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

Bunnies, we’re here for you. Remember the airline rule - fit your own oxygen mask first, even though it feels counterintuitive. Take a bit of time for you. Can you get any favourite AF drinks, or a really nice bath oil? Is there anyone who can lend a hand with bits of childcare?

Thanks bunnies. I day to go!

Did you get your swim?

Welcome @SAB10 and @BeachesandIcecream. Sorry to hear you are suffering health worries. This is the place for some support whilst you recover.

@BunniesBunniesBunnies. I hope things calm down and you get a break soon. You sound exhausted and Covid is a bugger for making you blue and flat
Take care all.

I had a big work event today and wore a dress that didn't fit 6 months ago. Giving up alcohol has made me lose a few pounds! I'm so pleased with all the benefits of not drinking x

Well done @Newmum738☺️👍

@Breathmiller I did get my swim, I even ran to the pool! No way I would have done something like that at 8pm when I was still drinking. It was absolutely bloody lovely.

Thanks all so much for your kind words today. Sometimes it’s easier to say things on here than in real life. I really do appreciate the kindness and I’m already feeling a little brighter😊

Yay! Well done newmum. I put in weight after stopping drinking but I have been addressing that and my food issues and am now losing weight with ease. Fitted into my 'skinny' coat yesterday. Even managed to zip it up. (With a LOT of breathing out)

Glad you enjoyed your run and your swim bunnies . And glad you're feeling brighter.

Good morning all.
Nowt to report for today. Friday is danger night but I have two new magazines. Nosecco in the fridge. Might have posh fish, must have a treat.
Good luck all.

Morning savbunny Fridays were always my danger zone. I figure that every Friday I do reiterates in my wee brain that I can do this. Definitely treats to help you through. You can do this.

Agree Friday is my danger zone too - hopefully the memories of the Saturday ruined by hangover will stop me being a dumb ass. Feeling a bit cross / stressed because I still haven't heard back from a second interview weeks ago that I thought went really well - it's a senior role so it's not a snap hiring decision but they are taking their time!

@spacehardware

Oh I hate UK interview etiquette. People are so rude. I had the same yesterday. First interview two weeks ago. Not heard anything until yesterday and only then because I chased them.
If you are senior they will make tens of thousands of pounds out of you but they can't be arsed.
Chin up Space. I would love to win the lotto and tell them all to fuck off.
I'd launch my own company and be nice to people.

Thanks! I feel like I've reached the point where I'm experiencing so many benefits that alcohol seems like a stupid idea so that's really helping. I'm 125 days today :)

125 day os amazing newmum
Fantastic! 🥳

And, yes that's how I feel if a thought of drinking ever crosses my mind. I think about the benefits and to be honest try to remember how bloody hard these first days/weeks were and I NEVER want to have to do them again.

For those in these gruelling early days, don't give up. It really does get so much easier.

@SavBbunny it's soooo annoying isn't it. I'm a lawyer snd law firms are terrible at recruitment - they wait until they have a max capacity problem (because it's all about the money, and every minute spent not doing chargeable fees is a waste of time) and then everyone concerned is too busy to deal. Every law firm I've ever worked for or applied to have been the same.

Thanks everyone. Well done on 125 days @Newmum738 thats awesome. Today I just feel really down think it is after yesterday's news as was really teary yesterday evening. I just want to feel less anxious, worried and stressed and just be able to forget and enjoy myself. DH is like don't worry it'll all be fine you've already been dieting and cut down. Your doing everything you can. It iss like he doesn't understand how worried I am. @SAB10 the wait for bloods etc is awful isn't it. @SavBbunny thats fantastic news about the liver does that mean its completely reversible for you then? Apart from going AF what else have you done to get your liver back into a healthier shape? Do you know how long your liver was fatty for? I've already been dieting for a few months and have lost 10 pounds so far I think. But I keep reading about foods I should cut out. Am I going to have to live a life of lettuce leaves and water with no delicious foods and sweet treats? @BunniesBunniesBunnies I do love a good swim clears the mind. Maybe thats what I need to do.

