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

I was just nosying through threads and came across this one then read your comment. My father was an alcoholic and drank himself to death though I drink I am a wary drinker so limit myself but I guess because of my childhood experiences I was interested in this thread. I never want my kids to miss out days out or have a grumpy hangover parent day to day like I did.

I think though alcohol is partly habit think about how it makes you feel, what do you get from it and try find an alternative that gives you that. Can you do a home work out programme, nice treats like a pamper bath, nails etc once the kids are in bed, even the odd boring but satisfying job like cleaning out a cupboard. What do you enjoy doing? Do you like to read books? Do you draw? Do you enjoy colouring etc? I love to colour a Disney book (yes childish I know but I enjoy it). I like a glass of good red wine but enjoy a nice non alcoholic drink in a nice wine glass just as much. Could you maybe invite friends round for coffee some nights? I am not sure if you can get out much in the evening but if you can’t try find things you enjoy that make you feel good.

Spiced Prosecco sounds really unappealing. I didn’t even know it existed.

Hello Sober Sisters!
I’m back to Day 2
Well I didn’t do well. DH poured two champagnes in the airport lounge and I took it and then had more. I hadn’t mentioned I was going tea total so can’t blame him - I wanted to get a few days under my belt and then say something. Like not make a big deal of stopping again. Or did I not tell him because alcohol pixie keeps trying to convince me that I can moderate. Im not sure, but thinking possibly the latter.
Anyway, Got on the plane, put my big girl knickers on and successfully turned down the copious amounts of booze on offer and stuck to water & cokes. I actually drank gallons of water so will be incredibly well hydrated.
2 days later we are in this town for a week and tbh this should be ok as it’s just the 5 of us and although DH drinks my teens aren't really interested. When we get to South Australia with all the relies will be harder but I’ll face that nearer the time.

Day 40 today. I still feel like crap - I thought I was getting better but have been hit by a nasty cold now. So no desire to drink which makes things a lot easier!

Morning all

Quietly jogging forward here - 11 weeks today and whilst there’s the occasional pang that some wine would go down really well, it’s definitely not an automatic thought or a go to fix-everything-but-it-doesn’t, strategy.

Get well soon to all the poorlies, lots of bugs about right now. Another vote for hot chocolate here.. I’ve been treating myself to all the posh brands and trying out different flavours, perfect weather for it!

Morning all.
Still cold, too cold!
Beef Wellington for birthday Sunday (sorry veggies). I usually have very expensive champoo. I stalked it in the Marks. I was surprisingly OK in the shops yesterday. A friend bought me a new lipstick which showed real listening. Let's see what the rest do.

Get well soon ghast & well done on 40 days.
A lippy is a lovely pressie wendy. Last Christmas I was gifted every flavour of gin imaginable despite me telling the world how chuffed I was at being a year sober. They still fill a shelf in the larder unopened. Not sure what to do with them as the only people I can give them to are the ones who bought them.
Another good day here. Lovely walk along the beach and general mooch about town. DH got some AF beer only to realise it’s low (2.5%) rather than zero. He’ll drink it as I actually don’t fancy any AF stuff at the mo. Definitely makes him choose differently when I’m not drinking - 2 low alcohol beers rather than his usual tipples.
Hope everyone else going well

40 days is amazing Ghast - your liver must be all pink and glowing and happy.

office Xmas party was good fun - I’d forgotten that a woman in another team is in AA and has been for years - one or two others were dry or had one drink only, citing middle age as the cause of hideous hangovers and not being keen to feel rubbish with DC this morning.

Anyway, I bounced out of bed and got home warm so win win all round.

Agree hot chocolate is a powerful weapon in the arsenal of decent AF treaty drinks. And tea actually. I never drank much tea before and now, it slips down very nicely.

morning all! First night of the weekend survived. Retreated to bed at about 10, and worried a bit about being anti social, but pretty sure non one will have noticed. Overall a good evening.

One nice moment- I was talking to someone about my AF stash, and he said “ Blimey, Onewild, you don’t do things by halves, do you?”. I just laughed and agreed, and said that had always been my problem. I feel like I’m building a new identity as sober onewild.

