On a mission to moderate or absolutely abstaining, no judging, keep on being strong, new thread autumn 2024

[Nowstrong]

@Amdone123, @Freezingfeetwarmheart , @Bigbus,@Flumpywoo , @FiveShelties , @ForeverTipsy, @Hohofortherobbers,@Jbob1976,@walliedug,

Wanted to post and old thread wouldn't let me, so took the plunge...
Please tag everyone, don't want to leave anyone behind.

Still AF here and even starting to enjoy it. Nearly 2 months. Will write proper post later..
Hope you are all doing well. Stay strong. Wet vibes, 'cos it's raining.

Can I recommend the book The Naked Mind by Annie Grace? It was recommended to me recently by a heavy drinking friend who is now over 200 days AF. I havent had a drink since I read it ( day 17). It has literally changed my thinking and my understanding of alcohol as an addictive drug

Hi everyone. I slept well after no wine last night and I'm not going to drink tonight either. I have read the Annie Grace book but might give it a re-read. I also have the Adrian Chiles book and remember quite liking that so I might try that too.

I am on holiday next week so will drink then but I am going to see if I can do the rest of September AF I think and then maybe most of October.

I havent read that one but read some others and listened to a few podcasts which really helped me understand alcohol, what it is actually doing to my body/brain and why I drank the way I did. At a certain point something seemed to click and I honestly have no interest in drinking anymore. I never thought i would feel this way!

Well done on your sober holiday @HorrorFan81.
I love the drinkaware app too and I have....drumroll....committed to Sober September. I've selected 30 day streak target in the app, I've told you guys and I've told my dh so i cant back out. He's a take it or leave it kind of drinker so won't tempt me. I have no current plans for Sept which look likely to be obstacles. Work leaving drinks this Friday but it would be more convenient to drive even if I wasn't abstaining, so that won't be difficult.
I've read some quit lit previously which I found helpful, can't recall the names of the books at the moment but I'll look them up

BTW, slept better already and feel a little calmer today.

Hello to all! I’m having a normal week as we’re both AF Monday to Thursday; it’ll be Friday and Saturday that I want a drink. However I’m working late on Friday so will pass my personal witching hour and be knackered so I may not notice too much!

My Thursday dinner plans have been postponed which will mean I avoid my first challenge. I am drinking on Friday but am committing to a sober Saturday. We’ve got my aunt’s 90th lunch and she is not a big drinker so I don’t think that will be too hard to do. Saturday night once home might be more difficult… going to stock up on soft drinks in preparation I think.

Me too! It’s those moments when you first wake and feel different! 🥰

Aw congrats to your Aunty! 😃 and glad to hear you’ve had a few hurdles cut! I know it’s tempting, I’m same re weekend, but just want to drink on Saturday night, but the Friday feeling might pinch me a bit! 😬 xxx

It’s a surprise party @Asyoulikeit123 - I’m hoping she doesn’t keel over with the shock!!

Morning all! Still going strong and AF. Am on holiday with my eldest DGD (20) and even if she has a beer from time to time I’m sticking to my AF ones. Sleep is now back to normal and dreaming nicely. Feel less bloated and can get into swimming cossie without too much of a struggle so weight wise should be ok. Am reading your events/achievements and there’re keeping me strong too. When we get back will jump onto scales to see if no drinking and no snacking have been rewarded. Also try to do some exercises while sleeping beauty sleeps late….
sending sun, wind and positive vibes to all. Stay strong and sober!

Sounds wonderful @Nowstrong You've not sent enough sun - it's grey and gloomy over here! It's always lovely to hear about people's successes. I'll be going away with a friend next month and the weather should be warm for us so I'll be on the AF beers then. Incidentally, I was an IPA fan and had my best AF pale ale last week - Big Drop Pine Trails. It was really great, which helped alleviate the huge disappointment of the film.

I think AF lagers are really pretty decent now. I picked some up from Lidl and if you’d told me they were alcoholic, I’d have believed you! I find it helps with the craving for something that tastes boozy if you know what I mean.

Whoop 200 days here! Very happy with that. Also a big fan of AF beers. Corona and BrewDog Hazy AF particularly good. Have the best holiday @Nowstrong - i also did some exercise in the mornings on mine and felt great for it

Congratulations @HorrorFan81 !! Do you still have to fight off urges? Do you plan to never drink again? I'm still trying not to think too far ahead but sometimes wonder what the future will be like.

