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

[ChampooPapi]

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 smile

Thank you to @Adm1010 for hosting the last thread 💜

And here’s to the next 40 pages grin

Thanks @Fortheloveofgodwhy , I have in the past read some quit lit, actually still have to read the naked mind but for some reason I always stop start that one. Any other suggestions? I like humour too? And a bit less scientist wise. That's what I like anyway.

My DH won't do a little quit with me unfortunately I haven't asked but I know he won't especially tonight. We have some stresses on too I mean I drink for all the wrong reason but he doesn't he enjoys his bloody wine like nice wine that he buys from special sellers etc lol I drink to forget, if I'm stressed etc etc

Well done for 90 days and enjoy the BBQ! I have had to say no to a lot of social evening outings and I'm a bit upset as now the summer is coming etc but I know I KNOW I don't need it to have fun and enjoy the sun and people

@Fortheloveofgodwhy enjoy the bbq and have a good weekend!

The Naked mind is good. Also the Allen Carr control alcohol?? Both similar and science though. Unexpected joy of being sober is very funny and I’ve enjoyed the Rachel’s Holiday and Again Rachel by Marion Keyes. I alternate a serious with a ‘funny’ and that seems to work. It does get easier. But if you’ve given up before you know that I guess. Just don’t drink for tonight and reevaluate how that feels tomorrow.

Hi everyone, today is my day 1. I am 55 in a few days and feeling determined. My eldest has their first A level exam today and they don’t like me drinking so I am sort of using that as an inspiration.

I will read this thread from the beginning. My DH gave up after Christmas and there is none of my wine in the house, we live rurally so I am all set.

Thank you for the thread.

Thanks @Fortheloveofgodwhy yes I liked unexpected joy it went mouldy when I found it back of a wardrobe last year so had to chuck it! But someone mentioned something called Nina ?by shappi k (comedian) I will look this up as it's meant to be funny too don't know why I didn't buy it at the time think by that point I had so much to read and wasn't getting through even one book on phone kindle so gave up! I went straight past the wine aisle today which is weird normally I would be looking at the wines etc not always buying but the thought was there if that makes sense? I did have some energy drink which made me hyper though 😂

Well done @Namechanged12344 glorious rock bottom is pretty good too. Most of these I consider them to be heavier drinkers than I was. But I also resonate with the trajectory I was on, covering feelings with alcohol, starting to plan events around when I could drink. Never ever being able to have just one 😕.

@JennyAct3 hello and welcome, great reason to quit. I gut have been here or somewhere I read no child ever likes a drunk parent. My 3 are a big inspiration for my quitting too. They never complained about it but I want to set a better example on dealing with life and enjoying events without needing a drug to set me up.

@Fortheloveofgodwhy thank you for the welcome, yes it is shameful particularly as my own parents drank very little. I’ve never fallen over or thrown up or anything dramatic but I think there’s been a lot of not remembering conversations properly the next day and repeating myself and silly conversations. Not dignified. The one taking A levels doesn’t drink and looks down on it, definitely disapproves and worries about my health.

Hi @JennyAct3 well done for your day 1 so far. I also never did the falling over drunk and drama (well at uni I did which was a very long time ago!) But I get how you feel. I've gone back and noticed every bad act or something has been done when I've been drunk/drinking. I never get hangovers and that's saying a lot after a bottle of wine...I've had such a crap relationship with alcohol. Sometimes I think why the hell was it invented ? When there's all these people that end up getting addicted to it and die from it etc ? Mind boggling

Hi all, Glad I found a new thread. I've not rtwt but I will.

I knew a long time ago I needed to stop drinking completely but it's taken me until age 51 to properly stop. I kind of cheated because I'm ill (stomach thing, likely alcohol related.) In the past 2 weeks I've been completely af for the past 7 days and 5/7 the week before. I don't feel like drinking. The real challenge will be when I feel well again. Though I am determined to stop. It feels different to all the other times I've tried to stop. I've said it out loud to the counsellor I see. It feels good knowing I am going to be rid of this poison for good.

