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.

@MamaGhina You are doing so, so well. If someone was sat next to me now with a glass of wine I'd be wrestling them to the floor for it. 😂This will definitely be worth it, however hard it is now. Oh to be able to take it or leave it! I wish I could.

@bellalou1234 Hello Bellalou! Do you mean you've swapped your shifts to avoid the wine/drink? Sorry for being a bit dim- it's the brain fog! Tell us more.

@Mummykins54 How are you feeling about your session tomorrow? Friday might be good to avoid the 'Friday entitlement to drink'?

Thanks! I decided to go out for a walk when he opened it so I knew I wouldn’t be tempted. I got home and I’m sitting next to him now and I can smell it 😭 The good news is I’m passed the temptation to drink because it’s too late and I’d never normally open a bottle at 9.30. I think avoidance is a legitimate strategy. Whatever works!

I made it through today!! But then I realised tomorrow (and then the whole weekend after that because hey, it’s a bank holiday) will be v tough. I am meeting up with a close relative I only see infrequently as he lives abroad and he’s an even worse boozer than I am. So it’s going to be tricky.

Good morning! Day 4. Hopefully we'll start seeing some of the benefits soon. I had another weird night's sleep but my insides have stopped aching and I actually feel pretty good. It's going to take time for my eyes to shine again - but they don't look dead for once, so small improvements. 😂I am so glad that we are doing this. Have you noticed any changes yet?

@MamaGhina You are doing great. 2 challenges in 2 days! In some ways I'm glad I'm single. I need to get myself some non-drinking friends.

Very well done @TimesaChangeling. Is there anyway you could make it a morning meeting for coffee? Or drag out the 'I'm on medication' excuse? That des sound tricky.

Good luck for your session this evening @Mummykins54.

Yeah bank holiday weekends would normally signal a lot of booze here too. Glad I didn’t drink anything last night, I’ve woken up feeling rough. Think I have a temperature and didn’t sleep well again last night.
As I didn’t drink last night I know it’s not a hangover. Otherwise I’d just be ignoring it or blaming it on the wine and the self hate would be creeping in. As it is, I think I’ll take it easy today and see how I go.
I seem to recall this happening before though (feeling ill quite soon after having a break from alcohol). I might have a google about the side effects of stopping. You guys know I don’t drink every day but at the moment it’s unusual for me to go 4 days without anything.

@MamaGhina i always had a (self serving!) theory that alcohol was actually holding quite a lot at bay. Quite mad obviously but it might be the body readjusting and compensating in places or else you’re slightly more attuned it to it all without the booze smothering it. Hope you feel better soon.

alas @Thepeppapigfanclub a coffee meeting is not an option but I’ve just decided to go with “big work day tomorrow” which is always faintly believable. I could even just be honest and say I am having a break because I feel like shit every time I do drink (hello middle age).

I don’t think I’ve noticed much but I did observe my eye bags were at slightly less than full capacity for a change.

Good luck too this evening @Mummykins54 it is a really positive step you are taking.

I'm seriously considering telling people if questioned that I've developed an allergic reaction to alcohol that or perimenopause - could get away with that for years. 😂

@Thepeppapigfanclub @TimesaChangeling thanks never been to hynotherapy so not sure what to expect. And I am going to an AA meeting tomorrow night - my son wants a photo of me outside the building

I'll join you guys if that's ok. Day 3 for me.

I'm not going for total abstinence long term But the wine needs to be an exception going forwards. Not the rule! I want to do several weeks of tee total to get things moving.

I'm sleeping ok at night. Last night I think I even slept better. But today I'm SO TIRED!! Feel like I could have crawled into bed from about 1pm 😱

@Mummykins54 l’m not sure from your messages whether you are ok with your son being so hard on you? Have things got that bad that you have to take a photo outside of the building? Just hope you are ok. All the best for the meeting, hope it is useful.

Welcome @BrassicaBabe. I’d love to do until the end of the year to give my body a break. I don’t even know if I can manage that right now. I walked past my local on the way home and the temptation was strong. I got home and immediately out the kettle on, which feels like my signal to the house I’m drinking tea not wine. Going to head to bed early in the hope that I get a good nights sleep and feel a bit better tomorrow.

@Thepeppapigfanclub how have you been tonight?

Someone close to me is a recovering alcoholic.

They wouldn't be able to drink alcohol free beers etc as it would keep reminding their brain that it likes/wants alcohol.

Everyone is different I guess.

They also had to make very big changes in the early stages of recovery to not be in situations where they would usually drink.

That has got easier with time but those of us around them are always mindful that we need to not be insensitive.

One day at a time!

@MamaGhina no I am not really - but it is what it is. I had my first hypnotherapy session tonight and I am going to a meeting tomorrow night - cacking myself x

We've had a takeaway tonight. Just too tired and can't find the motivation to cook. BUT a takeaway without wine!!

