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Alcohol support

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The freedom thread ( continued ) Riding the rollercoaster of an alcohol free life! Alcohol support for those wanting to give up drinking.

964 replies

SavBbunny · 25/07/2022 18:37

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 @fortheloveofgodwhy for hosting the last thread 💜
And here’s to the next 40 pages grin

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Onewildandpreciouslife · 29/09/2022 06:54

As for me, I have a sugar headache and am absolutely exhausted, but I’m still here! Lots of learning over the last couple of days - thanks for all of the support

WendyWagon · 29/09/2022 06:58

@glindathegoodbitch good morning and welcome.
I am glad you have an understanding dh. So do I. Lots don't so you are at a great advantage already.
'the friends' can be hard work in the early days. I belonged to the 'champagne Charlie club'. I have been amazed how many don't really drink. The could have a week off, I couldn't. I drank 5 days out of 7.
I would recommend some quit lit. The sober diaries, alcohol explained etc. You might need extra sugar for the first few weeks. Sleep could be crap.
Alcohol is everywhere and is very strongly targeted to women now. It is like the tobacco industry, get them hooked reel them in!
We are always around so just ask away. X

WendyWagon · 29/09/2022 07:00

@Onewildandpreciouslife good morning. I hope everything is OK.

Good morning to all the other sober sisters.

glindathegoodbitch · 29/09/2022 07:39

Thank you for the lovely welcome xx. I've had a horrendous year or so- my beautiful DD (15) had a sports accident and ended up with a brain injury and epilepsy and then went completely off the rails. My once much loved brother was arrested for child porn offences and I've cut him out if my life- my family are not being understanding with my decision, my ds(7) broke his arm at school and ended up having a dislocated radius on top of a spiral fracture, my in-laws are just awful- bil is an alcoholic and they put horrendous pressure on us to support him- including doing his job on top of our own full time life and three children (he's a farmer and without our help, some days their family business would go under) DH has a stressful job, my father is incredibly controlling (trying to sort that!) My mil is a complete bitch and to top it all off, on Tuesday my lovely mum had a heart attack.

That's just a bit of background as to why drinking takes me to such dark dark places. I feel like most of the time I'm just skating on the surface of very cracked ice and when I drink I sink totally into everything. But everything is also part of the reason I drink.

My friends know every last bit of this, but still come the 'lets get smashed' WhatsApps.on the nights I don't want to drink, one of them will send a picture of them drinking wine by a roaring fire or at the beach sipping gin from a travel mug.... So I cave.
Drinking by proxy.

Anyway. I'm so glad I plucked up the courage to write this down. This board is so inspiring... But realistic.

One day at a time. I'm officially on day 5, but I know damn well that had I not been ill this week, it could well be day 1.

I'm tired of it all.

And I also can't wait until I'm in a position to write to a newbie... You can do it, it changed my life x

glindathegoodbitch · 29/09/2022 07:54

@WendyWagon I have the 'alcohol lied to me' book and the 'quit drinking in 50 days one' but I'm finding the pseudo psychology quite hard. I'm not used to relfecting- so much crap has happened of late, I've become rather adept at doing a Scarlet O'Hara and thinking of that later... Pasting a smile on my face and carrying on regardless.

I'm definitely at breaking point if things carry on the way they are.

Onewildandpreciouslife · 29/09/2022 08:11

@glindathegoodbitch I found The Alcohol Experiment very helpful- it takes you through the first 30 days and examines beliefs around alcohol.

you sound to have had a really tough time- alcohol is a such a quick and easy release from those stresses, and it is hard to do the work of finding ways not to escape- but it really is worth it if you can hang in there.

The other thing about your friends- they may be uncomfortable with having a mirror held up to their drinking. Alcohol is an odd drug - it’s the only one that people think you’re weird for NOT taking

glindathegoodbitch · 29/09/2022 08:28

@Onewildandpreciouslife thank you. I've just ordered it xx
I really don't want to lose my friends, they are closer than family (my family are pretty pants) and you might have guessed, we're super rural. Average age on a five mile radius is about 90. I work in a tiny company, again I'm the youngest by 20 years! I don't see many people. I don't have any hobbies that involve people. I'm too knackered in the evenings to do anything beyond cook, clean and then collapse in a bottle.

I used to be a city girl and yes, the champagne Charlie lifestyle- but came back home in my thirties to settle down with the eldest and give her a lovely country life... But my god it's lonely!!!

When covid happened and everyone started escaping to the country, I thought, my god, you'll all be knees deep in wine bottles in a month's time!
We have a lovely life, it's beautiful here. But I'm so bloody busy or pissed I can't enjoy it.

I want to wake up and hear the birds, not the churning wheels of my head and stomach with the booze monkeys.

I am so ready for this. I just hope everyone I love understands and gets on board.

