Back to the start...

[pinkclouds26]

I have been on and off alcohol for the past couple of years. It has got to a point where I drink too often and at times too much. It is not worth the anxiety, broken sleep, the money, the arguments with dp...

I have learned the hard way the moderation doesn't work for me, the longest I went off alcohol was 6 months and I actually felt amazing. The minute I decided to have a few, I was back to square one, I have had numerous false starts since then, but always found an excuse to have a drink again, a holiday, a party etc. It wasn't easy being alcohol free, but it was so worth it. It is time to start again. I really wish I wasn't back to the start but I suppose I do have a lot more knowledge behind me this time

Anyone any tips for getting through the first few days?

These first few weekends are always tough @Poopgoestheweasel, have you done any of the ideas on your list from earlier? Chocolate always help for me in the early days, and I tell myself the calories are still less than a bottle of wine and not so bad for my liver either! You’re on day 5 which is brilliant and just think how good youll feel tomorrow morning, when you wake clear headed.

@Itsafinebalance KFC I have to admit!! And I have chocolate. It passed, I’m all good now. It’s just scary that something has such a hold on me. I feel in control in other aspects of my life. It’s embarrassing.

I just tell people it's "low- hanging fruit" health- wise, as in, is a "simple" change you can make to be healthier as you get older and especially for women, all the advice you get heading into menopause is to quit or reduce alcohol and coffee, and I'm never giving up coffee so alcohol it is! Most people just nod along to that.

Hurrah! Got through both events this week on soda and lime 🍋 slept pretty well and have a full Sunday now to get stuff done with no hangover - the party last night was amazing, in a beautiful spot overlooking the city and river, free drinks and canapes, full of people who work in the wine trade and hospitality. I drove. I'm now on day 7 if I don't count Wednesday night, but I do, so truthfully day 4. No-one questioned my soda and lime, just one person said "are you sure" when they were going to the bar, and one person asked if I was driving. Hang in there ladies, sunny days ahead! 🌞

Must be hard doing shift work!

Well done everyone that survived last night and if you didn’t, well today’s a new day.

I was tired yesterday evening so in bed early, but although I went off quite quickly, my sleep was fitful. I’m ok at the moment as I’m not a daily drinker, but it doesn’t stop me thinking about it at least several times a day; when can I next have a drink, how many days, blah blah blah. That sounds so wrong written down, and just shows how much this drug/poison has a hold on me and has done for the last 40 years!

I almost don’t even want to count days this time, but just get my head down and try and navigate my way through. I realise how tense I am all the time, I have a knot in the centre of my stomach and my shoulders are permanently stiff, so I’ve been making a point of taking a deep breath and bringing myself back to the moment and today I’m taking it easy and giving myself permission to rest.

Well done everyone, I am so glad I started this thread, I felt embarrassed at the start at it being day 1 of countless tries, but honestly I have learned from each one.

I am determined this time and the accountability and checking in is a huge help. We have some family home for the wedding and gathered again last night, I had a few moments where I wanted one, but again was so glad I declined and actually had a great night laughing with family.

I found it very interesting watching people get drunker, the words slurring, I am not one to judge but was glad it wasn't me for once, I can imagine a few of them will be waking up with the fear.

I am sleeping great but actually waking up exhausted, I have managed to go back to sleep a few mornings, something I can never do when drinking, I would be too anxious and sick. I suppose my body has a lot of rest to catch up on.

Well done again everyone, let's keep it going and celebrate all our 'firsts' together ❤️

Meant to add day 8 here, my first mini goal is day 10, that day sticks out in relation to the big monster/little monster if anyone has read the easyway to stop drinking...

It sounds like you have decided. I also reached this point where I decided enough was enough.

On September 24 I will have been sober for an entire year. And you know what… after the first few months it’s been easier than I imagined.

@SewYellowLikeButter thats amazing well done, I am really looking forward to hitting a year 😀

And yes you’ll start to find that drunk people are really annoying and those amazing conversations and funny times you used to have… weren’t actually great. You were just drunk!

I still manage to be the last one up at hen parties and weddings and bbqs. But the next morning I feel incredible and I remember everything and I don’t feel anxious that I said something stupid or acted out. My best friend says I’m actually more fun now, my sister says I’m funnier and my childhood friend says she’s never seen me so confident and happy in who I am.

And they’re right. Being sober makes me feel like an adult who has their shit together.

Today is day 6 for me and I have to say, the difference between today and a typical Sunday for me is amazing. I’m so cheerful today. I really enjoyed going to watch my kids early morning game, chatting to other parents. My kid’s got a friend over now and I’m calm and patient and enjoying my day. I’m not just waiting for bed time, and eating carbs continuously just to stay alive!! This feels so nice. It’s amazing I could choose any other way to be. What a crazy drug alcohol is.

Can I join?

Day 15 for me!

Last night we had people over for a BBQ and like a PP said it was interesting to see people change once they had a drink regarding slurring words etc .. not a good look really.

