It's day 1! Anyone else?

[Thepeppapigfanclub]

I'm 45. I've been drinking a bottle/bottle and a half a night for as long as I can remember with the odd dry January/ Stoptober along the way - but I always end up back on the wine again.

I'm a parent to a 13 year old and the shame that comes with this is crippling. It's not good and I know I HAVE GOT to stop. I am sick of the self-loathing, the fear, the anxiety and the money down the drain. Most of all, I'm worried about shuffling of this mortal coil leaving my child before I should.

So it's day one (again) for me. I just wondered if anybody else has picked this as their day one too for some support.

Any tips for the first week?

Many thanks - there's some seriously inspirational people on here reading some of the other threads - I'm in awe of all of those who've made it to six months, a year and beyond. It feels beyond my grasp.

I’m joining @Thepeppapigfanclub ! I need a reset. Had enough of feeling rough in the morning and bloated. I’d like to do the rest of this year AF. That feels massively ambitious right now but I’ll take each day at a time. I normally only drink fri/sat but recently that has crept up to become thurs-sunday. Before I know it I’ll be up to everyday and I already feel like shit.
Day 1.

Ah MamaGhina - I've got some company! Great. I've been drinking every night so I know what to expect for the next few days - withdrawal. I'm up for this target with you although you're right - it does seem ambitious. One day at a time?

Hello! First of all well done for taking this important step. It can seem like such a monumental decision in itself, but you've made it and you can feel proud and empowered that you have.

I recently quit alcohol. My original plan was to not drink for a month, but I'm now on day 18 and I'm so pleased with how I am doing, I don't want to go back, and I'm now embracing the sober life. The first week wasn't easy. Sleep was a challenge and the cravings were tough. But stick with it! Each day gets a bit easier, and I'm finding even though it takes longer to fall asleep, I sleep better and need less. Each morning I wake up, so accustomed to that drinking guilt it feels amazing when I remember I don't need to! I generally feel so much more relaxed, happier and I look healthier too!

Main tips are with cravings, remove all booze and snacks you associate with booze. Get yourself in some lovely teas for later in the evening, and maybe something fizzy and tasty for the start. I love Mother Root ginger with some soda water and ice. I actually crave that now!!! And look after yourself, get some lovely bath products, I've started having a magnesium and lavender bath each night before bed.

I also really recommend the I Am Sober app. You take a daily pledge and it shows you how much you are saving £££ and how long you have been sober. You also get badges and motivation too.

This isn't beyond your grasp I promise! You can absolutely do this!

Thank you so much @charliebelle for your tips and big congratulations for getting so far.

I'm just a bit worried that I'll have some severe withdrawal symptoms. I know from previous experience for the sleep to be a bit dodgy for a while - that I can cope with... I just hope it's not worse.

Good idea to have a nice bath and nice soft drinks.

It was kind of you to reply. Thank you. Glad you are feeling better!

Congratulations on taking the first step. I just wanted to let you know that if you really put your mind to it, you CAN do it.

I've not had an alcoholic drink now for just shy of six years. Before that, I was a full blown, bells and whistles addict - drinking over 100 units of neat vodka per week. I'd got so bad, I wasn't even using a glass, just necking it out of the bottle and I had dozens of bottles hidden all over the house.

Stopping was hard - I went cold turkey, which in hindsight, given how much I was drinking per day, was not a good idea and it's amazing I didn't suffer seizures but I'd reached a huge crossroads in my life. Everything had finally caught up with me and I had a stark decision to make... carry on drinking or lose everything that I held dear. My job, my family, my home, my financial security and my entire future. Answer was, total no brainer.

I went through hell for a few days. If you drink a lot, you'll find that stopping causes some unpleasant short-term withdrawal symptoms, such as itching, restlessness, not being able to sleep, diarrohea, feeling or being sick and general aches and pains. When you finally get the poison out of your system, however, you need to be ready for the mental cravings, which are, in a way, worse. Six years down the line and I STILL swerve social events where I know people will be getting plastered, as I can't cope with it and I doubt now that I ever will be able to.

