No alcohol April - the place to share, moan and support

[Thelittlestranger]

Hello everyone!

Starting a new thread, my first one! Big thanks to @noalcohol2024 who originally set up these threads.

Come and chat if you are just giving it a go, starting a longer journey, or sober-curious.

Day 91 for me. I started this thinking I would do 100 days, and now I'm not sure when I'll stop. If at all.

Thank you for the warm welcome, it’s been remarkable reading your posts and seeing so much of myself in your blended words.
I too can be an awful drunk on occasions , argumentative, aggressive and spiteful. It’s shameful to admit my behaviour at times. Not always but more often than not.
i have been in a deteriorating relationship with alcohol for the past 15 years in reality, using it as a coping mechanism, which ironically is doing anything but!

My partner of 2 years is from the Middle East and drinks so rarely. As we don’t live together I can still mask the amount of wine drunk by putting empty bottles from midweek into the public recycling. So he has no clue. Holidays I state is an occasion so he has 1 glass and I drink the rest. And weekends are similar in how I can continue to get my fix. Then pretend I’m alcohol free all week.
He is the kindest, gentlest soul of anyone I’ve ever met, yet my dragon tongue can scorch him when I’m a couple of glasses in. And it’s wrong, why would I do that to someone who has only ever shown me kindness?
And that pattern is not new.

My kids, late husband and many more have all have been in the firing line when I’ve put wine ahead of them.

So this has to stop, I want it to stop before I end up dead or with a life changing illness that could have been prevented all by myself.

So it’s day 3 over here and sorry for the ramble but it’s cathartic being so candid.

im sorry I don’t know how to directly quote but congratulations to TeeNoG on your 100 days. That’s a great achievement, I can’t wait to read about your next 100 days 🥳

@ everyone else, you’re amazing be it at day 1 or 1000.

@Manchestermummax3 .. are you in Instagram.. I find some of the accounts there great to follow

Hello I think different things work for different people, not surprisingly. I need some structure so the alcohol experiment is ideal. I've listened to various podcasts and read a fair few books. Some resonate, some really don't.
My danger time is 4-5 in the evening. Distraction helps

I am indeed... any recommendations?

Exactly this. The sober accounts annoy me rather than motivate me because I'm not a fan of motivational quotes! But they help some folk and that's all that matters.

I've decided that I'm going to have a snazzy juice on a Fri/Sat. Something I wouldn't normally buy so it feels a bit special. Tonight's was lychee juice. It was OK but soooooooo sweet. I might not be drunk but I'm on a total sugar high! 😅

Thanks for the CBD drinks recommendations. Got some Trip peach ginger. £6 for 4x250ml. Had 1 last night and today was such a good day - maybe cbd helped? The lack of drinkers remorse was also in there.
Has anyone else tried the alcohol experiment? I'd recommend it if not. As I said earlier the structure helps me keep on track.

@Bilsonate try the CBD drinks, they're not too sweet. Unlike the donuts I've scoffed this week.

I've tried a few and really liked them. I'm going to try all the weird and wonderful juices/drinks I see. I used to get put off by the cost but they're less than the bottle of wine I would normally buy!

@Bilsonate I love this, I'll join you! I think there can be a tendency to think 'well what the hell will I drink if I don't drink alcohol?', and the answer is literally anything but alcohol! So many nice juices and cordials and kombuchas etc etc to try 😊. The cost used to put me off but you've inspired me a bit and I think I'll have a good look for something whilst I am out today.

Day 6 here. Last night I had a big mug of tea and then bed for an early night. Spent some time moisturising everywhere first and I slept so well. It may have taken me a while to get to sleep but I slept really deeply. Woken up this morning feeling great. Just got to get through tonight, which will be my biggest challenge this week but still feeling determined.

