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.

Joining very late if you don't mind!

Day 2 for me. Want to quit entirely

Welcome @AndBeyond! I’m 3 weeks today and feeling so happy.

Another sober weekend complete- day 28 - 4 friggin weeks!!! 🎉

Early start tomorrow as my eldest has a hospital appointment. Knowing I'll be fully engaged & present is the best gift I can give him & myself ☺️
I hope you all had a lovely sunny weekend!

Welcome aboard the sober bus @AndBeyond!

Well done for prioritising yourself and not going on the night out @AFmammaG . Zero point going out if you know you won't enjoy it and there will be other opportunities to go out.

Also well done @Manchestermummax3, 4 weeks is awesome and it will be priceless being clear headed tomorrow.

I've had a really nice weekend and am really starting to see some of the longer term benefits - my eating has regulated, I'm exercising and only bloody enjoying it, and my anxiety is massively diminished. Also noticed I am more confident at work. I do still feel a bit disconnected from friends, but I feel ok to work through that.

Hello, I'd like to get on board please. I did Dry January and felt good after it. Went largely alcohol free through to Easter and then somehow fell down the rabbit hole and have been having a hard time getting back out.
First day of the week is a good time to steady myself again. One day at a time, I'm looking forward to feeling better about my health and hoping my stress levels will go down. I'm hoping that at the same time next week I'll be able to say that I'm feeling less anxious too.

Thank you for the welcomes

1 week in, nothing compared to some on here. But ashamed to say that’s the longest I haven’t drunk for years 🥳

Every day that goes by are a win. Well done to all, and welcome to anyone new 👍🏼

Just returned from a weekend away with my girlfriends. No alcohol consumed by me. It was a revelation and has honestly made me even more determined to continue. Luckily I still like my friends even when I'm not drinking (!) and I had such a lovely time. Remembered all conversations and had some great sleep.

Well I'm disappointed in myself .. again. Was doing well and at 17 days. Had a rubbish day at work Thursday , went away at weekend and ended up having wine Thursday, Friday and Saturday.. very tempted to just not come on here anymore but I'm still determined even though back at Day 2 .. I will still feel good though if I manage 27 days of April wine free .. if anything it's reminded me how much better I feel without booze . On I go !

@TeeNoG thank you for the mention. I did feel a bit gloomy about it but I listened to sober awkward yesterday, the ‘sober boring’ episode and it was perfect timing! One of the presenters didn’t go out for 18 months to stay sober! I am still seeing friends but engineering coffees instead of drinks and avoiding the temptations I know will challenge me too much.

As you say, I’m seeing those benefits too. Not just my appearance, which has undoubtedly improved (!) but also my memory seems shaper, my moods feel more balanced and my sleep… oh my goodness I feel refreshed in the morning. I also feel like I’m making better choices in other areas of my life. Remembering to take my vitamins, choosing fruit over crisps, walking with the kids rather than driving. I'm experiencing the opposite of a hangover and it feels great!

@BrummieCahoots definitely jump back on! Progress isn’t a straight line and this is an incredibly bumpy journey.

Hi all
Just checking in and following your journeys. Day 82. Can’t believe I’ve got this far. Keep going, it really does get easier. I heard a quote yesterday…. Booze is a thief you drink to steal your brain . Isn’t it just.

Hi, day 1 for me. I don't feel up to starting a thread,, but I'll be reading and watching on here, and trying to find the best way to get alcohol out of life, and not let it back. I am totally unable to moderate and want to start NOW whilst the shame and hangover are fresh. thanks

Checking in for day 31!

Survied a family BBQ over the weekend by drinking AF cider

I usually like a drink to relax in social situations but I actually found after everyone else had had a few drinks and they were relaxed so did I!

It was great waking up fresh to a tidy house and garden as I managed to keep on top of the clearing up as I didn't get to a fuck it stage from drinking and leave the mess for the next day.

Definitely motivated to keep going 💪

Respect to you all on longer af journeys, I'm day 23 and would love to get into 3 figures.
The alcohol experiment is helping to keep me on track, I need a structured approach I think. I've been drinking for so long it's second nature.
But waking up every day feeling fresh is so lovely.
Good luck to all at the early stages. My advice, use the support around you online, in books etc.
Just started watching The Dry on itvx. Interesting.

Welcome @PurpleFresias. I would recommend some podcasts if you have time. There’s a couple of series called ‘fucking sober - the first 90 days’, which I found relatable. Currently ploughing my way through the sober awkward ones and they do bring a smile to my face and helping me to stay focused.

It’s day 23 for me and I feel so well. I’ve got my eye on the initial target of April, didn’t think in a million years I’d actually make it. Quietly plotting a longer target, I’m thinking 100 days would be very nice but that’s a bit too far ahead right now. Just enjoying the benefits of 3 weeks without alcohol. A flatter stomach, softer skin and a clear head being just a few.

@rumred . Have you watched "Loudermilk" on Netflix ? Also really good

@BrummieCahoots no not heard of it. Am about due to get Netflix again so will make a note of it thanks.
Something awful happened earlier and I was advised to have a brandy. I was very proud of myself for buying a bag of revels instead. Which I duly ate.

I've been listening to the FuckingSober podcast @AAFmammaG - definitely hits the spot, thank you. Day 4, and I'm feeling good (physically and emotionally), and optimistic. I've been down this road before so I understand the science of addict, the slippery slope etc. hopefully this time I will stick with it. how is everyone today?

Oh glad you are enjoying it @PurpleFresias, have you got to the Mr Guinness episode? That did make me laugh. She was mental to go for dinner in a pub so early on!

I’m on day 25. I’ve had a lot of headaches recently. I think I may have one of the billion viruses going around. Drinking lots of water and getting lots of sleep but still feeling a bit ill.

Yes to Mr Guinness @AFmammaG haha, but way too much temptation too soon. I will go for the antisocial method, and exhaust myself with exercise. Sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather. That doesn't help

Last weekend of April and I’m still dry 🥳
Day 26! Go me! Didn’t think I would be able to do it but here I am. Sipping my water and don’t feel tempted at all tonight, despite DH sitting next to me with a bottle of red open. It’s a great reminder of the benefits of taking a break. I really needed this.

Put beer that we'd had in the house before going AF in the fridge the other day as we had family visiting for lunch. They didn't drink it so it's gone back in the cupboard for the next time we have guests. Still committed to not drinking, still get cravings but at 117 days it's getting better all the time.

Went for a meal in a pub last night. I wasn’t tempted, which is something very new for me. I’d already decided to drive so that obviously helped.
Day 28 and I’ll be joining the May thread…. I have some difficult events already booked in the diary for May but right now I want to focus on continuing this run. My longest in 2024 🥳

Although what I should say is that when we got home DH opened a bottle of red. So it’s not like temptation wasn’t there. It was. I went to bed at ‘normal’ time and DH stayed up later to finish his red. Normally I would have joined him but not last night!