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

[SavBbunny]

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

Woohooo!! I love the new more suitable name change. So pleased to see you are rocking AF and life rockingbird

Love the new name @rockingbird !!

@rockingbird love the name.

Just had a M & S botanical (faux gin) with Fevertree passionfruit tonic. Quite sweet.

I've started a new thread

www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/4653234-the-freedom-thread-continued-riding-the-rollercoaster-of-an-alcohol-free-life-alcohol-support-for-those-wanting-to-give-up-drinking

And am absolutely honoured to be able to do so x

Hi everyone, haven't caught up on the three yet but posting for accountability. Keep having false starts. Manage a few weeks then think that one glass won't hurt - but then straight back to the 3am guilt-fest, migraine, low mood cycle. Was supposed to be doing overtime today but pulled out last minute because I had wine last night and woke at 3 with an evil headache.
How do I get it into my head that I CAN'T drink??
So day one again today.

Going away at the end of the month to stay with family for 4 days who are big drinkers - this will be a massive challenge. I've thought about not starting until we're back but to be honest I feel so lousy I don't want to wait. Also, there's going to be lots of challenges like this so why not face it head on? But that's me now...worried how I'll actually get through it (and still enjoy myself) when the time comes 😬😔

Thanks for the shiny new thread @Crunchymum and thanks for the last one @WendyWagon
I reached, and passed the 6 month milestone but my brain continues to try and trick me into “just having one.”

I’m a week away from 7 months and still feeling like I have to be vigilant most of the time for the wine witch/poison parrot to be muttering sweet nothings in my ear. My most useful tool is playing the tape forward. What will happen if I do have a drink? Will it be all fluffy and heartwarming good times? The answer is a definite no! It’ll be a cesspit of anxiety, shame, lying and being physically unwell among other things.
I can’t drink. Now I’ve got a few months af under my belt, quitting for good is not nearly as daunting as it was back in the beginning.

I’ve been going to smart recovery meetings via zoom. It helps me. It gives me motivation to keep going on my af journey.

My dh is still af (he quit the same time as me) but is giving off the “I’m trying to make you cave first so I can have a drink vibe.” All done in supposed jest. We’ve not fallen out about it. I’ve just ignored the unhelpful comments. I’m not sure how to deal with them tbh. He’s going through his own battles. I can’t be responsible for them too.

Hope everyone new and veterans are doing well xxx

@JesusSufferingFuck22
Hoorah and well done.
Sad to say the booze thoughts have never left me. I can walk past the drink isle, go out and not drink but I am always checking myself. When AA says to introduce yourself as a recovering alcoholic I take exception to that. If you can never be free what's the point? I hope one day to see bunnies but I am still grateful for small mercies because in our world they are big wins really.

@WendyWagon I don’t expect those thoughts to leave but they are getting much easier to manage. Distraction, distraction, distraction and accepting the feelings I’ve been numbing for years. I’m unraveling a lot of stuff which is a bit unpleasant at times but also makes me quite proud that I have managed to quit. I’ve been telling more people that I have stopped. Most don’t need or want the full story and are fully accepting of the af version of me.

We had a get together with old friends (drinking buddies) and between about 6 there was one bottle of fizz and plenty cups of tea. One friends phoned us later and said how much she had enjoyed the af evening and felt like she was actually meeting people and getting to know them even though we’ve all know each other for years! She said it was lovely. I also really enjoyed the get together. It was lovely spending time with friends without the alcohol fog and prioritising the drink over people.
hi @SillyLittleMargaret

Good to see you @JesusSufferingFuck22 and congratulations on your 6 months!

You'll find it quiet on this thread because it’s the old one! Come and join us on the new one

New thread

Can a newbie join this late into the thread?? I'm only 3 weeks in, after realising I've been drinking 2-3 large wines most nights for the last 2 years.

Pre lockdown I'd have a blast maybe once a month, and then I've slipped into the 2-3 glass a night zone.

So I'm done, I grew up in a family of drinkers and always thought I was the sensible one, apparently not

Oppps I'll post in the new thread

Does anyone on here still carry around shame of things that happened whilst they were blackout drunk?

does it ever go away? It’s horrendous

I’ve been sniggered at and I know I can’t change the past but it’s so embarrassing knowing that people think I’m a joke

Hi @Quitelikeit - yes, but it gets less painful over time

This is an older thread - there is a more recent thread where you will get more traffic!

Here

I've done/said some absolutely HIDEOUS things when drunk and honestly the shame/distress does fade over time. I really don't care about most of the stuff I've done anymore. I cringe a bit at most. I like to remember that no one is as interested in me as I think they are. I doubt people are sitting thinking about the stuff I did and I doubt anyone except you is giving much thought to the stuff you did either.