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.

Just checked my phone calendar and today is now 3 months since I (nearly) went completely AF. Feeling really tiffed about that. Now determined to continue.

@Nowstrong 3 months is amazing!
Day 17 for me now, definitely the longest I've gone for years! My sleep has been terrible the last few days due to my shifts so can't really count that as a benefit at the moment but I'm on later starts now so should be able to catch up.
One thing I have noticed is that my acid reflux has completely gone!

I use the Try Dry calendar but only when I'm doing well as the sea of greys and blacks and filling in all the drinks gets depressing so I always abandon it eventually, I should really make an effort to carry it on this time.

Hope everyone is doing OK, and don't beat yourself up if not as it's the weekend!

Well done @Nowstrong 👏
Just checking in to start a 4 day AF stretch.

Well done @Freezingfeetwarmheart 17 days is brilliant! And even better that your acid reflux has gone. Hope you get better sleep soon.
I did my 7 days AF and even had two soft drinks in the pub on Friday when I popped in with my mum because I didn't want to stop my streak. Hoping not to drink til Friday now (away for the weekend), which should be ok as I am usually ok not drinking during the week when I'm just at home and no special occasions. So fingers crossed, as it's really good for me going that amount of time without a drink when I'm not doing dry Jan/sober Oct.
Hope everyone is doing well.

Also you are doing amazing @Nowstrong, I wish I could be you!

Just catching up on the thread, the try dry app sounds good so I'm going to give it a whirl. I feel quite good at the moment I have done 1 month and 20 days with one drink and that's it. I was planning to have no alcoholic drinks at all but (and I probably won't explain this well) I was getting in a bit of a panic about social occasions having a drink and it setting me back to square one and old ways. However, I had one and it was totally fine! I enjoyed it, it didn't make me want to glug it down and get several others and I didn't think about having more after I had it. I never thought in a million years I would be able to do that!

@Amdone123 how are things going for you? Not seen you post for a while and hope all is ok.

Hi everyone!
Im new here. I have been pointed in this direction from another thread which wasn’t really for me.
In a nutshell I’ve toyed with drinking and being AF for a while but never with moderation. I’ve been known to be one of those people who start drinking then can’t stop then end up usually making a bit of a tit of myself and in the morning have a raging hangover and can’t remember what I’ve done causing anxiety.
However on some self reflection I do tend to beat myself up because I can have a drink usually on a Saturday evening at home watching tv with my husband and not finish the bottle and not wake up with a hangover. I tend to cling to the extreme version of my drinking and beat myself up.
What I’ve come to realise is that it’s in social situations where I tend to drink more and more and end up the worst version of myself but at home or on a quiet occasion with friends such as a meal, I actually can just have a couple.
so with that said my strategy to moderating is to not drink at big social occasions. I’ve not actually tried this yet. Any advice is very welcome. 💕

Morning all! Travelling home today, goodbye sun and warmth, hello snow and cold. But not for long.

Still AF, but feel as if I'm cheating as it's a practically af country. So temptation is not everywhere.
Discovered my new go to drink: Perrier Rossini (spelling?) looks like rosé and isn't at all sweet, actually nearly tasted like a very light rosé. So going to fill my fridge at home for when I feel like a more adult looking drink.
Mentally I'm doing ok. Had a few urges but had a nice biscuit instead. Have got Into a dangerous habit of having coffee and biscuits around 16:00/17:00. That will have to stop, well the biscuits will.
Been walking loads and so many stairs to climb here that my legs are feeling really worn out. Travelling today will even be a nice rest for them.
My sleep is back. I'm really feeling refreshed and well in the morning. Sleeping incredible 8 to 10 hours (nearly straight, small bladder) every night. Wouldn't trade that for a drink (at the moment).
So. Doing well. Of course back home might struggle with temptation and cold weather. Shall see how it goes. But overall this 3 month break has, if nothing else, done me a world of good. Mentally and physically.
Only deception is no weight loss. But re read Alcohol Explained and calories from alcohol are burned off first as the body can't store them (I think). So having to get my head around that one.
Welcome to @TiA303091 . Thank you @Flumpywoo, but I still have my struggles. It's all work in progress.
Sending you all positive vibes, stay strong whether moderating or abstaining. Don't forget to love yourselves x

Hi, I'm still going, it's day 21 for me - I'm off work til Monday and there's an in-law visit at the weekend, then going to an awards ceremony thingy on Tuesday so I'll definitely be tested over the last week and a bit. Need to not tell myself "21, 22 days etc is great so now I've proven I can do it I might as well have a drink!"

Hey, just checking in. Well done @Freezingfeetwarmheart , keep going! You'll feel so proud of yourself for doing a whole month (I did, anyway).

Nice to hear your update @Nowstrong , good luck staying clear of biscuits with hot drinks at this time of year! I'm a bugger for it haha.

Hi @TiA303091 welcome to the group! Sounds like you're doing some amazing self-reflection. I wish I could see a pattern in my drinking behaviour, but not sure there is...

So, I fell off the wagon at the start of the month after Sober October. I still tracked all my drinks, and the second week of Nov was particularly stressful (waiting to hear back about a job I really wanted. I had two interviews and was given great feedback, so was really optimistic...waited an extra week and was on pins - hence wine - then didn't get it, after a month of hope!). I binge drank on a couple of occasions (whole bottle of wine, if not more) then felt awful.