@spacehardware
Ah that is why you write so well. I originally studied law. Use it everyday but never had a career in it. Funnily enough not a big boozer at uni.

@BeachesandIcecream
My doctor just asked me to cut the booze. I have been using nutracheck. About 1500 calories a day. I am very large, size 22. Five stone heavier in four years. Bereavement and living in rented accommodation with a stalking landlord caused my distress.
I don't like sweets or eat a lot of takeaways. I am a former veggie so lots of that. I don't have artificial sweetener either which can cause insulin highs. I don't eat pork.
I have had to have a course of vitamin D but I suspect as I am fair I haven't upped my stores this winter.

Thanks for that @SavBbunny. That does sound like a very stressful few years you've faced. Well done for been so strong. I too have gained a lot of weight over the last few years. I thought I ate a reasonable diet (excluding the chocolate and cakes) but having looked into it I eat far too much white carbs, red meat and pork. I'm trying to get a step ahead before my next appointment for bloods so gonna start cutting this stuff out and with been AF hopefully they will say I'm making good steps in the right direction.

Also any good suggestions for AF cider? I have never managed to find a good AF free wine.

@BeachesandIcecream

I don't drink cider.
I prefer Gordon's to Tanqueray. Nosecco as a wine. Weird one as I don't like alcoholic gin or prosecco!

I've never liked gin either. I may give the nosecco a whirl though.

Asda does a good AF sparkling Sauvignon blanc - I've always preferred cava to Prosecco and this is quite dry so a good substitute

[quote spacehardware]**@SavBbunny it's soooo annoying isn't it. I'm a lawyer snd law firms are terrible at recruitment - they wait until they have a max capacity problem (because it's all about the money, and every minute spent not doing chargeable fees is a waste of time) and then everyone concerned is too busy to deal. Every law firm I've ever worked for or applied to have been the same.[/quote]
I find this so annoying! I'm a lawyer too (albeit in-house) and I hate how utterly disposable recruiters/HR seem to think our time is. If I've spent ages researching a company and preparing for interview, they could at least drop me a short email or call to let me know I haven't been selected for the next stage.

I think the funniest one was a company (multinational, FTSE 100, well respected...) that didn't contact me for about six months after I'd had a first interview - then emailed me with 'Congratulations! You've made it to the second stage! Please select from the following slots and we look forward to seeing you then'. The slots were all within a few days ffs. Did they really think I was so desperate to work for them I'd be sitting there just waiting for news months and months later?! Erm no, I'd already found something better cheers haha.

Good luck to you both @SavBbunny and @spacehardware!

Question for you all - did you tend to avoid social situations where alcohol was kind of 'expected', at least in the first weeks/months?

I'm finding it surprisingly easy to say no so far and have spent time with friends etc that would usually involve drinking - but I have a punk gig for a friend's birthday tonight where everyone will be drunk, and me not drinking WILL get noticed and picked up on. Half of me just wants to stay in with a nice takeaway but that seems like the coward's way out...

@SAB10

High pressure jobs perhaps? Booze crutch.
I love the law. However I loved lipstick more.

I did do a dieting post and I did start a Facebook support group. It ran out of steam (i had a name change for AF) Over eating and drinking kept me going through so very tough times. We all have our demons but I woke up one day and didn't like my behaviour very much.
Using my parent's average I have 20 years left to live and I want to be slimmer and sober.
Off shopping and will hunt the Sav B from Asda. X

Hi And well done to you all.

Day 5 for me, it hasn't been hard as still having a stressful time with my fathers Illness. No way could I cope with a hangover.

I've been going over the past this week. I've made so many mistakes due to drinking some of them very shameful.
How do I move forward with this? I'm torturing myself and really struggling

Don't ruminate on the mistakes and bad times. Don't torture yourself. There is no point and actually, for me doing that makes relapse more likely (because then I just get into a mindset of being one of the broken people so might as well just accept it).

Accept yourself as flawed, which is normal, but not bad or broken, just on a learning path. and resolve not to repeat.