On a mission to moderate or absolutely abstain (judgement-free zone). New thread - Autumn 2025.

[ForeverTipsy]

Hello, here's a shiny new thread for us all - took the liberty after gaining permission from The Original OP @nowstrong! Please tag anyone from the last thread I may have missed...hopefully you can all find us here...

@horrorfan81 @BezMills @hohofortherobbers @addictforanex @alertcat @harriethoyle @StrongLikeMamma @LillyPJ @ohthejoysoftoddler

@Elleoeez That's it! Remember the feeling that being AF brings. Feel SO good today. THAT is what I need to remember. 🙏

that all sounds familiar @Nowstrong

I've stopped counting but it's a few weeks now. I had a similar process and decided to reset (again). I feel pretty good about it. Occasionally tempted, but it's getting a bit easier. Still have to be careful though and I am!

Morning all! Yesterday evening I was invited to friends for dinner. Had a few drinks (wasn't driving) had a lovely evening, got in at past midnight (shock horror), had an awful night's sleep, forgot to turn my alarm clock off, went back to sleep, feel a lot less brilliant than yesterday. Lesson really learnt, but will I remember it?
This evening is "fête de la musique" in my little town. So, of course, I will be going. My new mantra : stick to non alcoholic drinks.
Will report back tomorrow morning. Hopefully feeling great (and proud).
Hope you all have a beautiful day. Weather here is brilliant. Swimming pool this afternoon...

@Nowstrong I think you just add it all up, bad head and all, and if it's a net plus (probably yes) then fine. I think for me, the big issue is if it gets me on the slippery slope. I'm still steering clear. Last year this time I was almost 6 months sober sober and had my first drink on 29th June just after my 50th.

This year I don't know. I kind of don't wanna (but might have a cheeky vino with my birthday dinner, let's not rule it out completely!)

I was properly tempted yesterday. I'd had a crap couple of days, not sure exactly why, sometimes it just do be like that! I could have murdered a drink, but managed to stay out of danger, which I'm really glad about.

Morning all! @BezMills I failed miserably. Managed to keep the drinking down (didn't do so well with the nibbling though). Didn't go mad. Didn't wake up this morning feeling so damn awful. But perhaps it's because my body is getting used to all this drinking. MUST stop. Full stop. This evening I have non drinking guests. I'm making a nice (hopefully) home made ice tea. No wine in the place. So sticking to that. They don't drink so I won't be tempted. When I'm alone I'm OK. It's socially that fails me. Or that is what I think. Will update when I'm a few days dry.
Must stay strong and motivated. I CAN do this. Done it before. Can do it again.
Hits head against wall. Off to do guilt ridden exercises to burn it all off.
Hope you all have a great day. Let's stay strong together. 💪

@Nowstrong

it's all quite familiar. I find the transition from 'drinking sometimes or too often or all the time' (kind of the same thing or rather one soon leads to the other to the other) rather difficult. Being sober sober is fine, once I actually switch the switch. It just can take ages to go "sod it, it's happening NOW".

The twilight zones of "keeping a lid on it" or "just about to start stopping" are the hardest bits for me, and cause no end of angst.

Hopefully tonight is calm and some sober socialising is probably exactly what you need.

Morning all. Did it! So pleased with myself. I know that I can keep going now. Fingers all crossed. Beautiful day here. Have a morning swim scheduled with friends at 10:00 (opening time of pool). Bbq tonight but will be prepared with homemade ice tea. I can do this is my new mantra (I definitively do go through a lot of mantras 😂).
Hope everyone enjoys their day. Beautiful sunshine here. Another scorcher apparently.

Stay strong. And sober. X

I’ve enjoyed reading all the updates and thank you for replying and supporting me. Out of a potential 66 days (since starting) I’ve have 64 days AF. On the two occasions I drank wine I felt awful the next day. I had two glasses on the first occasion and threw the second. First time I had a headache the next day and second time was sick (oh dear). Don’t think it’s agreeing with me post op. I’ll be five weeks post roar knee replacement on Monday. On both occasions I was catching up with a good friend - who also likes a drink.

