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

[Crunchymum]

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 @WendyWagon for hosting the last thread 💜

Here’s to the next 40 pages

Morning all.
@Shanster well done on your first month.
I am in the Sussex countryside having had a lovely vegetarian meal last night. Sweet potatoes and Hulumi.
Will be heading back home early to get in DD's driving practice.
No office parties for me as I am still 'resting'. Probably a good thing.
Johnny, your friend will come round. You have said sorry. You can't do anymore.
I must get some Christmas swag in.
Have a good day all.

@Johnnyfartpants slept fine.. I do have a touch of ptsd which tends to come back in dreams and I recall shouting out last night! Like you I'm up against it at work - already at my desk this morning. End of year.. looking very tidy but I still have a bit to do. I think I'm just waking early because of the stress linked to my personal circumstances. 🫣

Why has your friend decided not to speak to you? Personally I'd not force the situation, good friends are understanding and supportive.

Morning all

Great to hear of milestones being hit, sorry to hear of sleep and friend issues.

sillylittlemargaret well done at AF AND mindful eating.

I find myself once again impressed by all the runners. I keep trying it and it never sticks. I might try again starting in the New Year or when I'm on holiday from work around Christmas.

Hello all,
Please can I join? Im so fed up with drinking, I drink a bottle of wine a night. I wake up most mornings feeling like shit. Today I am off work cos felt rubbish and also have a throat infection.
I am single parent and I use it as my way of dealing with things. My evenings are boring and I cant concentrate on watching tv.
Any tips to help please? Im going to start crocheting tonight

@Jamesandthegiantpeach74 welcome.

I was a bottle a night girl, Thursday to Sunday. More if partying.
Lots of crafters on here. Drink lots of water and you may need some sugar in the first few weeks.

Welcome @Jamesandthegiantpeach74 if it was a bad week then I could easily do a bottle a night (sometimes more!).

Try not to think too long term, just commit to giving this a chance and if you don't feel better after a while then no harm done?

I read the alcohol experiment (Annie Grace I think) you read a chapter a day for 30 days. I am nearly at 300 days now and despite all the trials and tribulations of life still being there, I am happy to no longer have alcohol in my life.

Thank you everyone!
i am trying to get the kindle version of the book but its not letting me!

Welcome @Jamesandthegiantpeach74 this is a lovely group. Dip in and out, always someone around to offer support. I used to do a bottle of wine a night easy.. sadly sometimes more 🫣 I'm 5 months in AF now and love a hot chocolate in the evening. I'm actually considering buying myself one of those swanky velvetisers. Keep busy, you'll be amazed how much more you get done round the house! My washing basket has never looked so good.

Welcome JamesandtheGiantPeach74 you're in good company. Post as much as you like.
Yes to having distractions around whether that's crafts or anything that takes your fancy. And just accept that some of these first days are hard and you need to just plough through them. Going to bed is the best distraction sometimes, if it's a particular tough day. It WILL get easier.

Welcome @Jamesandthegiantpeach74!!! 😁👍

Tonight gang Im celebrating with a hot chocolate in bed with squirty cream on top 🥳 finally I have my house.. now the fun starts sorting it all before Christmas.

Great news @rockingbird !

Had my team Christmas lunch today - no hassle about not drinking, and so lovely on the way home afterwards to feel clear and calm

Welcome JamesandtheGiantPeach74 you’ve already taken the first step by posting and acknowledging you need to stop. Well done.

Onewildandpreciouslife it’s great not drinking at work events! I survived two dinners with my boss and some senior folks last week. They were all hammered and I was on AF IPA. I’d never been drunk around these people, I don’t know them very well and just said I’m not a big drinker, that it messes with my sleep. Felt great not being hungover the next day when they all looked weary. Also felt like another affirmation that drinking is not mandatory- like we give ourselves permission to not drink!!