Thanks @LillyPJ

I honestly don't get urges anymore. I think the work i did on reading, listening and learning really helped as it really helped me understand the science behind alcohol, the effect it has mentally and physiologically and the reasons why I drank the way I did. I also spent some time really examining by behaviours and feeling VERY uncomfortable but forcing myself to confront them or at least acknowledge them. It didn't happen overnight - for the first few months, I was determined to find a way to moderate and the thought of never drinking again almost made me panic but slowly my mindset started shifting and the learning I did made me realise that moderation was not possible for me and abstinence was really my only option. I would say now I am 99% sure i won't drink again and I am genuinely excited about all my future events that won't be ruined by me getting too drunk, and never again having a hangover 😅

No jumping out, now! 🤣🤣🤣

I find the ciders are the most similar to their alcoholic counterparts, but I also rate the 0% proseccos m, Guiness, and several of the lagers. I think the non-fizzy drinks are more disappointing, maybe because you want a creaminess to the drink which comes from the alcohol.

@AlertCat what ciders and proseccos would you recommend?

@harriethoyle i had a very nice Inch’s cider recently. Kylie 0% Prosecco is quite nice, as is the Freixenet.

Having said all that, in January by the end of the month I was just on tea, very dull, but I got bored with the sweeter pretend booze, when it didn’t have the alcohol in. I think if I continue after September I’ll rarely bother, and just have tea or water 🤔

Hi everyone. Looking for some support and hopefully no judgement.

I'm a bottle of wine a night drinker trying to make some changes. I've started naltrexone this week, on night two. The Sinclair method is to take an hour before your usual drinking time. Last night I did and sipped on half a glass of wine. Felt a bit queasy. This evening i have taken again, sipped on a wine but only one glass. Which is a massive change for me. I topped up, but not sure I'll bother drinking.

I know it's a long road, but I'm committed to moderating

Welcome @ohthejoysoftoddler, looking forward to hearing how you get on with the naltrexone, does it take several days to get you off the drink?
I've managed this first 4 days ok. Bit daunting facing the first dry Friday. But will be interesting to see my park run time on Saturday after a sober sleep !!
Congratulations @HorrorFan81, fantastic achievement 👏

Thanks for the welcome @Hohofortherobbers.

Honestly I feel different already. I've just poured a glass of wine back in the bottle. Not down the sink so I don't buy more tomorrow, I can just repour the same glass 😂.

Oh I bet you'll have a great run time. One of my big motivations aside from the obvious is that I work out so hard, and it's a real struggle to get results. I always lied to myself and said booze calories don't count, but I've managed to shift half a stone in the last few months by close calorie counting. Tracking the booze, I can easily see the calories adding up.

Hi @ohthejoysoftoddler, definitely a supportive non judgmental bunch here.

Never heard of The Sinclair method but did a quick google. Sounds like it has made a big difference already. I hear you about booze calories!

Huge congratulations @HorrorFan81 !! 200 days is a mighty achievement!! Not sure many on this thread have got there? (apart from @Nowstrong maybe). I found 100 days a real challenge at the start of the year, and was going to try for 150/200, but after a summer of enjoying drinking (moderately most of the time) then I'm not sure now.

Welcome along @ohthejoysoftoddler - I've just Googled the Sinclair method, too. Sounds intriguing; best of luck to you, and well done for pouring a glass of wine back in the bottle!

I really wish I liked lager, beer or Guinness, as always hearing about fantastic AF versions. Sadly, I don't, and wasn't massively impressed with the AF wines I tried earlier in the year. They serve a purpose when socialising in a group, but are either a bit yuck or full of sugar or both! Ditto cider, which I normally drink; it's so full of sugar.

Youngest starts secondary school tomorrow. Feels like the end of an era and start of a new chapter in our house. Spurring me on to make some healthier habits and changes, too. Need to get a grip on my snacking/sweet treats after being in 'holiday mode' for a couple of weeks now. Will have an AF weekend and try to keep going for as long as possible...think I'll re-download the I Am Sober app as liked the motivational quotes and seeing my 'streak' on my screen.