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

Congrats @SavBbunny. Hi to everyone else. I'm still here, a few blips but mostly fabulous.

@Kindtomyself 👍great news

Fantastic Adm1010. 🥳 such a great milestone. You have that year one in sight.

Morning all! Had a fantastic night. No awkwardness at declining the champagne and the lovely waitress offered some decent soft drink alternatives (not a given in a theatre). Turns out drinking rose lemonade in a champagne coupe feels just as decadent. More so, if anything!

Hope everyone had a good Friday night - if you didn’t, and are lurking on here, please accept a virtual hug x

Hi @Onewildandpreciouslife and everyone else!

@Onewildandpreciouslife that's great and the rose lemonade in a flute sounds lovely, glad you had a good night.

I can't believe I'm saying this - well perhaps I can - but I did the big 40 completely sober. I had a few faux drinks but I thought that was ok. The other half had some alcohol but I was surprisingly ok with that.

Happy Saturday to all!

@Crayonpenny Wow. Congratulations, and happy birthday! 🎂🎉

Wow!! Well done for big events with no alcohol.

Happy 40th birthday Crayonpenny. I did my 50th (in semi lockdown) sober and it was one of the best birthdays* *I have ever had.

I love that the decadence was in the glass onewildandpreciouslife. I really think* *a lot of this is ritual. And the glass is a big part of that. I love a Nosecco in a champagne flute for parties. Makes absolutely no difference to me that it's not champagne. In fact it's better. I prefer not feeling lightheaded and can enjoy the party. As well as all the other benefits at the time and the next day and the bigger picture benefits of not drinking.

Morning all.
Happy birthday @Crayonpenny

@Onewildandpreciouslife you are amazing. I dreamt about that champagne then started playing new house furniture placement. Sends me to sleep.
I might take myself to Asda for the af sparkling sav blanc. Tis actually OK.

Have a good day all.

Hope everyone had a good Friday night - if you didn’t, and are lurking on here, please accept a virtual hug x

Raises hand – that’s me!

I have had a not so good three days. I won’t go into details as don’t want to trigger anyone, but it was nothing terrible, in fact two days were very moderate, just the one drink. But last night I drank what I might normally drink on a Friday and I feel shocking today, really awful. I don’t know whether my tolerance has totally dropped or if I got used to feeling like this and didn’t really notice.

I am such a twit. I feel so much better in every way without the booze and it added absolutely nothing to my night. Back on the wagon for the foreseeable.

Well done to everyone who is still successfully abstaining, you are all amazing.

@LydiaLurk sorry you feel grim - plenty of water and be kind to yourself 💐

Hi @LydiaLurk sorry you've had a bad few days and feel rough now. I just wanted to say that I'm clearly still new to this game but you're certainly someone that has made me smile since I've been on this board, thank you.

Hi thanks, it was a nice birthday. I'm now working out how to win the lottery to get a place in the Lakes as it's a gorgeous place. Did have a moment yesterday when I was searching for some 0% Gordon's (aka @SavBbunny recommendation) when the guy behind the counter laughed and said oh I thought that was a joke drink. I just paid and left.

@Lydialurk
Poor you.
We do stupid things don't we? I am hiding from the shops as I have a anxious mood today. Been like that since Wednesday. Issues with new job. Have doubled the business in three weeks. However it makes others feel uncomfortable and they end up being shitty. I then worry I am in the wrong and need booze. Nobody likes a clever clogs! And I have been fired more times than a Billy Smarts cannon.

@Crayonpenny I am on the faux Gordon's now, lovely stuff.

Happy birthday @Crayonpenny ! Well done you smashed it X

@LydiaLurk be kind to yourself. I think it's easier AF as you aren't wondering how many and when you literally are free from thinking about it all. I've been you many times and it just makes me too hard on myself so just be yourself and take some self care x

@SavBbunny you sound amazing honestly! F all the jealous haters and you do you!!!

Morning all,
Hoorah managed not to drink. Took part in a lively debate over on another thread. Got called a few names! I reckon those harpies had been on the sauce. Luckily I hadn't so didn't get upset.

