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!

Hi all. Hope you had a good Christmas. So I am starting my sober journey today, definitely doing dry January as a start and will see how I get on. Ideally I would probably like to stop altogether again but 1 day at a time.
I have the try dry app too.

Hello! I start mine tomorrow. I will take my birthday (a big birthday) off as I am hosting dinner at the pub for several friends.

I have there Try Dry app as well and really like it. Very easy to use.

Hi everyone 😁 I'm day 13 today and feeling very pleased to have got this far considering it's Christmas. I honestly do feel better for it already. So much less anxiety

Hello Everyone! Sorry @wannabedry , I missed the original tag but I am in now and starting today. I didn’t want to have to think about being AF over Christmas, as we were with some relatives who are big drinkers, and I didn’t want to have to navigate the inevitable questions. I have drunk very moderately over the whole period, as my issue isn’t binge drinking but just drinking on a regular basis, and like others have said, I am increasingly struggling with brain fog and lack of energy. I know that in my case it is not an addiction, but rather an ingrained habit.

In fact, I can’t wait to get going! It will be very easy to handle questions simply with “I’m doing Dry January”, and after that just say that I’m carrying on for a bit, and hopefully by then everyone will be used to it and won’t be interested. I plan to do a bit of a glow-up at the same time, to frame the period positively in my head, rather than as a deprivation.

I don’t have any other organised social activities until NYE. (Might have to go and visit the boozy relatives, in which case I will offer to drive). For New Year’s we have four friends coming round. One of the women barely drinks, and the other is teetotal, so there won’t be any pressure. The men all drink red wine, which I can’t drink (gives me a splitting headache), so there won’t be any temptation either.

@Jeffsmeffsmiff I am the same as you, can’t bear sweet and sugary drinks. Have you tried Sentia with tonic or sparkling water? It tastes a bit like mulled wine. My favourite sparkling AF is a low-sugar one called Noughty, although it is rather expensive so not for every day (you can get it in Sainsbury’s). I’m pretty ok with sparkling water, slimline tonic or diet coke, especially when out.

Sorry, this is a bit of a ramble. Suffice to say that I am so glad that there will be a support group to get me off the blocks!

@TeaRose29 nope never tried Sentia. I'm intrigued. Does it genuinely give you a buzz? I don't know if I'm a bit wary of that. Seems a bit too good to be true if it does but without any downsides. I see Professor Nutt is involved though so that makes it seem safer...

I’ve never noticed a buzz, @Jeffsmeffsmiff . I suspect it is very mild, and might be more noticeable during a period of sobriety, rather than just on an AF day when your brain is still used to regularly dealing with alcohol. Anyway, we will see! I genuinely like the taste, it’s quite complex, and it’s also low-calorie.

Hi all, my back is slowly getting better. I have an MRI next weekend.

I have Sentia and it's nice but didn't really give me a buzz. I have bought Mother Root recently and that's really good. If you like ginger then give it a go. I make it with soda water and slice oranges in it. It's very fiery!

I feel like 100 days is so long... I really hope I can do it though as I really can't see any point in drinking IF I can disassociate being relaxed/confident with having an alcoholic drink. At the moment I still feel like I need the numbing effect of the first couple of drinks in any social situation. Eurghhh