Lesson learned that I’m not coping with alcohol atm. I’m now off synthetic narcotics but was still on diclofenac and Lansoprazole when I drank - so that may be it. Now just on paracetamol and voltarol gel. I’ve adjusted my drink free days to 6 days a week so I don’t feel so guilty if I slip up! Psychological I know. The good news is I’m doing so much better than been a daily drinker, which I was before my op.

Not sure what to do next, not planning to actually buy alcohol for home use. Another whole level of challenge when going out or entertaining friends starts again!

Should say three - not threw!

well done @Nowstrong and @letshavetea

We had unexpected child free as DD was invited to a sleepover at the last minute. Fancied a curry and went to a place that it BYOB. I decided it was time for some vino, so we got some rather naice portuguese red from M&S. That went down rather well, then we went to the local and I had 4 more drinks! Yeah head wasn't too clever when I woke up on Sunday but a dawnie dip then a second one at 9am with the regulars sorted that out. Last night again child free as the sleepover extended until late evening, so had a few drinkies with dinner at the restaurant. I know I know, two days on the bounce, eeesh.

Mixed emotions really. I'm not really sorry I did it (will revisit this assessment if I have any wobbles in the next days and weeks). I'm happy to call it a one-off and leave it at that, as long as I can put the booze goblin back in his crate and he doesn't cause me any bother this week. On the other hand, I was definitely playing with fire (bad) and also blew up a sober streak of some weeks (less bad but still a thing)

Morning all! Another sober day. Or especially evening . Can easily manage in the daytime. I’ve found that the solution is « be prepared ». Made 2 thermos flasks of ice tea, which ended up being a good idea. Was invited to a BBQ, no soft drinks (only adults). Drank all of my ice tea. Slept well (was very hydrated) but did frequent trips to the loo, fell asleep quickly each time.

Benefits of going to bed sober : put stuff away before going to bed. Wake up without a dried up mouth cos I sleep with my mouth open and snore when I have a few drinks. Feel so much more refreshed in the morning.
@BezMillsi daredn’t go on that slippery road for the moment. Much too early on my sobering up trip. But well done if you enjoyed it and can control any urges.

@letshavetea well done on your 64 AF days! I wonder why I slip back into bad habits because being sober is so much better. I also feel dreadful the day after. Plus the guilt.

This evening it’s my one of my DGDs birthday dinner . Will take my card and gift and my thermos of ice tea, to share if necessary. My DD always provides too much wine and has a tendency to drink too much too. But that is another story. Most probably a genetic wiring problem. We do discuss it. She knows I’m going AF again. No judgement there.

Wishing you all a beautiful day. Sending strong and positive vibes to all.

Lovely to read people's positive updates.
My 3 weeks ended Sunday. I hosted a big dinner and just enjoyed drinks with the meal. Then yesterday I didn't drink even though I'm "allowed" to which I'm happy with. At some points during my 3 week stint I felt proper craving and caved 3 times for a dram which feels like I'm writing about someone else, I didn't realise my self control was so poor.
Also if I'm honest I avoided social things during those 3 weeks because I have no experience not drinking at parties and dinners and all! I'm reading your tactics with interest #Nowstrong. Maybe I need to get into iced tea!!

Quick update ! Still AF! Downing that ice tea…. Big social event this evening. But I’m pretty determined. Will report back tomorrow. All fingers crossed. Stay strong (that’s mainly for me 😂). Enjoy the sunny weather !

was mildly tempted to have one after training last night but didn't. The days after are very dangerous in my experience so glad to have that one done.

Well done @SundayBangor keep on keeping on

Morning all!
Well done to @BezMillsand @letshavetea, also encouraging @SundayBangor . Social events are sooo dangerous for me. Last night I remained AF, but then again it was SO hot that everyone was downing the water (and ice tea) to stay hydrated and hardly touched any of the wine, or the food, no end of left overs. So a big win win for me. No more tricky socials for me for the next month.

My sibling is coming to visit me in August and that is always complicated, because as much as I love her, it's always, well, complicated... will sort that out in August.
Still extremely hot today. Yesterday was nearly in the 40s... that ice tea will be a life saver.
Sugar free ice tea of course, having enough problems with my curves too.
Have a great day. Stay cool. Hydrated and strong.