Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Alcohol support

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

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

347 replies

Poopertrooper · 30/09/2023 20:14

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
43ontherocksporfavor · 14/10/2023 07:22

Morning 16! Had one 0% beer last night. I’m now worried I won’t ever want to drink again. That sounds so stupid but I wasn’t intending that to be the end game. But I can’t imagine making myself feel crap on purpose now. This was not expected. 🤔

againmaeve · 14/10/2023 07:47

So true about the Friday (and Saturday!) effect @Thornrose

Amdone123 · 14/10/2023 09:55

@Thornrose how did you get on?
Keep going everyone - you're all doing brilliantly.

43ontherocksporfavor · 14/10/2023 18:38

Saturday night peeps. Just having a bath. Feeling very strong and not interested in booze. How’s everybody else?

Thornrose · 15/10/2023 10:51

@43ontherocksporfavor the feelings passed eventually, and last night I didn't have any cravings.

I'm a bit wary of AF drinks at home. Opening a bottle and pouring will remind me too much of the real thing I think! I'll definitely give them a go while out though.

When I gave up smoking I didn't vape because I wanted to tell myself I didn't need a habit at all, if that makes sense?

Tomorrow will be 2 weeks, yay! I feel very energetic this morning. The tiredness is lifting. I feel less irritable and very cheerful too 😁

43ontherocksporfavor · 15/10/2023 10:58

Ah that’s good news. Well done! I see what you’re saying about AF drinks. I like them because I’m not a fan of soft , sweet drinks and enjoy the dry taste plus the ritual makes me feel like I’m only missing out on the alcohol. DH has a few drinks at home at the weekend so I can join him , sort of. However since last night I’ve been unwell with throat and head so that is helping as all I want is tea!

PeacheyPeach · 15/10/2023 12:45

Hi everyone 👋
Well had my first evening out last night, i stuck to diet Coke and was absolutely fine, I still had a good time and was able to function when I come home! Took all my make up off, had a plate of toast and watched a film with DH!! .and haven't woken up this morning feeling a bit of a dead, wishing I hadn't said certain things 😂 it's a good feeling!!!

Thornrose · 15/10/2023 16:56

Yay, that's great @PeacheyPeach I have a big night out next Saturday. A 50th at a pub, a real test for me.

I'm going to drink tonic with ice and lemon. Try to avoid rounds and buy my own.

I'm not going to mention it at all and just hope no-one notices especially as they get more drunk...

43ontherocksporfavor · 15/10/2023 19:39

Good idea @Thornrose . The first drink will be the hardest.

PeacheyPeach · 15/10/2023 21:17

I think having a tonic is a good drink on a night out as it actually tastes like gin and tonic so you can kinda kid yourself that it's the real deal 🤣

what I noticed doing my makeup last night was that my skin just looked so much better than the last time I went out so much clearer and I didn't seem to need loads of coverage like I would normally use , which I can only put down to not drinking every night!

43ontherocksporfavor · 16/10/2023 07:29

Day 17! Whoop.
Had some Mediterranean tonic with ice and lime and in a nice glass last night @Thornrose and it was just right.

PeacheyPeach · 16/10/2023 21:12

Evening all 😊
Hope you are all enjoying a nice relax, 😊
Can't believe almost half way through the month already, kids are off next week eeek that's usually my trigger of wanting a few drinks in the evening after having full on days with them but I'm not going to give in 😂

43ontherocksporfavor · 17/10/2023 06:49

Day 18 for me. 😁

InOtherWords · 17/10/2023 09:14

@43ontherocksporfavor you being one day ahead always makes me think I'm a day further on 😁.

For anyone looking for different drinks, I've discovered kombucha, which has that dryness that I like in drinks.

Well done everyone so far! We are over halfway through 👏

43ontherocksporfavor · 17/10/2023 18:07

Sorry @InOtherWords it spurs me on to type out my days. Have to say there’s not much traffic on this thread, are any of you on any other busier ones?

InOtherWords · 17/10/2023 19:16

Oh don't worry @43ontherocksporfavor - it spurs me on to catch up with you!!

No, not on any other threads.

