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.

Interesting stats on the thread in AIBU about social drinking. A poster who works for a big booze company said the industry is now developing more AF options as 55% of over 40s don't drink or have reduced their consumption. 25 % of gen Z don't drink (I think it's higher). She had given up two years ago.

Hi everyone, i hope youre all ok? Im sorry ive not caught up with thread, work is so busy atm. Arghhh.
Anyway, 4.5 month sober today. I hope everyone is keeping well xxx♥️

Hi @Loubelle70 - great to hear from you! And well done on 4.5 months sober, especially with being so busy - it takes great strength not to automatically decompress with a drink.

Awww ty @Onewildandpreciouslife
Thats so true...i could easily drink bottle wine or two after heavy workload....not great idea...im more productive and sleep better ♥️. Hope you are doing well too xxx

well done @Loubelle70 great to hear your progress!

great news about better AF options too @WendyWagon

we are trendsetters ladies! ✊

Hi @ponzusoup 👍. Hope youre doing well 😁

Morning everyone hope all is good well done @Loubelle70 on your 4.5 months!! Love reading the successes.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and has plans to keep you busy and AF we can do this!!
@WendyWagon im hearing a lot lately that over 40s are turning their backs on alcohol and I can definitely see why.
I’ve been listening to sober Dave’s podcast and I’m finding them a great help and also some comfort in the fact i am not alone in this same as reading everyone’s post here. I Will be checking in over the weekend to keep myself accountable hoping this will be my second AF no binge weekend , I have made plans for some early morning gym sessions which helps me.
keep going and stay strong we can do this play the tape forward and remember how good it feels to wake up on sat/Sunday fresh happy and full of life!!. X

Morning, morning.
All is well here at the good ship sober sister.

Congrats @Loubelle70 a brilliant result.
Eyes down to everyone else to get through Friday night. Always difficult for me.
I'm trying to get both contracts sorted for my new legacy brand and the shareholding. Deep breaths.

I bought some cheese from the Bath soft cheese company, it's called the wife of Bath / merry wife. I saw it on the telly. It's amazing. Sadly the second variety is washed in cider but tbh perhaps a thimble full and not my poison. I'll just cut the rind off. I highly recommend.

God I love cheese. That sounds right up my street. I'm going to look them up online.
Personally I'm not too fussed about alcohol in food. I still use wine in risottos, I eat tiramisu so I'd be fine with cider cheese. Each to their own though
Good like with sorting out your legal stuff.
Feeling pretty stressed myself. We're trying to find a new house.
And hi to all the new people. Great to have you here for the ride. 😊

@Itsrainingten ooh, house shopping, I'm an expert. Historically we've moved every two years.
I had a Saturday job in an estate agent (and the fruit shop, hence the obsession with mangoes).
I'd like an old thatched cottage again but we're a tall family. I need to wait for the DS to buy his first house. He didn't get his offer accepted last week. They went with a cash buyer. He's even taller than the DH. I have copper pots awaiting a polish!

Use ketchup? I have a huge one that I was given as a wedding present 100 years ago and it’s good as new, with a ketchup treatment once a year or so. I just smear it on and it sticks, inside first and leave it overnight, rinse and turn over to repeat on the outside. A quick wash in warm soapy water, and all that’s needed is a bit of attention to the screws around the handle etc and it’s gleaming. I assume it’s the vinegar that does the trick, but the viscosity of the ketchup means you don’t have to submerge the thing.

I’m in my fifth house of my life 😀. I don’t remember the first one, as I was 2 when my parents sold it and bought the one I grew up in. When I met my husband we bought a tiny starter house first, sold it for a suburban semi to have babies in, then bought where we are now for more space as they grew. I can’t see us moving unless we have to. I hate the thought of packing up and all the hassle of moving house. New starts are exciting but it’s not for me. I’d love a thatched cottage though.

Afternoon all.

Great to catch up with your news and celebrate your progress. I've had a mad few days, with hospital appointments, intense at work and a funeral & thanksgiving service in London yesterday. That was a bit triggering for various reasons, so had to fight hard to stay on track. Achieved with help from Sid. He really is a fantastic boy.

