On A Mission To Moderate or Absolutely Abstaining? Join us for encouragement, support and non - judgemental chat CONTINUED....

[Determineddoris]

Hi all,

Can't believe the last thread has already filled up!

Thank you to all of you for the incredible support shown in the last thread especially @amdone123.

Everyone is welcome! This is a safe, non judgmental space.

Sorry about my inability to tag everyone but if others can that would be great!

Congratulations @Amdone123 !

I really thought I was going to end up drinking last night. DH and I ended up 'meeting' at the dining room table when I got in from work (full on day for both of us) contemplating the bleakness of the evening and what we could possibly do. I think I need some kind of decompression routine when I get home - there is, of course, plenty I could do. Anyway, I ended up playing the delaying game until I got to the point where I realised I was glad I didn't have a drink and wanted to continue that way. So 2 days AF.

@Amdone123 congratulations!!! As you say, another reason to stay sober and healthy.
Well done @Coppergate7 and to @Needtokickthehabit baby steps but steps in the right direction. Been there on Day 1, SO many times. Not completely AF yet, will be when I don't have to think about it.
As @Amdone123 said up thread, it's still there, always lurking in my mind. I'm working towards getting rid of it. For the moment I can only do my best and mentally register how much better I am without it.
Still got that hangxiety feeling about me. Might just be a case of anxiety for one reason or another.
Managed a good hike in the cold on Saturday and a decent swim yesterday. Weight is dropping, so am pleased about that. Sleep not that good, due to above mentioned feeling.
Rain here, but expecting snow. Stay strong you lovely bunch. Another yeah for the baby!!!😀

Day one did not go too badly. Now for work and im hoping the wine witch doesnt come calling me on the way home. There is a certain shop I go to on the way home from work which I am going to avoid and go another direction today cos it really is all about habit so a different route for me instead.

@Needtokickthehabit that sounds like a good idea. I do that. Or I don't take my purse, but I realise this isn't practical for everyone. Well done on Day 1 - let's get day 2 ✅. You can do it.
@Nowstrong when you mentioned the anxiety, I meant to say it could be something unrelated to alcohol. I can get quite anxious with or without, that's when my journal comes In handy. Again, it's not for everyone. Also, the alcohol doesn't help, I know.
@Coppergate7 the decompression plan is a great idea. I do this, a lot. Radox, a good book, af drinks, snacks, even new pjs the other day! Then bed and I really enjoy it. In fact, I'm going to do this Friday evening so thanks for the reminder. I love how I feel the next day, so Play It Forward.

Funeral today. And I have the date for dh's cousin's funeral.
Births, Deaths - I'll be glad to decompress come weekend.

When I was on Soberistas, they used to have SCF - Self Care Friday. Everyone shunned the alcohol and took part. It was weird knowing someone in Chicago was doing the same as you 🤣

That does sound like a good idea...

Congratulations @Amdone123
Sorry I've been absent, haven't fallen off the wagon. Did 3 days AF last week and planning AF Mon to Thurs this week. I've bought some magnesium supplements as I really need to improve my sleep. Even AF I am waking frequently at night and then my mind wanders and I struggle to get back to sleep.

@Hohofortherobbers thanks.
I was thinking of getting some magnesium as I'm.the same. I do sleep better when af, but can still struggle.
I've drank a lot past 2 days. At least 4 bottles of wine.
I'm not drinking now for a while.

Morning everyone!!!! Just catching up on the news! Sounds like lots of little wins for everyone! Some abstaining, some moderating and some re-setting. But I think what’s important is we are all being mindful, one way or another!!!!

@Needtokickthehabit i love your implementation plan… practical ways to moderate!!!!and decompress ideas sound good @Coppergate7, particularly love @Amdone123 suggestion if the self care Friday! @Nowstrong does sound maybe just general anxiety at this point as your A/f and as @Amdone123 its not always booze related. I think those of us that get hangziety prob sit more on the anxious end of the scale. Perhaps you’re the same…. @Illegallyblonder well done on your positive stretch, and you to @Hohofortherobbers!!!

so all is well with me, although two big work deadlines looming and I’ve got a vile cold, annoyingly. Never mind!!! Still booze free….day 10!!!! Unfortunately will not feeling great not noticing the benefits as not sleeping great! Planning another A/f weekend and going to copy the sept care Friday with a lovely bath and relaxing evening!

good luck with the rest of the week all xxxx

You've made me all excited about this post-work decompression plan now!

I was very conscious that when I got home yesterday that I had the energy/motivation to do more (and I did at least another 2 hours quite happily). I put that down to having 2 days AF. Despite that I still had two glasses of wine last night (partly due to knowing I was going out tonight), although I definitely stopped myself pouring a third and cup of tea instead. We've out tonight for a celebration meal so but I definitely want to moderate, and then get straight back being more AF - it is definitely better.

