The Continuing Support Thread for Anyone Trying to Lead an Alcohol-Free Life Autumn 2024

[REP22]

Hello and welcome. I’m glad you’ve found your way here. We are a bunch of people who are trying to give up and keep off alcohol. No judgement, just honest support and kindness.
The original thread was started by @Drybird2020 in 2020 and we have plenty of veterans and newer members who can offer advice and signposting. You are welcome here, whether you post several times a day, once or twice and then never again, or if you only just come to read but have no intention of ever posting.
Whatever your stage on the AF journey, and whatever you’re going through, someone here will have gone through it too. Don’t be shy about posting, we love to celebrate your successes of whatever shape and size - and will support you when things get challenging. We get it, we've been there too.

All we ask is that you’re genuinely trying to abstain. We don't encourage moderation-only here, as it can be triggering for some to read. If you’re looking to moderate your drinking rather than quitting it altogether then MN has another long-running and very active moderation/abstaining thread that’s always near the top on the alcohol support board. Lots of fine support there from those worthy people too.

I started trying to give up drink in 2018, succeeded (mostly) in 2019 but had a few “wobbles”, one of which led me here in April 2023, where @WendyWagon (our most recent ship’s captain) and the others made me feel so welcome. This thread and its wonderful posters has been a lifesaver to many, and have certainly seen me through many good and not-so-good days.

These books were particularly helpful to me and I still go back to them from time to time: The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley (Amazon - Sober Diaries) and The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray (Amazon - Unexpected Joy). Others have found This Naked Mind by Annie Grace (Amazon - This Naked Mind) helpful. There are Apps that help track your AF journey, including Reframe and the one I use, I Am Sober. Podcasts can also be helpful. I have found One for the Road by Sober Dave to be a good listen. But different things work for different people. Feel free to post and ask. There is solidarity, wisdom and support here. This is a safe space where your voice will be heard, understood and valued.

Morning all. Just popping in to say hi.

Welcome to all the newbies (and returnees). @Becky37 @TiA303091 @Anna73moose @SylviaB

Thank you for sharing your wisdom and achievements @OfDragonsDeep and @Shanster .

I listened to SoberPowered's latest podcast last night and it really resonated with me. I need to learn to not overcommit myself. Lots on at work at the moment and I have been planning all sorts of future commitments, that I may not actually be ready for.

Hope everyone has a good day today.

IWNDWYT

Morning all. Checking in. I'm not going to be physically or mentally capable for placement this week. I am sick too genuinly, think i've had covid to be honest, as well as recovering from this last bender and binge. I will start on Monday now, gives me time to get alot better & focus on getting things back on track. The relief of doing it has outweighed the anxiety of missing it, so know it was the right desicion. I have AA meeting at half 11, was up half the night coughing and sweating and genrally feeling like crap. But will mask up and tested negative this morning so will force myself to go

@Shanster
2 years, that’s brilliant, well done you! Your story has really inspired me. x

@TiA303091
I'm with you on everything you’ve said. I’m exactly the same, about 3 times a month getting drunk beyond humanly possible and feeling horrific for days/weeks after. It’s just not worth it!
Im entering this journey with trepidation but also hope that things will get better x

Good morning all. Sorry you're feeling so poorly @Becky37 - I hope you will be on the mend very soon.

Wonderful to see you @Shanster and congratulations on the 2 years, that's fantastic! 🏋️‍♀️ It's such an inspiration to read the benefits that you and everyone else are continuing to enjoy, it gives us all hope. I'm sorry about your Dad. I lost my own Dad too in a sudden and tragic way (though not self-inflicted. It's a pain that never quite goes away. 💐💐 I too had rosacea, which I thought I'd picked up around the time I was in hospital with campylobacter poisoning. It hung around for a while but since being properly sober it hasn't returned. I am so glad that you are free of the grip and doing so well. ❤️

@WendyWagon / Mildred. I have no feather duster, alas. Would a J-Cloth suffice? Interesting about the Wegovy, I'd heard tell that it can help with booze cravings. I hope it goes really well for you. For now, I am plugging away at Slimming World, but interested in the jabs available. Heard nothing but positive stories so far.

