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!

AF#4 No hangover, or anything approaching one

Just tired when up at 6.30 am for work again. I was having a lovely, although odd - of course, dream with Robert DeNiro too...

Speaking of dreams @Coppergate7 …

I had one of those fast nightmares where someone was trying to break into my house but I was too drunk to stop it and I couldn’t scream etc. I will remember that fear when I next contemplate a drink. 😂

Day #5 and feeling confident for tonight/the weekend.

I am starting to feel the AF positives in my skin, energy and mood. 🤞🏻

Happy Friday everyone.

Morning check-in as well from me. MUCH better sleep last night - I lit a lavendar joss stick and took a couple of Valerian, which seemed to do the trick - or maybe it was the effect of the Goodrays! Also the cat seems rather more chipper - wanted morning cuddles which is encouraging, and appetite much improved.

@wellitywellness that's a lovely positive post. Made me smile. I bet you're even more pleased that you swerved that glass of red.
I should get some valerian. Was awake at 1am again - I'm ok this morning, always the added bonus that I'm not at least, hungover.

@Swannyb , same here, day 5 and I'm now thinking that I can have a really good shot at seeing this month through.

I've cancelled the curry. It's not so much the temptation of drinking ( though it's always there), I just want to get in from work, and not go out again !
Really looking forward to an af weekend. I've made a list of things to do, so if I get 'bored', out comes the list !

We can do this folks ❤️

I spoke too soon on the cat front. Things have moved quickly today and was back at vets this afternoon - we are trying a last ditch attempt of steroid treatment, but are likely looking at an imminent PTS situation... Sorely tempted right now is all I'll say.

Anyhoo, this is one I made earlier, when things were looking a bit more optimistic:

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/05/dry-january-5-risk-cont/

Hi all!!!!!
all my fellow dry January people… @Amdone123 @Coppergate7 @Swannyb (sure there were some more but I can’t remember….) I’m having to dig deep!
Difficult few hours with my extended family (dad and siblings)! So toxic my head hurts! So of course all I want to do is open a bottle of wine! Have instead decompressed with a cup of tea and a chat with hubby!
have had such a positive week in terms of healthier habits and an feeling better now I’m on antibiotics so don’t want to fall at the first hurdle 🫠🫠🫠 xx

@wellitywellness that's sad. You're showing tremendous strength. We often ask on here...would it make a bad situation better ? Answer is invariably no. You'd still feel sad and worse for caving.
@Mj20 great to hear you got medication. Not so great the family dynamics, but well done on the tea n chat option.
I don't want to fall at the first hurdle either. I'm not thinking about the 2nd, 3rd or 4th just yet !

I'm tired this evening, I'm glad I didn't go out. I'm all snuggled up warm in bed with my lovely dog, drinking gingerbread lattes.
I know I'll sleep well tonight and I'm looking forward to tomorrow when my granddaughters visit.

Literally gritting my teeth.

Thanks @Amdone123 comfort in solidarity ! Your evening sounds lovely! I’m just finishing the laundry then it’s bath time! Bliss! And hope your ok @wellitywellness xxx

@wellitywellness I'm presuming you have wine in the house ? I don't - I really would just drink it if it's there.
Anything you can do to distract yourself ?
You're doing really well.

Thanks guys. Still in the game - just giving the cat lots of love right now. Poor boy has no idea what's to come.... :(

Well I’ve had a good few days, I haven’t bought any more vodka for the house and I will not. I have also started intermittent fasting which means I really have little opportunity to drink. Hope it continues

So sorry @wewellitywellness stay strong for your dear cat.
I'm OK today, long day at work and very thirsty so I'm just downing water, not tempted to drink at all, even with a bottle of red in the cupboard, feeling strong.

I’ve got a bottle of Prosecco in the fridge which I didn’t drink at new year. It’s not really my tipple so I’ve no interest in it. I wonder how long that will last should I get rid??

@wellitywellness So sorry to hear about your cat. Hope things turn out OK. .

Managed a night alcohol free at last.

