Alcohol free in 23

[DancingSober]

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.

Great thread and hoping to join! Pregnant so currently in sobriety anyway (until end of March) but under increasing pressure from friends and family to drink once baby is here! For me, I can’t handle a hangover anymore. My mum was an alcoholic (fortunately now recovered) and since having my DS I’m very aware what a slippery slope a few glasses of wine a night can be and I don’t want my kids to experience growing up with parent who can’t handle their drink. For years I’ve tried to moderate my drinking without giving it up all together but I’m a typical binge drinker and I’ll go mad after two or three drinks as they zap my willpower. Ready give it up completely now and so glad there are others doing the same thing on this thread.

Oh @Metalhead - how incredibly frustrating!! How is your stomach now?

Another bad nights sleep for me. Staying up later and swapping the ipad for the kindle didn't work. I've just found my copy of 'I can make you Sleep' by Paul McKenna in the cupboard, which worked for me years ago so that is the plan tonight...right now I'm going to have a nap I think - probably not a good idea but I'm good for nothing else.

Hi all- just checking in.

@Coppergate im feeling better tonight, thank you. Hoping for a good nights sleep!

I got into a relationship with someone who worked in clubs and I guess it was that change to my lifestyle of being out on late nights that tempted me to join in again. I didn’t do that straightaway but fell back into it after a couple of months. Massively regret it as I feel the effects of alcohol the next day after only a couple of drinks.

I'm in for this. Have been thinking of it for a while as I just don't drink much any more and don't enjoy it when I do. More than happy to be the designated driver.

Have signed up for a marathon in May so that's my "excuse" until then.

I know it's only been three days but I've got so much alcohol here in the house and I have just packed it all away in the cupboard of doom. I call it that because everything that goes into there gets forgotten about!

I am really looking forward to seeing the changes over the course of the year. I have been deeling so tired and bloated. Today we went out for pizza and I really enjoyed my alcohol-free beer and then switched to water. Hoping for a good night sleep though.

Hope everyone has a good evening.

I am so tired all the time. All I talk about is sleep from about 6pm onwards 😂. The upside is that I am getting some sleep but it never seems enough. Bit worried about going to work tomorrow as I'll be a bit of a zombie at this rate, but fingers crossed it'll be ok.

Welcome @SingingSands and well done packing away all the booze @Draculaalaa.

Yes I'm really looking forward to seeing some positive changes too snow.

Hope everyone has a lovely evening and gets a good night's sleep tonight

I would like to join in please.

I am late fifties and mostly drink at home, alone Usually 2 or 3 glasses of wine and then about 3 vodkas. Way too much and every night. I also drink heavily if out with my friends who are mostly Big Drinkers. I am actually terrified of losing my main friendship group, but alcohol is ruining my body and my mind.

I have the Dry January app, and all the quit lit as I have been down this road so many times before. I just always convince myself I will be able to moderate, but I know I can't.

Day 3 here. Hardly slept at all so feeling pretty shitty, but I know that will even out in a few more days and I will be waking up full of energy.

I don't bother with AF drinks, just caffeine free Diet coke, tea, or water.

Posting here to stay accountable. Good luck everyone.

Welcome @rothbury

Thanks for the welcome - day 3 under my belt.

We've taken the Christmas tree down today and packed all signs of Christmas away. Tomorrow, when I've done some work, I'm emptying a cupboard of DVDs for charity and this will become my cupboard of doom - i too have a significant amount of alcohol in the house and I can't throw it away, a lot of it was bought for my birthday on Christmas day - but my plan is to put it away and forget about it.

Today has been easy, I didn't sleep at all last night and I'm tired. I've gone past the usual time for opening wine and tomorrow and Thursday are in the bag as I work some evenings and have to drive home.

Looking towards the weekend is where I'm a bit concerned so I need to do something different.
Considering suggesting a road trip to DH, that way we share the driving and I'm not at all tempted to drink if I'm driving anywhere.

Can I join please?

Last drink was about 12.30am NYE/NYD. Knew I was going to do dry January so think it made me drink a ridiculous amount. Woke up in the early hours with horrendous anxiety. Got to the point I couldn't even speak. Fortunately in a safe environment but I started the new year in bed all day and hardly saw my family.

This. Is. Enough.

I don't go out socialising much but do enjoy a drink at home. Usually triggered by stress or needing to relax.

I know I'll be fine until the end of January. I have a weekend away at the beginning of February so think that will be my first real test.

I honestly don't know why I go back to drinking after a break. I sleep better, I'm so much more motivated and less irritable.

I have 21lbs I need to lose and I know the only way this is possible is it stop.

I tried AF options when pregnant and didn't enjoy them. I only drink a few alcohol drinks I actually like so don't think replacements will help.

I can do this.

Yes, you're very welcome @onelife22

Hello all, just checking in.