Strength and love to you. Keep going. xx

@TiA303091, I would advise that you get some high strength Thaiamine (Vit B1) and take it for a few weeks. If you are getting withdrawal symptoms you are at risk of brain damage from sudden withdrawal, and the vitamins can help with that. I don't want to alarm you, but it could be life changing and permanent, so for the sake of some vitamins it's too big a risk. Maybe consider tapering off until you get some, and have a small amount (or a watered down version of your usual poison) so you don't go into sudden withdrawal.

Hello to everyone else. I am on a very dodgy connection just now, so will post and run, but wanted to catch @TiA303091.

@ShyMaryEllen thank you for the advice. I really don’t want to have any 🥂 at all. I’ve not got the shakiness anymore but I don’t feel myself. I will get myself some vitamins for sure. I’m actually taking the B3 system for weight loss at the moment so will double check the ingredients so that I don’t have too much of any of the vitamins. Really appreciate your post and advice. It has 💯 scared the living poop 💩 out of me.
hi to everyone also 💕

Had a good first AA meeting, feeling alot of anxiety but also positive about really facing things head on this time. No more flipflopping with this. I have to admit that if I have a drink even in a few months time or after a long break, it will escalate into binging and dangerous behavior and addictive behavior too. One day, one hour at a time still. But definately need to do both AA and Smart to stay undeluded and accountable

Well done @Becky37

@Becky37 well done Becky 💕

Top stuff @Becky37 - that cannot have been easy. Much respect to you. ❤️

I am the same - I cannot just have the one. I can't have any in the house.

Hope you're doing OK @TiA303091 and better days lie ahead for you. I did take the Thiamine on prescription for a while when I was getting better.

Love and solidarity to you all. It'll be alright. xx

@Becky37 Amazing! Stay strong. What a great first step towards your new future 💪💪💪.

@WendyWagon @REP22
@TiA303091 @CarrotSeeds Thank you all, really do appreciate the support and positivity 💜

Morning shipmates and Sid.

Very poorly yesterday but OK this morning.
BFF popping round for lunch.

@WendyWagon Morning, hope your BFF is bringing some bits. So sorry you've been poorly

Where is everyone from? Hope you’re all having a good day x

South West for me.

South West here too!

The midlands xx

Morning all. Very saddened by the US election results, but I'll leave it at that.

Sid and I are in the South.

So sorry you were poorly @WendyWagon - hope you're continuing to mend well.

With strength and love. xx

@REP22 re election results. I feel the same ☹️

Hi everyone,
Yes, a sad day indeed re elections 😔
Well done on the face to face help @Becky37 that's a step I haven't managed!
6 weeks for me now and feeling good, although emotions are very strong, trying to work through those.
Sorry you're feeling rubbish @WendyWagon , hope you feel better soon🙏🏻
I'm in Scotland.
Happy Wednesday everyone 🙂

Feeling better today. Thanks for all the good wishes.
I can't watch the TV news today. Too shocking re the USA.

@RunningtheHill well done.

North Yorks here.

Unfortunately not at all surprised RE US elections. But listened to the News Agents on the way home from work tonight and agree with them that the largest part of the blame lies with Biden and those (incl Harris) who covered up how bad it had gotten.
I am not sure hat America would vote for a woman at all tbh.

Anyway, teamto cook.

Hope all are keeping well.

Hi all, I’ve just come across this group as I’m trying to give up alcohol and finding it so hard without support- I have friends and a husband but no idea wheee to start with a proper group that helps you quit. I managed a month for the first time and was so thrilled and feeling good etc but then were had our wedding so I had some fizz, tbh I thought I could just start drinking now and then but I fell straight back into every evening.
does anyone have any advice? I feel crap and so cross with myself and during the day keep wanting sugar and rubbish to eat and I was doing so well for a month. So glad to find this group tho, thank you xxx