@Mj20 well done on Day 10. You're inspiring me to get back af. I feel dreadful today and I have to go to work, as it's self inflicted and short staffed etc.
I'm definitely having an af weekend. Another funeral in 2 weeks so I'm going to try til then.
@Coppergate7 that's great just having 2, well done.

@Amdone123 meant to say… you’ve had alot going on in the family so not surprised you haven’t been as on it as usual! We can do a little a/f stint together! Amazing how quick the days add up!!! Have a good day, hope you feel brighter later xxxx

Morning all. How are we all doing ?

I had a bad day yesterday but today I am back with a vengeance ! Nothing doing til the next funeral, so I'm doing 15 days af. I was thinking I can either forget trying to lose weight ( those bottles of wine and subsequently being inactive put on 3lbs 😩), or I can go forward and keep trying. Because I know I can do it.

@Mj20 you're right, I've had a few things going on so I'll forgive myself on finding solace ( and joy) in a bottle of wine ( or 3 ! ). Thank you for putting it into perspective. How are you doing? You're doing really well with the 10 days and I'm gaining motivation from you.
@Bigbus @Coppergate7 @Easterdaffsx @Freezingfeetwarmheart @Hohofortherobbers @Illegallyblonder @Needtokickthehabit @Monstercarp @Nowstrong @Touty , how are you getting on.

I'm going to see my granddaughter this morning. Super excited.
Still no name 🤣❤️

Aww how exciting @Amdone123 ❤

Celebration meal out was lovely - went somewhere rather naice so a real treat. Had what I wanted to drink (including three cocktails and champagne - as well as wine, of course) but spread out - definitely didn't get pissed just nicely chilled. Sleep was definitely poorer than usual though and the mildest of underlying headaches this morning - worth it once in a while for something like this though I think. Day off today but I have several hours of work to do from home so...not completely!

I've got nothing on now until next Friday so the plan is to have a good stint AF. I need it. Those two days AF have made me want it too, so hoping that these next two days aren't quite as painful to achieve as last time as the good AF feeling is still fresh in my mind...we'll see...one day at a time as ever.

Great job on the ten days AF @Mj20 - or is it 11 days now?!

Monday AF day.
Tuesday 2 bottles wine
Wednesday 8 cans beer
Today - need professional help I think :(

@Needtokickthehabit would you consider going back to your lovely doctor ? She sounded great x

I was with her recently and telling her i had cut down but she didnt ask from how much to how much. I dont know what to do. i have zero self control.

Thanks for tagging me @Amdone123 - im
doing ok - better at stopping before I’ve had too much! I’ve even managed to go out and drink and not get wasted and embarrass myself. I have a BIG weekend away this week with people who drink a lot but I really have an almost phobia of hangovers now so I’m hoping I’ll have a few drinks, enough myself and not go overboard. Since I’ve been on this thread I’ve slowly been starting to look forward to events now instead of dreading the inevitable drunkenness, embarrassment, memory loss, hangover and general hideousness of having no off switch. It’s really important that I don’t get complacent.

@Needtokickthehabit would you maybe be able to talk to a service that is specifically for help with alcohol? Your GP sounds amazing but a specific service might have more resources - eg someone to visit you daily if you’re doing a home detox and to support you staying AF?

I dont know of anywhere and I am in Ireland not the UK.

Well I'm back to moderating after a few months of almost daily drinking. I'm glad to be here and join the chat. My aim for now is to have at least 3 AF days a week and reduce my units. Last week I had 35 🙄 Going to cut down and aim for under 25. Far from perfect but a step in the right direction.

Hi there! Last day of nearly dry November... will add a couple of days in December to make up for my forgetfulness...
@Amdone123 I'm doing OKish, still got anxiety, perhaps not anything to do with lack of alcohol or any slip ups. Perhaps just me adapting to the new physiology of my body, perhaps even getting used to being AF. Or perhaps I've got a secret worry. Anyhow, I'm going to continue trying to stay AF for as long as possible. Going to moderate my herbal tea intake too, as I'm getting up too often in the night. Must have the world's smallest bladder.
Have cancelled a weekend away so as not to be temped, didn't really fancy the long drive and my friends will be in my part of the world between Xmas and the New Year, so will catch-up then.
The weather here is pretty miserable, so I'm not very motivated sport wise. Need a wetsuit to go on a walk at the moment.
Sending positive wet vibes to all. Stay strong.

Hi @VenturingOut80 and welcome. Is it wine you drink ? I've been having 1.5 bottles a week - I'll look up how many units that is.
Definitely keep taking those small steps. They really do help in the long run, I think.

Ooohh, pleasantly surprised. I've been having 15 units a week, though this week I've had 40 over 2 days 😩 - different circumstances.

Hi @Amdone123 yes it's wine, I drink a few mini bottles of prosecco a week (2.2 units each) and probably 1.5 - 2 bottles of wine. Too much! I've done 2 AF days so far this week and am aiming for #3 tonight.