Tulips, snowdrops and another Day 1!

[MamaGhina]

New thread as promised. I’ll pop on later to tag everyone as I wanted to get this link on the old thread before it fills up!

Link to the old one for any new joiners:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/4877066-its-day-1-anyone-else?page=40

Hi
Everyone just checking in to say my home appointment went really well and I've been accepted on to the detox starting early January :)

I feel positive that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for me

@NewLifeHappyLife That's a trigger for me too so I have done the same - either gone to get a tea/hot choc or not taken coats off - boots on and go for a walk, especially to see the lights at this time of year. I'm also prepping a lot more food in my lunch break so it's on the table quicker - standing at the hob stirring is my time for throwing back the wine.

@smegley -yay that’s great news. I had a shitty day yesterday and REALLY wanted wine but I didn’t buy any. I’m so pleased with myself and never thought I’d be able to not drink at the end of a shitty day.

That is such great news @smegley ! I am so happy for you.

@MissSmith80 going for a walk to see the lights is a great idea as well.

Tonight we have a carol concert at school (first of 2 we have to attend. I'm not keen). Problem is that the school offers complementary wine and juice. I will be triggered for sure but will make sure I stand away from that area and might insist on driving home. (DH does not drink at all so he is usually the driver).

But in other news I have splashed out on getting my hair washed and blow dried next week before a birthday lunch. It is silly how I hummed and aaahed about spending money to do so when I would not blink at spending at least double that on cocktails.

Good to see you back @Steppered

Glad to hear you sounding so positive @smegley

Welcome @ChampooPapi

How are you @Thepeppapigfanclub

Hope everyone is doing ok this Friday night. I have started to really look forward to my Nozeco. I am not sure I am really missing drinking at all to be honest.

Noticed a major health benefit (which is also weight related mind you) that I can get to the top floor of my 3 storey house without staggering or running out of breath or having to stop!

Really pleased to hear you sounding so positive @smegley

Hello everyone
I just ordeeed myself some posh squash from this site https://mrfitzpatricks.com/

i am sober again for my second Friday and am very chuffed with myself!

OOh they look good @Haggisfish3 - particularly for the festive season!

I have been having just lemonade with alot of fresh lemon juice squeezed in (from those squeezy bottles) but I might go treat myself today to some Belvoir cordials which I love.

All quiet today…

I had a monstrously busy day (yay for hangover free lots of time and energy days!) and then friends came over. They drank and I didn’t and for the first time the smell of wine was absolutely off putting to me so that’s a new development. A helpful one I guess!

Hope everyone is surviving festiveness well, or even thriving!

Well done for not having a drink as well. I think I’m on the pink cloud. Feeling bloody brilliant!

Luck you @Haggisfish3 . The pink cloud has utterly bypassed me at all points!

Oh no!! I think it’s partly not feeling guilty every single fucking morning.

Hey everyone! It's going horrendously. Ex-partner has been an absolute nightmare - police involved etc... I haven't been battering it, but I haven't been sober. I'm looking to January for a 'clean' start now. I've had 15 yeas of hell. I'm trying 'no contact' with the ex in a bid for freedom, but whether he'll respect those boundaries remains to be seen.

I haven't read all the thread yet but sending you all lots of love and positive vibes. xx

May I join you? I’m on day 14 but I have been lurking and reading this wonderful thread regularly, I’ve found it so inspiring and helpful. Today was the first day I was seriously tempted to drink, I managed to resist (just!); I found it interesting how after finding it so hard to resist the urge faded away eventually. What are these demons that seem so overwhelming but can then slip away like that? I wish I understood it, it can be such a roller coaster.

@peppapig - sounds horrific but I'm thrilled to hear from you. It will be lovely to have you back on board in January.

@GingerLemonLime welcome. We are all on a journey together.

@GingerLemonLime im on day 14 too!! I read a craving only lasts ten minutes or something. I think ‘it’s just a feeling it will pass’. Alcohol
is physically addictive thiugh so no wonder we crave it. I went to a bar today and had a non alcoholic cocktail. It was very tasty.

Haha I hadn’t thought of that!

hi @Thepeppapigfanclub that sounds like an absolute nightmare and a total bundle of stress. Respect for checking in and I hope somehow it gets better.

hello @GingerLemonLime well done so far! The craving thing is really annoying - if I can get myself past it and on to something else, that something else usually turns out to have been the solution. So whatever it is you are looking for - relaxation, escape, boredom etc. can usually be dealt with another way but our practised habit is to go for alcohol, hence the craving (or something like that - doesn’t make it any easier!).

You are all so, so, so kind. 🌷🌻🌺

Drowning - not waving. On a positive note, I've told everyone this time rather than keep it secret. Son's school, clubs, work, family etc...

The wine isn't helping long-term...but I am beginning to understand why. 15 years of trying to navigate parenting with an absolute narcissist/arsehole has not helped.

I really need to start living again.

@Thepeppapigfanclub so good to have you check in although sorry to hear what you have been going through. Despite everything, you sound positive and look forward to having you back on the wagon with us all soon.

@GingerLemonLime welcome. Day 14 already - well done, especially starting at such a tricky time of year!

Day 99 for me today … eeek.

Oh wow @BoilingHotand50something. You must treat yourself, it's a huge milestone.

That is brilliant @BoilingHotand50something. Bravo indeed! 🌷

@GingerLemonLime welcome!
@Thepeppapigfanclub so sorry that you are going through that
@BoilingHotand50something wow! Have you got something lovely planned for tomorrow?

This weekend had the potential to be difficult, an annual family weekend away, it's actually a 'moderate' weekend for me - we only drink 2 bottles of wine between 3 over dinner (so last year I packed some pre-made g+t for when I was back in my room). But all fine, in fact watching people from another party being bundled into a taxi at 8pm, pissed up, shouting and falling over was dreadful to watch but also kind of helpful to re-frame the 'fun' of a party and I did enjoy an early night with a hot chocolate.
Back at home, unpacked, laundry done and tree up - much to the delight of my son, I actually enjoyed putting it up with him this year. it's usually 'mummy's job' when he is in bed - because it's a great excuse to knock back a bottle of Prosecco.
Hope everyone's week goes okay xx

The craving thing is really annoying - if I can get myself past it and on to something else, that something else usually turns out to have been the solution. So whatever it is you are looking for - relaxation, escape, boredom etc. can usually be dealt with another way but our practised habit is to go for alcohol, hence the craving (or something like that - doesn’t make it any easier!).@TimesaChangeling that really makes a lot of sense to me, thank you
@BoilingHotand50something that’s an amazing achievement!

Morning all! Yay - day 100! Didn’t think I would get there. No chance of me drinking today as sadly have succumbed to kid germs! Although having said that, I used to medicate pretty much everything with wine!

I am feeling thankful that this year, I pretty much had my Christmas shopping done in November which is unheard of for me and cannot be a coincidence. So I don’t have the panic of being poorly before Christmas and not being able to get everything done.

Congrats @BoilingHotand50something

There was a thank you for a project finished and delivered at work yesterday. It was a tea party: teas, coffee, finger sarnies, mini gorgeous muffins, scones, candy canes, etc.

Delightful and no temptation - except for the food 😀.

I have been having an occasional glass of wine as you all know but nothing now until Christmas Eve and day. Our Christmas will be easy physically but difficult emotionally this year as our mothers are so frail and we fear there are not many more Christmases left. So frail that DH and I will be 250 to 300 miles apart depending on the day. Add in a DIL and her family and the ritual taking turns and life is changing.