100 Days Sober - Let's Go!

[wannabedry]

Starting a new thread for anyone who is currently doing 100 days sober at the moment or wants to start 100 days sober now, before Christmas and New Year - and to get a head start on Dry January when our motivation might be waning.... hopefully all the media and Dry Jan promotion will help us keep powering though!

This is based off my complete lack of being able to moderate when in a group. I seem to be fine when it's just me and my boyfriend but for wh whatever reason (possible social anxiety I guess) when it comes to anything group activity, I can't stop at just two. I'm getting really bad anxiety, intrusive thoughts and low level depression on the days after I drink now. I thought I had moderated at a work lunch a couple of weeks ago but the following day I could barely get out of bed, not because of the physical effects of a hangover (I didn't have any - this time) but it was more the mental effects.

I'm 41 and these anxious thoughts, guilt and shame feelings have only come on over the past two years or so, so it must be an age thing. I definitely used to be able to drink more but never had the mental side effects. They are absolutely awful. I can't keep trying to moderate so want to have a clean break and 100 days seems like the recommended one to see real change. One month (dry Jan) is not enough.

So, please join if you are keen to kick start 100 happy sober days (I am on day 10) before Christmas! If you are already doing 100 days or in the early stages of sobriety, please join and share any tips or advice!

Tagging @Jeffsmeffsmiff and @TeaRose29 to join! We can do it!

Oooh can I jump in to recommend "Sober Starts Today: 100 day sober journal". Can't remember the author but it was fabulous motivation for me. I'm 8 months now after kick starting with that. :)

I've just hit a year after almost blowing my life up . It will be the best thing you ever do . This year has been nothing but growth and happiness in a way I can't really put into words. I feel I have a secret weapon in life and I will NEVER go back to drinking again . Good luck xx

Thank you @wannabedry I'm the same. Can't seem to moderate enough to avoid the beer fear the next day. When I was younger I'd feel anxious if I couldn't remember bits of the night or something but these days I seem to feel like that after just a few drinks. And I'm so rubbish at stopping at one or 2. Had 4 the other night and like you I didn't feel hungover physically, but the anxiety and shame was SO bad the next day. I actually ended up using a half day holiday from work because I just couldn't cope (and didn't want to admit why so couldn't use sick leave)
Anyway I'm on day 4 now and have managed a family party and a big night out with mates without drinking on Friday and Saturday nights. And felt so much better for it. I'm not very brave at just saying "I'm not drinking" though. With mates I said I was on antibiotics. I was honest with family. It's so much easier when people aren't pressuring you to drink.
I absolutely hate sweet drinks. I've been having alcohol free versions of wine and beer, or just tonic water so far. Like you say, if we can get through Christmas and NYE it will be plain sailing! Good luck everyone.
Any tips welcome. Thank you 😁

I will definitely join you in this. I have realised after nursing a 3 day hangover with symptoms that have scared me, and how unwell I felt afterwards that alcohol is wrecking my health and my life and I don’t want it in my life anymore! I’m 41 and think it’s time to give up. I know I will struggle with willpower, but I’m going to resolve not to drink until 10th April 2024, with a view to seriously moderating my drinking after that or even giving up completely!!!

May not be ok here but please say if not. I am starting on 27/12. Did 1 year before and felt amazing. Not putting any pressure on myself just day by day.

Of course @Allthecatseverywhereallatonce - all welcome.

I'm feeling positive about this week. No planned lunches or drink sessions apart from this Friday - 'drinks' round a friend's house. This would have been classic danger territory for the 'old' drinking version of me and would have 100% ended in over indulgence and regret the following day. The new me is arriving with Fever Tree mixers, 0% gin and posh crisps 🤣. My resolve is strong at the moment, so I'm pretty sure I'll be fine. Hope everyone else has a safe week and/or a game plan for any potential danger events!

@skipandwhistle cool idea about the journal. Over lockdown I completed the Annie Grace 30 day sober experiment and that included journaling in the book. I have dug it out for inspiration and my comments and thoughts on the book have made me a bit sad as I talk about 'blacking out' and using alcohol to feel confident in tricky situations.

I can't believe that was two years ago and I'm still loving this life of trying to moderate>failing>feeling like shit>resolving not to drink 'like that' again>trying to moderate>failing>feeling like shit etc etc and the cycle continues.

Hopefully the last episode 11 days ago will actually be the last for another 90 days or so (hopefully more). I don't want to be in this same position in another two years. I clearly need to wake up to the fact that I can't moderate.

How is everyone planning to get through Christmas and NY? I'm basically going to pretend to myself I'm still drinking. I've switched to alcohol free wine, beer and prosecco. I'm not sure that's really the best way but it's tricky when you hate sweet drinks and standing out!
I pretty much used the same method years ago when I gave up eating meat, I have (mostly!) weaned myself off the meat substitutes now though 😂.
I also LOVE Trip drinks. So I've stocked up on those. Anyone know if it's ok to drink CBD every day? I think it is but not 100% sure.
Hope everyone is doing ok

I also have Trip drinks haha. I love the ginger and peach one. I have one every day. I think the level of CBD is so low that it can't make that much of a difference.