@Manchestermummax3 .. I know Instagram isn't for everyone but I find other peoples stories interesting and inspiring .. I love Soberdave and soberlittlemotherred on there ... won't bore everyone else but there are loads more

Hello. This is the first time I've joined a thread like this, but after getting into yet another state last weekend, where I embarrassed myself yet again, I've decided that I want to stop drinking. I've toyed with the idea before, but I was married and found it difficult because my xh would drink at home. I'm now divorced, so no excuses!
I can moderate my drinking in the house, and a bottle of wine lasts 3 days. But when I socialise, I'm a typical binge drinker, which leads to 3 day hangovers.
I haven't had a drink since last Saturday night. So today I'm on day 7. I'm struggling with the thought of not having a glass of wine tonight. It would only be the one, but I really need to try and knock the habit of drinking on the head. I'm going to pick up some CBD drinks today and try having one of those tonight and see how I get on.
Best of luck to everyone here. I've read others' stories with interest and think this seems a good place to offer and gain support.

Morning everyone.
day 5 for me & like you @AFmammaG good luck at bongos by the way…. tonights my test, we would usually go on somewhere after a birthday meal, but I have already told them I’m going straight home, is it strange to feel like what’s even the point in going out??

Best of luck! I did similar last month - went out for a friend's (who I've not seen in a while) birthday meal. Everyone was heading back to hers afterwards for drinks, but I excused myself and went home. It was really good to wake up the next day, hangover free, no regrets and feeling like I'd exercised some self control. You can do this!

Day 6 .. heading home out soon for a birthday lunch for my daughter. First test .. I'm going to pass !

Good luck to all those battling 'firsts' today and this weekend.

Loved the Sober Dave recommendation 👍🏼

I listened to a few of the 'they think it's all sober' podcasts and also 'sober stories from everyday people' which particularly helped me not feel so alone.

@gano welcome! What else might you enjoy that you can look forward to tonight? I've enjoyed an evening bath a few times, when usually I wouldn't have had 'time' because I was having a drink and then slumping on the sofa. A bit like @AFmammaG moisturising all over last night I reckon ☺️

Yaaaaas! I bought two different kombuchas today and a cranachan flavoured soda 😁

Good luck 💪

Checking in dry 🥳 first sober weekend in quite some time. At home with a cup of tea and headed to bed soon. Feeling really positive.

Hope everyone else had a good evening.

@AFmammaG well done! And you'll wake up tomorrow hangover free and feeling all fresh!
I've had a nice big cup of camomile tea whole watching a film, then bed for me too 😌 x

awwwww fumin now!!! I had 2 glasses of wine with my meal, wasn’t even worth it..but everyone else went on to the pub & now I’m home having a brew & going to bed, well done @AFmammaG 👍

Oh and I just have to add…it killed me to leave them all & come home, we were having a fab time, but just knew how it would have ended if I’d carried on with them.
can not see me getting to the point where I can stay out with everyone all night & not drink 😩

Mission accomplished! Went out for daughters birthday lunch ( highly recommend Trentina in Jewellery Quarter if you are in Brum) .. had a mocktail and a zero Peroni and a great time ! .. we then went to bar and I just didn't want anything so had tea ! It helps that my daughter barely drinks . DH and Son in law keen to carry on so we went bowling. I was finding just sitting in a bar boring by this stage ( would have sat there all day usually ! ) .. enjoyed bowling and had a Diet Coke .. home by 9pm
Have just messaged friends and dropped out of Bongos Bingo next week .. just can't put myself in the way of that yet .. !
Sober Sunday .. Day 7
This chat is helping me a lot so thank you all

@Oopsdiditagain oh no 😥hope you are ok today, straight back on the wagon? Stopping at 2 glasses must feel like a win though? All is not lost, progress isn’t a straight line etc sending 💐

Well done @BrummieCahoots, a night out is a real tough challenge.

I’m annoyed at shit sleep last night. I did everything right 😆 so rude!

Morning all, it's heartening to see how everyone is doing. @Oopsdiditagain 2 glasses and not carrying on sounds like a small victory to me.
I met friends in the pub last night for a friend's birthday. They'd already been for a meal and were frankly hammered. I had a bottle of water, a catch up with people and home. Didn't sleep well, the purdeys drink I had with my tea had caffeine in. Lesson learned