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Alcohol support

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Original poster

Day 1

33 replies

Itsenoughnow · 05/05/2023 02:37

Hey lovely mumsnetters so it’s pretty early in the morning and I can’t get to sleep, you see I made a decision tonight that I’m done with alcohol. I lost my dearest cousin nearly 3 years ago now she would have been 40 this year, I can’t do this to myself anymore, I have been so frightened by it but I have to just stop, I feel a relief that I’ve made the choice, it can be so lonely , so sending love to anyone else who has struggled too we can do this xxxx

OP posts:
octoberfarm · 05/05/2023 03:37

Didn't want to read and run, but just wanted to say a huge well done for taking that first step and finding the courage to start your journey. Sending you a handhold, you can do this! Flowers

Original poster
Itsenoughnow · 05/05/2023 10:08

Thanks so much for responding I feel better already for making a choice to be sober

OP posts:
mindutopia · 05/05/2023 10:15

Well done, it's daunting at first, but I'm very happy with my decision, though still early days. I would really recommend finding a support network. Have a look at Bee Sober. They offer awesome peer support and you can become a member (£14.99 a month - I used to spend that a day on alcohol!) you can also all their group support sessions and members Facebook page and they have lots of AF events, etc. I've found it's been absolutely essential. I signed up on Day 1 and haven't looked back.

Original poster
Itsenoughnow · 05/05/2023 13:25

Thanks so much I will definitely look at that thanks for the support !

OP posts:
UltraWarrior · 07/05/2023 08:59

Hi @Itsenoughnow would you like some company?
I‘ve joined so many of these threads over the years with some success. I do dry Jan every year and always feel better for it but I just can’t stick to it.
Yesterday I had two glasses of wine at lunch. I had a cider at home and then a bottle of red in the evening. I don’t even feel hungover this morning.
What I do feel is tired. Physically and mentally. It really is enough now.
So I’m going for it (again). Day 1.

Sudokufail · 07/05/2023 09:07

Good luck, OP Flowers

Original poster
Itsenoughnow · 07/05/2023 09:25

Hey Ultrawarrior I would love some company ! I’m now on day 3 and I feel so much better already, more energy just generally brighter and happier. In your post you mentioned having had a cider. Just to say DH and I had a rare date night last night and I had fun working my way through the no alcohol drinks menu there was a strawberry and lime cider - it was delicious, just know that you can do this and it doesn’t need to be boring either ! The best bit is that you are in control and you are not alone sending support xx

OP posts:
UltraWarrior · 07/05/2023 11:08

Thanks for the recommendation! I do like that alcohol free cider.
Well done on Day 3. I’m just going to take it one day at a time x

RightyThen · 08/05/2023 09:47

@Itsenoughnow @UltraWarrior can i please join you both. I’ve tried and failed many times before but I need to stop drinking now I’m bigger than I’ve ever been, mental health is in bits and I cannot afford the habit any longer.
so today is the day :)
any reading recommendations from anyone please I’ve tried Allen care easy way but it didn’t click for me sadly

UltraWarrior · 08/05/2023 19:11

Hi @RightyThen! Welcome Smile
I’m about to order ‘alcohol explained’ as it gets good reviews on these pages.

Original poster
Itsenoughnow · 08/05/2023 20:36

Hey Rightythen welcome aboard ! Like you I’m struggling with weight issues and I have always had to manage my mental health, I think it’s so easy to self medicate and I’ve been doing that for years, I’m now on day 4 and I feel a lot better in myself, my face looks less puffy and I find I’m actually getting stuff done as I think I used to just sit and drink after the children had gone to bed, it’s early days but I’m so chuffed I’ve made a start, sending positive thoughts xx

OP posts:
Bringonthesunforthewashing · 08/05/2023 20:39

.

Original poster
Itsenoughnow · 09/05/2023 05:41

Bringonthesunforthewashing hope you are ok sending support 😀

OP posts:
NCgoingdry · 09/05/2023 06:20

Hi @Itsenoughnow I was going to start my own thread even if it was just to ramble to myself but if it's ok with you I'll join?

I did dry January this year with the help of a thread on here and I lasted three weeks before falling off the wagon. Those three weeks were the best I've ever felt so I don't know why I went back.

But - I'm the heaviest I've ever been, I'm tired, my face and fingers and bloated and I'm spending £7 a day on a bottle of wine. Then at the weekends it's my usual bottle plus a few shorts and I'm waking up I feel like I smell of alcohol and an anxious mess. Plus I look like shit.

I can't live like this - another year of this crap and I'll be a full blown alcoholic.

I started in lockdown like this and the habit never went away. I use drinking as a reward for a good day, comfort after a bad day, to celebrate, to treat myself, to wind down, to mark the end of the day.