@rockingbird great news - very chuffed on your behalf so it’s onwards and upwards for you and you family now 👍
thanks for those who commented when I posted and being given the third degree at the weekend about me not drinking. Had similar conversations with this person before but this time it touched a nerve with me. Think I must have been less than 💯 and now have another chest infection to deal with but I’m still AF!
health wise this year has not been good but alcohol would have made it all so much worse wouldn’t it?
i appreciate waking up each morning without any sluggishness and have treated myself to new winter boots (3pairs no less!) with the money saved.

welcome newbies - so much good advice here and so many strong women who rock it every day 🫡

That’s great news @rockingbird!

Well done with the work lunch @Onewildandpreciouslife - it’s the big Christmas do tonight but I’m not going (can’t get childcare sorted - single parent here!), but it’s the department one next week which I am going to. But I love my colleagues and I don’t think they’ll bat an eyelid, plus we are doing an activity which is a great distraction.

Welcome @Jamesandthegiantpeach74 i am a newbie too - today I am 10 days AF - this board is a huge help.

@rockingbird congratulations on the house.
Morning all.

rockingbird fantastic about the house!! 🥳 When do you move in? I wish we all lived closer and could rock up with our sleeves rolled up and help you move.

johnnyfartypants well done on 10 days!! 🥳 double figures! Fab!

Well done on 10 days @Johnnyfartpants ! That’s some of the hardest days under your belt

Thank you @Breathmiller and @Onewildandpreciouslife i am feeling really proud!

Swerving big office do tonight and am so relieved. Get to go home and snuggle with the DC and eat mountains of pasta which I am craving at the moment - wonder if related to the not drinking?!

Morning all. Day 33 here. I have one of the dreaded winter lurgies so feel like crap. It's my works Christmas do tomorrow and whilst part of me feel grateful that I won't be drinking (so won't make a tit of myself) everyone is talking about the cocktails/wine they'll be having and I wish I could join them. Mind you, my throat is so sore I'm not sure I could swallow anything acidic anyway!

Morning all. Poorly here too.

Hi all

Happy sunny (chilly!) Thursday. Woke up to a faulty boiler so not a great start (all fixed now, thankfully low pressure rather than anything more serious, but gld I didn't have a hangover to top it off.)

Sorry, I've been AWOL as snowed under with work, school Christmas events, parents evenings and family illness/birthdays (highly inconsiderate!) Probably the most 'interesting' moment of the last week was getting stuck manning the mulled wine stand at school last Saturday. I quite like the smell, but didn't need to have it quite literally under my nose for an hour!

Anyway, glad to say I'm still here. 10 weeks today since I got the blue light treatment after my bang to the head and I can't say I regret it one bit. My skjub is definitely improved and I am loving my sleep! No sign of any weight loss, but to be fair I'm eating a lot of pudding.. I'm also getting a bit narked by the lack of n/a alternatives at school events, (surely some hot chocolate would be managable?) Water or apple juice are getting a bit old!

Welcome to all the newbies and hello to everyone else, I haven't fully caught up on the thread yet, but GWS to anyone with the lurgy. x

Hey guys 🙋‍♀️quick check in from me.. thanks for all your well wishes on the house. Delighted but up to my neck in packing (again) trying to get sorted for Christmas!! Sure it will all be fine and fall into place.

I'll be back at some point soon when the waves of madness have calmed down a little. Still going strong AF.. can't imagine doing it any other way to be fair!

Much love to you all xx

Morning all
very cold but a beautiful moon to stare at!
have a busy day of errands and school duties but forecast is sunny and bright.
sorry to hear about those of you who have the bug or are under the weather. My cough is much better but it’s taken ages to shake off.

Hold tight newbies the view gets better after a while… 👍
still enjoy a clear head in the morning - can’t believe how much tea it used to take to feel awake!

Morning all. I’ll be honest, I’m feeling a bit glum about being sober at the moment. I know that if I drank I’d be even more glum, that I’m doing the right thing etc etc, but I think the cold and dark, and Christmas anxiety, are getting to me. Ah well, going to drag these old bones out for a freezing cold run, which should make me feel better