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

@Onewildandpreciouslife your poor team mate. I remember feeling like that too, I hated myself. Actually liking myself is one of the greatest joys of not drinking anymore!
I think the “functioning” label is so unhelpful and deceptive. Yes, I appeared to be functioning at work and at home, and I probably seemed like a fun energetic kind of person. But underneath I was so anxious and depressed and hungover all the time.

S@Onewildandpreciouslife how lucky that your team mate has you to support her. It's so inspiring to see people we know thrivingo without alcohol. You've just reminded me to thank a friend who was and remains a quiet and constant inspiration to me.

Congratulations to everyone on their milestones, from @Drybird2020 's epic 2.5 years to @EileenFH @LydiaLurk and everyone in the early days and weeks. I found those early days so much harder, but once the momentum's built and the new habits in place it got easier. For me, anyway.
Hope your week in Paris is going well @SavBbunny

Happy Thursday everyone.

Functioning is an interesting concept. I'm paraphrasing from various literature (and using common sense) but no-one goes from a few extra glasses of wine to waking up with the shakes and needing a drink to stop them, overnight.

Being a functioning drinker was the scariest thing for me as it gave me the green light to drink more..... most people have a big night on the booze and feel so rotten the next day so they abstain until the next occasion / until the next night out / until their usual small weekend tipple but I didn't work like that.

My consumption only ever went in one direction.

God when I think about it, it makes me cold. I was in such a mess and I didn't even realise. I thought I was in control. I thought I was coping and managing. I wasn't.

Sorry, posted too soon.

I am so thankful to not drink. I am so happy to be sober and clearheaded and present. I am so lucky I got out in time.

@Crunchymum it's interesting isn't it, very much determines your definition of functional. I can 'function' but it's more robotic than actually being much use really.

I think sometimes because it can be easy to get away with it perhaps - by this I mean from the outside looking in things look ok - it has previously given me an 'in' to just eat / sleep / repeat so to speak. No off button.

Jeez I nearly cracked just now. Poured myself a half a small glass (DH is having wine) thinking this is fine, really. Thought of this thread, Poured the wine back in the bottle and now drinking a fizzy squash instead.

Well done - takes some doing to go that far and then to step back
💐

Evening all.
Back in blighty.
@Crunchymum I think you do get to a point that you look back on big drinking nights and think what was I doing?
I am still ashamed of my behaviour and that is what keeps me going and picking myself up.
I have never drunk so much water as I have over the last few days. No one at my new company drinks. A blessing.

I tried the Belvoir non alcohol passion fruit cocktail tonight, tis OK.

AlloftheTime I knew I would regret it, so that made it easier.

Glad you had a good trip SavBbunny. All that water will have done you lots of good.

I am going to just change my user name permanently I think!

Sorry but that made me laugh muchly!

Have a good day all I’ve got a good weekend planned including meeting up with people I haven’t seen in a while. I’m feeling quietly confident and pleased I will have a clear head each morning.

@ChampooPapi hope you are okay?
some amazing journeys being posted about here, a wonderful community

Hi all hope you are all ok. Great news regarding pouring the wine back in @LydiaLurk not sure.i would have done. @SavBbunny so amazing noone drinks in your new company especially when abroad! I salute you. I have not been well it's non COVID related not sure what it is but I've lost my voice (much to everyone's delight) so I'm struggling a little in terms of drinking unfortunately don't want to trigger anyone so I'm going to try and sort myself out this weekend with lots of paracetamol and self care and let you know on Monday what I've got up to! ( I have this party tomorrow night too..which I said I'm driving to) hope everyone else is ok. Thanks for this thread.

Morning all!

Two months yesterday. That's a milestone and a half. Onwards and upwards!

Morning all, hope everyone is ok.

Kudos @LydiaLurk - that's great going.

@DeedIDo - that is a great milestone, great work!

Hope you're ok @Namechanged12344

I've got a headache already from work, grrr. Not going to let it knock me down. We've got this.

Nb thanks for previous recommendation on b12. Embraced the shelves of barocca and I actually feel they have had an impact, either that or it's me thinking they have an impact. Either way, happy with that.

Afternoon all. Friday is my fear day.
I have plenty of Gordon's af in. Hopefully a dry weekend.

Joining. Alco free for 3 years.

@SavBbunny Thank you, that reminds me to go and pick some up later on. Do you have any other recommendations? I've found birra morretti 0% is nice but only so much beer I can take before I feel I'm going to pop

@Crayonpenny

Nozeco
Asda sparkling sav blanc
Gordon's af gin (better than Tanquay in my opinion)

Most af wine lacks dryness, its more sweaty sock.
My husband says the af Guiness is good.

Welcome @jeffbezoz
3 months is something I'm striving for......3 years is a pipe dream just now!

Just noticing another wee positive of being af. I used to organise my grocery shopping delivery days to arrive when we would be "needing" more vodka. (Mostly Tuesdays and Fridays.) Me and dh couldn't have any extra booze in or we'd just drink it. It was all quite incredibly carefully managed.

Just kind of realised I don't have to stick to those days anymore. I can get my shopping whichever day I want to! It's liberating. More than you'd think....and I don't know why it's taken me so long to figure it out🤦🏻‍♀️

@SavBbunny that's super thank you!

@JesusSufferingFuck22 it's lovely when you find the little things, for me it is just being able to drive at anytime of the evening. dropping back DS1's girlfriend or knowing i can go pick up a child or partner or friend if needed. Didn't know it was a problem until it wasn't...

Hi, I love the wins that you guys are mentioning. It's great how broad the benefits are.

@Fortheloveofgodwhy it all the little things that get me through! I know what you mean about being able to pick kids up. One of us had to stay sober. It was usually me because that was my job
Nowadays I don't drive. I need a modified car due to MS(mine died) but finances won't allow just now. Dh has to do all the driving. I could pick peole up but that would be reliant on them being able to fit in the mobility scooter basket, not being in a great hurry and not being more than 20 mile round trip