Imagine there’s tons of these… sober October support thread

[Poopertrooper]

Staring tomorrow. Successfully did sober October last year and drank on November 1st and have done almost every day since.

Determined to make this my starting point again - anyone want to join here for mutual support?

Also any recommendations for podcasts to listen to for starting short bursts sober journeys welcome

@Thornrose I’m thinking about building in some other reward. What floats your boat? A luxury food item, a massage, beauty treatment, hobby item maybe.
I slept well last night and don’t want to undo that plus definitely feel my skin looks better. Dig deep today everyone.
Day 7

@43ontherocksporfavor yes I was thinking that. I do love skincare and pampering.

My skin has a glow this morning and I like that.

I am quite food and drink oriented too. I think a really lovely dessert tonight. I don't really have a sweet tooth but I think my body is craving sugar because there's a lot in wine.

Day 5 for me...when I get through a weekend I will be so proud. The longest full stretch in a long time I'm ashamed to say.

Good luck all.

Hi everyone

I'm still going strong and feeling pretty good. @Thornrose I am motivated by food and drink rewards too. I'm planning on having a curry on Sunday but will walk to one that's a bit out of the way to offset some of the cals (using this alcohol free period as an opportunity to lose some weight, but it's not my main objective this week).

I am going for a drink after work with colleagues so I expect to be triggered. I already have my AF drink in mind and my reason for not drinking (as if I need one, but as some of you have said, you kind of do with some people!). I'm on antibiotics - it's actually a gel for perioral dermatitis, but they don't need to know that. I'm sure it won't even be a thing when everyone gets the first drink and sits down.

Has anyone else got plans? If so, what tactics do you have?

Morning everyone!

I've offered to be designated driver tomorrow night so that takes care of that.

I definitely think that having a plan in mind for your first drink makes things a lot easier, and allows less opportunity for you to be swayed (well I say "you", I mean "me").

Enjoy your pampering sessions.
Here's to Day 6.

Hey everyone, wow first week nearly done. We are doing great 😃
I think the antibiotics and being the designated driver reasons are great, it just stops any questions x
I think the nice treats/ rewards in other forms is a good idea. A nice dinner is always a good one!!!

Just home from work and in key trigger zone. Just poured a fizzy water and have some cold 0% lager in the fridge if I feel the need . Out for curry but driving . We can do this. Try to imagine what Monday morning will feel like if we get through. 🤞🏻💪🏻🤛

Oh I'm late to the party can I join please?? I haven't had a drink since Saturday so all good so far

@madmumofteens hi there 😃 , how have you found this past week??
You know what I haven't had this week,
an acid feeling in my gut ( tmi sorry 🤢!) That's definitely down to not drinking which makes me feel a bit sick thinking that I'm literally making myself feel rubbish on purpose when I'm drinking every night ... loving that I'm cleansing myself as well 😀

Hi there @Peacheypeach I'm not sleeping great but other than binging on chocolate I'm really pleased I've not reached for the wine it's been a very stressful week at work and our anniversary excuse to drink avoided! I used to reach for the omaprozel every time after booze until I read it's not good for you 🥺

Friday night and I'm holding steady! Good luck everyone - we can do it

@madmumofteens well you've done amazing to get through a stressful week and your anniversary drink free 💗 you should have a nice treat, maybe you could go out for a nice lunch or buy yourself something lovely 😍
@againmaeve fabulous 😍 we can get through this weekend we are strong 😄

Aww thank you @PeacheyPeach started watching Greenleaf on Netflix on my iPad whilst DH watching rugby and drinking beer lol I had a thatchers zero cider have a great weekend all 😘

I've made it through Friday and off to bed. 5 days ✅

I’m home on two diet cokes and a curry! Felt so good even though my friends did have a couple of drinks I felt absolutely fine and great to be able to drive home. Tea and bed now. Hope you’ve all been successful.

7 days done ✅ Day 8 is here. Haven’t done that long in years 😳Woke up and was a nice feeling on a Saturday morning to feel fresh after a night out.

@43ontherocksporfavor how fab that you still had a lovely evening aswell as waking up nice and fresh feeling this morning x well done love!
Bet the food was lovely aswell, I find that when I go out for dinner I'm more bothered about downing the wine so don't even know what the food is like !!!

Yeah it was. How’s OP getting on, hope you’re still with us. Just did food shop in Aldi and skipped past the booze but a bottle of zersecco 😂 was on the stand at £2.99 so slung it in the trolley as I whizzed by ignoring the NZ Savvy B!! Don’t hold much hope for the taste but adds to the safety net collection I’m building. Might try Sipsmith zero gin too.
On the subject of rewards upthread , I’ve ordered some collagen supplements with money normally spent on the vino!

Ooh today is tough. Lovely morning feeling all fresh and wine free. Went to a garden centre and did a bit of pottering.

It's a gorgous sunny day but now I'm hiding. My mind is constantly on having a drink. That bloody voice in my head.

I just need to get through the next few hours. Such a waste of a sunny evening, locked away indoors.

I think my dependency is worse than I thought 😬

Ah @Thornrose do t hide away. We’ve just been out with the dog and DH suggested a drink when we passed a nice pub garden. I went and had a Peroni 0% and still felt the buzz. You can still enjoy the weather just have a strong idea of what you will order.

Has anyone tried kombucha?
It's nice for a bit more of a grown up drink x
I've just had a really long soak after working in the garden all day, going to have some nice food and feeling lovely and relaxed. DH did ask me if I wanted some wine so had to keep strong 😄

Nearly one week in 🙌

Well done us 👏🏼 I rode it out and in bed with a cuppa.

Day 6 ✅️

Well done, everyone. You're all doing great.
Unfortunately, I fell off the wagon Thursday. And yesterday had 2 small glasses.
I'm going to bow out of this thread as, as wonderfully supportive and lovely you all are, I need medical help now.
Best of luck to you all and keep on keeping on ❤️

Amdone123 sorry to hear that. If you feel like climbing back on the wagon I'm sure you'll get lots of support on this thread, and on others on this board.
Sending you strength x

Sorry @Amdone123 but at least you’re recognising the help you need. Good luck with it.
Had a couple of glasses of the Aldi zersecco last night and it was quite pleasant, not too sweet but a nice fizzy bite to it. Again it’s the ritual, the bottle, the glass for me so the 0% stuff has been really helpful so far. Day 9 here. Slept so long last night as was up early. Got up and DH had left his empty beer cans and glass downstairs. It’s the morning after that always makes me feel gross putting wine glasses in the dishwasher etc but was so nice because none were mine! Little wins are helping.