All going alright so far, haven't even given wine a thought until coming on this thread so all good.

I am having some serious withdrawal though. As a HCP I am confident it is Infact sugar withdrawal instead of alcohol. I'm usually on a sugar free diet as much as possible (other than the alcohol which was ironic I know) but then December comes and I go silly.

I am already feeling that I have more mental energy if that makes sense. I'm finding some things which were only silly limit E things but that would bug me normally, aren't so much. For example, it's pissing it down and windy and I needed to take the bins and recycling out to the wheelie bin. Normally I would moan and fester on the idea of being wet and manky bins but today I just thought let's be productive and get on with it. It sounds really petty I know!

So far I'm actually enjoying all aspects of being AF. First day of seeing a change in n

Good morning all!

I slept fairly well- but woke up at 5.30. Now sitting quietly with a cup of coffee while everyone else in the family still sleeps (still school holidays here).

It's around about now (Day 4) when i start getting that itchy feeling... 'See, you have proven you can stop- one will not hurt'. I plan to work through it today by staying hydrated, and distracting msyelf. I also started a running total of how much money I have saved by not drinking. So last night I had an AF beer instead of 2 glasses of wine and that saved me £15.00. I have saved £29.00 already! (It might be triggering for some but i like looking at the wine lists and going 'Lord, how expensive! I have just saved ... whatever...] ). I DON'T like to think of how much i have wasted over the years however......

I hope everyone has a lovely day. Thank you so much for the thread.

Morning all. Day 5 here and I'm starting to feel a bit sharper. I'm extraordinarily tired and could probably sleep for 12 hours a day but I know that will pass - the dark mornings don't help.

@hashbrownsandwich - you're right, everything is easier when sober - even manky bins 😄

@SnowAndIceLobelia tracking money is great - have you seen the 'I am Sober' app? It will keep a running total for you if that floats your boat.

I am day 8 and exhausted! Why do we feel so tired when stopping? I thought it would be the other way round!

Hey @Rayn22 I know, the exhaustion is real! On previous sober streaks, I started to feel less tired around the 2 week mark - keep going!

Amazingly I believe it can take around 10 days for our hours to fully purge alcohol from our systems 😣

Sorry. Don't know what happened here. I was trying to say that my face is already looking better. Skin too. Anyone else?

I'm still going strong! I know it's only the 4th day but I usually crumble on day 3. The 6 o'clock hum of a glass of wine was fairly easy to ignore yesterday.

I don't know why but it really feels different this time. I baked a cake and settled in with White Lotus instead of turning to the bottle. I just hope I can remain this positive once school starts back and the old routine kicks in.

Sending love and best luck wishes to you all.

Morning all. Also feeling extremely exhausted here. Managed to sleep through my alarm then had a rush to get children dropped off and into work.

Looking forward to the exhaustion and bloating passing as I feel pretty terrible today.

Not tempted to drink at the moment but worrying about all the challenges to come.

Hi everyone

I'm shattered too. So tired I want a nap, but I'm back at work and it's frowned upon 😂

Hoping to feel a bit more energetic soon. I think I am less puffy now and definitely am sleeping better (just want to do it all the time). I'm on day 9

Just continuing the sleep/tired theme...

I had a nap late afternoon yesterday - it worked in rejuvenating me so I had a surprisingly productive and enjoyable evening! Surprisingly because I started off feeling tired still and the evening seemed...overwhelming? Normally I would reach for the wine to escape that but I was forced not to and it turned out great. Even listened to a webinar whilst doing some work, and enjoyed it, rather than putting it off. I had to start everything I did making myself do one small part and then rest just continued on.

I don't feel anywhere near as tired today (despite still not getting to sleep for hours again and having to get up at 6.30 am) so no temptation to nap (also can't today)...so at least I'll be following Paul McKenna's rule #3 (no naps) as well as #7 (cut out alcohol). There are 14 rules though!

1. Get up regularly half an hour earlier than your usual desired getting-up time.
2. Go to bed only when you're sleepy.
3. Don't take any naps during the day.

Naps are fine for people without sleep problems, but "if you are having disruptive sleep, naps aren't going to let you sleep so well at night."

1. At least three times a week, exercise for at least 20 minutes.
2. Finish eating at least three hours before you go to bed.
3. Don't have any caffeine after 2 p.m.

7. Cut out alcohol.

1. Switch off the TV one hour before you go to bed.
2. Do only three things in bed: sleep, make love and use the "I Can Make You Sleep" book or CD.

10. If you are lie awake in bed for more than 20 minutes, do one of the exercises in the book or get up and do something boring. 11. Keep your bedroom dark at night. 12. Have a warm, comfortable bed in a room that is not too hot. 13. Don't watch the clock. 14. Use the CD.

I'm going to tweak each day until I get there I think - I know a massive leap like trying to do all of it at once wouldn't last long or even be started.