4 days without drinking, please help me keep it up

[Japanesejazz]

Ive drank nearly every day for the last 10 years and it was starting to get out of hand
I do like a drink so I’m not sure I want to quit forever but I don’t want to be drinking like I was ever again
My first goal is 28 days without a drink
Be lovely to have a bit of help, keep me strong etc

I was about to say have you got Try Dry? Save the money up for a treat!

9 days
Tried alcohol free tequila with Mexican lime and soda tonight, very refreshing

Well done!

Have a look at the blog Mrs D goes without - it got me through the worst of it. You are about to have the best time of you life once you pass this tricky phase. It does get easier - I promise. Keep it up! Sending you the power, you can do this.

@Japanesejazz - am a big fan of 0% Orange Tanquerey gin with elderflower tonic..

Good luck OP!

I’ve pretty much managed to knock on the head all those, oh I’m in watching telly on my own, I’ll have a glass of wine moments. Or on the train/plane I’ll have a G&T…. I now have a cup of tea. It’s nicer waking up in the morning…. You’ve got this.

Same, I’m 5 months in and don’t even consider it. I prefer a cuppa and a clear head. The desire for alcohol has gone away.

Keep going just take it one day at a time. I went cold turkey as an 52 year old daily drinker 18 months ago. I just celebrated each day with an alcohol free tick on the drink aware app and vowed to be alcohol free the next day.

I didn’t do meetings or therapy. I just took it one day at a time. As the days go on you start to get some clarity and feel better inside your body. It then becomes easier.

You’ve got this.

I stopped drinking 4 years ago and I've not really looked back after getting past the first couple of months. I find the non-alcoholic gins are the nicest of the fake alcohols, with the Fevertree Mediterranean tonic which has bitters in it. Lovely. Gives you the feeling of having a grown up drink (I.e. not a fecking coke) without the ill effects. Non-alcoholic vodka is the biggest waste of time ever, although admittedly I never liked real vodka either.

I wasn't drinking a lot, so I didn't get the big improvements in weight, skin etc that other family members who stopped drinking had, but you may start to notice better skin in the next week or two. Even 4 years in I occasionally feel smug waking up with no hangover after dinner out the night before. Lovely feeling!

Thank you everyone, your messages are so helpful
Hoping my sleep will start to improve soon

Start exercising regularly. It'll put you in a healthier mindset, improve energy, focus and determination and make you more resilient. You'll also sleep better and it's great for your mood and self esteem. Start small, set a goal (follow couch to 5K maybe) and treat yourself to a non alcoholic reward when you reach it.

@AspiringSlothkombucha is also good. It has a little vinegar in it so has that adult seltzer-acid flavour rather than a super sweet soft drink. And it’s fantastic for your gut.

10 days, made it to double figures!
Not tried kombucha yet, what are the best flavours, not a fan of cider vinegar, mother root type drinks
I walk every day and trying to add extra exercise. Went to yoga yesterday and cycled 5 miles today

Well done OP! Keep it up. After 14 days the days go quicker

Do you have alcohol in the house? When I gave up I got rid of it all (easier as DH doesn’t drink, so it was all mine anyway!). It’s a lot easier if it’s not accessible, so for example if you drink white wine and there’s not a tempting bottle in the fridge then it will help you resist.

Good luck!

Well done on getting to double digits!! I love seeing your daily updates. Keep going. Everyday I just say to myself Im not going to drink today. I don't worry about tomorrow as long as I don't drink today.

11 days 😊
Had a couple of glasses of Waitrose alcohol free sparkling Chardonnay this evening, really enjoyed it
I do have alcohol in the house, I want to be in a place where I am not drinking because it’s there, if that makes sense?
I have made some changes, the red wine rack is empty, the case of red wine has not been opened and is in the cupboard under the stairs.
The bottles of gin I got for Christmas have not been opened
These are my usual drinks, so I have made them slightly less accessible.

Thank you, I was worried I might be boring everyone
I keep telling myself, I do not want to do day 1 again

Hi op i gave up drinking before I had my kids i was a binge drinker and looking back was drinking to deal with some children trauma. I loved, and I mean loved, drinking and once I'd got a few drinks inside me I never knew what the night would bring. While it was good to feel adventurous I started to get a bit scared of myself when I drank and I knew I was on the precipice of spiralling majorly out of control. I tried several times on my own and failed so decided to try AA. Went to 90 meetings in 90 days. Never went back after the 90 days but it really really helped me feel better being around people who had drunk like me and who thought like me. I got the hang of not drinking and I realised AA was no longer for me but it was crucial for me right at the start of the sober journey whixh was at times scary and emotional good luck if I can do it anyone can xx

I’m 5 months sober and attend AA and I’ve had alcohol in the house the whole time. Red wine, Prosecco, a few tiny spirits and beers. I pull them out for guests. I think I like knowing that they’re there and I don’t want them… makes me feel very in control of life.

Holland and Barrett do a lovely Mango and Yuzu Kombucha!

Well done op. Proud of you

Not at all I love reading other people's daily victories. The thought of having to go through another day one fills me with dread.

Well done OP, enjoying your updates and you have inspired me to cut down. Now to find some alternate drinks.

🥳 you’re doing great.