The support thread for anyone trying to live an alcohol free life. Spring 2025.

[WendyWagon]

Hello and welcome.
These threads were started by drybird in 2020 and have gone on to support many people to give up alcohol and live a sober life.
We are not a moderarion thread and only encourage sobriety. There is another long running thread if that's what you feel is right for you. Lots of support there.
We have newbies and veterans, some who have 5+ years under their belts.
We share life's up and downs (often why we drank) and no question is too silly.
Personally I gave up drinking three years ago. It's the hardest thing I've done and the best thing.
We call our selves sober sisters and even have a mascot, Sid the ship's dog.
He poses often for a cheer up picture.
We're not here to judge, just offer support and friendship.
It gets better I promise.

Morning all. Not had time to read the thread yet but just checking in to say that I didn’t drink last night.

Morning again, I'm catching up, so apologies for late replies

Well done on 3 years @Onewildandpreciouslife, love your inspirational posts.

Welcome @ Fliss123.

I also eat early, as most of my drinking was before dinner @FaithHopeCarnage. It's surprising how much it's helped.

I was worried about standing out at a hen night being af,but to my surprise 4 out of 11 of us weren't drinking @Womanshour. The other 7 didn't react at all to us not drinking. Can you check if the venue does moctails? If not check that it ok to take af spirits as op suggested.
Hope your managing your anxiety ok,I'm the same, sending extra kind supportive thoughts 😘.

Ahoy and good morning.

I've been thinking a lot about drinking but from the 'why bother'.
If we were late teens/ early twenties now I'm sure we wouldn't feel the same pressures. Very few of my daughters friends drink and in my son's circle boozers are seen as unhealthy.

On the weight front I'm heading towards a size I haven't been for over fifteen years. I appreciate half of my loss has been due to illness but I am really trying to eat a very balanced diet. All the years of soaking my food in alcohol was ridiculous. I never tasted anything. I want to try to be healthy and I'm searching for a low impact exercise. I can't do yoga as I can't get off the floor. Any suggestions appreciated.

How about walking @WendyWagon very low impact exercise

What about swimming @WendyWagon ? Lovely all over workout and your body is supported throughout.

Good to hear from you @newme2025

I can't walk anywhere at the moment.
Bed to the loo is as far as I can.

@WendyWagon ah ok - how about chair yoga

Good morning shipmates.

Welcome @Sortoutyourshit and welcome back @sugarytea2024 - lovely to see you; thank you for your good wishes for Sid, who is back on top botty-sniffing form. That's a very brave step you took @Sortoutyourshit - I don't underestimate the courage it takes even just to post on here, but to actively seek out real-world support is brilliant. I did SMART recovery though my local NHS Inclusion service. I found it extremely helpful.

I echo Cap'n @WendyWagon's advice to seek out all resources going. Different things work for different people - AA, for example, has saved many lives here and throughout the world, but it wasn't quite for me. SMART recovery was. The Sober Diaries by Clare Pooley (Amazon - Sober Diaries) and The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray (Amazon - Unexpected Joy) are the two books that really resonated with me and genuinely helped. Others have found This Naked Mind by Annie Grace (Amazon - This Naked Mind) helpful. There are also podcasts, such as One for the Road by SoberDave that are worth a listen. If you aren't able to find a local SMART recovery group, there may be an online one you could investigate - Self-Help Addiction Recovery | UK Smart Recovery.

It's not always easy - but it WILL always be worth it. I promise.

Sid and I have been enjoying our walks in the lighter Spring evenings. Sadly, however, he caught me watching an episode of "Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly" on Ch5 while he was asleep last night. He has made his views on this abundantly clear.

Strength and courage. It will be alright. x

I everyone - glad I found this thread. I’ve been very regular drinker for more years than I can count, and last week was told I have a fatty liver and a fatty pancreas. Told to stop drinking straight away. I’m a week in and going ok but still struggling in the evenings. I have my Trip CBD drinks and my AF beer. I find going to bed early helps! But now I have this to read :)

@Maybenexttime08 welcome.
Well done on stopping.

Lots of us get into pj's early and go to our boudoir. Nice tea or hot chocolate.

Hi @Maybenexttime08 I’m sat here with a cup of decaf tea and some dark chocolate. No pjs yet because I have to do mum taxi soon.
This Thread is really supportive and has really helped me.

I've discovered turmeric and pineapple tea, which is delicious. It's called Mellow Yellow from Bird and Blend, and I love it. They say it is a limited edition, but I hope that's not the case, as I'll miss it if I can't get more.

