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.

Well done OP!! As others have said... everyone who has achieved long term sobriety started just like this!

I was recently almost 12 weeks sober after drinking daily for years abs years. The first 5/6 days were definitely the hardest... but once the deep sleep/ brighter skin and positive mindset kicks in it honestly felt addictive. I stupidly decided to drive over Christmas/ new year which I now regret. I absolutely loved life with no booze. That feeling of waking up clear headed and guilt free every morning, my angst subsided, I joined the gym, dropped half a stone, had more money, bought new clothes, my skin, my work, attitude, relationship with my teens - literally everything improved. I also joined a private Facebook group and have met sone new friends on line and In person.

I'm back to day 4 now so similar to you. It's so worth it on the other side. I have no intention of going back this time round. Good luck!

*I drank over Christmas...I didn't drive!

Ive heard about those cbd drinks! I might give them a try.

@beasmithwentworth - I am really looking forward to reaping the rewards!!

I have just ordered some good rays cbd drinks from Amazon so I will try one tomorrow.

I have been entertaining myself on the flight radar app this evening, watching black doves which I'm still really enjoying, and generally just trying to keep my mind occupied.

I think I may have caught my problem before it really took hold, which I am very grateful for. I'm not having any real dt symptoms (yet), and i don't think I'm medically dependent, but definitely emotionally.

My dad was alcoholic, and because of that and the fact I have a very addictive personality in general myself, I have avoided alcohol most of my adult life. It's such a slippery slope.

I can't pinpoint what 'triggered' me to start drinking the way I did, there was no trauma around that time - work has been busy, and I guess I have been a bit bored with the monotony of life. it started off as a bottle of wine every so often, and just gradually got more and more frequent until it was every night, then spirits crept in and it got a bit out of hand.

Read The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray. A lot of reference to work drinking culture and her dad being an alcoholic too. I think you will find it motivating to hear her story.

Good luck x

You are doing fantastic, it is important to keep the mind occupied, even an evening walk will help, maybe set a goal to do a certain distance or take up yoga, knitting, baking or anything really.

@StartingOverIn2025

I thought all of the benefits that I heard about before must be mythical

But it was a life changer. Literally. I mean I guess it depends on where you were starting from but i was highly anxious (now I realise that was from the booze), I had eye bags, I had lost motivation at work and was just coasting, my DC had noticed, I felt so stuck on a hamster wheel.

Then (as someone in the group I am in quoted the other day) 'you change one thing and everything changes' . This was so true for me. It wasn't even 3 months I was sober (it will be longer this time) but it was life changing!

So worth sticking with!

Well done op. I am on my third day of not drinking alcohol. I’ve got into a daily habit of
having a large glass of wine, or making myself a cocktail every evening when I got in from work , usually to help me relax and compensate for busy/difficult days.

i went abroad a week ago and didn’t realise my flight had started boarding until almost time for boarding to close . I had to run like crazy to the departure gate to catch the flight. By the time I arrived I was red and breathless .I heard an airport employee mutter ‘what a mess.’ They were harsh but honest. I’m very unfit and look and feel tetrible.

I'll join you. I'm on day 4. I started dry January, but failed on day 2! Had a few days of drinking way too much, then pulled myself together and I'm really determined now. I'd been drinking between one and two bottles of wine most nights for years, felt like shit most of the time. I'm scared of what damage I may have already done, but I'm hoping it's better late than never. Absolutely dreading the weekend though because it'll be so hard to resist. I did have a moment of revelation earlier tonight though when I was really craving chocolate, and it suddenly dawned on me that I wasn't thinking about wine for once! Have had hardly any sleep for the past few nights so hoping for that to change tonight.

Anyway, you're doing brilliantly, keep it up! I'm also a fan of flight radar btw, love it.

I have some wine left on the window sill and it helped me stop. 18 months done now.

Keep going, it really gets easier.

I also recommend the CBD drinks. I only ever drink 1. Goodrays is double the strength of Trip so bear in mind it is stronger. I don’t really like trip, I am not into the strange taste combos I don’t like mint etc but the goodrays you can kind of taste the hemp so make it really cold and have it over ice.

I had a stressful day yesterday with a long meeting and usually I would have had a wine to relax, well I had a CBD drink, they aren’t very big, within 10 mins I felt really relaxed but not intoxicated, went to bed and fell asleep within 10 mins. They also help with my back pain.

90 hours done and still feeling strong! 💪

I hope those of you who have joined in are doing well.

Brilliant work! Keep it up, you're smashing it

Well done @StartingOverIn2025 , you're doing amazing!💜

This is amazing!!! Proud of you and you should be too!!

Well done @StartingOverIn2025
You are an inspiration 👏👏👏

@StartingOverIn2025 well done, you're doing so well. When I first tackled my drinking, I always said one day at a time, but really for lots of us, one hour at a time is best. It helps you stop thinking too far ahead.
Anyway, keep going !

You’re doing well OP, keep going lovely!
I find CBD very helpful, I have fibromyalgia and it helps with that. I use cream and take drops. So if you don’t like the taste of the CBD drinks (I don’t by the way) you can buy drops, capsules. I add a few drops to any of my favourite AF drinks, and it is barely noticeable. The drops aren’t cheap, but last for ages, so actually work out cheaper in the long run. Just a thought, good luck to all of you, it takes guts to quit, but it is so,so worth the effort.

@Middlemarch123 can you share which ones you take as I’ve looked into it a few times and just haven’t a clue of what truly works

@FUBAR77 Of course, Vitabiotics CBD, 1000m. Amazon has a good offer on, about 65% off, so under 17 quid a bottle. Dose is 7 drops twice a day. But I just put a drop or two in most of my drinks, so no taste.

Doing great op, well done!
I’m coming up to 96 hours tonight, which I’m so pleased with. Have eaten more biscuits than I should but I figure, one thing at a time.
Last night was pretty easy as I was out with dd until 10.30pm and by the time I’d sorted things at home for the morning it was bedtime anyway. The early start I knew I would have this morning was far less painful than it would have been too!

Tonight is probably the biggest challenge for me. I have the weekend off work (normally I work Saturday) and in the past, this would have been an excuse to stay up too late, drink too much and lie in the next day. So I’m interested to see what time I wake up tomorrow with no alcohol and no alarm! That thought is what will keep me from straying I hope.
I’ve also discovered that the Teissere fake Mojito is really nice, with ice and cold water in a fancy glass. It hits a lot of the spots that previously a cold Sauv Blanc would have hit.

Sending positive vibes to us all this weekend, stay warm and sober!

@Oneminuteatatime you're doing really well ( don't worry about the biscuits - it happens when we stop drinking).
I was going to say about weekends and how they can obviously be extra challenging. I don't know if this helps anyone but I find it helps to change my mindset. So, instead of thinking I can't drink this weekend, or I'm missing out, turn it around and think what you can gain.
I used to dread weekends til I adopted this approach. Now, I get loads done. Not necessarily housework ( though that does make you feel great Monday morning), but time for yourself - walking, cooking, self care, reading. Sleep !
Hth ❤️

113 hours in, and I've just had my first wobble so headed straight to this thread to read it again.

I was doing a quick Deliveroo order and that little voice in my head was saying: 'you've shown you can quit if you try, so it wasn't really a problem' 😑

Re-reading this thread I have closed the Deliveroo app and we will make do with what we have left in the cupboards for dinner.

@StartingOverIn2025 that's a great move, well done !
Bank balance and you healthier - not bad, eh ?

@StartingOverIn2025 get through tonight and you’ll feel so good. you can do this