But - on the plus side... my life is 100% richer than it was before. I look fresh, my eyes are bright and my skin not grey and puffy from drinking till the early hours of the morning every night. My lust for life has come back, I am finally happy in my skin and truly now living my best life after being a drunk for 25 years and wasting the best ones as a result.

Alcohol is toxic if it gets you around the throat and it did me. I couldn't go more than a few hours without a drink and some days I was never entirely sober. I think you've done a great thing, OP, in taking the first steps to getting that shite out of your life. It will be hard, of course it will, but if I had to give you one piece of advice to stay on the straight and narrow, it would be keep yourself as busy as possible. Being idle will just allow your brain to wander in the direction of having a drink and if that thought gets into your head, you'll struggle to get it out. Keep active, take up a couple of new hobbies. Drinking J20 helped me - dunno why, but it did - and I bought gallons of it from Tesco in the early days. Drank it straight out of the bottles as well, so maybe it was my way of trying to trick my mind into thinking it was vodka!

Freeing yourself from any addiction is tough. But honestly, if you want it enough, you CAN do it.

Good luck to you. xx

Day 1 here too. I've taken a sick day today as I feel so awful.

@MrOnions - Thank you ever so much for your thoughtful response. What you have achieved is absolutely INCREDIBLE. It's going to be tough getting through the first six days -let alone months so the thought of getting through six years does seem somewhat beyond my grasp at this point in time.

It's time for me to face facts though. Like you - if I don't stop, I'm going to ruin everything - including my relationship with my child - who frankly deserves a lot better.

The support is really very much appreciated because I am deeply, deeply ashamed of this flaw which has dragged me down my whole adult life.

I'm ging to take myself to AA on Saturday and stop kidding myself that I can moderate.

Here's a cup of AF beer/ herbal tea for us @catin8oots and anyone else on day 1!

Congratulations! I’m nearly 8 months in and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever taken. I feel so much better and love waking up fresh every morning without that horrible hangxity feeling. I would suggest some quit lit - it really helped me. My favourites are Alcohol explained, The sober diaries and The unexpected joy of being sober.

Thank you for the recommendations @RubyMurry22 and congratulations on the eight months. I'm glad you're feeling better. That is inspiring. I'll be feeling better if I can get through the next 8 hours. Ha! The witching hour is here.

I actually found Alcohol Explained mind blowing - I had never understood exactly how alcohol works before and it’s out me right off!

Stay strong @Thepeppapigfanclub. I just made myself a huge mug of tea.

@MamaGhina I'm in bed. You've inspired me to make a brew. So far, so good? Cheers!

Three more hours to internet faff, one night of terrible sleep and then hopefully I will wake up, even if shattered with at least a tiny shred of self-respect.

Yeah sleep may be a bit unpredictable for a while but these things take time. Massive well done for getting through those cravings. One day at a time.

I've really, really appreciated the support. Thank you so much.

Well done on taking the first step. I'm on day 127 and use a really simple free app called Days Since to track it. I find it kind of encouraging. One day I just decided... and that was it (note: I've tried and failed a few times before; I always slide back and know now that moderation won't work for me).
I found reading quit lit type things super useful to get through the first month. They just kept my motivation going. I preferred the memoir ones (like The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, in particular) and was less keen on the alcohol-is-a-vile-poison type (Annie Grace, Allan Carr).
For me the most important thing was recognising my triggers and replacing the habit. In particular, it was the glass of wine as the dividing line between the work day and the evening. So I created new drinking habits around that. I still divide work-time and my-time with a drink around 6.00... but I have "treat" style drinks that are alcohol free. They still get a nice glass, a sprig of mint, ice, or whatever, and I really enjoy it. I keep sparkling water, Gimber (ginger concentrate), and AF beer in the fridge plus Seedlip and tonic, so I've always got something to look forward to.
I also found journalling really important. It kept me accountable. The first 100 days is a milestone for us all, and Sober Starts Today (a 100 day sober journal) was great for keeping me on track. I've just finished that process. It's a fun, creative book with lots of nice things like mocktail recipes and health encouragement along the way. It just helps you check in with yourself everyday.
The first few days are the worst, especially if you're used to using wine to fall asleep. The not-sleeping is awful. But I've stuck with it and over the last 127 days, I've managed to: 1. Lead a work residential course (notoriously boozy), 2. Survive a real family s*t show (that would have definitely had me deep in a bottle in the past), 3. Go on holiday and enjoy lots of lovely meals (without being tempted, even though my partner was drinking), 4. Be part of social activities where there was plenty of wine happening.
I've got through it all without wavering. I feel fantastic and you will too.

