Today is the day.

[everybodiesfree]

I've finally done it, Ive admitted to DH that I have a drink problem. To the outside world I seem normal, married, kids, job, mortgage etc, but for the last 12 months I've had a drink every single day.

It was starting to control my life, every morning I'd wake up hazy and say I'm not drinking tonight then yet by 2pm I'd be in sainsburys buying a bottle of my usual wine.

I feel anxious and snappy when there's no alcohol in the house and would make excuses to nip out and 'stop by the shop for a bottle'

My DH and DC deserve better. My face is puffy, I'm always tired, I have no motivation.

I don't want to be this person anymore and I don't want to destroy mine and those around me lives because I can't say no to a drink.

Today I'm drawing a line, no more! It's going to be hard, but DH is going to support me. We have a lot of social events over the summer..weddings/parties/holiday etc but I've got to do this.

Is anyone else on this journey? And want a buddy? Sorry for waffling, there's probably no point to this post but it's made it feel a bit more real for me to type it out and hopefully listen to some others experience!

Here we go...day 1!! X

I'd like a buddy. Today is my first day as well and my aim is to .... um.... lose the belly!

We are in Greece on holiday though so it feels like a hard task, but I am planning on keeping myself hydrated via sparkling water and lemon juice. The second I get a bit thirty i immediately seem to default to beer in this weather, so the trick I hope is to just keep myself hydrated.

Alcohol has become a habit for me. Pouring a glass of wine to mark the transition between working day and rest. Pouring a glass to mark a holiday. Pouring a glass because it's dinner time- or lunchtime while 'on holiday'.

I am 50 and not healthy. I eat really well but am 2 stone overweight- I think because I have wine then eat crisps and chocolate and ice cream.

I'm too old for this anymore.

Well done for making that decision. You absolutely can do it. This was me, 3 months ago today. The best thing I did was to find other ways to fill the time when I'd be drinking. I tried new AF drinks/teas/whatever and had something special to drink every afternoon/evening while making dinner. Some days I'd go out and do something fun instead of the usual monotony - have your dh sort dinner/house/kids and you go take a class, do an activity, see a film, whatever you would enjoy doing. Or go to bed early with a book.

Weddings/parties/holidays are actually not as big a deal as they seem at first. You may just get bored/tired earlier that you might otherwise. In which case, truly just go home and go to bed. You don't need to stay as late as everyone else - and unless you're in the wedding party, honestly no one will really notice or care that much after a certain point in the evening.

The difference it's made though is really telling. I've lost nearly a stone without trying. I enjoy different things now. Spending a lot more quality time with my dc. I'm a lot more emotionally available and present with everyone as my fuse is not nearly so short. One thing that I think really helps is if your dh will do some drink free weeks/weekends with you, unless he's planning to stop as well. I find things are much more fun now not drinking and it would be nice to share those times together, rather than one of you doing fun things and the other trying to plan the day around the pub, or when they can get home and have a drink.

I would also look for peer support beyond MN. It really helps to meet other people who are in the same place at you.

I'll join you!

I am on day 5 without having any booze.

I really need to have a good, long break. Maybe not teetotal forever, but a good break is needed.

I'm puffy, have some digestive issues, my mum had heart problems and died young and my dad and brother have Hugh blood pressure so I'm worried about all of that. I have gained weight but also have had eating disorders so can't focus too much on that or I'll go bonkers basically 🤪😂.

I'm also so tired ALL THE TIME. Used to be I'd have a glass of wine and that would perk me up or I'd have a few days off the booze and recover from lack of sleep on days I was drinking. But no matter what I do now, I'm tired. Like, falling asleep in the middle of the day type tired 😳. I do have a tiring lifestyle, with small dcs and busy ft job, but I'm only 39. I should not feel this tired all the time.

Anyway, thanks for starting the thread and good luck to you all 🍀

Good luck everyone.
I am on the same journey.
I'm on day 2 again after a couple of slip ups but I've managed 10 sober days in 2 weeks.
I am losing weight quickly due to drinking as I've not been eating properly for months.

@LosingTheBelly
Your post really resonates with me.
Every occasion wine. All the good times wine.
Now there's bad times I was drinking even more and not eating from stress.
I'm 52 and my health is bad and I often feel foggy headed and shaky after drinking.

I'm joining in! I need to stop my nightly glass of wine. I don't drink to excess but often half a bottle and even one glass makes me groggy the next day. I need more energy, I need more focus to sort out a few issues in my life and I'd like to shift some weight. I've got super fit since Xmas but the booze is stopping me from loosing fat.

How are you going since Monday?

I'm starting today 🤞🤞 I'm bloated, feel horrible from drinking wine every night, I tell myself all day I'll sit down with an orange juice but by 5 o clock I'm thinking I need a glass to relax after a mad day! I know it's only a habit! I'm 38 and have drank most nights for about 4 years so worried about the damage I may have done already! Hopefully this just makes me check in here and seeing everybody doing so well will keep me going . Hope yer all doing okay!

I'm on day 9 today and actually have alcohol in my fridge but I truly don't want it 😇

I went to yoga and then came home for a v nice dinner. I'm on the kombucha and looking forward to a good sleep

Good luck @mummy23121 I feel bloated too. I hope that goes fast. @SoberCurious2 you've reminded me about kombucha, I've added it to my shopping list today!

Remember some Kombucha's have caffeine in them as they are made with black tea. So you may want to check the label if caffeine interferes with your sleep.
I really love kombucha earlier in the day and Brooklyn alcohol free beers. They are delicious and very low in calories. They may trigger some people but I don't find they do with me.
I'm on day one. I don't really have a problem but I'm drinking three days a week and it's causing terrible digestive issues and affecting my sleep.
I've gone alcohol free before and felt amazing so want to go back to that.

Thanks @Cozytoesandtoast00. Sleeping is my super power and caffeine doesn't usually get to me too badly. Though I did have trouble dropping off last night... Not for very long and I assumed it was because I'd had a nap earlier in the day (it was my lasy day at work before holidays and I had a half day and crashed when I got home). I may get something else for this evening. Also buying more kombucha for daytime though. I keep hearing about fermented foods and how good they are for your gut, so I'm trying to get some in. I have more yoga today which I am finding really good for me mentally. I can't do the poses so well atm as I'm a bit out of shape. But I know from experience that it comes back with time.

Can I join, I’m on day 8, I’m 47 bloated already with high blood pressure which I’m sure years of drinking haven’t helped, I’m already enjoying waking up with no foggy head and being productive instead of lying on the couch feeling awful.