I am about to head bedwards myself. I've had a busy day, not helped by the fact that I was on a wild goose chase a lot of the time, thanks to misreading my diary. I made it to everywhere I needed to be, but late, breathless and out of sorts. I've closed all the rings on my watch with all the dashing about, and I'm tired. I plan to have a bath and get some rest, even if I don't sleep. I might be coming down with cold, too - I've got the heating on, am wearing a warm jumper, but am chilly.

Pass on my best regards and a warm cuddle to Sid, @REP22? And tell him that just because those dogs get away with behaving badly there is no reason for him to think he can do the same. If they jumped in the river, would he follow them? Actually, maybe you shouldn't put ideas in his head?😉

Thanks all. Had a few cravings about 5 but a pack of starburst saw to that. 😁

In bed safe and sober. I think #safeandsober might become a new motto/mantra for me. It’s so good feeling calm, in control, fully present and not under the influence. Goodnight all.

Morning. 45 days completed
I love waking up in a morning feeling calm.
Safe and sober is a great way to be @newme2025.

Morning beautiful crew of the good ship Sobriety.
I will not drink today.

Alcohol was increasing my unhappiness not calming the noise in my head.

Love and kind thoughts to all.

Morning all and ahoy.
Mr Tiggle and I are two teas and shortbread biscuits down.

@newme2025 i love #safeandsober.
It makes me shudder to think how many risky situations I put myself in whilst drinking.

The BFF is popping around this morning. There's bound to be a drama.

I've been reading your opening thread @WendyWagon, I know most of your story but reading it beginning to end is alot, hats off to you. Hope you recovery is going well, do you have any hand weights you could use for bed/chair exercise?

Welcome @Sortoutyourshit. My drinking increased to quiet the rage I have. My life changing trauma was nothing compared to yours. I hope we can help 💕.

Welcome @Maybenexttime08 ,day 7 is a real achievement, I remember how many times I struggled to get there.

Wednesday is my equivalent of most people's Friday, but I will not drink. I shall think about you all, by name if I can remember everyone's, when I'm alone with my thoughts to stamp on the witch .

@mermadeincornwall oh bless you for thinking of me. If I wrote the full story I'd have you crying into your soup!

I've always been resilient. Too optomistic my DS says but I believe in hope.
I liked the taste of wine, that was the kicker. I actually think it tastes like sweaty socks now!

I have a novel half written and I think I'm in a position to finish it. I love books and although I need to go back to work next month I fancy doing what I wanted to do all my life, write. I shall be tucked up in my thatched cottage with the dog and my pc. Tea in hand, watching the birds.

Have just been invited out for food with 4 friends. They’re not particularly close and we don’t see each other that regularly - I can’t go because I’ve got other plans but it made me think about when we have been out before. I always went for a large glass of wine on my own first - they didn’t know that and my husband didn’t know I was going out earlier to do it. I wouldn’t care about the food just the wine. Rarely remembered what anyone said. I always thought they were boring.
That is not how I wish to live my life going forward

@Kindtomyself you might find you have a shift around with friends. I lost two as they were both big drinkers and I usually picked up the bill. One I miss, one I don't!
I stopped that and they both disappeared. Another person I thought judgy turned out to be worried for me and is now a really good friend.

I imagine I will @WendyWagon. I would like proper connections too rather than the feeling that I am just filling in people’s time.
Whether that’s fair I don’t know, we will see.

Unrelated but I have a vision of you resplendent in posh pj’s, hair and skin perfect sat in a luxurious boudoir whilst reading these posts. Hope that’s the reality, don’t spoil it if it’s not.

Evening all and thanks for the new thread.
Being accountable still if that’s okay
I did not drink today 🙏 and I am grateful putting my head on the pillow sober.
113 days and 23 hours
Being off work has been a massive help tbh as I’ve been able for the first time ever to focus on me, but I’m doing a very slow return over the next few weeks .
Have been a bit triggered recently so added in some quit lit and attended a SMART recovery online meeting today for the first time.
I was so glad I did it was really helpful.
Also doing something I would never had had the patience for a few months ago - Tai Chi and really enjoying that too although adult dc taking the p!
@WendyWagoncan I please ask what the overall verdict re best AF spirit was?
I do have a Gordon’s pink gin and tonic in the evening but haven’t tried any other AF spirit so would be interested.
I did try an online blend at extortionate price and that was nice but not realistic given the price !

Good morning. I've stayed off this thread for a few days as I slipped up and drank for a few evenings - gutted with myself and determined to get back on board. Stayed AF last night and will not drink tonight Have a good day all.