WendyWagon · 29/09/2022 09:07

@glindathegoodbitch
Oh my lovely (very rural saying) I can ditto you 20 years ago. Came home to the country with my first born. Lots of career girls having a break to play house.
God it was soul destroying. The fun ones were the boozers. I would have you crying into your soup if I told you what happened to me!
First step, I would tell your doctor, get some help there. Samaritans if you feel like you are in crisis. Unless you are having the shakes you will not need medical intervention (I am not a clinician, others on here are. Drunks come in all walks of life! ). If you have a supportive partner who will help you tell him. I bored the arse of mine with the pseudo psychology.
You will get the 'ah, Glinda just cut back a bit'. Hum that doesn't usually work.
I suggest 1 day, I week, I month. Try each one on for size.
I am Sav by the way. We are here to help you. Post away.

WendyWagon · 29/09/2022 09:58

@glindathegoodbitch
Sorry I missed the back story, I must have been typing. I have a crap family too. Lots of reasons to drink.
I have been having therapy, if you can afford it it could help. About £50.
Have you a close friend in the group? My bff was instrumental in my sobriety. She is one of the ones who could drink me under the table or take or leave it. I am not like that.
Some of us have done AA or Smart. Both worth a shout and free.
X

Crunchymum · 29/09/2022 10:00

Welcome @glindathegoodbitch and well done for recognising your issues and deciding to try and tackle them.

The cold, hard fact is people who drink don't like it when someone close to them stops as it holds a mirror up to their drinking. Do you think your friends have similar issues with thier drinking habits?

True friends love and support and nurture so hopefully your friends surprise you.

I had to cur out any triggering social events in the early days, so anywhere I'd normally drink (dinner out with friends, Sunday roast at the inlaws etc). I'm now over 7 months sober and I'd never go back. My friendships haven't changed much but due to covid / distance / young children etc we weren't seeing each other every week like we did when we were young, free and single.

The most important thing about being AF is that you do it for yourself. And that you don't compromise your sobriety for anyone. Good luck.

Crayonpenny · 29/09/2022 11:35

Hi All,

Sorry a bit late to the party today. Gone to the office again - another bake sale but this is not the driver (perhaps). I managed to lose my car keys before I set off so now using the spare, plus I dropped a whole cup of coffee on myself driving in - thank goodness for a dark jumper although I do have an aroma of Nescafé. More miffed about no caffeine fix. Fantastic. Anyway...

@Onewildandpreciouslife Hope you're doing ok after the last few days.

@glindathegoodbitch Hi there. I'm sorry you've had to go through so much, that sounds so very tough. We are the same age and although my background isn't the same as yours there are lots of similarities. There are lots of great posters on this thread with very wise words. For me, I had to take a step back and really evaluate what was important to me and I needed to spend time on me and not pleasing everyone else. It's not easy but I am on a journey that is really making a difference to my life, with much gratitude to everyone on here.

Hi to everyone else!

Breathmiller · 29/09/2022 13:59

Welcome glindathegoodbitch You have sooo much going on, I'm sorry. No wonder you are stretched and stressed.

My son was diagnosed with epilepsy in the last few years after some major seizures. Very frightening and to be honest it took a while for me and Dh to step down from defcon 1 (or 5 whichever is worse, i can never remember). My son seemed to be taking it in his stride but then had a complete breakdown. I don't know if it was a reaction to the seizures or the diagnosis or the medication. But, he seems to be much more settled now and therefore we too can relax a bit. I think it is a big thing for young people to get their head around. I hope your daughter settles too. Everyone on here was a great support when I was going through it (dry I may add). I will always be grateful for that support.

As for the drinking, all I can think of is that you have so much going on, drinking just adds to that. I was caught up that drinking helped my stress as it helped me to "unwind". I realise now that that couldn't be further from the truth. It added a huge other stress to my life and pushed the other stresses to the next day. With a raging hangover to boot.

There are a few things going on for you that you can't wave a magic wand and fix immediately. But, you can take away the extra stress of drinking. Not easy, I know, but you can be in control of this!

And it is nothing to do with your friends. This is the path for you. They may find it hard to begin with to lose a drinking buddy but that is just one small part of you. I still meet up with friends and they know I have nosecco instead of alcohol. It's just accepted. I still have a laugh as much as them.

I do get that it's a big shift though in expectations of who you are. The good ones will stay. Some will struggle because they also have a difficult relationship with alcohol and don't want to be faced with it. They may come back. And the ones who are dickish about it for dickish sake can do one as far as I'm concerned. My sobriety is far too important to me to drink for someone else's opinion of me. But I am at that age where I am beginning to give many less fucks about what people think of me.

Do whatever you can to get through each hour, each day. Fake booze, if it helps to have that glass in hand. Soft drinks or sparkling water in wine glasses. (This really helped me til I weaned myself off the wine glass). Sugar. Rest. Whatever you need to do.

Make this your priority for now. Some of the other things in your life may find a way to be more manageble when you have a few days or weeks under your belt.