@JesusSufferingFuck22
i can so relate to what you wrote here:
The real challenge will be when I feel well again. Though I am determined to stop. It feels different to all the other times I've tried to stop

i feel similar. I’ve been having bad headaches, IBS (diagnosed) and back, shoulder and neck pain (long before I gave up booze). I also had hair loss and acne.

I’ve really been abusing my body. One time recently I started drinking wine … alone … & I could feel a headache come on almost instantly yet I didn’t stop! I really CANNOT WAIT to feel well again, to be able to digest food, to not ache so much, to feel less exhausted. Excessive drinking really f**ks you up & it’s only now I’m pretty much admitting I’ve had a problem.

Peace and love to you all. What a worthy thread this is . I appreciate it so much

@Nouveaunew I've been blaming anything except the alcohol about my gut rot. I have food allergies/sensitivities and now realising that the vast majority have been caused by alcohol abuse. 35 years of drinking has taken its toll.

@JesusSufferingFuck22

yeah I did that too and gut rot is exactly it . For me it’s 25 years of drinking and yeah, I’ve a feeling the gut will heal once the alcohol stops burning into it ! We can do this … I really want to keep the motivation up

@Nouveaunew yes! We can do this! I'm all settled in bed and feeling quite accomplished that even my new normal Friday night was a bit sketchy and I was starting to talk myself out of quitting for good BUT I did turn it around again.

Morning all. Welcome @JesusSufferingFuck22 and @JennyAct3 and a wave to anyone new I've missed. I have generally felt so much better since AF, it kind of came on gradually but I just felt clearer, positive with more energy.

Well done for talking yourself out @JesusSufferingFuck22 that is an amazing feat in itself!!! Did you distract yourself with something else instead ? I must have been getting positive vibes from this or the other thread that's going (day 1) and DH didn't open wine!!! I didn't ask he didn't say nothing was spoken about amazing so the temptation wasn't there (I think he assumed I would have taken one out of the fridge earlier in the day possibly etc etc but I didn't) I did go to bed very late and distracted myself with the nest on Netflix powerful and for once every scene didn't revolve around alcohol (like a lot of programmes and series there's always wine in possibly every scene!) How was the BBQ @Fortheloveofgodwhy

Hi @Kindtomyself love the username we should all be and I think what we are doing right now going AF are being kind to ourselves and our bodies! Glad you have that positivity and clearer mind. My mind feeling very foggy.

Sorry, just a quick squiz through today. I'll catch up later.

Welcome to the new arrivals, the field of the fluffy bunnies awaits you.

And talking of fluffy bunnies. Huge congratulations bunniesbunniesbunnies on your 600 days. You have always been such a kind and supportive presence on these boards and I am proper chuffed for you. 🥳🥳🥳🥳 . You obviously have your own things going on, like everyone does but you are there for everyone here. Thank you.

I will have a think about your idea of what we can add in this year. I have a few projects like this going on, adding in one thing a month and/or taking one away.

It may be a bit of a cheat as I've already started but my plan is to go swimming once a week which I am managing at the moment but it's good to have another push in the right direction to keep going.

I have also always wanted to go to a classical concert. I have been to the ballet and the opera before and loved them but they are not something I have done much of. My DS used to like classical music so I have looked up ones in my nearest city and invited him to come with me. (For those that heard of my troubles last week we are going down the love-bombing/keeping him busy route🤞- might not be a cure all but won't harm I don't think)

Anyway, after my tricky moments thinking that wine might be the answer last week I am firmly back in the bunny field.

I'm on training all weekend so kind of in work mode. Hope you all have a wonderful AF weekend. I find now in life that time has opened up at the weekends now I'm not just either counting down to wine o'clock or nursing a hangover. It's fab. I must have tripled my free time to do much more fun things.