I'm having huge problems posting at the moment (reported to MNHQ and on Site stuff but the app is virtually unusable on Samsung android)... I've not gone AWOL.
Quick Q re "special" AF alternatives as I'm trying to finalise the Xmas shop.

Anyone tried the AF Martini? What's it like?

I saw AF Amaretti mentioned too? Again what's it like?

I tend to have an AF beer on special occasions at the moment but it's Christmas isn't it??

I didn't like Nosecco and hate gin (assume the faux gin would be similar? )

Want something I can have in a glass for Xmas Dinner and NYE xx

Ps if there are huge gaps / random letters in the middle of words then forgive me. This is the issue I've been having all week.

Hi @Crunchymum i like something called Caleno which is like a gin but not “ginny” if you see what I mean. I have it with lime and bitters and lots of ice and tonic. It feels very grown up! They do a “rum” I believe also?

Hi @Crunchymum I was thinking of you and your kitten.. has it destroyed the Christmas tree yet?!? I have a bottle of the AF martini not yet opened (the label says it doesn’t keep for that long) apparently it’s nice with orange Fever-Tree? I’m still enjoying the Crodino too.. if you can find it!!

Afternoon lads. @Crunchymum I didn't like gin at all but Gordon's af is my favourite (I liked vodka and sav blanc as we know). Personally I will hunt down the new fevertree blood orange soda. Looks fab. I buy huge posh lemons and that seems to improve any glass.
The Asda sparkling sav blanc is the best af wine in my opinion.
Quiet day for me.

Quick check in for accountability.. building flat pack furniture with my new power tools this evening! Not something I've ever attempted but thoroughly enjoying it 🤪 Just having a quick cuppa before I carry on.. saying hi to you all and happy sober Saturday night xx

Tried a glass of McGuigans AF red tonight - very nice too! Worth a try for Xmas.

Morning all.
First Strickly final sober (weird). I watched it without slurring about technique (I use to competition dance with the lovely Trevor)
Off out for a local Christmas shop. Me buying for me. I have opened most of my birthday presents (I don't get any from my three siblings). Too tight fisted and bitter. I won't even get a card or text. Thank God we can chose our friends. I shall have an afternoon with the telly!

Happy birthday @WendyWagon ! I hope you have a lovely day and find some wonderful treats for yourself - you deserve them.

Have survived the weekend away - I am heading home this morning as have engineered an early exit for myself. Was given limoncello in the Secret Santa last night 🤷🏻‍♀️. DD is very happy to swap for her chocolates!

@Crunchymum it was me talking about af amaretti. It’s very sweet, but is quite nice with lots of ice. Tbh it tastes like something you should put in coffee or hot chocolate! Love my Pentire Adrift because it’s so different.

Happy birthday @WendyWagon - Is it today?

Happy birthday @WendyWagon hope you have a lovely day

Birthday today Bunnies. Feeling much better this week.

Have a wonderful birthday @WendyWagon much love on your special day xxx

Hope you’ve had a great birthday @WendyWagon and came home laden with fabulous purchases!
We've just come back from a gorgeous dinner over looking sunny Watego Bay in NSW. Was really lovely and hard to imagine the minus temps in the U.K. (sorry!) Anyway, it was a special treat with one of those tasting menus. DH had the accompanying flight, DD1 a cocktail but I stuck to fizzy water and very pleased myself. It wasn’t easy when the sommelier explained all the notes & flavours at each course and you’re thinking ‘oooh that sounds interesting’. My water was less interesting but the food was amazing & tbh I don’t think it’d have been bettered by the wines at all. Quite likely the opposite.

Thanks all. Just bought the nosh and two magazines. Will hog Netflix shortly. Might watch love actually but it is not very pc, makes me angry in places. I love Miracle on 34th Street, reminds me of my department stores days. Husband working for a few hours. I got the blood orange soda in Waitrose. Husband can't cook so I have to cook myself but is all shove it in stuff, hoorah. DD will make me a cake.
Great thread on MN, expensive but worth it lists. I took a few tips for the new house. Feet up Sav.

Many Happy returns @WendyWagon
Another year round the sun. Happy Sober Birthday to you ❤️