The support thread for anyone trying to lead an alcohol free life.

[WendyWagon]

Hello and welcome. We are a bunch of people (mainly women) trying to give up alcohol. No judgement, just honest support and kindness
The original thread was started by @drybird2020 in 2020 and we have plenty of veterans who can offer advice and signposting.

We don't encourage moderation purely as it can be triggering for some to read.

I'm Wendy and I'll be the captain of the ship for the next two months or so.
I gave up drinking in January 2022.

Good morning!

I am a daily wine drinker and I have decided to set myself the initial challenge of dry July. Ironically I work in healthcare so you'd think I would know better having seen first hand the damage alcohol and addiction can do both physically and mentally.

I've got hypnotherapy lined up and I am needing a fuck tonne of willpower but I know I will feel amazing if I can see it through (and beyond).

Trying to link to previous thread.

Took me two goes but I think I’ve done it now

Welcome @turnipsandtiaras

We are a jolly bunch. Lots of advice when the lads (not really lads) pop over.

found you but had to search. not sure there's a link on the last thread but might be me?

thanks captain @WendyWagon for the welcome and the new thread. welcome one and all to this beautiful shiny supportive non judgmental thread. i'm on day 65 and thank my lucky stars for the ladies on this sober ship.

Thanks for sorting the new thread @WendyWagon

Welcome @turnipsandtiaras

I am day 29 AF today. 4 whole weeks under the belt. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster so far but this group has been an invaluable support.

@turnipsandtiaras a big welcome to you

Linking
@rep22@@eastcoastdamsel
@fortheloveofgod
@blackberryblossom
@drybird2020
@grannyofdragons

Morning one and all.
I've checked the link and it appears to be working thank you@Onewildandpreciouslife
My mum phone doesn't let me do much.

I'm Wendy as most of you know. A big cheese (sometimes when I've not been fired by sexist men!) who works in London but lives in the country.
I joined the thread in January 2022 desparate to find some support.
I was drinking 5-7 bottles of wine a week at home plus business entertainment.
I'd recently done some pretty shameful things at work events and had reached a difficult time at home.
I loved my wine. I kept a cellar, bored the arse off people talking about it and seemed to drink more than other people.
My DC and husband hated it. I was unhappy and unhealthy. I found this thread and started my journey.

I hope we can be of support to newbies and vets alike.

Thanks @WendyWagon for the new thread. I'm coming up to 4 months sober and so grateful for the people here. Welcome @turnipsandtiaras x

Well done @Womanshour and @EastCoastDamsel .

Hello, this thread just popped up on my active threads, not sure I've posted on any of the other threads before.

I'm coming up to 3 years alcohol free, best decision I've ever made. Actually not really sure it was a decision to quit forever but here I am and can't imagine ever going back.

I was the typical mum drinker, busy stressful full time job, 2 young children and thought it was my treat and way to relax. In reality I can see now it was adding to my stress. I feel real happiness and joy now without it. I used to long for the evenings and drinking wine or gin, rush through bedtime to get there, feel grumpy and irritable the next day with my wonderful children.

Gosh actually I feel a bit emotional typing this.

I still struggle a bit not fitting in. My close friends are fine (although sometimes I think they find it a bit odd) but at school mum nights out and work nights out I still tend to lie and say I'm driving, medication etc. which seems so odd because it's honestly the best and most positive thing I've ever done for myself. I just hate thinking that people feel sorry for me or think I'm an alcoholic.

Anyway, thanks for this post. Will try and contribute with my experiences and what I've learned over the last 3 years.

@SwimmingFree welcome and mega congrats.
Lots of us have said we find we don't really fit in. Too outspoken, too quiet, too bloody nice!
How do you feel three years in? I'm a different person.

Joining for support please.
After years of daily wine drinking, I had managed to get to point where I didn't drink in week but felt like my week was geared towards opening that bottle on Friday night.
Managed a whole 6 weeks AF at start of year but since a holiday at Easter have slipped back and drinking more and more.
Fed up of feeling groggy/having a headache all weekend and I'm scared of what damage I've done/am doing to my body.
I need a reset.
Normally the approach of the summer hols means extra opportunity to drink though, no school runs and more relaxed routine so it will be tough.

Welcome @YellowSunRays

Lots of us liked Friday nights more than anything! 😄
I used to commute by car for decades so no drink in the week. Come Friday it was all bets off. However every Saturday I felt like sh*t. Sunday I thought I'm OK now let's have just one at lunch time. One bottle that is!
Summer is difficult as people do entertain but there are lots of alcohol free options these days. I take my own Gordon's af cans. Or the marks ones.
Get some treats in because you might crave sugar. I don't eat sweets but I love fruit so I get the posh stuff in. Cheaper than wine.

Just tagging
@Crunchymum
@breathmiller
@bunniesbunniesbunnies
@hangingover

Checking in for the new thread. Although I don't post very often now.

Day 868 for me, I still log my days as it helps to keep me focused. I've not had so much as a drop of alcohol since 13th February 2022.

I'm still battling a sugar addiction / weight issues. I am still solo parenting (albeit with a solid network + partner and I are still together but just live apart), I still have a chronic autoimmune condition, I am still dealing with the grief of losing my beloved mum very suddenly a few years back, I am still flawed and imperfect.

Yet I don't drink and it makes all of the above so much easier to cope with.

I'd never, ever go back.

@livingalivelife
@happyasagrig

New thread

Thanks for the tag @WendyWagon

@SwimmingFree what a lovely post. That's do motivating to keep going thanks for sharing and @Crunchymum x

@Crunchymum amaze balls.

Hey there, Wendy, happy Sunday!

I was chatting with DH about life without alcohol. I do still miss the sharp taste of a decent cocktail in the sunshine, or good red wine with cheese, but there have been so many bigger good things for those momentary misses.

Our 18yo daughter wants to sit and chat when she comes in from being out with friends. We have a much better and more relaxed time with her.

Our eldest seeks us out to watch films, argue about politics, just shoot the shit.

I never wake with that feeling of dread fearing how I behaved the previous night.

I say yes to things in the evening because I don’t need to think about how I’ll be able to drink if I do them, or worry about showing myself up.

DH and I don’t argue anymore.

We may be feeling the financial strain but we are no longer sinking towards debt, spending all our money on booze.

Thank you, everyone here, for helping me get to this stage. 136 days and counting.

@HappyAsAGrig great to hear the benefits of an AF life.
My adult DC do the same. Big chats and the same with the DH.
I spent my saved money on red vein laser treatment and garden plants.

Hey all, just place marking the new thread.

Good luck to all for an AF Sunday xx

@NextPhaseOfLife hello.