PeacheyPeach · 17/10/2023 21:41

Hi all, 😍
yes kombucha is a good drink as it tastes a bit more grown up than juice or soft drinks doesn't it, I actually think it tastes a bit like a dry sherry 😂, yes we are a bit of a small gang on here aren't we! I've not come across any other threads. But knowing that I've got some accountability with this thread has kept me going!!

InOtherWords · 18/10/2023 07:44

@PeacheyPeach I'm here for the accountability too!

Day 18 for us, and Day 19 for @43ontherocksporfavor 👏

Anyone else out there?

Ohtobehappy · 18/10/2023 12:33

Hi. I have been lurking for so long just reading and taking in all your posts but I suppose afraid to post myself.
Have decided to do sober October and am on day 18. I have done it before but I that was 4 years ago before the menopause hit and the nightly wine habit got worse!
I have found it relatively okay but I am bored - well I don't think I really am as I don't really have time to be bored but I think my brain is telling me I am because I am not drinking (sorry that probably doesn't make sense).
I am having the most vivid dreams and night mares every single night and by the afternoon at work am really tired. Apart from that I am more alert my skin and hair looks better and I am less grumpy!
But god that craving for wine does not go away easily does it ! Twice this week already could have easily given in.
Now over the half way mark I suppose that I am wondering how I am going to deal with this going forward (after end of Oct). I would like to be a weekend drinker only but is the even possible when the first thing I think of after a stressful day at work is getting a bottle of wine !
Well done to you all doing sober October or cutting down or out completely

43ontherocksporfavor · 18/10/2023 17:02

Hi @Ohtobehappy it worked for me when I’ve done Dry Jan. I just reverted to weekend drinking for years. It’s only recently (last 3 months) that it’s been creeping up in the week and also drinking more at the weekend. After a month, the first drink went straight to my head and I didn’t want much! This sounds terrible but wine tasted too strong and I decided to ease myself in with lager. 😬

Ohtobehappy · 18/10/2023 18:21

Thank you that's good to know. I think wine has a lot to answer for and draws you in like no other drink I think haha.
Did you have a drink on the 1st Feb or wait till the first weekend ?

43ontherocksporfavor · 18/10/2023 19:00

I did have a drink on 1/2. Even though it was a weekday. 😳
I won’t this time. Just don’t fancy it at all at the moment.

HotSince82 · 18/10/2023 20:59

I'm here too.
Been sober since 30th September so this is day 19.
I am drinking non alcoholic wine almost every night - but its just a habit I've got in to and it's helping me stay sober.
I've been a bridesmaid and celebrated my son's 18th without alcohol last weekend so I'm doing well...

I don't know what will happen come November either actually. I think I'd prefer to try and stay sober until new year and perhaps beyond. I was in a pretty disgraceful habit of a bottle of wine 4/5 nights per week, just out of boredom and as a way of managing my anxiety I suppose.

I'm feeling much better rested despite being tired each evening and I'm not leaping out of bed and doing yoga just yet...

Anyway I thought I would stop just lurking and actually join in seeing as there doesn't seem to be many of us doing this, this year.

PeacheyPeach · 18/10/2023 21:34

@Ohtobehappy wine is the worst isn't it!! It's just so accessible and easy to drink and it does feel like a reward when we pour that first glass, Especially after a stressful day. Maybe if you are wanting to cut down and drink at the weekend maybe get a really nice bottle in, not just a rubbish bottle of plonk that you'll drink in about half an hour! So you will feel like it's a reward or it's a real treat,
I'm going to try and just drink when we have people over or we go out, I want to be more of a social drinker. I like the fact that the DC are not seeing me back and to to the kitchen topping my drink up, and I want them to think that it's not normal to drink every single night!!!

Thornrose · 18/10/2023 22:18

It's lovely to see some new faces, so to speak!

@Ohtobehappy I get that bored feeling. I think the evenings feel longer when I'm not drinking. I'm alert and a bit more restless.

I'm still getting very tired and can't wait to go to bed. Tonight I'm trying to stay up a bit later!

I'm not having cravings but I keep feeling I'm missing something. I know I'm not, logically and I can easily remind myself of all the reasons I'm better not drinking.

I'm feeling quite resentful that I can't just "be normal" and have a glass of wine with dinner without finishing the whole bottle.