I don't normally do anything NYE, so not fussed about that one - but Christmas will be tricky. I have AF fizz and gin so it looks like and hopefully feels like I'm having a drink. I want to make a couple of really decent mocktails as well. Going to buy some ingredients I'd never normally buy and try and make something cool.

My main strategies are going to be regularly 'playing the tape forward' to the morning after and making sure I have a good one liner to hand when people ask why I'm not drinking.

"Why aren't you drinking, wannabe?"

"It's making me feel super anxious the following day and I just don't enjoy it at the moment. What are you drinking/eating/doing?"

The 'at the moment' but is important because if I say I'm giving up for good, then I KNOW people will try and talk me out of it. I also want to end my answer by asking them a question and just changing the subject!

This is a good podcast open.spotify.com/episode/5GXcczvkN8Iam275D1EZNj?si=NIMUbbeJQWeTlg5OgTe09Q one of the guests had a good tip on how to say 'no'. Basically, she says instead of saying "I'm trying not to drink at the moment", you say "I'm not drinking at the moment" (so it's clear cut and no room for 'maybe') and then follow it up with "and I feel great".

The idea is that people are less likely to pressure you if you say how great you feel. Anyway, quite a good tip I feel. Short and sweet and no explanation.

Yeah that is a good tip. I always find myself saying it sort of apologetically. Like I owe people my drunk self. WTF is that about?

I'm the same. And I always try and explain and go into loads of detail. Need to remember to keep it short and sweet!

Day 7 for me today and I'm not going to lie I've been struggling a bit. Went to a Christmas market with the kids today and everywhere was selling mulled wine and I really felt like I was missing out. Also the pubs were all lit up with Christmas lights looking beautiful. I did manage to hold out. I'm going to have a large glass of alcohol free red wine or maybe a 0% Gordon's and tonic as soon as they're in bed. I had McDonald's for lunch so I'm feeling a bit disgusting for that 🙄.

How are you doing today @Jeffsmeffsmiff ? I have really hurt my back so have been staying close to home today. A few friends suggested something alcoholic to help with the pain and I laughed it off but was also thinking that.

I love mulled wine. Apparently there is a good AF mulled wine recipe here. imperfectlynatural.com/how-to-boss-your-christmas-sober/

Anyway, hope you are staying strong!! Remember to play the tape forwards xx

I would like to join too, I'm on day 4 and feeling quite positive. I've read one chapter of the Annie Grace book, but I'm not a big reader so hoping to make it to the end! I'm a similar age and the mental side effects are definitely worse than the physical.

Sorry about your back. Hope it's better by Christmas. What a pain.
Today was a better day. I broke up from work yesterday and so did an exercise class first thing today which was good. Def wouldn't have bothered if Id been drinking yesterday.
Ive booked stuff to do most days till we're back to work / school. I think that will help. Drinking is often about boredom for me. How are you doing?

Welcome @starlight2kk i'm reading the Annie Grace book too. I gave up smoking years ago after reading Alan Carr's Easy way. So I'm hoping this will work the same way (but without being quite so mind-numbingly boring!!)

Watching thread.

That sounds positive, fingers crossed this works too!

Hi OP, your post really resonated with me as I stopped drinking back in August for similar reasons. I'm also early 40s and wasn't a huge drinker, maybe 2-3 glasses of wine 3x a week.

I'm approx 110 days sober and can't believe the difference it's made to my anxiety levels and ability to cope with stress.

Hard to explain but when an every day stressful situation comes up (job interview, last minute deadline etc) I have a total absence of self doubt/anxiety since stopping drinking. It's as if my resilience has sky rocketed. My body seems to be able to regulate better without having to process alcohol.

anyway, just wanted to share a positive story and wish you all the best!

I'd like to try this. Is there a good app to use to track days sober? I've tried one but it seemed really clunky and I didn't rate it.

Yes I'd be interested in an app too if anyone a la has recommendations 😊

Hi all, it's great to have a few of us on here. The app I am using is called Try Dry. It's black and yellow. I just wanted a free one that lets you tot up the days and track 'feelings'. It is quite good seeing it all add up. It's two weeks today since my last drink.

My back is really bad. I have some stronger meds coming from the dr tomorrow so at least there is that.

Is was great to read the positive story @applecharlotte12 - I'd love to get to 100 days minimum even if it's just an experiment for myself.

I did the Annie Grace 30 day alcohol experiment where you read a chapter a day and answer questions/light journalling and it was really good. I did six weeks in the end back in 2021. Feels like much longer ago.

My last day of work before Christmas is tomorrow. I will celebrate with painkillers, Trip drink and M&S mince pie. My sweet tooth has gone crazy these past two weeks!!

Good luck to everyone for the next few days. I am in a lot of pain with my back so alcohol
Is off the menu anyway with the meds I'm on.

I bought Mother Root the other day and have had it with soda and it's really lovely. Quite firey but tastes good.

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you all have a lovely sober day to remember 🌲⭐