Day 2. Ridiculously pleased. Best thing was not waking up at 3 am worrying about my liver ! I’ve been too scared to have any blood tests. Maybe when I’ve been AF for a year.

Last night was fine, fizzy water and lemon slices in my wine glass. I usually drink one and a half bottles of white wine every single night probably for the past 3 years, 6 pm - 10 pm.

@JesusSufferingFuck22 We are a similar age (I’m almost 55), sorry to read you have gut problems, your poor body. I am very bloated (skinny legs but tummy is 40 inches), puffy face, thinning hair. I do wonder if people can tell I am/was a drinker. I think we can turn it around though.

A level exam 1 went well, 10 more to go. I’ve told myself if I drink they will not get the grades they want. That’s probably a bit demented but love of my children is inspiring me.

Hi @JennyAct3 not demented at all! I gave up smoking when my DM was in hospital and said if somehow she was ok I would give up there and then after over 20 years of smoking and I did
. It's what spurs you on so you go for it. Glad the exam went well and I hope the rest go well too!

I always did wonder why people seemed surprised when I said I bought size 14 to 16 jeeans as they were more comfortable when the rest of my body wasn't now it all makes sense it's the gut bloat. Anything I did diet or exercise wise I was still the same waist band. Except when I gave up some time ago for nearly a year was k my true size doh! All makes sense now...

Two weeks in checking in 🙌

Started. This all 11 months ago, think i've had 5 transgressions in all so 2 weeks alcohol free but 11 months of a gazillion more times sober than not.

Happy Saturday all, feeling committed even on a sunny day. It's just not worth it remember for days of pain 🙏

@bunniesbunniesbunnies yeeesss! That's incredible and in the words of the fresh Prince your life has flip turned , congratulations 💜

Welcome all new joiners 🙌 one day, one hour at a time 🙏

@JennyAct3 well done on day 2.
This is about the 4th time I've drank myself into this hole of serious stomach pain/upset stomach/scared to fart scenario. 1st time it lasted 8 weeks and started a relapse of my MS. I stopped for 3 months and started again. I've had a couple of minor episodes since then and now this episode has been getting progressively worse for a few months. Been to doctor. Called back to retake blood tests😬 My husband drew the short straw to drop off my stool sample as I wasn't able to. I've got an in person appointment in a couple of weeks with the dr. I'm embarrassed and ashamed to have gotten myself in this state BUT I'm proud of myself for finally feeling like I CAN do something about it.

I look like a drinker. I have done since my late 20s I think. I've always had rosy cheeks but now they have lots of red veins. They are less red after a couple of weeks off though so that makes me feel better.
I only drink/drank vodka because I don't tolerate beer and wine etc anymore. (gluten, sulphites etc.) Me and my husband were up to about 2litres a week.
He finished off the last of it and not bought anymore sp he has been af for about a week. I'm hoping he remains supportive. I don't think he realises I am actually serious this time. I have to be. I'm killing myself in a most unpleasant way!
Hope everyone's days go well and you find little pockets of joy to spur you on xx

Thanks @ChampooPapi and @Breathmiller but it’s not me who has 600 days, it must be someone else or perhaps I posted erroneously🤣 I haven’t scrolled back to the thread to see who it was😅

will catch up with the thread later but good day to all😊😊😊

Checking in on Day 6. This is the first day I haven’t felt horrendous. I can’t wait for Day 60, 600, 6000.

@JesusSufferingFuck22 It’s tough! I’m really sorry to hear it’s caused an MS relapse and I hope you feel better soon. Being here is so good for you. It’s so helpful.

I keep looking ahead in my mind: weddings, weekends, hanging out with drinking buddies etc and I just hope I can hold strong throughout all of this. I seem to keep forgetting just how bad it is and I’m only 6 days in.

But

I want a happier life, a longer life and a less wasteful life. All my good habits go out the window when I’m drunk. I’m sick of being everyone’s go-to person to get smashed.

have a great sober weekend all of you