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.

@StartingOverIn2025 strength to you, you realised where your mind was going and stopped it dead! That’s great. Trying to stop and think before doing things is something I’ve worked on before now when dealing with other habits, planning and knowing what the dangerous times will be. I’m trying to make sure I use it myself when I find my mind wandering back to ‘can’t wait for that drink’. I CAN wait, it’s fine.

DH has started putting £10 in a savings account for every day we don’t drink. It’s a shocking amount when you think about it.

Yes I must have spent a fortune over the past few months!! That's a good idea to put that in savings!

I'm so pleased I didn't do it.

Thank you for doing this. We have lost my husband through alcoholism I celebrate every hour with you. It counts!

Way to go OP!!! The CBD drinks are brill and will help with the sleep as well as having a "treat" in the evening.

Yes I have enjoyed the good rays drinks the past couple of evenings. Pleased to report I have woken up still sober 🙌🏼

5 days and counting!

I had a bit of a headache all day yesterday, I was wondering if it might have been the hangover finally hitting as the last of the alcohol left my system. I never really had a hangover when I was drinking. The headache has gone today thankfully.

I am going out for a walk in a bit to get some exercise and fresh air, then I will get the housework done. I'm having a movie night with ds1 this evening to keep me distracted as I don't want another wobble like last night.

You have done amazing! A walk is brilliant for feeling great! Get a nice treat for the movie later, you deserve it!

You are doing so well OP l am so pleased for you ☺️

164 hour check in - all is well. Still sober.

I have terrible Sunday sadness this evening with a long and busy week ahead of me, but I think I can do it booze free.

I hope those of you who joined are doing ok, and I wish everyone who has supported me so far a very positive week!

Well done, really great. If you fall.off, get back on, don't give up.

Anddd I just clocked that it's my birthday this week too. I'm going to have to try hard this week I think.

Well done @StartingOverIn2025! You’re doing amazing! I’ve found this thread really helpful as I also try and stay away from the booze. I don’t even know when my drinking started to be a problem but I have also been having 1-2 bottles of wine most nights. Last had a drink Friday, spent Saturday anxious. ill and depressed. So far have managed to not drink Saturday or Sunday. Keep going!

@StartingOverIn2025 think of all the reasons you can do this instead of why you can’t, the positives outweighs the cannots, with all the extra you saved buy yourself an extra special birthday treat.

Yes @StartingOverIn2025 I agree with @CertifiedCool think of the positives and the birthday present you can give yourself ( sorry if that sounds corny), but alcohol doesn't make us happy or feel complete. We just think it does. It does in fact, lie to us.
I know it's challenging but keep going.
@idontknow1001 well done for not drinking Saturday and Sunday. I'm similar to you.

@StartingOverIn2025 and.....you've obviously saved some money so treat yourself if you can afford it. It doesn't have to be anything big. I'd go for a jumper from Hush but that's just me !

You're a star!!!
Keep going, and be proud of yourself.

Very late to this but sending you strength and all good wishes

Well done @StartingOverIn2025 and hello @idontknow1001 it feels like it’s been a long weekend!

Also still on the wagon, and feeling like there are so many more hours in the evenings to fill. This is a good thing! I’ve been getting to bed earlier with a book and really enjoying that. Waking up feeling like I’m rested, at last. Sleep issues have been my biggest problem, but I feel like I’m getting through the other side of that now. I slept until 9am on Saturday which was glorious!

DH bought me a bottle of AF Sauv Blanc and honestly, it wasn’t very nice. So I’m happy to leave that well alone and stick with things that aren’t meant to have alcohol in them. But it was a nice thought on his part.

Another week, lots to look forward to! Onwards and upwards 💪🏼

Just reading this and thought you all may find it useful too!

I am currently on day 9 (started as was on antibiotics and worried about not being able to drink on them > made me realise I am a problem drinker) I’m so proud of myself for going 9 days, although have been thinking every now again when do I get to drink again, almost as a treat for not drinking, it’s odd and can’t put it into words really, but I found this article helpful as it’s given me a word for what it is id like to aim for this year, Intermittent sobriety ✅ abstaining completely won’t work for me I know that, but I need to change my mindset so that I actually only drink every so often as opposed to just having days where I don’t drink.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/06/intermittent-sobriety-what-i-learned

Big well done on 34 hours!! Cheering you on

Well done OP, it's incredibly easy to get into this position but hard to get out of it. Keep going.

Well done OP! I'm two years down the not drinking road and from this vantage point I can highly recommend it. I found the Andrew Huberman podcast on alcohol helpful (I know he's a controversial figure but it definitely helped my resolve). I also found a mindset of curiosity and openness to see what this experiment would be like, instead of a mindset of being deprived of something wonderful, was so helpful. I think it's why I persisted, as I was focusing on the new discoveries of being sober instead of what I was missing.
I bought some lovely winter berry cordial at the start and having that hot in the evening was the replacement. Also, I noticed that sitting down on the couch after a long day with a nice hot drink triggered the feeling of relaxing without the alcohol. It's just finding a new little ritual.
For your birthday, don't celebrate the way you usually would. It may feel weird and uncomfortable. Do something different that still feels fun but doesnt rely on drink to enjoy it.
All the firsts can feel weird without alcohol so be aware of that and have a plan.
Good luck!

Struggling big time this evening.

ds1 came home from school early today vomiting, ive felt horrendous all day long and I've started my period and I'm in agony with cramps.

Honestly I would love nothing better than to have a nice cold bottle of rose and black out.

I just nearly ordered wine on Deliveroo again. I nearly checked out this time. That was a very close call.

I know it won't help and the regret will be 10% worse than the hit.

I will make a nice cup of tea, and wait for it all to blow over.

I don't quite know what I was trying to say there...

I'd regret it 10x more than I would enjoy the hit of a drink is what I think I was trying to say.