I feel good, but I'm not a day drinker and tend to me more of a binge drinker. I can't seem to have just the one. It's all or nothing so I'm going for nothing!

Its the wasted days after drinking that I'm really trying to avoid. The older I get the worse the hang overs are and the longer they take to get over.

Today has been nice, seeing family and cooking a lamb hot pot instead of feeling sick all day, wanting to be on my own and eating a pot noodle!

X

Hi @MindBodySoul
15 days, brilliant! I could have written your post. The binging. The pot noodle, alone! Ha. Glad you’ve had a good Sunday. I have too :)

You are doing really well! If you don't want to count days, my tip is to change your phone password to the date of day 1, then you can just kind of forget about counting but when ever you need to know you've still got the date and you can just calculate it.

It's so great to hear positive stories like this thank- you!

Hi, can I join the thread please. I’m about a week and a half in.

I normally am ok Monday to Wednesday. Then from Thursday all I think about it’s a Friday night G&t. Which turns into a few and a chocolate and crisp binge. I then lose a few hours on Saturday morning feeling crap, going for a run and tidying the mess of
of the night before. Then I think well, I’ve spoilt the weekend so I may as well have a bottle of wine tonight. Cue the same waste of the Sunday morning.

im fed up of the cycle. Wasting my mornings and always starting again.

We had a family fay out in London with a posh dinner on Saturday. That would normally have involved a few pre dinner cocktails and a bottle of wine. I had mocktails instead and still had a wonderful day. Best part was I had a great Sunday. I had energy for the kids (well, early teens) and didn’t just want to nap away the afternoon.

Love the idea of changing the phone password to the date.

I used to be a social drinker but have recently stopped drinking entirely. I read The Sober Diaries and found it very interesting. The whole normalisation of drinking!

I used to have a couple of glasses of wine, wake up in the middle of the night, sweaty and anxious. The hard thing for me when I go out is finding a soft drink I actually like. My current drink is soda water with fresh lime but I always feel a bit of a cheap skate when I am charged £1 for it but I don’t like coke, lemonade or juices.

Good luck with your abstinence journey. Find a soft drink you like and maybe drink it from your wine glass.

I'll join you if I may. It's Day 3 for me (what kind of an idiot starts on a Saturday night?)

I was alcohol free for 6 amazing months in 2024 but slid back
First it was special occasions, then it was when eating out or getting a takeaway, and with 4 months I was back to hitting the wine again.

I am afraid I don't feel great waking up sober - I feel knackered! My body is so used to booze that makes me sleepy I have struggled to get more than 3 or 4 hours sleep the last two nights. However, I know this will get easier once I get closer to a week sober.

It's inspiring to hear how you are all doing. @WhitegreeNcandle and @pinkclouds26 - congratulations on getting through your events if the weekend sober 🏆

Day 9 here and I woke again feeling like I got hit by a bus! I feel so groggy and exhausted, I do remember this feeling vaguely from the last time, so I will push through and hope it is just my body adjusting and catching up on sleep.

Welcome everyone and great work! To think last week I was embarrassed to start a thread about starting again and here we are spurring each other on ❤️

Yes it’s funny with the sleep. Im having such intense and memorable dreams but wake up feeling like I’ve been hit by a bus. I keep telling myself I must remember this later on, if I’m considering drinking the poison. My body is clearly in need of some serious respite and recovery.

Yeah, I got hit by a bus here too! I ache and feel foggy-headed, but I am looking forward to feeling well again, however long it takes.

Like a few of us, I have had long periods of not drinking—even a year at one point—but I always go back. I have diaries from ten years ago where I am trying to cut down or quit. You know how it goes.

Something I read yesterday really hit home: you have to lock that door and throw away the key to the thought that you might drink again one day. That is always my problem. I always believe that if I stay off it long enough, I can moderate later.

When I quit smoking, I knew I never wanted to go back. That clear choice carried me through the first year and beyond. I do not know if it will be different this time, but I certainly feel done and I am so tired of putting my body through this.

So here’s to another day - and no I’m not counting! 😁

I think the comparison to smoking is a good one. I used to smoke like a chimney but once I gave up I knew it was for good. I could easily light up again right now but I know if I did I’d be back in 20 a day. I was never a social smoker who could have a few on a night out.

I’ve never thought of alcohol the same but o guess it is. I’ve always like Bryony Gordon as I think I’ve got a bit of an addictive personality and I think she has too!

Funny isn’t it, still love the smell of cigarettes and do miss it even after 15 years, but I know the health risks are too great, so why is it so hard to apply the same with alcohol!

I’m not very familiar with Bryony Gordon but googled and saw she has a podcast. I’ve downloaded some of the episodes that sound really good, ready to listen whilst out on my walks.

Luckily for me, smoking isn’t socially acceptable in my world and it would be near impossible to hide having a cheeky smoke. So that keeps me off that vice.
Alcohol on the other hand lives in my house 😭

Another day down 💚 i keep waking up from dreams as well, and feel pretty groggy, must be detox. So happy to have a bunch of awesome women on this journey. Welcome to all the newcomers, you are so welcome!