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Alcohol support

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Original poster

Alcohol free in 23

638 replies

DancingSober · 31/12/2022 11:25

Hello!

This is the thread for doing a whole year alcohol free beginning tomorrow (although some have started a bit early).

This isn't a moderation thread, so it isn't for cutting down. It's absolutely no alcohol for the whole of 2023.

That said, slip ups happen and I will not be throwing anyone off the thread if they have a blip, (or several blips), but please don't post if you're planning to have a few drinks here and there, as it may affect people who are struggling to remain AF but want to.

Tagging everyone from the initial thread:

@SerialMover
@Metalhead
@nancydroo
@blondie87
@TooSunny
@Preparedforjobnottolast
@thenewaveragebear1983
@limitededitionbarbie
@afaloren
@hashbrownsandwich
@Wantmyownbed

I think that's everyone, but please join if you want to (it's open to everyone) and huge apologies if I have missed anyone with my tagging.

OP posts:
Original poster
DancingSober · 01/01/2023 08:49

Happy New Year everyone!

And good luck to everyone starting today (and everyone else).

I'm definitely hoping to get some more exercise in this year. I've been really slack since September.

OP posts:
hashbrownsandwich · 01/01/2023 08:55

Morning all!
Feeling motivated and looking forward to my initial goal of dry January. I finished my Prosecco before midnight last night abd today is Day 1.

GobiMancCauli · 01/01/2023 09:05

I'm in. My wine consumption has been off the scale over Christmas. I'm overweight, low iron, high cholesterol, and need go take control for my overall health.

I also suspect that not using alcohol as a crutch will help me in tackling things that aren't working in my life (relationships, work etc).

Tried a 90 day challenge on OYNB pre pandemic and only managed 6 weeks.

Hoping to stick with it with help and inspo from you fellow travellers.

HappyHealthy23 · 01/01/2023 09:08

I'd like to join too please. I went six weeks AF in November- December and loved how I felt. Drank a handful of times over Christmas and really feeling that it's not worth it anymore. I am so ready for being AF this year and am excited about the changes I'll see.

Original poster
DancingSober · 01/01/2023 09:12

@GobiMancCauli

I also suspect that not using alcohol as a crutch will help me in tackling things that aren't working in my life (relationships, work etc).

Yes, this is a big one for me too. I have a big decision to make soon re possibly leaving the area we live in and a clear head will certainly help with that.

Hello @hashbrownsandwich! Good luck with your dry Jan. I can understand why you're only committing to the one month to begin with, as a year can seem overwhelming. If you do want to stick with us for the year then please do. I can't guarantee I won't slip btw, but I'm certainly going to give it a go and I really want to do the full year.

OP posts:
Original poster
DancingSober · 01/01/2023 09:15

And welcome @GobiMancCauli! Meant to put that in

OP posts:
Afl · 01/01/2023 09:18

I'd like to join too!
Although I started in November and plan on having an alcohol free life not just 2023.
Happy New Year and best of luck to everyone x

Original poster
DancingSober · 01/01/2023 09:19

Welcome @Afl

OP posts:
Healthyalltheway · 01/01/2023 09:28

Hi, I would like to join. I have managed a few months and then slipped back into it, but I really need and want to stop all together. I am healthier and so much better when I don't drink. I am early 50's, and a drink or two at at night just makes me eat and the weight has piled on. I need to stop drinking, lose some weight and go to the gym to do weights - all which will help my osteoporosis. thank you for the group.

Original poster
DancingSober · 01/01/2023 09:34

Welcome @Healthyalltheway

OP posts:
tribpot · 01/01/2023 09:53

A couple of tips from a long term sober person - I really like the Nonsuch Shrubs cordials - really nice with ice and soda water. And for London-based MNers Club Soda is worth checking out. They have a tasting room on Drury Lane and sell non-alcoholic drinks for collection only at the moment. They do have some suggested sites to buy online as well.

I personally don't drink any alcohol-free equivalents of alcoholic drinks, for me I can only think that trying to trick my brain and tastebuds into thinking I'm drinking alcohol would be a bad thing.

A few other general tips - keep your hands busy, with crafting or colouring or playing games, and watch out for your trigger times of day. Mine definitely used to be starting to cook dinner. If you can plan for those, you can recognise when the wine o'clock bell is going off in your head. Once you get through that moment, the rest of the evening is easier.

Original poster
DancingSober · 01/01/2023 10:01

Thanks @tribpot. That's really helpful

OP posts:
NoTimeForWine · 01/01/2023 10:02

Happy New Year everyone. Day 1 here too.
I took some photos of myself this morning. No make up in natural light. Hoping to see some changes to my face, particularly less redness.
I'm going for a complete overhaul too. More exercise. A better diet. More sleep. More water. Just all of the stuff we know we should be doing but never make time for.
Good luck!!!

Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit · 01/01/2023 10:02

HNY everyone. Just wanted to recommend a book I read over Xmas. Dry by an American writer called Augusten Burroughs. It is autobiographical. The plot premise might not sound relatable but it is so good and actually laugh out loud funny in places that I recommend it to everyone!

