An unexpected Day 1 of sobriety

[freshstart321]

I was browsing on here this morning and read a thread that someone had started asking about the positives of not drinking. Someone on the thread recommended the book 'The Sober Diaries'. I downloaded it onto my Kindle.

Reading the book is almost like reading about myself. There are so many moments where I think 'that's me'. I've just read the part where she mentioned that the tooth fairy had been late a few times due to drinking the night before. The last time my youngest's tooth came out, only a few weeks ago, I drunk a bottle of wine once the children were in bed then went to bed myself and the tooth fairy didn't arrive. My son found it funny that she was late, but I was mortified.

It's time I stopped drinking. Properly. Not just had a couple of days off and then opened a bottle of wine with food on a Thursday evening because it was almost the weekend and then proceeded to drink for the next 4 or 5 days but then feel good due to my 2 days off.

The questions the author asks in the book about whether she is an alcoholic because she doesn't drink in the morning, she can go a few days without, etc etc all ring so true to me. I am definitely very dependent on alcohol.

100 days from today I am taking my children on holiday (I am a single parent). My aim is to reach the airport without having touched a drop of alcohol from today. 100 days alcohol free. I also hope it will help with the many pounds I've gained, with my anxiety and depression, with my awful sleep and so many other things.

Day 1 of freedom.....here we go

Well done!

Thank you

@freshstart321 I'm with you, onwards and upwards!

@freshstart321 that sounds like a real 'lightbulb moment'. Good for you. I'm so impressed already, and it's only day 1! Wish you all the best with your first 100 days, one day at a time.

Well done OP, it’s so easy to slip into heavy drinking.

Well done OP!

Clare pooley is great. There are lots of sober podcasts that are worth a listen (sassy sober mum, they think it's all sober, sober Dave). Lots of people on Instagram that are also worth following.

I try and listen to a sober/ sober curious podcast a day and it has really helped me.

Agree with the PP who said take it one day at a time.

I'll join you!

I drink a bottle of wine at least 4-5 days a week, I've put on a stone in 6 months, I'm eating carbs non stop on hangover days, and I look like shit.

I was literally just contemplating a glass of wine (which would turn into a bottle) because I've had a hard day at work, but as I've been told a hundred times - drinking because you've had a hard day only guarantees that tomorrow will be even harder. Which is absolutely true.

Well done.
I'm working on my own relationships with wine. It stops me sleeping, makes me anxious and I've put on weight.
Yet we still keep drinking it!
I've read sober diaries and recognised a lot of myself too.

Well done! I lost a stone in the first 100 days after I quit...and as much as I was terrified of holidays without drinking, they are so much nicer now. I was missing out on so much when I was drinking through those times with my kids. You're going to feel amazing in 100 days.

Well done OP! I'm only on day 2 right now, but my goal is 100 days. I downloaded the app TryDry where you can set a goal, write notes on how you went on etc.

Thank you all. The next couple of hours are going to be my tricky time. We've eaten dinner, washing up is done, I've completed a couple of other chores since finishing work, my boys are outside playing.

My plan tonight is to have a 'nice' drink. I have lime cordial and tonic water, will try that tonight. I'm going to listen to one of the podcasts mentioned. I'm going to complete an Italian lesson plus I've got tortilla chips and salsa for a little snack. That should get me through to bedtime tonight and then day 1 will be completed!

I've just downloaded the app, thank you for the suggestion

Also well done to everyone else at all stages of the journey.

Well done, OP. You sound like you may have reached a turning point.

The Sober Diaries was a great read for me, too.

One of the stand out points I really indentified with was I was often crotchety with the kids because I wanted them to hurry up and go to bed so I could have adult time, which for me, meant wine.

When we were out and about on holiday (UK), i would be itching to drive back to the cottage so I could have a drink.

The day was something to get through so I could numb myself at night.

I'm only a couple of weeks in but I'm already finding life has taken on a new focus.

Good luck, OP - one day at a time 💕

Good luck op. I set myself the goal of a month, then 100 days... And have kept going. Maybe in 100 days you'll decide you don't want to waste your holiday either drunk, hungover, tired or anxious... And stay sober instead 😊

It gets easier. Treat yourself to whatever else you feel.like!

I know exactly what you mean about wanting the kids to go to bed so you could have a drink.

Well done on your first couple of weeks and it's so great that you're already noticing a difference!

My aim is to keep going after 100 days, but I figured it was a good goal to set at the beginning. Well done on your achievements!

Day 1 is complete and was relatively simple (as I thought it would be because I tend to have a day or 2 alcohol free every week). The weekend will be the challenge as my children are with their dad, my relationship with a different partner has just ended, and I have zero plans.

I have ordered a couple of alcohol free proseccos that have great reviews, I have alcohol free lager in the house (I have been trying to 'cut down' for a while). I am going to make sure I cook meals I love. I am going to take the dog on lots of nice walks and I'm going to spend some time tidying the house.

Last night was a rubbish sleep, but I know from reading that these things won't improve overnight.

My first big challenge is reaching Monday morning without having a drink.

This morning I had an annual review of my contraceptive with the GP. Since my last review I have gained a lot of weight (I knew that) and my BP is now high. Stopping drinking is going to help both of those. I have also started reading Alcohol Explained by William Porter today, alongside The Sober Diaries. I'm not far enough in to make a judgement yet, but the reviews are brilliant.

Alcohol explained is a brilliant book

Well done op. Great start.

Today is day 4 and the start of the weekend (after work!). It hasn't been too much of a challenge (yet), the weekend will be the biggest one. My stomach is still not right, it was worse yesterday than Wednesday, and I am still not sleeping properly and feeling shattered all day. However I know these side effects will disappear and I will feel so much better as a result of not drinking. I have some af prosecco and af lagers in for the weekend, have booked a hair appointment for myself (first one in over 6 months) and plan to have a good tidy up of the house. Keeping busy is going to be key I think.

You can do it. First few weeks are hardest part as your body and mind adjusts - I had tonnes of sugar to compensate. After that you start feeling so much better and you wonder why you'd ever want to drink again. I had similar drinking habits to you and am now 14 months sober. My life is so much better for it. I had to accept I just wasn't a natural moderator unfortunately but now I wouldn't want a drink if someone offered to pay me for it. It robbed me of a lot of things. Hope all goes well this weekend

Great update, @freshstart321

I am really enjoying AF beer - feels like an adult drink, and I didn't drink beer at all before.

Enjoy the weekend!

Go you! 👍 The weight, the sleep, the anxiety... it WILL help all those things! And you'll look and feel fresher... But yes, the first few days you may feel ropey with all the changes - just think of it as your brain and body healing.

The sugar does help at this stage. Maybe treat yourself to a posh box of choices or a lovely cake to pick at over the next few days? Cheaper and better than booze!

Keep up the good work!