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Original poster

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

991 replies

ChampooPapi · 23/03/2022 19:06

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

OP posts:
Kindtomyself · 29/03/2022 22:03

Congratulations on 8 months @AlloftheTime.

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 29/03/2022 22:06

Absolutely @AlloftheTime, I imagine joining this thread and not being able to imagine being a few months (let alone years) in. But it can happen for us and it’s a wonderful feeling. Well done again AlloftheTime👍

SavBbunny · 30/03/2022 05:31

Morning all.
Day 81 here.

I am still sleeping better but had two AF Tanqueray gins and needed a wee.

I have been reading back through the thread and @horlicks4me talks of functioning after a heavy night. I can remember going to work with a stonking hangover. Second day of employment in a major board level role. Why did I do it? Anxiety.
I am am extrovert so no one expects me to be nervous. I had joined a company with no real induction plan and I felt totally in at the deep end. It turned out they were a bunch of raving nutters with a macavillien senior director and a culture of heavy boozing. The drinks came out at 5pm. Not good if you are suffering a crisis of confidence and 'like a drink '. The more I was bullied, the more I drank.
I was bullied as a child /teenager and my default mechanism was to find friends with a booze cupboard. Ditto boyfriends later on.
I have never really thought about why I drink but I was fortunate enough to meet a 28 year old in that company who seemed to want to look after me. Turns at her mum is a AA counsellor. She could spot a soak.
At some point in the future I will tell her my story. I no longer work there. It was a toxic place.
I have an interview today and normally I would have been pissed last night to cope with the fear. I am up and clear headed.
I am looking forward to my 90 days badge.
Good luck today my friends.

AlloftheTime · 30/03/2022 06:35

@SavBbunny thanks for sharing. All the very best today - look forward to hearing how it all goes.

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 30/03/2022 06:58

Good luck with the interview @SavBbunny!

spacehardware · 30/03/2022 07:03

"I have an interview today and normally I would have been pissed last night to cope with the fear. I am up and clear headed."

Good luck!

I think I have used drunk both as a crutch and as self sabotage in stressful situations like this in the past - feelings all our feelings unnumbed is kind of terrifying sometimes but the way I see it, if I expect my 10 year old to do it so should I

horlicks4me · 30/03/2022 07:33

@SavBbunny -- thanks for sharing! Well done on your AF achievement so far and wishing you luck for today.

Thanks to reading the different experiences /feelings on here I feel more able to cope with morning anxiety. Last night it was nightmares but I know it's all part of the journey. x

Borrowbox · 30/03/2022 08:10

Good luck today @SavBbunny

Hope everyone has a great day!

Breathmiller · 30/03/2022 08:44

All the best with your interview today savbunny.

I had a drinking dream last night. Not had one of those for a while. It was weird. And, once again you lot were there and I decided that I'd have to leave mumsnet and never show my face again. Because in my dream I made the decision to go back to drinking. It was very realistic. And bizarre.

I think it stems from deciding on Mother's Day that 4 weeks of no sugar was quite an achievement itself and I fired into the Booja Boojas. No guilt really, I was proud of these 4 weeks sugar free (especially when they have been done while working pretty much every day of these 4 weeks) but there must have been some imprint of thoughts related to drinking/abstinence/moderation.

So glad it was just a dream.

SavBbunny · 30/03/2022 08:49

Thanks all.

Kindtomyself · 30/03/2022 08:53

Morning all

I'm nodding away to the comments on here....so helpful. I had a moment of realisation the other day finding out that my friend knows what her feelings mean. I have difficulty naming and understanding the source of my feelings. I often feel a bit off but can't pin point what it is. This is totally fascinating to me now

Kindtomyself · 30/03/2022 08:54

Good luck @SavBbunny

Fortheloveofgodwhy · 30/03/2022 10:03

good luck @SavBbunny

BeachesandIcecream · 30/03/2022 10:17

Good luck @SavBbunny.
Day 12 AF I've had headaches the last few days is this normal. Also terrified about my liver as had an elevated ALT on blood test. Test was taken a few days before I went AF. Had them repeated on Day 10 of AF but not back yet.

spacehardware · 30/03/2022 10:38

You may be dehydrated, alcoholic drinks also tend to contain a lot of sugar so the headaches may be linked to sugar withdrawal too.

Breathmiller · 30/03/2022 13:29

beaches i think it's normal to have reactions in the body whenever we change what we're putting in it. I just did 4 weeks without sugar and had headaches so it makes sense that when we stop alcohol you can get headaches, both due the alcohol and the sugar content. Keep hydrated and hopefully it will start to ease soon.
Sorry, that you have the worry of your tests hanging over you. I'm not sure how they work but hopefully the results will start to lower soon. Your 12 days are only going to make things better. Keep going.

BeachesandIcecream · 30/03/2022 14:00

Thanks. I actually don't think I've had any sugary snacks for atleast a week either so maybe I'm getting a double whammy.

Adm1010 · 30/03/2022 18:55

Checking in .

