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.

Afternoon all.

Home again and managed to resist all temptation.

As for excuses.... I am not sure what i use. I often use that i am designated driver - or that I have to take the Dcs somewhere 'later'. But I have a tricky situation coming up on Thursday which I need to think about. Hmm... actually I have a holiday booked for November so could say that I am trying to lose some weight before that, if pressed (I will be pressed hard on Thursday- it's complicated).

I am loving the Try Dry app though!

Hope everyone is fine and having a great day.

Just came the closest I have been to cracking, if there had been white wine chilling in the fridge I would be back to day 1 tomorrow.

I think it was being back in the old routine, work and school and Friday evening doing dinner. I was so incredibly tempted. Instead I got a wine glass, filled it with squash, lemonade and a tonne of ice. It’s quite refreshing and I think the moment of weakness has passed.

It’s so frustrating because I’ve had a great day. I slept well last night, I’ve been super productive and feeling really at peace. There’s no reason at all to drink alcohol. I’m not even out with friends. I’m sat at home with the kids. I guess this is why I really need to keep going because it is the drinking at home that is the problem.

@Mummykins54 I’ve been thinking about you this week. How have you been?

@MamaGhina me too - the cravings are strong.

I'm in such a foul mood. It's Friday night and I'm stuck at home with nothing to do. Usually I'd plough through a bottle of white. I've already had two alcohol free beers. I'm really pissed off about being bored and about not drinking wine.

I won't drink, but I'm not happy about this evening.

Is this normal?

Good evening all!

I hope so @ReadySalty because that is exactly where I am. This is going to take time to adjust to isn't it? It's hard.

@MamaGhina. You have come so far - bloody well done for not giving in. You'll be glad in the morning!

Do you think we've programmed ourselves so see wine as something deserved for getting through the week on a Friday? (To be fair, I was rewarding myself for getting through the day - but Fridays... much harder.)

Maybe it is something about being in the old routine - I'm definitely feeling a gap tonight too and no -I don't want a bath, or to paint my nails. 😂Not sure how to fill the void apart from plod on until it's normal, or until tomorrow when it's another day.

We can do this - even if it does have it's tough times.

Can I join in please, im feeling much like everyone on this thread, I have a very stressful job that takes me up and down the country. I was on a work do on Saturday and I am so ashamed that I've binged every night on a bottle of wine. Can I ask how much you all drank before?

Welcome @Accountsdept ! You'd be most welcome to join. Are you going for moderation or totally alcohol free?

I was drinking a bottle and a half most nights. Nearer two at the weekends. 😪It was progressing over time and it was/is scaring me. The amount only seems to go up over time. I'm aiming for alcohol free but you won't find any judgement here because we all know how the story goes to a certain extent.

Lots of luck and best wishes with it. Come and report here for some accountability if it helps and we will help you however we can - although we are new to it too.

Hi @Accountsdept. I'm only a week in. I was drinking anything between .5 to 1.5 bottles of wine at least 5 nights each week. I was making me very tired and unmotivated. Luckily my DH feels the same so we are doing it together.

We have a friends dog staying with us for a few days so we have just taken both dogs out for a nice evening walk. I now plan to have a cup of tea and watch the last two episodes of a Netflix series.

Thank you both, I probably either drink a bottle of wine a night or maybe a quarter of a bottle or vodka and a bit more. I've really scared myself reading things about liver disease and how I should taper. I'm not sure I should just quit or what! On top of that I have 4 kids and a grandchild of 5 and another pregnant and I'm only 44, they all dump they're shit on me

I’m glad now I didn’t drink. Obviously. She says hesitantly.
No, I am, I just wish I could be one of those people who had a glass of wine, enjoyed it, felt a bit warm and fuzzy and then stopped because that was enough. I’ve never, ever, been able to do that. I don’t want to be a binge drinker. The one who doesn’t know when to stop. It’s never enough.

@Accountsdept like many on this thread I have a long history with alcohol. I could write a book on it. My recent pattern was drinking on Sat/Sun a bottle of wine. Then that wasn’t enough so adding a gin or two. Or a bottle of cider. Then the odd Thursday. Or a Sunday if it was a bank holiday. Or maybe a Wednesday if out with friends. You get the picture. I wasn’t an every night drinker but it was quickly going that way. I’d had enough (again) and joined this thread. Today is day 19 and the craving is still there.

