34 hours sober

[StartingOverIn2025]

I'm doing it. I have been sober for 34 hours. How pathetic is that to be cheering myself for, but it is the longest I have been sober in probably the last 6 months. I have downloaded a support group app, and have my first virtual group this evening.

I didn't hit rock bottom, but I want better for myself and my family. I can't let history repeat itself. My father was alcoholic too and it was pure hell. Solidarity to anyone else going through similar.

Hot chocolate might help this evening - something proper luxury

I know people go on about reducing calories or saving money but this evening won't be time to worry about that ( just in case you were )

Well done. I was you on the 6th October 2017. Haven't drunk since.

A bowel of sweets to suck helped of an evening (as did Mini Magnums).

I will take a look at that after black doves! Thanks!

@StartingOverIn2025 I’m still cheering you on! Have you got a brief synopsis of black doves? I’m looking for new things to watch 😌

Sorry I can't quote as it's already a quoted post but:

Yes they say the first 4 days are the worst don't they. I'm still hanging on in there, this evening will be the test - when that little voice says 'oh it wasn't that bad just one will be fine'....

Why don't you spend an hour or so writing down:

An example of when you risked or damaged your health due to drinking
When you risked or damaged your personal safety
When you physically hurt someone else
Or damaged property
When you hurt someone emotionally due to drinking
When you let someone down or broke a pro is due to drinking
When you behaved badly in public due to drinking
When you said something drunk that you would never have said / do not believe when sober

Although it may not be a very enjoyable activity, it will be an excellent resource to refer back to when you're tempted...

Also get loads of other treats in - lots of sugar as your body will crave the sugar in the alcohol so make sure you shut that down with chocolate or something equally as delicious!

Well so far, it's about a spy (Keira Knightley) and she is married to a chap high up in government to fish for secrets, she was having an affair and her lover got bumped off. There are some good actors in it, Sarah Lancashire is in it and the chap who plays Paddington Bear. Sorry I'm terrible with names!!

I'm approaching my 'witching hour' now, where ordinarily I would be reaching for a drink, so I'm just waiting for dinner to cook, then I'm going to settle in for episode 2 and a herbal sleepy tea.

Hoping for a better nights sleep tonight as I feel a bit sort of wired.

Ao far so good

Again it might be a couple of days before you sleep really well but you got this far in now

Oooh sounds interesting. I think I’ll give that a try tonight!

I always find a hot bath helps me sleep slightly better, or even an audiobook to keep my mind from racing (I don’t really sleep much).

Congratulations!

Hot chocolate works for an evening kick. Full milk. Twinings Swiss hot chocolate is amazing. Nice to have whilst watching Netflix.

I usually have a non-alcoholic drink in the evening. Alcohol free gin with tonic. Or elderflower and mint/ bitter lemon because it has a punch. I add ice and have it in a nice glass so it feels like ‘I’m having a drink!’

Congratulations OP. It doesn't sound silly to recognize this, at all. It's important! After all you can't be 36 days, or weeks, sober unless you first do 36 hours sober. It's a step on the way. A big one. Sending you best wishes on your journey.

I often struggle to sleep, I listen to podcasts when I can't sleep to keep my mind busy and stop it stressing about all sorts. You can get eye masks with built in speakers so you can sleep and listen to podcasts without disturbing anyone.

Well done. I realised I have been drinking too much so have limited it to weekends. I find hot chocolate in the evenings is quite nice and feel pampering!

How are you doing OP? Hopefully you've had your evening meeting with the support group and you're doing okay. Get through this evening, let us know if you need any recommendations for distracting podcasts / programmes etc

Well done for being the one to break the cycle!

Even if you struggle to sleep a bit of self care and then getting cosy in bed and watching something telly can do wonders to help build your energy back up and keep you going the next day. I also find getting into bed helpful when I'm craving something as once i'm comfy I'm not moving again!

Hope it's going OK this evening OP. Look after yourself. I sometimes like a strong proper coffee in the evening although it is a funny time of day to have one.

Thanks all, I really appreciate you all checking in.

I'm in bed watching episode 2 of Black Doves with a herbal sleepy tea (with a drop of honey for the sugar).

The support group was hard, I struggled to say much, I couldn't relate to some of what was being said. I caught myself fairly early I think. I could see where i was heading and I'm taking steps to stop before it spiralled.

I have got the Get Sleepy podcast 'sleepy histories' lined up for this evening.

I'm going to finish this episode, do my skincare and turn in for the night. Not feeling very tired yet though!

Well done! Do you like podcasts? I found that listening to sober podcasts while drinking a cup of tea or a fancy fizzy drink in the evening or while taking a walk, in the bath, lying in bed, literally whatever you need to do helped.

I do like podcasts! I just cleared out my Apple library this afternoon as it was a bit of a mess so I can start following few new ones - I will take a look!

These are the hardest times @StartingOverIn2025 . But you have taken the first brave step and honestly, most people can't even so that.

My first AA meeting was in Dec 2002 and I remember hearing a man talking about being 20 years sober, thinking I'd never make it that far. I was terrified. I decided fairly quickly that AA wasn't right for me, though I know it works for many.

Day by day, I decided that whatever about the future, I wouldn't drink today. Somehow those "todays" have added up to just over 22 years.

I too come from a long line of heavy drinkers which made for a fairly traumatic childhood at times. I promised myself that if we ever had a family of our own, they wouldn't grow up as I did. 3 kids later and they've never witnessed anything like that.

Well done if you made it through this novel! Feel free to DM me at anytime because I've been where you are, and I've felt all the things you're going through xxx

You've got this, you've got this, you've got this. Well done! 2 days is bloody awesome! And you haven't been silly to end up here. You got addicted to an addictive substance (that is almost ubiquitous in our society). No shame there. We're all cheering you on xx

Make 2025 your best ever year! We've got your back ✊

Well done on your two days! Don’t deny yourself any foodstuff or AF beverage you feel like - in fact it can help to splurge on the kind of fancy non-alcoholic health drink that you would normally not be able to justify to your budget.

Absolutely crying at Ben Whishaw being described as as the chap who plays Paddington Bear.

@JustHavinABreak what an amazing turnaround for your family. Your kids are so lucky to have such a brave parent.

@StartingOverIn2025 also recommend reading as much quit lit as you can, if that works for you. The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray is brilliant, and will offer you huge amounts of support and practical advice.

55 hours under my belt! I slept a little bit better last night, and have woken up feeling a little brighter than I would normally. Not saying im out of the woods yet! Thanks for all of your support, it's really helpful to have you all cheering me on!

Well done! A podcast I’d recommend is Hooked: The Unexpected Addicts on bbc sounds. It’s very honest and inspiring.