I'm with everyone on the cheese. I absolutely love it. Once, when I was ill in hospital, a visiting friend brought me cheese (white stilton with apricots) instead of grapes. Brilliant.

I have been voted as having the "Voice of the Service" at work - all contacts to work services now have to endure my dulcet baying on all communications. Have done some recordings with more to follow. I can't tell if it's an honour or not... Voice of an angel - face of a pork scratching.

Sid thinks it's hilarious. I am approaching loss of a milestone weight at Slimming World. I have bought him a special hat to wear to celebrate when I achieve it. We shall see who is laughing then. He will be regretting his hearty cackles at my expense as the bonnet is placed atop his furry little mocking head.

Sending you strength, love, and all that is good as we head into the weekend. Stay fabulous and keep on going. All shall be well if we keep to the footpath. xx

Hello all, and cuddles to Sid.

My grandpuppy is a real cheesehound. He's particularly partial to Smoked Appledore, but any cheese puts a smile on his face. Have you all tried Chip Shop Curry Cheese? It is delicious - don't be scared of the thought of it, and get some if you come across it.

I hope your hospital appointments went well, @REP22 .

Hello fabulous people, Happy Friday to you all 💕💕💕

A weekend at home for us. Dear dog is a bit unsettled as we've been on hols for a week so we are staying in with him.

Just done a tonne of gardening. Me tomatoes have taken over the asylum!!!!

Hello @ponzusoup - I think we are AF twinnies nearly - must be around 4 months now?

Hotel drinks and extras bill came to less than half the normal - saved €400 - whoop whoop, I'm now officially a cheap date!!

Joining the thread for accountability. I have tried so hard for years to moderate and keep alcohol in my life and I just can't do it any more. I am removing alcohol, permanently, I am telling people in real life, that is me done.
Recovering from a horrendous existential dread hangover so will take the time to come back and read some of your posts and tell you more about myself when I'm in a better place mentally.

Welcome @Steppered . You're in good company 🙂. Be kind to yourself over the next few days. Eat what you need to.to get through, sleep loads, and remember that you are worth sobriety.

I am sure some one else far wiser will come along soon.

I know how you feel @Steppered i was exactly in the same place 2 weeks ago. Lots of lovely people here with lots of support an advice, I hope you start to feel better soon as @EastCoastDamsel said look after yourself and be kind to you

Hi @Steppered , and welcome.

If you've been drinking a lot recently, it's worth getting hold of some Thiamine (Vit B1) and taking it for a few weeks. It can prevent brain damage in early withdrawal. Brain damage may be unlikely, but for the sake of a few supplements it's not worth taking the risk.

I'll have to post and run, but wishing everyone a great weekend.

Welcome @Steppered
Lots of water, porridge, fish if you can or toast and banana. All help with headaches.

The first drink may taste good but after that it's just booze bingo (seeing if you get through the whole bottle).
One day, one week, one month.
Tomorrow is your first day done!
You are in good hands here. We've got the t shirts and we're listening. Take care tonight x

welcome @Steppered you've taken the first step making yourself accountable and saying it out loud that you have had enough of not being able to control alcohol. i am 3.5 months sober and my mental health, physical health and relationships have already benefitted so much. i said when i came on here 4 months ago ( i had one planned lapse at a wedding which i still regret) i wanted a bone deep feeling of well being. i knew that all my problems would not go away but boy am i more able to deal with them sober. it is so worth it. be kind to yourself , eat well, rest, try some sober podcasts or quit lit. i like sober powered. there are lots out there. hope you feel better tomorrow.

www.soberpowered.com/

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/we-can-do-hard-things/id1564530722?i=1000641796291



Morning all.
Welcome @Steppered - there really is a better life out there for you without alcohol in it. Hoping you feel a bit better this morning

Well done on your AF holiday @NextPhaseOfLife !

DH went out for a long boozy lunch yesterday and is now complaining about how badly he slept. I’m going for a long run shortly- it’s a glorious day for it. I know which option I prefer!