@Atacamadesert I don't have wine or prosecco in .
If any enters the house unplanned ( visitors, or sometimes dh buys the odd bottle), I practically have a panic attack.
I usually get rid. I either give it away and I've been known to pour it away - drastic I know ( and the latter was in my early days of struggling). Nowadays, I'd just give it away or store it some where else ( boot of dh's car for eg).
What do you drink ?
I don't drink brandy or rum - dh has a glass every now and again, so that's always in the house - unless I've ran out of wine, then practically anything goes. Dh has taken to hiding it 😒

@Touty that's great. I do IF - It works really well for me. In fact, the only time it doesn't is when I'm drinking.

@WouldRatherBeAPieceOftToast brilliant, well done !
What are your plans for weekend regarding af ?

I obviously didn't drink last night, I didn't go out so that helped. I'm not sure how it would have panned out.
Day 6 today. Feeling strong, too @Hohofortherobbers.

Thanks all. He is curled up next to me as I type - I'll be monitoring closely over the weekend, but looking like a PTS decision is pending early next week.

In the meantime, here is day #6's offering. If you're anything like me, you may shit your pants on reading this - but (like me) this could also save your life. Just look back on day#4's post if you need a more optimistic antidote to the below!

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/06/dry-january-6-harms-of-alcohol/

@wellitywellness , yep, scary stuff.
It made me think that had I have read that a few years ago, I'd probably have thought, well, damage is done, blah blah and probably had a drink !
Now, I'm older and wiser and the proud owner of 2 beautiful granddaughters, I'm definitely thinking differently.
I like the idea of using dry Jan to really reevaluate my relationship with alcohol - I know I've been doing this for some time, to an extent, but I mean REALLY think about it.
So, thanks for making me use the grey matter more efficiently.

@wellitywellness sorry to hear about your cat. I lost my dog last year and it sent me on a drinking spiral. It resulted in a 6kg weight gain which I’m now kicking myself for and the reason I’m back on this thread.

Day 6 complete! 4 - 6pm seems to be my weak time, so as long as I can distract and busy myself through that, I actually think I might be able to do this.

How did everyone’s AF Friday nights go? I hope you’re all feeling good as you wake up today.

@Swannyb I'm feeling great thanks.
Woke up thinking, this is how I want to feel all the time - well rested, happy, energetic and positive. Not feeling like shit because I drank and smoked and texted crap, etc.
Also, does this sound bitter ?
When I'm drunk, I message friends, ex colleagues, to see how they are. Since I haven't been drunk, I've not heard from any of them ! ( bar 1 - but he's my best friend).
Maybe I'm too needy and a pita 🤣😩

@Amdone123 white wine is my poison! Im a weekend warrior I though so lots on Friday and Saturday night and nothing in the week. Normally I wouldn’t touch Prosecco with a barge pole but I wonder! Perhaps I will take it out of the fridge at least then I will probably forget about it.

AF#5 No enabling/normalising others (DH) drinking

I started writing a post 4 hours ago - just finished it off and my computer froze. ARGH! Oh well. Nothing ground breaking. I've got a cold so cba to write it again just now!

So sorry @wellitywellness sending love. It’s so hard but we have to do what’s kindest for them in the end.

Hi @Swannyb and everyone else, Friday night went well for me! I was out until half eight so well past witching hour. Slept really well too which is always my sign that I’m over the hump.

At a party today and people are drinking but equally plenty of people are on the soft drinks like me. It’s a board game party so plenty to do and easier to chat over an activity without wine to ease the way!

@afaloren sounds like fun. You might win if you're on soft drinks !

Had a craving before. Not sure why. I'm not bored, not restless - ironically, it might have been because I was feeling so good.
Anyway, did some cooking and had 2 bars of chocolate left over from selection boxes.
I'm fine now !!

Well done for riding that craving out @Amdone123 ! I get cravings due to nearly every possible emotion, so understand the cravings from feeling good (also yay to that [feeling good]!).

Sorry about your Cat @wellitywellness - hope you're doing ok?

I'm just back from the supermarket - I bought sloe tonic water to try later. Looking forward to it! That was about the most productive thing I have done all day unfortunately.