Someone tell me how you went tee-total I think this is going to lose me friends

[JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome]

I know I need to, I just can't do a halfway house, I have had so many false starts. After coming out of the fug of another weekend of over indulgence I really want to crack this. But I am looking ahead and don't know how to manage it....

• work drinks tomorrow night
• a weekend away with girlfriends
• a cocktail night with two couples we are hosting
• a dinner party with friends

I just feel like not drinking is going to be such a big deal, it is ridiculous why do I feel like this. It just scares me that so much of my social life revolves around alcohol and this is going to be awkward among some of my friendship groups....

Those of you who have gone AF...did you find that some of your friendships drifted apart?

Good friends won't care. I have a great group of 6 friends, 5 of us love some cocktails and bottles of wine when we go out for dinner, one doesn't drink. Not remotely a big deal, we just make sure we adjust for her much cheaper non-alcoholic drinks when we are splitting the bill.

I agree with PP - don't make a big announcement, just order a mock tail or tonic water or whatever you want.

(Depending on your age, note that if you suddenly stop drinking, people may assume you are pregnant).

The best is saying you’re so hungover from the night before you just couldn’t stand it. The odd one might lamely suggest hair of the dog but the most hardened drinker will sympathise.

Hi op I am 4 weeks sober yesterday! I have listened to and read lots of quit lit. I have been here many times before but, this time feels different. For me it really needs to be no alcohol, at the moment I am telling myself I can drink at Xmas, only because forever seems so hard. I hope by Xmas it will be so ingrained I won't need to.

Anyway, for social events I have always gone through in my head, what I am going to order, and lined up an excuse so I won't be tempted.

I am similar to you as in, I always drank the most and my behaviour, well, it still makes me cringe. The more you practice easier it is. I have cancelled the odd event, as it was quite early into my sobriety and I just didn't want the pressure.

Good luck Op, it is tough, there are lots of threads in the alcohol topic, I tend to dip in and out, loads of support though. For me, the benefits are outweighing the negatives by far, my skin looks really healthy, my eyes are clear, my bloated stomach has gone. Most importantly, I like myself and I feel like I can trust myself, I am happy and can deal with stress so much more easily. Ooh and I don't wake at 3am with palpitations, sweaty and full of regret.