On a mission to moderate or absolutely abstaining - new thread for summer 2024

[Bigbus]

@amdone123 @touty @coppergate7 @swannyb
@Hohofortherobbers @YoghurtPotWashingMachine @Mj20 @Freezingfeetwarmheart @Needtokickthehabit @OhShitImNearly40 @Nowstrong @enoughisenough4

The last thread got full before a new one could be started. I’ve tried to tag some of the regular posters but I don’t really know what I’m doing! Let me know if this works and please tag people I’ve missed.

Thank you @Mj20 that is very kind , the anxiety is now making me reach and I can’t swallow food. I have just gone and bought 8 cans of beer for tonight . I know I will pay but I can’t face a night alone without them

Thank you @enoughisenough4 i know the only healer is time but I feel like I’m grieving right now. I just to go to sleep and never wake up again. I’m dreading drinking tonight and waking up at silly o’clock crying my heart out

@Jbob1976 can I ask you a serious question, are you safe? If you feel at all like it’s getting too much 111 now support with mental health crisis. Also you are absolutely grieving. Grief applies to any loss, so you’ll experience all those feelings and it’s natural and normal. Try and take it steady with the beers, especially if you can’t eat. Is there anyone who can keep you company tonight? Thinking of you xx

@enoughisenough4 oh well, 4 days straight is always better than 5, you enjoyed it and now want to do something about it. Always stay positive.
@Mj20 51 days is impressive! I think I might continue to be AF just to see the weight loss happen, plus the beautiful skin, still not happening here 😩. Sleep also playing me up at the moment, but I think it's my water drinking or perhaps I'm a medical miracle and a prostate has grown 🙄.

For those struggling on Friday evening, stay strong. Love yourselves. 💐

@Jbob1976 also a little worried about your last message. Like @Mj20 I want to check if you are safe? To be honest I think in your situation I would drink as well. It absolutely is a type of grief and I know I've certainly turned to the wine when grief has been fresh. Just know that you're not alone and you have a lot of support here

@Jbob1976 I will be keeping an eye for you on this thread tonight so you are not alone ❤️

Thank you so much x I’m going over friends tonight and staying over as I can’t take it on own

@Jbob1976 so pleased youve got some company tonight. Please keep in touch and let us all know how you are.

@enoughisenough4 let's both hope for a decent night tonight.

happy Friday all xxx take care xx

@Jbob1976 glad you've got some company tonight x

Morning All, thank you for your concern it’s so touching . I did have a lot to drink again last night, but not as much as I could, I stayed at my friends. Feeling desperately low now, I know that’s intensified by alcohol. I kept looking at pics of my son this morning and it breaks my heart to see his little face , yesterday when we told him he sobbed his heart out and I just can’t get that vision out my head. To think the pain I have caused that l have caused him and turned his world upside down. I know I can’t drink my through this as I have my kids to think of and grandson now. I’m off out today with friends , I need to be around people but when I’m alone like I am now I just sit and cry. I just wish I could cope without the drink but last night after a few I lost the urge to cry and pain eased. I’m such a mess right now. Luckily my family and friends are there for me and you too

Morning! Still AF. Going to stop mentioning how many days, as I'm having to look it up. That in itself is a flipping miracle. Urges are slowing dying their slow silent death.
Slept better. Drank less water later in the day and that seems to have slowed the urgent visits to the loo in the night. Still no miracle weight loss, but as I going away I'll not be weighing myself daily (silly habit) and might get a surprise on my return . Perhaps I should stop looking at myself in the mirror in the morning and have a peep in 10 days to see the new radiant me smiling back at myself. Oh well...

@Jbob1976 so so sorry that you are going through this. However, this too shall pass and then you will have to pull yourself up from the deep depth of despair and show your little boy what a fantastic mum he's got. Because he has. You just can't find that mum in you at the moment. Get her back and show yourself, him and the world what a bloody brave mum and grandma you are. One day at a time. We'll all be here for you. Holding your hand and encouraging you on. One step at a time. Love yourself and the rest will come too. Take care. Sending hugs and willing you on.

