Day 1 - Breaking the habit

[BacksideInParsley]

I am on Day 1 here. Looking for others who are at this initial stage of recovery.

I am here because I admit that my life has become unmanageable. I cannot cope with the crippling anxiety and chaos from nights drinking wine in front of the telly.

I called my Dad this morning and told him that I have been drinking 1.5 bottles of white wine on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and sometimes Sunday night and I can't do it anymore and want to stop. He said he is worried about me and it's positive that I've got to this stage of wanting to stop and is going to support me to do that.

I'm going to work on other things that can physically get me to break the habit. Move the TV into another room for the summer. Don't allow alcohol in the house.

I live with my DH who I would say is an alcoholic. We don't have kids. DH is working on his own sobriety separate to mine.

Day 2 going good. No desire to drink at all. DH made lovely dinner. Good day at work with clear head. Feel really tired though because I couldn't sleep last night. That'll be the hangover from Saturday.

I like the idea of treats too. Think I'll buy a nice candle for something to enjoy on Friday night.

@GiveMyHeadPeaceffs I know what you mean about looking forward to being sober! Congrats on day 1 🥳

@BacksideInParsley candle sounds like a lovely treat. I find them very soothing.

I've got some easy dinners planned for this week so my evenings aren't stressful and overwhelming.

Well done!!! Sleep is crap for a few weeks I found. Annoyingly, as you feel you should sleep better straight away. That’s what actually made me realise I had a problem with alcohol. 😮

If you can do Mon Tues and weds without a drink that's a great start. Day 4 is the worst. Read the obstacle course blog post by sober mummy.

Day 4 here and even after a manic day in work yesterday I didnt open a drink when I got home. On the other hand I wasnt feeling 100% and tested positive for covid again. Feeling crap so I'm hoping that will make the rest of this 1st week easier.

Well done to you all for the last few days!

Sorry you're feeling rubbish @Nomorebeer22 I'm on day 2 and feel so much better than yesterday. I was really emotional and tearful which I think was part hangover and part it was my ds birthday. I feel great today! I'm properly looking forward to feeling better and being sober.

Sorry you're feeling rubbish @Nomorebeer22. Covid can really make you feel wiped out.

@GiveMyHeadPeaceffs So glad you feel great! I am too.

Slept for hours last night but weird dreams about tigers finding me hiding in a suitcase on a ferry!!!

Today was v stressful at work and the weather is shit for June so I thought at about 5pm "I need a wine".. but there was no way I was going to have one and that thought passed and I came home and had my dinner, now it's past 9pm and nearly time for bed.

Both DH and I are on Day 3 now. Feeling good, getting stuff done, being considerate to each other.

@BacksideInParsley yes, work was a bit busy today and I'd lots to catch up on (been on leave for a week) but I felt clear headed and able to concentrate and ploughed through.

I slept really well last night, took a while to get over to sleep (didn't pass out as I would after drinking) but then slept all night. No weird dreams...yet!

I would usually pass out too or fall asleep on the sofa and DH would make me crawl up to bed. It's pretty scary to look at yourself doing that. You wouldn't want anyone you loved doing that. Waking up with the lights on not knowing if it's morning or the middle of the night, not knowing who is in the house.

I'm noticing all the casual mentions of wine at work in the general chat even in the past two days. And on the radio, tv... It's everywhere!

Today a senior manager at work altered me to a practitioner who was "reeking of stale booze" today. I know this colleague is going through hard times and is probably drinking way too much. Instead of ignoring it I made a point of asking her how she was doing. She said she's going to take some time off because she's been very stressed which I hope will help her.

Day 4 - no booze. Thought went through my mind when I got back from work but I recognised that it's a habit. Got a fizzy drink beside me instead. Deep sleep last night and some weird vivid dreams again.

Definitely carb loading to push down the emotions.

Day 5 - no booze. How's everyone else doing?

Well done! Day 6, all good although still rough with Covid. Am feeling better in myself though mentally.

Hi @BacksideInParsley and @Nomorebeer22
I know what you mean about all the references to alcohol at the moment, it's endless and I never really noticed it before.

I'm on day 4. Today I spoke to my ddad about stopping drinking, initially for 100 days but hopefully longer and I was amazed how supportive he was. You think you hide the amount you drink but you can't really. I already have more energy and a clearer head for dealing with situations at work which are stressful.

I've taken the plunge too and joined an outdoor boot camp group at 9 on Saturday morning...that would never have happened with drink taken! Yikes!!

Can I join?
I'm on day 5 today, already feel like I've more energy and I'm enjoying waking up with a clear head and not feeling groggy trying to remember what happened the night before.
I could drink a bottle of wine a night quite easily but then I'd feel tired and groggy all day, I've noticed I already have more patience with the kids. I'm surprised I've not really wanted to drink, especially with the warm weather.

Hi @cantthinkofabetterusername that's good going! Well done! Yip I definitely have noticed being a lot more patient recently!

Everyone is doing very well. Plodding in. Going to keep off the wine tonight too. I haven't set a time limit just going day to day sober. I'm tempted to have a glass of wine or two with my dinner tomorrow to test out if I can do 2 glasses in moderation or not.

@BacksideInParsley do you think you can stick to one or two glasses?
I know I wouldn't, after 2 glasses my judgment is off kilter and I think a 3rd is fine...and then there's only one more glass left in the bottle so I may as well finish it. Then I'm on a roll so I'll open another bottle and have another glass, then go to bed, sleep badly, feel anxious and guilty and swear I'm not drinking later...but there's wine in the fridge, a bottle already open...

I've got my naice tonic in the fridge to go in my 0% alcohol gin which I was going to have tonight but think I'll have tomorrow instead as Saturday nights were always my downfall after a busy day.

Hi OP I'm on day 5 here and feeling pretty good apart from pre menstrual migraines but I guess it would have been even worse with hangovers thrown into the mix. My eye puffiness has gone down lots and I've been hammering my to-do list. I'm nervous about the weekend but hopefully I'll make it through without caving.

I agree with @GiveMyHeadPeaceffs here. I know that I wont be able to just have 1 or 2. I'm very tempted to drink tonight, been counting down as i usually would on a Friday until "beer o'clock", BUT I know I cant. I know that I will end up not stopping and then hating myself tomorrow.

I have some non alcoholic beers in (taste like crap 🤮) so will be having a pint of non alcoholic shandy.

I'm hoping in a couple of months I will be able to control my alcohol intake and be able to stop after 1 or 2. Until then I'm going to try my hardest to stay dry.

@BacksideInParsley dont do it!!!! You’ll be back to the beginning and will hate yourself tomorrow. Moderation does not work for people like us.

I won't have anything tonight. I don't want any tomorrow but I'd realllly like a glass or wine with my dinner tomorrow... you are right though. I know it will open the door to 2 glasses... then the bottle... and I don't want to go back to that shit for anything!!

Thanks by the way! I just need to get to 8pm...... once I have food it will be easier..

Stay strong!!!! Get yourself a nice drink in of something else. Plan something after dinner like a walk..,

Week 1 completed. Even with Covid (starting to feel much better) I feel 100% better in myself. Had the best nights sleep in months last night and I cant remember the last Saturday morning I woke up not feeling a bit rough as a minimum!

Everyone else has got this too! We can get through the weekend!

Well done @Nomorebeer22 that’s brilliant!