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

[Fortheloveofgodwhy]

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

T@Champoopapihank you to for hosting the last thread 💜

And here’s to the next 40 pages grin

Day 12 here!

I was thinking of taking a break from MN too. There are some horrible threads running that are making me want to leave, it is all so toxic. But I do keep coming back!

Oh and hello @Marchpane123 be gentle with yourself. Wine is so horribly addictive. I can happily ignore any other sort of booze, there is beer and gin in the house that I am not even slightly tempted to drink, but wine is different for some reason.

@Marchpane123 many of us have been in your shoes! I’ve had a thousand false starts. I’m now 26 months sober and feeling a thousand times better. This thread is a lifeline! Keep posting!

@Lydialurk I just had someone be really bitchy to me on MN this morning. Made me cry. I think I might hve had a snifter if it wasn't so early!
It was a light hearted thread about mc brands, ways of spending money etc.
Bloody people.

Don't let them get to you - that thread has some nasty undercurrents, given that it is "light hearted".

Funny I was thinking about giving MN a break too but I think I'll just check in on this thread and ignore all the negative heavy stuff.

Welcome @Marchpane123 Be kind to yourself. It's not easy.

I'm going to get out again today and then lie down for a bit of meditation (aka a nap) when I get back. This is what I used to do but just got out of the habit of it.

Hope everyone's day has some calm to them.

@LydiaLurk

If the knew who I actually was they would stone me! I feel like doing a name change to something arsey. This thread plus one I did for help for my semh daughter are the only ones that have ever been helpful. People are self serving. Alcohol issues are universal I think. I went to AA and I saw the rich to the poor. Thank you for your kind words.

@Lydialurk
I put up a behave yourself post. Hysterical. Nothing for an hour!
I am changing I think to Champagne Charlie.

Good post SavBbunny. It is who we are not what we are or where we came from that counts. I am working class, first in my family to go to university. I had two very middle class careers, now mostly a full time carer for my DH ( though trying to revive one of my careers) and we receive some state benefits because of his disability.What class does that make me? Working class? "Underclass" because of the benefits? Middle class? Who bloody cares.

Hello,
checking in to say I am on day 74 today alcohol free, and my hubs has joined me for a week's holiday. He likes a beer at lunchtime and in the evening....I haven't faultered once. I am so pleased - did try alcohol free fruit cider and lager but to be honest it didn't do anything for me, much prefer a good strong americano or Lime and soda these days!!

Cheers all, here is to continued success and liberation from alcohol xxx

Hi @tealover12
That's a good amount of days! Well done!
Pretend alcohol drinks did nothing for me either.

If I'm not having a drink drink then I don't want one that tastes like it.

Evening all - back from night out which was lovely to catch up with old colleagues.
Was hit by an annoying but surprisingly assertive craving on way home - you know the "you've done so well, one won't hurt, all work colleagues were just sipping on one glass all evening - so can you" - type of thing. Decided to drive on by the local shop in hope that DH would have got a bottle in. Luckily he hadn't.

Its ok now but am glad you are here to keep me on straight and narrow.

Another day done. Another clear head tomorrow.

Checking in hope everyone will be ok today in the heat x

Day 13! I think I might make this later:

www.eatingwell.com/recipe/273094/mojito-mocktails/

Looks refreshing @LydiaLurk !

You've inspired me to do a Mexican themed tea tonight for DC who is in the middle of doing exams and needs a cheer up.

Checking in to report first decent night's sleep since I started - went to sleep quickly, only woke up once - hurrah! All the more reason to keep going as hopefully it will improve.

Stay cool everyone today - plenty of lovely iced water.

@LydiaLurk thanks for the link - there’s lots of good stuff on that website

so pleased to hear you had a better nights sleep @EileenFH

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and hope everyone is doing well. It’s day 2 for me and Friday night (am in Australia) - would usually have at least a bottle of wine while watching a family movie but tonight I have ploughed through a 4 pack of Sam Pellegrino blood orange sparkling drinks (non-alcoholic) which seems appropriately celebratory for a Friday night. Dinner at a friend’s house tomorrow which will be a challenge…I think I’ll make some lemonade to take over so I can cling to that and not wine! Will also make sure I drive so won’t be able to drink..

What heat? I'm in Scotland The rain wasn't horizontal today though at least.

(I actually prefer when it's somewhere between 14c and 22c.)

@Marchpane123 great planning ahead to avoid the pitfalls xx

Haha @JesusSufferingFuck22 I wouldn't mind some rain tbh! It was peaking 31 I think and I was driving around in a too hot car with too hot kids. They are relentless even now I just want 5 mins to myself but alas I can't and I've got a splitting headache!

31 is horrible. I used to live somewhere with proper summers. I can safely say I have fully acclimated to Scotlands climate!
Drink plenty water. That's my remedy for headaches and sore stomachs
Hope the kids give you a hassle free bed time

Hi all - is it ok if I join you? Am 40 yo mum of teo small kids with demanding full time job and lovely dh w mild depression and alcohol has increasingly become an escape / crutch. On day 11 AF after giving myself gastritis following absolutely unplanned binge when neighbours popped by over jubilee. Been binge drinking pretty much every weekend since went to uni in 2000 and in 20s / pre kids 30s several weeknights too so averaging at least 30 units and often more. Tired, anxious, bloated and decided to call it quits. Bit worried as whole family including mum are big drinkers but not my DH. Also never done moderation - have drunk a bottle many many more times than one or two glasses and so for my health and the kids’ sake giving it all up now if I possibly can. You guys are really encouraging and I want to follow your example.

@Notquitemanaging welcome, glad you found us! It’s great place for support, advice and tactics for coping. Mixed group with lots of newbies and some very wise heads who have been here a while. Post whenever you feel the need and well done on making the decision.

welcome @Marchpane123 & @Notquitemanaging . Good luck for your day 1s.

Day 13 done - I've realised for a long time that drinking makes me depressed but it's not till you stop that you realise how much better not drinking makes you feel.

I've been struggling with motivation almost everything recently and suddenly today I banged through loads of stuff like washing, life admin, making special dinner for DC and mini home pedicure - just like that. Even though its boiling hot.

Hope the mojito was nice @LydiaLurk . Night all

Thanks @JesusSufferingFuck22 we didn't have a great night due to heat the little fan did f all probably circulated hot air lol and we are all sneezing and snotty this morning (hoping not COVID !) I bought a new book something to do with tidying by Marie Kondo thought might help me distract too from wineo witcho but I didn't have time to pick up the book. Also in the night when I was up I started thinking about this event I have to go to in 2 weeks and how I will be with 'just 1 drink' and make it last through the evening ? Now that's all I am thinking about. I will be driving though I'll force myself to do that but even that I was like oh but I can have 1 etc. Argh. Why does this happen?

I need to look up that recipe @LydiaLurk and try it out !

Well done @EileenFH for having a brilliant productive day! I also felt things were moving along yesterday even tho I was stressed and sweating so badly at one point lol but on and up! I'm on day 47 (had to scroll back as haven't got nouv new to tell me ha!)

Hope everyone has a nice saturday planned?