Oh, and I moved to a farm about 11 years ago from the city (after a few years midway). I never fail now to love waking up with the view of the hills, the birds and no hangover!

WendyWagon · 29/09/2022 14:21

'Honesty is the key to the door of sobriety'

Crayonpenny · 29/09/2022 16:41

Never been a quote so true @WendyWagon thank you!!

Crayonpenny · 30/09/2022 07:21

Hi All,

We've reached Friday!
I honestly can't believe it's the 1st October tomorrow, days seem to be flying by but it's also quite nice looking back at journeys if that makes sense and now vs before?

Taken it on the chin this morning and put the heating on. Gosh I sound like a tight Yorkshire women don't I!

Hope everyone is doing ok.

glindathegoodbitch · 30/09/2022 08:06

Oh Friday... Going to have to find some other ways of making it Friyay!
I've unpacked my watercolours this morning and I'm determined to sit tonight and do something creative rather than destructive.
Funny how I never seem to have the time to paint when I'm staring at a bottle of wine...

Wishing you all the loveliest of sober happy weekends

glindathegoodbitch · 30/09/2022 08:09

@Breathmiller ... Such a good post.
As has been everyone's!

Keeping busy busy busy.

I've downloaded the organised mum method app and I'm going to kick my lovely, but absolutely filthy house into touch.

I'd stopped seeing the dirt 🤦

glindathegoodbitch · 30/09/2022 08:10

Oh- and the birds are singing ❤️

Crayonpenny · 30/09/2022 08:41

Your posts read really positively @glindathegoodbitch have a great day / weekend 😊 !

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 30/09/2022 09:33

@glindathegoodbitch welcome!!! You are doing great.

@Onewildandpreciouslife hope you’re feeling okay xxx

It’s nearly October! Anyone got any exciting goals for October (@Breathmiller?)?

My goal is lame as always, it is to DRINK MORE WATER. I always start well (2 liters a dat so not a crazy goal) and then after a few days I go back to going days without drinking any water at all (yes, I’m serious!).

Maybe I should just give up on hydrating myself?! Also apologies for mentioning my goal of DRINKING MORE on a sober thread😂😂😂

October is a biggie for me! I’ll reach my 2.5 years milestone😱 It’s actually unbelievable I’ve made it this far. If you’re lurking on this thread thinking you can’t do this - Yes you can! If I can do it, anyone can!

WendyWagon · 30/09/2022 09:35

Morning lads.
Glad to see positive posts @glindathegoodbitch
Watercolours? What a brilliant idea.

I am not a tidy person but it is surprising how much sorting you can get done sober!
@Crayonpenny I put the heat on last week but I am only a quarter Yorkshire lass!
Husband on leave this week but it is our first day without commitments. Lots of sofa sitting planned.

Still trying to buy somewhere, still getting 'our clients expect to receive offers in excess of the guide price'. It is liking watching Rome burn and these jokers are pouring oil on the bonfire. Obviously they know more than the bank of England and the money markets. I might wear dark glasses and a wig next time I view something. It least I am not getting trollied and sending rude emails.

Onewildandpreciouslife · 30/09/2022 10:46

Lovely to hear you sounding so positive @glindathegoodbitch . Do you have a plan for relaxing this evening if you’re too exhausted to paint?!

@BunniesBunniesBunnies 2.5 years is amazing!

Im feeling ok thanks. I was exhausted yesterday but that’s not surprising really. Waiting for an op date but I’ve got my head around it all now.

BunniesBunniesBunnies · 30/09/2022 11:24

ah well done @Onewildandpreciouslife i hope you get op date soon

@WendyWagon house buying in stressful😱 good luck!

Crunchymum · 30/09/2022 12:47

Soft Southerner here so I've had the heating on for a few days now 😂

I cannot believe it's October tomorrow. I'm heading towards 8 months AF and still going strong. Who knew I had it in me?? Now I've got past my mum's anniversary I can start to enjoy this time of year. I love to slow roll along to Christmas. Whilst the world falls to shit around us, I'm going to cheer myself up with fairy lights, conker picking, long autumnal walks and lots of hearty grub.

Crayonpenny · 30/09/2022 14:21

@Crunchymum That did make me smile! I've just been particularly stubborn wearing layer upon layer which is a slight ridiculous look for teams meetings. I am totally with you re this time of year / lead up to Christmas, I find it quite comforting with the coziness and everything you've mentioned. I've got a football training practice later on for the 6 year old (99% of rain) and already planning which hot chocolate I'm going to take!

@BunniesBunniesBunnies wow, 2.5 years on the horizon, that is seriously excellent!

@Onewildandpreciouslife Hope you get a date soon, glad you're feeling better.

@WendyWagon Fingers crossed re house hunting. Estate agents can be ruthless at times, not like we've all got suitcases of cash lying around to play games.