I think I am safe to go out today. I was really touched by my husband saying how well I had done. Never got any praise as a kid.
I am going to write to the women's magazines because they never feature af booze. Some of us can't drink and there are plenty that don't. Tis about time they included the 'dry birds'.

Have a good day my friends.

Have a good day yourself @SavBbunny

Hoorah indeed @SavBbunny .

There is a really interesting Bottom Line episode with Evan Davis talking about the AF drinks market - it’s worth a huge amount of money. If you can get past Evan Davis saying “why don’t people just drink Diet Coke?” it's worth a listen - not least as it explains why AF Gordon’s is so expensive!

Bottom Line - low alcohol drinks

Great idea @SavBbunny it's something that shouldn't be a taboo really. Hoorah also!

Interesting re comment on Diet Coke vs not, it's not as simple as that really is it. I think back to the comment I got the other day in the shop re 0% Gordon's being a joke drink, yep I'm going to spend £12.50 on this as a joke, but as an aside I think it's just better awareness / understand should be out there?

Enjoy your sunny Sunday's!

You absolutely should savbbunny. I bet there are many more women (andmen) who would like to hear there is an alternative to wine o'clock. Let's change the narrative about what is a desirable lifestyle. There is an alternative and it shouldn't be kept a secret.

How supportive is your OH? Mine told me last night that I should have 'a proper beer, then maybe you wouldn't be so miserable!'

My DCat is unwell, perhaps seriously, I have spent all week dealing with a horrendous work issue and that plus the heat means that my sleep is completely shot. Now ask me why I'm not smiling!

Day 71

@DeedIDo
Mine is very supportive however I may have been more of a drink dependant mess than you. He hated me drinking. Ditto my children.
I am sorry things are hard.
In the beginning I did explain to close family and friends how hard it was for me. I would get 'ah, you're fine just cut down a bit'. I had tried that, many times.
I suggest the 'allergic to alcohol' line. It effects me really badly. People then tend to back off in case you throw on their shoes 😁

"People then tend to back off in case you throw on their shoes 😁"

Genius!

I keep checking back in to see how you all are doing. I nod in agreement to what you are all saying. I am full of empathy when things aren’t going so well for any of you. Irritated when you have unsupportive dh/family/friends moments. Also laugh at some of the humorous slant some of you give your posts.

I rediscovered an old summery af drink. I can’t eat/drink loads of stuff because of allergies/intolerances so the fake booze is off the cards for me, so I’m enjoying having a “special” drink.
A capful or so of rose water in a glass of iced water. I’m thinking of trying it with some sparkling water but I’m not sure if I’d just be burping all night😂

Ds is away at his gf for a few days again. I felt like we should be doing something. I ordered a few treats for dh and made some nice food to make our “child free” weekend more special. We actually have been having a lovely weekend. I still feel like something is missing though but not as bad as the last time.

Dh asked me if I was missing/craving drinking and I said have I been tempted to buy some vodka but it’s not been strong enough for me to cave (yet.) He said when he gets up to get a snack etc he feels like he should be making the drinks, which just shows how much of a habit it was. He’s been proudly telling his friends that we’ve stopped drinking but has to ask me how long it is we’ve stopped for😂

Anyone else have a family where it's just horrendously awkward?

40th birthday meal out after a great weekend away. Firstly I'm glared at for ordering a 0% beer - if looks could kill - until other half explains to my mum it's 0% but it's soured the taste. The Prosecco is then opened and my mum laughs how it's for her, my dad and OH - bro is on antibiotics and his wife is driving - and looks at me. Then I'm toasted which was just so awkward. Finally I'm speaking to my little girl and my dad just cuts me up and talks to her about my brother.

Sorry for this. I felt so proud over the weekend and I am determined to keep going for sure. Everyone wish me luck through my teeth!

Oh yes the toast was ' raise your Prosecco, your glasses oh and haha your water' (I am on said water'.

@Crayonpenny well done, that sounds like a really stressful meal! The only thing that probably would have made it worse is drinking.