Well done on a week @ApolloandDaphne. That's great news - well done! I'm glad you're doing well!

I'm glad you're glad @MamaGhina. It is hard but you've got through it. I'm just trying to think that if I give in now then it's back around this mental loop again. Apparently you see big changes if you get to 100 days and tomorrow will be 20 for us. That's not a bad start!

I can't give out advice @Accountsdept but would it be worth talking to your GP if you are worried?

@Thepeppapigfanclub

I definitely saw/see it as a treat (even though i know it makes me feel dreadful in every way).
And now I'm not drinking i notice that it's everywhere!

I'm not going to speak to my gp because he is a family friend, im pretty sure I can kick it on my own. Thank you for your replies, not sure how to tag people on my phone.

@ReadySalty I wonder if that changes if and when you get to a 100 days?

Just about to crack open a no alcohol beer. A Friday night is a major achievement for me. Especially with a steak! Day 5 for me.

Welcome @Accountsdept - no judgement here. I was putting away (at least) a couple of large wines per night, most nights.

@Thepeppapigfanclub I've got friends who say that they don't even think about anymore. They have full and admirable lives without alcohol.

I'm going to have to change more than JUSY the alcohol if this is to stick. The alcohol was a medication for other problems (a lovely marriage,difficult parents, life regrets) so I need to address these now. I have no idea how to.

For me a bottle a day was normal and more at the weekends.

I drink as a self medicating thing ; to deal with social anxiety; to alleviate boredom; to try and wind down with a very stressful job; to make me forget my worries etc. Like @ReadySalty I am not sure how to deal with many of those things naked and unafraid I guess. One day at a time. One emotion at a time.

Day 2 for me done after my earlier blip. I'd like to stop now for good. I took a photo of myself yesterday- it's a good one for me sitting in the sun with makeup on and hair okay. I plan to take a photo every few weeks or so to see if I can see a difference via that even if i can't see it in the mirror.

to everyone on the thread or lurking.

I'm just trying to think that if I give in now then it's back around this mental loop again
@Thepeppapigfanclub This is my top motivation right now. It should probably be something less selfish, like not drinking because of the DC or because it fucks up your liver or because it makes you me a bit of an arse but right now my top reason for not drinking is so I don’t have to repeat the last 20 days again.

I've decided I'm going to do 100 days if it kills me because carrying on like I have been most of my adult life just isn't an option.

I dread to think of the emotions it's going to bring up but this has to be done - because for me, time is running out. If I don't do it now - when will I ever do it, and there's only one way forward.

This really is hard. How great would it be though if we all made it to the other side? We all deserve a lovely Saturday after getting though a tricky Friday night.

Agree...💐for everyone.

Loving your determination right now!

agree with @MamaGhina .

Looking forward to checking in tomorrow to see how everybody is.

Hugs to all.

❤

Bleugh I am with you all! Nasty day today and Monday is going to be a horror whichever way I cut it. I did a gym session and a bit of yoga instead and am through it but I can already see Monday being so tough.

It’s definitely a stress response with me and it’s only been okay recently because it’s been relatively quiet. But watching none of you cave is great! And now I am feeling a bit better about it. Plus I have to be up early so the the dogs can go out without melting so right decision all round.

How times have changed. I am having an Ovaltine light! 😂

I’m on day 35, I drank on four of those days.
One of my favourite times of day now, is going to bed sober. The routines etc etc, whereas before I didn’t really remember it🤦‍♀️.
Tonight I let the dog out, and met two hedgehogs in the garden, what a treat!
This led me to topping up their water dishes. I went happily to bed thinking what a lovely thing to see.
They were making a racket. I googled it, “huffing” when two meet. Sounded like a steam train.

Oh now how cool is that! I hope it sends you off to bed happy and full of the joys of being there to see it 🦔

Well as you can see from the hour - my sleep is still knackered 😂but...

Well done everyone for not cracking last night! 👏👏👏

I hope you all have a great day and hope you're all planning on treating yourself to something nice as a reward. It's amazing to think that some people that I've never met on the internet are helping me deal with the thing about myself that I am the most ashamed of...

I think your all brilliant. Have a great day - hope it's easier than yesterday!