Today is day 1. I know I'll feel lost this evening but will need to distract myself somehow.

Let's get back to "us" and not let it control us!

UltraWarrior · 09/05/2023 06:48

Hi @NCgoingdry and welcome. We may have been on the same dry Jan thread. I lasted until Valentine’s Day. Those 6 weeks I felt like a different person. My intake has slowly crept back up until I’m basically back where I started.
I had such an awful night’s sleep. Couldn’t nod off and worrying about anything and everything. Sleep is one of my biggest motivators to stop drinking because the quality and quantity is so shocking when I’m drinking, not just that night but for a couple of nights after too (until I most likely drink again).
I’m also struggling between 7 and 8 in the evening so I’m trying to sit down to watch tv a little later than normal or doing things like my nails to keep my hands and mind distracted.

RightyThen · 09/05/2023 12:19

Keeping my hands busy is what I will struggle with too I did try mindful colouring previously I might try that again. I’m still trying to do day 1 let myself down last night but going to listen to a podcast shortly and hopefully start again x

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 09/05/2023 12:48

Hi there I'm on day 149 after doing 7 months last year and starting again. I feel great! Just wanted to come on and cheer you all on! X

Original poster
Itsenoughnow · 09/05/2023 18:05

Hey everyone I think it’s great that more people have come on board and I think if things slip, you have to just keep trying, I saw a quote once and it was ‘this thing called failure is not the falling down but the staying down’ we can choose to get up and start again. I’m having the odd wave of a craving at times, for example I’ve just had a really stressful day at work and the old me would be running to the shop to get wine, instead I’m going to hug my children and take a bath and look forward to a cold drink instead. I know that when I get up tomorrow my mind and body will thank me for not having alcohol. Sending a hand squeeze to those finding it tough today 😀

OP posts:
TryingThisAgainAgain · 09/05/2023 18:11

Itsenoughnow · 09/05/2023 18:05

Hey everyone I think it’s great that more people have come on board and I think if things slip, you have to just keep trying, I saw a quote once and it was ‘this thing called failure is not the falling down but the staying down’ we can choose to get up and start again. I’m having the odd wave of a craving at times, for example I’ve just had a really stressful day at work and the old me would be running to the shop to get wine, instead I’m going to hug my children and take a bath and look forward to a cold drink instead. I know that when I get up tomorrow my mind and body will thank me for not having alcohol. Sending a hand squeeze to those finding it tough today 😀

Day 1 here! Hope I can kick it again as I am under a lot of stress and using alcohol to cope just does not help at all!

Original poster
Itsenoughnow · 09/05/2023 18:23

You know it really doesn’t help, clever people in marketing for alcohol companies would have you think it does, also other people collude with each other to justify their own issues/ addiction but you can choose to be in the driving seat of your life and not let the bottle dictate, stay strong sending hugs

OP posts:
NCgoingdry · 10/05/2023 05:20

@UltraWarrior @Itsenoughnow thanks for the welcome.

I've just woken up and I'm so relieved not to feel shame and nausea.

It was a close call last night after the days events at work, opening the wine would be my signal but I stayed firm.

I did feel a bit agitated and I struggled to drift off. But I did it.

Day 1 under my belt.

How are you all feeling?

Original poster
Itsenoughnow · 10/05/2023 06:22

Hey NC going dry well done on staying firm it’s definitely worth it, I’m doing good thanks I’m up and am getting the kids brekkie sorted without feeling like I’m in a fog, Now that you have day 1 under your belt that proves you can do it but I would still say take it a day at a time sending hugs 🤗

OP posts:
UltraWarrior · 10/05/2023 07:02

Definitely a day at a time.
Last night I went for a walk to distract myself. It worked and also helped with the sleep I think, which was slightly better than the night before.
I’m not out of the fog yet. Still feeling a bit down, a bit anxious etc. hoping that will pass with time.
Have a good day all 😀

UltraWarrior · 11/05/2023 07:02

Welcome @NCgoingdry.
How is everyone? I’ve decided to rearrange a meal out this weekend. I started to tell myself that it would be fine to drink on just that one night but I know deep down I actually don’t want to.
I’ve been thinking about a realistic goal. I did 6 weeks at the start of the year and I’d like to at least match that. For now, thinking about ‘forever’ feels unachievable.
I’m still taking it one day at a time but I’m feeling positive about this weekend.
Have decided to try and get out in the evening for a walk or exercise class or quick trip to the shops. I just need to avoid sitting on the sofa for hours.

UltraWarrior · 13/05/2023 11:06

How is everyone doing?
I had some wine last night. So annoying! I just can’t give it up altogether. I may have to leave the thread rather then bring everyone down.
Hope everyone else is doing well.