Bit out of the loop at the minute on here , just life being a bit full on . Staying sober though and trying to catch up when I can 😊

Nearly at 7 months now 😊

SavBbunny · 30/03/2022 20:03

Evening all.
Did the interview, next one, next week. All good.
Have drunk Tanqueray AF and Schweppes. I think I prefer it, very flinty.
I am not as tired as I use to be. First month had to have a nap in the day. Luckily pt wfh so possible. Same with headaches, gone now nearly three months in.
@BeachesandIcecream
Even within three months my liver has recovered.
Reading 165, now 125. Normal is 120.
3-5 bottles of wine a week caused fatty liver.

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 30/03/2022 20:59

@Breathmiller just wanted to say a super quick massive well done on your 4 weeks without sugar, what an achievement!

Original poster
ChampooPapi · 30/03/2022 21:41

Apologies I am being a slovenly thread op..I'm in assignment territory again so I may be a bit AWOL the next few weeks. But I will endeavour to check in every day.

@iamyourequal 💜💜 here's a couple to keep you going.

I'm pretty sure some kind of statue of you all should be erected somewhere, you post like I want to live. With astounding clarity and courage. With vulnerability but not fragility. The admittance of fear and uncertainty is so refreshing on here.

I am so sorry for those who are struggling and have these monumental things happening that are out of their control.

@SavBbunny I have been checking in my breaks to see if you had updated, we are all rooting for you. Whatever the outcome is , no regrets. You did this on your terms, ear headed and the best you could be 💪

Waves @horlicks4me how are you doing? what sort of nursing did you do? I can understand why in that line of work alcohol could very easily become ones medication post shift. You must have seen dam near everything and anything! You must have a iron core to have worked in the NHS for so long, you certainly have the will and the power to stay sober. It's in you.

Apologies I am being a slovenly thread op..I'm in assignment territory again so I may be a bit AWOL the next few weeks. But I will endeavour to check in every day.

@iamyourequal 💜💜 here's a couple to keep you going.

I'm pretty sure some kind of statue of you all should be erected somewhere, you post like I want to live. With astounding clarity and courage. With vulnerability but not fragility. The admittance of fear and uncertainty is so refreshing on here.

I am so sorry for those who are struggling and have these monumental things happening that are out of their control.

@SavBbunny I have been checking in my breaks to see if you had updated, we are all rooting for you. Whatever the outcome is , no regrets. You did this on your terms, clear headed and the best you could be 💪
Apologies I am being a slovenly thread op..I'm in assignment territory again so I may be a bit AWOL the next few weeks. But I will endeavour to check in every day.

@iamyourequal 💜💜 here's a couple to keep you going.

I'm pretty sure some kind of statue of you all should be erected somewhere, you post like I want to live. With astounding clarity and courage. With vulnerability but not fragility. The admittance of fear and uncertainty is so refreshing on here.

I am so sorry for those who are struggling and have these monumental things happening that are out of their control.

@SavBbunny I have been checking in my breaks to see if you had updated, we are all rooting for you. Whatever the outcome is , no regrets. You did this on your terms, ear headed and the best you could be 💪

@horlicks4me what type of nursing did you do? You must have seen everything and anything through your career. I understand in that line of work one could easily self medicate and get into a cycle of drowning ones emotions and sorrows, as well as joys and celebrations. You will certainly be strong enough to put the lid on drinking, you have conquered stuff as hard as this I'm reckoning. One day at a time, we will do it 💪

@AlloftheTime congratulations on 8 months ! Bloody hell! Legendary 🎉

OP posts:
Original poster
ChampooPapi · 30/03/2022 21:42

*clear headed

Not ear headed!

OP posts:
BeachesandIcecream · 30/03/2022 21:59

Thats great news on the job front and the liver @SavBbunny. Do you mind me asking how long you drank at that level for, it seems fairly similar to me in qty although occassionally more. Wow 8 months amazing @Adm1010

SavBbunny · 30/03/2022 22:08

@BeachesandIcecream

Hum. I think my drinking racked up about 4 years ago when my father died. It was tragic and we had a major family falling out (money) . Prior to that i was a heavy drinker 2005/2006 and then not that much1-2 bottles. From 2014 I was a carer. The booze controlled the mental sress and I have rheumatoid arthritis. Tbh the wine stopped the pain.
I am having weight loss surgery and a LRD is required. You will feel better. It does get easier.

iamyourequal · 30/03/2022 22:10

Thanks @ChampooPapi 💜 right back at you!
So glad you are home and big well done on milestone @AlloftheTime. Well done @Borrowbox at 50 days.
Just checking in folks, no time for proper catch up but hope everyone is having a good week. Welcome back @Rupertpenrysmistress. I remember your name from one of my previous cracks at nailing sobriety. This time around I’ve been determinedly sober since start of last Sept (minus a few wee blips on the way I am trying to learn from). Good luck to you this time too!! Well done on sugar free status @Breathmiller. Glad your interview went well @SavBbunny. Catch up with you all later.