I agree with previous posters about “quit lit” books. Annie Grace, 30 day experiment is great too. It’s a short chapter per day (sometimes a couple of pages) and she was a really heavy drinker before quitting.
I’m approaching 100 days without drinking because I was sick of the hangovers and taking longer and longer to recover after a night drinking.
I also have found podcasts such as Sober Dave and Sober Sassy mum really helpful too! Good luck everyone ❤️

I had a heavy week last week at a three day hooley in Ireland with family and friends. Followed by another party when I got home.

I did a wonderful hypnosis session tonight which left me feeling clean and not even the slightest urge to drink.
I recommend Michael Sealy or the paid for ones by Clear Minds. It was more delicious than wine. Day one of a week. I'll keep going if I want to but a week is my aim for now.

I’m on Day 2! I think I have read every single bit of quit lit under the sun in the last two months (there is some genuinely amazing stuff out there and I so want to be on the writer’s end of the telescope). I keep getting to Day 4 which is usually one of my office days and I just cannot manage the get home and not drink thing. It’s like a ridiculous burst of energy that I am trying to subdue (but I don’t know why). I am nearly 45 and I am so so conscious of just keeling over one day. I thought I might stick better if I joined a thread!

Listen to Over the Influence podcast from the start. It's so great & enjoyable, really helped me significantly cut down.

Thank you again for all the advice. @TimesaChangeling I can't remember day 4 because it's been a while since I had another crack at this - but I have had a history of going back to it once I start feeling better. Madness.

@Oliveandbay Thank you for the podcast suggestion. I'll give that a go.

That was one absolutely terrible nights sleep, as predicted - but I'm relieved the dreaded day one is done and thankful it wasn't worse.

Well done. Keep at it

Welcome @TimesaChangeling!
Well done on getting through the night @Thepeppapigfanclub. I drank Sunday evening so I knew my sleep yesterday would be crap (and it was).
I know what you mean about going back to it. For 2 years in a row now I’ve done dry Jan and felt incredible…. And then drank again in February. Then I quickly fall back into bad habits and before I know it dry Jan is a distant memory.

@MamaGhina Your help yesterday was appreciated. This is the story of my life! I do Dry January, declare myself cured and back on the wheel I go.

If I can make it until Christmas, there is hope, but I'm going to take the 'one day at a time' approach otherwise it seems a bit too daunting.

Well done! Keep going!

Hi OP

Just wanted to wish you luck and success in your alcohol free journey! Keep going, it is worth it.

I last drank 8 months ago. I drank pretty much same levels to you and also have a 13yr DS. I thought it was going to kill me in the end and didn't think I could ever get out of the cycle.

It really has changed my life, quitting alcohol. I feel and look so much better, my mental health is so much improved. I've lost 4 stone because I now have the time and energy to exercise and prepare healthy food, I don't crave stodge all the time.
(Although the first month I just ate and relaxed all I wanted to to get through it!).

I used to crave a drink when stressed and overwhelmed. I don't crave it at all now. And I'm less stressed anyway because somehow life is easier to cope with sober!

Also, I follow a few sober Instagram accounts for inspiration.

Good luck and keep going