On A Mission To Moderate or Absolutely Abstaining? Join us for encouragement, support and non - judgemental chat *2024*

[Swannyb]

@amdone123 @mj20 @touty @Hohofortherobbers @Coppergate7 @bigbus @colouringindoors @wellitywellness @Atacamadesert @Freezingfeetwarmheart @WouldRatherBeAPieceOftToast @Hohofortherobbers @mickandrorty @Mykittensmittens @afaloren @NoTeaNoShade @CrackersCheeseNoWinePlease @LynnThese4reSEXPEOPLE @Needtokickthehabit @OhShitImNearly40 @Nowstrong @enoughisenough4

Looks like we’ve hit the max on the previous thread. It makes sense to start a new one for the new year anyways.

Hi & welcome to anyone else who’d like to join in.

@amdone123 were you the originator? How many threads have you gone through now?

Can I join please? Ten days dry and need a community to support 🤞🏻

@Swannyb hi there ! Sorry, I didn't see this - I don't get notifications. No problem, though, I'll try to bring everyone over 🤣

here…. 🤣 great minds think alike!!!!! @Swannyb @Amdone123

I started the thread… 5 years ago, in a pit of anxiety, freaking out after a big night and @Amdone123 replied pretty must instantly thank goodness and then never stopped replying 🤣 I must say after the first thread really was the driving force of the continuation, as I’ve been a bit of a flake. But we must of had a lot of threads….. 10? Xxx

@Mj20 was that 5 years ago ?! Wow - time flies.
I'm not sure how many threads - I thought about 3 🤣 - gawd, you can tell how deluded I am, in general.
Anyway, hi @NCgoingdry , and welcome. 10 days is great, well done ! Oh, I'm the same.
What are your plans ?
Do you want to give up completely ?

Hey is this the thread we're coming to?

It's great to see how many threads you've had for this. I'm looking forward to saying I've had an AF day, my time will come 😊

What do you do to distract yourself from pouring that first glass? I think because I've admitted out loud I think I have a problem, I'm feeling like it's all I think about.

@Hello2024 it is - hello again !
I think that's a real problem when you forbid something, you crave it more. I'm not a lover of pasta, for example, but when I tried keto, it's all I could think about.

I don't have it in, so that helps me pouring the first glass. I buy it as I want it.
You could write a list of all the benefits you'll feel when you're af ? My list has about 20 points on it. More, actually. Then you could read it to remind yourself ?
Have a bath, go for a walk, do a class. Some on here crochet, keep your hands busy ?
Have you tried any af drinks ? I quite like af perroni or kopperberg ? Might be worth having some nice af drinks in. And chocolate.

Marking place on the right one this time!

Helloooooo Day 11!

Hi everyone thanks for the tag @Swannyb ! Shiny new thread! We can do this! Let’s go!

I do need to find something to distract myself I think. But making a note of the reasons why I want to stop and the benefits of stopping is a good tip, I'll give that a go tonight after work.
I've tried AF wine it was rank, I don't have a sweet tooth so af cider might be out, I'll look for others though when I do my shopping hopefully that way I don't feel I'm missing it the same.

I’m day 10 AF which is actually quite impressive if I think about it. I was struggling to go 2 days last year.

As the weekend gets closer I am fighting a little. I want a drink and I think I could moderate it if I pick the right setting/situation but I also want to see this commitment through to the end.

Hmmmm 🤔

Oh and sorry I started a new thread, I thought the last one was done as it said it wouldn’t accept any more comments. Oops. Time for a fresh one! 😂😂

@Swannyb no worries - we'll all gravitate here.
I could have written your post. Seems we're telepathic this morning !
I'm 80 : 20 that I will drink on Friday. But only Friday.

@Swannyb and @Amdone123 im the same…. Already feeling like Friday and the wine witch is knocking! Ffs!!! But for today I’ll just focus on today 🙏🏼
and yes @Amdone123 time and threads fly. It might not be 10…. If you think 3… perhaps we are somewhere in the middle! Xx

Thanks very much @Amdone123 I'm going to try and post here to help me feel accoubtable. (Single, awful ex stress does not help drinking habits).

Not drinking today.

Well after first non drinking day in months I dreamt very long and vivid dreams, one involving a crush turning happy ever after (will never happen) and two, my being due to be executed (can't remember why). Not the funest night!!!

@Hello2024 I agree re AF wine! i find the beer and wine ok though.

@Swannyb well done! Do you feel any better?

If it's of any help, I've discovered two very palatable 0% alcohol beers recently.

First is Brewdog's Nanny State, and the second one - found in Sainsbury's this week - is Paradiso by Big Drop Brewing

As well as trying to be dry, I'm also trying to keep my carbs low, which adds another layer of complication! But both of these are low/very low in carbs.

@BIWI thank you very much.
That Paradiso one looks great - that could actually help me. Something a bit different.

@colouringindoors 🤣.
I'm not drinking today either.

@colouringindoors I am, I feel so much better for it. Without alcohol everything else seems to fall more into place.

@Amdone123 I am not worried about Saturdays lunch getting out of control, it’s more that it may lead me back to old habits again. I won’t stress over it though. I’ll make a decision when I get there.

Hello

Thank you for all your lovely kind and warm comments over the last few days, I’m sorry I’m not able to tag everyone but @Amdone123 @Swannyb @Mj20 and copper gate etc

Im still feeling anxious and low about the other night. I wonder to myself as to how my life got to the point where I drink so that I can’t stand up and put myself in danger and that I could have died.

There have been a few times this year when OH has had to pick me up from the bar because I couldn’t walk, but this is the first time I’ve collapsed and passed out in the road by myself.

it’s not that I drink every day, but over the last year by binging has got worse.

I said some terribly nasty things to OH whilst drunk, made an idiot of myself in front of neighbors

@Amdone123 asked about my living situation and yes it really gets me down but it’s complicated and I don’t really know what to do. I went to see a psychiatrist a few years ago who acknowledged that things were difficult but she said that the problem was my perception of things, ie happiness comes from the inside and not from outside etc….
she recommended me a book called to be happy in Alaska…

I’ve just got to quit booze now.

ive had a problem with booze for years. I get the alcoholic gene from my father who was a nasty aggressive and violent drunk when he binge drank. Now I’ve turned into the same.

im going to AA tonight but I’m hoping it will be canceled, I’m fed up of thinking about this poison.

@Touty good to hear from you. It's great you're going to AA - don't be nervous or anxious, you can just listen to everyone else, then take it from there.
It's such a brave step, so give yourself some credit there. It's not easy.
Remember to post here when you need extra support ❤️

When I did Sober September I ate a tonne of sugar and felt very sorry for myself but now it’s January and I’m eating well and exercising every day. Still a long way to go until the end of the month but I’m feeling positive. I do have my delayed works Christmas do at the end of Jan which I’ve planned as an exception, then a weekend with friends at the beginning of Feb so the challenge will be not falling off the wagon totally and actually moderating!

@afaloren yeah, I was like that when I first did the 30 day experiment. I used to eat family sized bars, and I don't even have a sweet tooth. I no longer do that, either - I have a few treats, but it's like swapping one habit for another.
You'll be fine moderating I'm sure - I'll moderate on Friday. I won't go mad, as I don't want a hangover. I think it's just a matter of enjoying a few glasses, but being mindful.

Thanks @Amdone123 I hope so! I struggle a bit with being an all or nothing type, in all aspects of my life. I find doing things slowly and steadily a real challenge. But my goal for this year is to only drink when I’ve planned it in advance and not fall into the shop every day just out of habit.