I've now been AF since 14th Nov, and intend to go as long as possible. Have a do on the 6th Dec, so may break it then for one night. Think my triggers are stress and uncertainty, and need to keep my company in check (went out with a heavy drinking friend one night...going to stick to daytime meetups with hot drinks in future).

Anyway, that's my update! Hope you're all staying warm and dry in Storm Bert!

I am invoking the Extremely Bad Day Clause today. We went to a hospital appointment with FIL today and they told him he has stage 4 cancer. Not going to let DH drink alone after that. Have promised I'll be back on it tomorrow and also adding on 1st December!

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that @Freezingfeetwarmheart I don't blame you at all for joining dh for a drink or two this evening. What a horrible shock for you all 😟

So sorry @Freezingfeetwarmheart , what awful news to hear for you all.

I can't remember how long it has been since I posted here. I did get a handle of my drinking and was moderating well (losing weight too!) but old habits die hard and drinking is clearly still my default coping mechanism when one of life's curveballs comes tumbling in.

I've slipped into drinking too much again (in both ways) and last night was particularly bad (there was/is a trigger but this definitely wasn't the best solution - I was definitely necking it for the first hour...maybe 4 glasses of wine in one hour!) - in some ways a blessing as it has shocked me into action.

I need a decent streak - I am out Friday for a celebration meal so I can start with a five day streak.

Stress and uncertainly - recognise those triggers @ForeverTipsy ! You're doing great being AF since the 14th! Great to read lots of long AF streaks going on in the last few posts.

Feel so much better today after just one AF evening - knew today would be harder to resist but I have and very pleased about that too. Amazing what a difference just one day can make - I was quite down and anxious yesterday. Today I trying new healthy recipes and it doesn’t feel like a chore…

Hope everyone else is ok?

Hi, back on it now, my hangover on Sunday reminded me why I'm doing this!
We're going to an an awards evening at my work tonight, I'm driving so I can't drink anyway.

So sorry for your news @Freezingfeetwarmheart .
This is my area so if I can help or advise at all feel free to pm me.
I'm checking in for a 3 day AF stretch Tues-Thurs. Have hammered the wine somewhat over the weekend . 3 bottles down over 4 days

Hello and thanks for the add.
I'm a regular poster but been off air for a few weeks.
Had really bad few weeks and it seems I've had a mild heart attack . Worse still I have heart disease and need urgent surgery.
If this doesn't help me stop drinking nothing will.
I'm scared but more scared of not being there to see my children grow up and be there for them x
My daughter is a doctor and she's advised I cut down this week by half and next week half again. I'm thinking just stop. Anyway I cannot choose wine over my family so a no brainer really.
Any suggestions for a hypnotherapy podcast ?
I have all the books but happy to try anything to help.
Hope everyone has a kind day and thanks for having me back on board x

Hi @mumzof4x - that must've been scary, realising you've had a heart attack. Sounds like you've got a clear sensible plan there to cut down. I've tried hypnotherapy in the past but not specifically for alcohol, so can't recommend. Hopefully someone will be able to. I have found just listening to 'quit lit' on audible useful at times though.

I've now done 3 days AF. Last night was easy as I go out on a Tuesday and drive there so I never drink on a Tuesday. Maybe I need more stuff like that! Still getting past the three days makes me more determined to nail today and tomorrow AF and then look forward to a couple of drinks (not bingeing!) during the meal out on Friday.

@CopperGate15 thank you for your kind words
Had a really challenging night and was really proud of myself as I only had one glass even on the face of challenge.
I've had Earl Grey and sparkling water with lots of lemons in.
Will def try the Quit Lit thank you .
Well some of AF 3 days !

Well done @mumzof4x !

Initially last night was the hardest night yet, I really was worried I would cave. I was saved by two things.

It became obvious that DH had chosen last night to be AF (I set him the challenge of having one AF day before we go out on Friday - he hasn't had one in months) so there was no way I could make that harder for him. I then took myself off an immersed myself in work for the evening (making a Power point, that I enjoy when I get going).

I've got the day off on Friday so Thursday gives me the Friday feeling...so tonight the plan is either more work or a Jigsaw.

So my moderation is not going so well. I'm drinking pretty much every evening, at least one glass of wine, sometimes up to 4. I paid for a private liver ultrasound which was probably a bad idea as it was fine, I have very mild fatty infiltration which apparently 90% of the population at my age have. In some ways knowing my liver is ok has kind of diminished my resolve to cut down.

@cuttingback84 i feel your pain. I’m doing it for my skin, weight loss, and save a few bob tbh

@cuttingback84 I quite often hear fairly heavy drinkers say they've had liver function tests come back normal, so continue as they were.

Like @BannedWagon I'm doing it for weight loss (well, maintain my weight/shape), clearer skin and eyes, save money, not have a headache and feel tired etc etc Also to be a better role model to my children.

I had some red wine last night in the pub, but started with a pint of lemonade and also had two glasses of water. This is a bit improvement for me. Done quite a few AF days in the past ten, so chuffed with that after a bad start.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Hi, back again, committing to 3 AF days Tues-Fri. Have to write it down now whilst I'm feeling strong, would easily drink tonight otherwise