The challenge for me will be if I have to socialise with in-laws over the BH weekend 😬😬 Drinking is a big plug for me in boring social situations

How's is going this evening @Thepeppapigfanclub?

@Mummykins54 I guess you need to do what it takes to convince him you mean it. Wishing you all the best for the meeting tomorrow. You never know, you may enjoy it.

I stopped drinking just over a year ago. I drank a bottle of wine a night, 7 nights a week and had done for several years. I'd just had enough. It was part of my every waking thought.

Weirdly, for me it's been easy. I just had enough. It made me so ill in every possible way and I was well on my way to rock bottom.

My absolute favourite thing is waking during the night and experiencing a knee jerk panic attack / hangover onset / massive anxiety and then a few seconds later realising that's not what's happening at all. I've just woken up in the night like a normal person and can happily relax until I fall back to sleep. I actually lie there delighted with myself sometimes luxuriating in just being awake in the night not wanting to kill myself because of a hangover kicking in.

You can do it op. If I can, anyone can!

@BrassicaBabe Hello and well done for day 3! Yes - it is tiring isn't it? How long are you planning on doing? Have you set a time frame?

That is very kind of you to ask @BabyIcecream . and @MamaGhina. I think the withdrawal is less intense but I haven't had any appetite. My resolve is strong - but that's because it really does have to change. I've got this week and next week off work so I've been doing a lot of dwelling on what else has to change to make sure it happens and what the implications might be...and dwelling on how this has gone on for so many years...and why previous attempts have failed etc...etc..etc... There's a lot to think about. Ha! How are you BabyIcecream?

@rowantree1997 Thank you for sharing that - that's helpful and interesting to hear. It's all this sort of thing that needs thinking about. I've failed many times before so I'm trying to evaluate why. I am coming to the conclusion that I might very much need to abandon the social activities that involve any sort of alcohol until I'm much further down the road.

MamaGhina - you are doing so, so well! I know you didn't drink every day but how are you feeling about the weekend? Apparently you don't really start seeing the big changes until you've done 100 days so up to Christmas would be a great achievement? It's daunting to think that far ahead though.

@Mummykins54 I might be wrong but it sounds like your son is worried/doubtful of your commitment - maybe when he sees that you are serious he might relax a bit. Well done on today and don't worry about tomorrow. I hope that it brings you some comfort.

Sorry - that was long. There's plenty of people telling is of all the good things to come. Just got to stick at it?

And...@KindLynx That's brilliant to hear. It's always encouraging to hear the benefits and people saying that they have no regrets. What you said resonates. I must admit I've woken up feeling nothing but relief this week when I remember I haven't had a drink.

I'm not sure my local shop keepers are going to be too pleased though when they cotton on. 😂

Please may I join? Day 1 for me and I'm loathing myself right now. I cant do this anymore, it is destroying the good in me and in my life.

Hello @ReadySalty Of course! Join the other threads too. There's lots and lots of people in the same situation. The other threads have members wit a lot more experience under their belt and they are very kind and supportive. I'm only on day 5 myself. It's going to be a challenge but we can do it!

How are you getting on tonight?

@Thepeppapigfanclub I will check them out, thank you.

I'm absolutely exhausted this evening. I'm holding out for nine and then I'm off to bed. I hope tomorrow is a better day.

I guess this could be my night 1! Failed at day but everything to play for. Am a fully grown adult hiding in my bedroom wracked with anxiety and crippled with shame and self loathing it’s horrendous. Few more shaky days ahead but we’ll get there?

@ReadySalty beat you to it 🤣 In bed with Netflix by 8.40. Got a face mask on. Skin feels horrible. And still KNACKERED.

@Orbitold no time like the present? Sorry you feel so rubbish x

A welcome to @ReadySalty and @Orbitold!

Day 5 for me too. Normally I’d be half way through a bottle of wine at this time on a Friday evening. Instead I’m on my second mug of tea.

Last night I slept a full 5 hours without waking, which is the best night of sleep so far. Really hopeful tonight will be just as good or better. I’m still shattered.

I think the skin on my face is looking slightly better. Less dull. I’ve also kept on top of my skin care routine this week. Normally I fall into bed with a face full of make up if I’ve been drinking, so that must be helping.

@Mummykins54 how did your meeting go?

Glad to see everyone's doing well. Welcome to the new ones too

Day 5 for me today and I'm holding strong. Tomorrow will be the test as I'm working away and always get drawn into stopping ok the drive home to buy a bottle of wine as a reward once I get the kids to bed

Reminding myself how great the last 4 mornings have been waking up without a slight hangover, and not waking in the night with the heavy worry of what I did the night before. I'm self employed and it was starting to affect my late night working - either getting nothing done or replying to emails after a bottle of wine which was NOT good.

I am strong. I feel great sober. There's no place for it in my life