Cloudhopping · 01/01/2023 10:10

I'm in! I'm 51. I drank excessively in my teens, 20's and 30's and have always had a dysfunctional relationship with the bottle. I'm a very shy person by nature and alcohol enabled me to party and socialise with confidence. I always pushed the limits though.

My consumption has steadily declined since my 40's and have wanted to try and give up for the last few years. Although I don't drink that much now (around 10 units a week) I don't actually want to drink but I can't seem to stop the habit. I no longer get that buzz from it but I can't seem to break that relationship with alcohol and 'a good time' and the illusion of the 'confidence' it used to give me.

I have a big challenge coming up-a friend's 50th weekend away with most activities centred around drinking. I don't know how to tackle this or how to handle my social anxiety if I don't use alcohol as a coping mechanism. Any tips gratefully received!!!

Original poster
DancingSober · 01/01/2023 10:28

Thanks @Notgoodatpoetrybutgreatatlit. I'll see if I can get that one secondhand.

Welcome @Cloudhopping. That's hard with a weekend away. I think I'd plan to have some space to myself if possible. Will you have your own room etc? I think I'd find that a bit easier, if I had somewhere to escape to.

OP posts:
Coppergate · 01/01/2023 10:52

That's brilliant @ValBiro ! He might try the alcohol free beer (and has briefly in the past) but this is a longstanding issue (mild-moderate AUD rather than is daily drinker is a more accurate description perhaps) and I know from experience even suggesting it will be unhelpful, for both of us. It is a decision he needs to make for himself.

I've stopped drinking many times before (usually for up to 3 months and usually because I'm on a strict diet) but soon revert back to multiple glasses of wine/day ,and that has the bit that has to stop. I know that in a few days I will be used to not drinking in the evening (to some extent at least) and then I will start to tolerate being around DH's drinking less. At some point he will probably announce he is going to drink less in some way...and I need to respond in a different way. Right now I need to deal with what I do with the evenings and continue to develop healthier habits/get on with what I say I want to do!

I didn't drink last night - it probably looked like I did though as I had a gin glass with AF spirit and tonic in, then another one with just tonic (honestly not sure I can tell when there is AF spirt in there and it is so expensive, so don't think I will buy that again). Then I just has squash and a cup of tea. I didn't say a word about it. In fact I've decided not to say a word about doing dry January or alcohol free 23 to anyone at all outside here.

Coppergate · 01/01/2023 10:53

Happy New Year everyone and thank you for the warm welcome!

AChristmasCaro · 01/01/2023 10:55

I really like this idea. Tend to drink too much when I do drink so the last few years have been 50-50 abstinence and over-doing it, a few weeks on a few weeks off. A year without alcohol would be wonderful.

Original poster
DancingSober · 01/01/2023 11:00

Hi @AChristmasCaro. Feel free to join us!

OP posts:
coodawoodashooda · 01/01/2023 11:35

Coppergate · 01/01/2023 10:52

That's brilliant @ValBiro ! He might try the alcohol free beer (and has briefly in the past) but this is a longstanding issue (mild-moderate AUD rather than is daily drinker is a more accurate description perhaps) and I know from experience even suggesting it will be unhelpful, for both of us. It is a decision he needs to make for himself.

I've stopped drinking many times before (usually for up to 3 months and usually because I'm on a strict diet) but soon revert back to multiple glasses of wine/day ,and that has the bit that has to stop. I know that in a few days I will be used to not drinking in the evening (to some extent at least) and then I will start to tolerate being around DH's drinking less. At some point he will probably announce he is going to drink less in some way...and I need to respond in a different way. Right now I need to deal with what I do with the evenings and continue to develop healthier habits/get on with what I say I want to do!

I didn't drink last night - it probably looked like I did though as I had a gin glass with AF spirit and tonic in, then another one with just tonic (honestly not sure I can tell when there is AF spirt in there and it is so expensive, so don't think I will buy that again). Then I just has squash and a cup of tea. I didn't say a word about it. In fact I've decided not to say a word about doing dry January or alcohol free 23 to anyone at all outside here.

I've been wondering about this. What to say? I think I might just say I'm doing an alcohol free 23.

Original poster
DancingSober · 01/01/2023 11:50

I have told DH and will tell anyone if we meet up and drinking is sort of expected. Otherwise, only if it comes up in conversation.

I don't get out much 🤣, so it shouldn't be a bit deal. But if anyone suggests going drinking, I will tell them I'm doing one year booze free.

I mainly drink with DH so he was the person I needed to tell. He's supportive and knows it's a good idea. He doesn't drink a lot, but he does like a glass of red (thankfully, I don't like red), or a beer some evenings. Neither of us drank between the 27th and last night when he had two beers. I stuck to the cordials.

OP posts:
earlyraisin · 01/01/2023 11:54

Happy New Year! This is my long term vision, please can I join?

Original poster
DancingSober · 01/01/2023 11:55

Absolutely @earlyraisin, you're very welcome

OP posts:
Metalhead · 01/01/2023 12:16

I’ve woken up with a headache this morning despite not drinking last night - no fair! 😫