Nothing much else to say. Packing day today. Off at dawn tomorrow. New adventures, new places to see, new people to meet, and all that while being sober.
I think I love being sober and at the moment I don't want to experience that fuzzy feeling that a couple of drinks give me. I want to remain "all there". Incredible how a couple of weeks can change you. Sending lots of powerful vibes to all. Happy Saturday!

@Nowstrong thank you. I have to get through this for my kids. And I have to stop drinking so much too. When I am through this I really want to learn to cope without the drink. I have so much love and support yet I feel so lonely and down. Congrats on yr abstinence , I could only dream of that right now 😥

@Jbob1976 You said you didn't have as much to drink as you could have, that's good. If you don't feel you can cope without drink just now, is it an option to cut down very gradually? That way you don't have to face the fear of not drinking when you are feeling so low but you are working towards something.

@Nowstrong How long into your AF streak did the cravings start to subside?

I'm thinking of doing Sober September or whatever it's called, making exceptions for a couple of planned events. Anyone want to join me?

@Nowstrong I'm the same - I'll be continuing being af but not mention days until I get to a milestone, so to speak.
I feel great too without that fuzzy feeling. I have lost weight - 1lb this week, so 3lb in 2 weeks. Was so happy through the night, not reaching for diet coke or my phone to see who I've arranged to meet.
Have a great holiday, post when you need, but other than that - enjoy !

@YoghurtPotWashingMachine for the cravings, I would say a good 10 days to simply forget about them. But I presume that we are all different. I can say that now, at this point in my AF trip they have more or less disappeared. But never say never. They might reappear for one reason or another.

I'm with you for Sober September!

Hi @YoghurtPotWashingMachine I told my son this morning for the first ever time the extent of my drinking , he was so so so understanding , we agreed the 3 nights he stays next week I won’t drink and he won’t let me . I must beat this , otherwise I’ll fall into a dark place I can’t get out of. He said he’ll keep coming over as long as I need him. I’m so blessed to have him , it’s what stops me doing silly things when those thoughts come into my head. I’m out today , going to really try and reign in drinking today , but I need to be around people as sitting on my own is torture

@Jbob1976 That's really good that you have a plan in place. Best of luck and please check on here if you need support. What nights will your son be staying with you? I will stay alcohol free with you.

Every tues weds and Thursdays

@Jbob1976 , you can do it - just keep posting x.
We are here for you ❤️

Morning from sunny Greek island, tiring trip, upon arrival resisted lovely cool beer and had lovely cool sparkling water, which made me proud and happy.
So still AF and happy. Sending sunny positive vibes to all. Stay strong. Don't forget to love yourselves x

@Nowstrong Sounds idyllic. Have an amazing time x

Morning, folks !
Oohh great swerve, @Nowstrong - I don't think many could have resisted that. Have a lovely time.

Well, Saturday having got to 12 days, I fell off the wagon. I'd been for a very long walk, popped into the supermarket and wine was purchased.
I did have a lovely day in the back garden so I'm not being harsh with myself.
Yesterday I was tired / hungover - not brilliant but I'll put it behind me.

Positive is that I reached DD double digits for the 1st time in ages. And I know I can do it.
I'm af now for as long as possible.
I am out in 2 weeks but it's not really a drinking event ( though it can be, if you want).
Anyway, looking forward and doing my best ❤️

Hi all. I have been missing in action as August was a washout with regards to being AF. I knew it would be. Had my best friend here from Australia for two weeks plus other stuff. Nothing too bad but definitely too much red wine consumed.

Going to try to abstain Mon to Thursday this week. I think my liver will thank me.

@Peridot1 , August is a difficult month I think. It's up there with December. You can get back on track now, just concentrate on Mon to Thursday - that's a great start.

Does anyone want to do Sober September ? I know someone mentioned it.
I can't promise anything as it's one day at a time for me, but I can certainly do my best.
I suppose I'd like to avoid wine - that's a start.

morning all, after drinking stupid amounts since my break up and having very dark dark thoughts yesterday I decided to stop drinking , I went at free last night. I still woke up upset due to situation but alcohol is making it worse and until I get through this I will not drink no matter how much I want it. I have an aa meeting on weds I’m thinking of going to? I can’t carry on using booze like I do