughts.
Go easy on yourself, and enjoy anything else that’s a comfort to you. Early nights with tea and cake or buttered toast can be recommended!

Thank you @iamyourequal I feel so bad tonight, you’d think it’d make me never drink again. I’d love if this was my final Day 1! I’ve been taking anti depressants but I don’t think they’ve been working too well as I’ve been downing a liquid depressant every night!

Hi @Nouveaunew, I am also on antidepressants and it felt like they were not working when I used to drink, I do feel that they are working better without the alcohol.

Hi @AlloftheTime well it's challenging. They are having 3 or four drinks every day, very challenging! There are bottles and bottles of liquor, cocktail mixes etc. I really don't want to get into the habit of drinking again! And I won't. Ginger tea tonight.

They also like to go to the restaurant, so that is another danger zone for me.

Morning all. I made it without the drink!
I have slept OK but needed a wee. Dam those 50+ needs.
I join you on the sweary, yesterday was a fucker. I need to issue legal proceedings against my ex employer. Love the owner of the company however she has a barstard of a henchman who has lied to her. Said I resigned, I didn't. I loved my job. Has now told someone I like a drink! (as does he, there's a full bar in the office like mad men!) Solicitor not happy.
Could have gone on a massive bender but being watched by DD and DH.
Best friend visiting today to talk it out. Tomorrow therapy!
I don't miss the mornings after the drink that's for sure .

@HangingOver rage away. It is really difficult sometimes. And I’m sorry you miss your mum, that’s hard. Deep breaths, this moment will pass. Knowing you you’re probably in the gym right now, or nailing a few pastries😅 and so I do hope the moment has passed for you.

When I find thinks hard I remind myself that all the best things in my life are hard. Raising children is hard. My job is hard. Running is hard. Sobriety is hard sometimes too. But I love all those things.

@HangingOver

I do love the 'lads' greeting. Makes me laugh every time.
I don't know the statistics on MN but I assume most of us are women on this thread ?
Women suffer more with shame over alcohol than men I believe.
I never really felt comfortable telling my tale at AA. Too many men.

@SavBbunny I think all of us here are women, I might be wrong though! I know what you mean about men/women, I think women do often drink differently and for different reasons. I do have some nice make sober friends but on the whole I relate more to women when talking about sobriety.

Hope you all have a good day

@BunniesBunniesBunnies

Good to know. I am off to the dentist this morning so not wanting to spoil my new knashers! Wine is so acidic.

Still going to bed early so hopefully fully tired next week.
Watched `teacher '. Hum. Frightening.

Checking in Day 2! I just finished work and had coffee and cake - better than booze!

I’m reading all of your posts and it’s so lovely to feel connected to women and men from all over the world who are all in the same boat.

It’s good to hear that about antidepressants Touty . I’m really hoping once the booze drains my system I’ll feel something even close to happiness.

Have a nice evening everyone

@Nouveaunew

I can tell you 24 days sober I feel much happier. I have had a crappy few weeks but I dealt with it with tea and chatting online. Well done for wanting to stop.

Thanks SavBbunny Day 2 and I’d love a glass of wine but I’ve a headache and my skin looks terrible so I can see and feel how important it is to keep going.

Tea & chatting online are great!

Thanks everyone, I love you. I bought some stupid trousers and a hair waver thing and now I feel a bit better

Evening all

Checking in , busy day at work so not really caught up . Hope all having a lovely sober evening x

@SavBbunny thx they are great tips. I love horse riding going to get back into that. Hopefully find some slightly less boozy friends. Swimming is lovely too. Incase helps look at go kombucha. It’s lovely in a nice glass with ice almost feels alcoholic. Like that it comes in bottles that have a wine bottle feel. The komsecco my hubby will drink instead of Prosecco if he’s had a heavy night the night before. Thanks again for your help & reading my long post 😘

@Nouveaunew your skin will be amazing & you will feel fab I’ve really noticed such a difference. X

Hi all, and "Kung Hei Fat Choy" from HK (Happy Lunar New Year- literally means "hope you get rich"). Maybe in our case I should adapt it to "May we stay sober".

@HangingOver I recognise the rage about why we have to take this path when others (looking at you DH) can casually say " Yeah, I didn't feel like drinking so I just had a coke" Whaaaaaaaat?? I realised that in Jan, while I've been counting the days, he's had a drink on exactly 3 occasions and never more than two or three and that's just normal for him. He never drinks on a school night and that's without making rules like 'I'm not going to drink on a school night". It just makes me feel a bit pathetic.

@SavBbunny Well done on surviving coffee-gate with the acidic friend. What is your Phd in? I'm doing a masters at the moment but I suspect the doctorate is beyond me.

@Touty Super tough being around drinkers constantly, especially if they validate or enable you drinking. Stay strong.

I had a LNY celebration dinner with friends yesterday. I drove and I must admit that on the way the "you could just have one and it would have to be one" voice was firmly in my head. Then, DH gave me a get out by saying "I'm happy to drive home". Guys, ...............I stayed firm. Told the host I was driving and "I might have one with dinner" and then at dinner just said "actually I'm fine." because I knew if I had that one then I'd spend the rest of the night itching for more whereas if I had none I'd have a perfectly nice time, which I did. Big takeaway that there was literally no pressure from anyone to drink. I think a lot of my imagined social pressure is just that.

@PrisonerofZeroCovid HLNY!
You are NOT pathetic - you are self aware and strong.

Happy Wednesday

Morning all. Therapy day!
Having a session to talk about why I overeat and drink.
I think bullied as a child, bullied in the workplace. I use the food and huge constitution for drinking people under the table as my armour .
Was celebrating best friends new hair salon with Nosecco!
Still house hunting. Agreed a no on one we saw Sunday (husband usually just goes with the flow).
@PrisonerofZeroCovid
PhD in male impact on female founded companies in my industry. Will not make me popular but I will be retired by then. Have to go on woman's hour instead!

Day 25, no headaches anymore or sugar cravings. Into yoghurts for the sweet hit.

Checking in 🙌

Not managing the meetings with placement , I'd get home after 12 hours then have to go out 20 minutes later 😬.

Will try a zoom smart, but not tempted to drink at this point, though I know that will come!

@ChampooPapi

I am having therapy over the Internet today. I might try a smart online too.

Tiredness is a thief of resolve. Make sure you get some rest.