DRY 5

[allhailqueenmab]

Starting this before the old one gets filled up!
this is the thread for the alcohol free.
Join us!

Biggles Not the same train! Will pm you later :)
Another beautiful sunny day in October Loving this Indian Summer :)

It's amazing isn't it lucy - I've got washing on the line! Last day though I think so should make the most of it! (Wondering at what point in my life "making the most of it" translated into getting the washing done)

LOL :) Yep my machine's on too -making hay while the sun shines

Morning all. Well, after saying that I never drink AF wine/beer, I promptly went out last night and was offered it at someone's house. So tried a Sainsbury's AF white and rose wine. Both of them tasted to me just like grape juice, and not like wine at all. They weren't disgusting in the same way that a cheap wine can be disgusting although I'd still have drunk it, they just tasted sugary and without any 'bite'. The 'bite' of course being... alcohol. Interesting to drink it, I suppose it made me realise that the sugary grape juice part is just a flavouring to make the alcohol bit taste acceptable.

Cindersmeller I sweated buckets the night before last. Didn't link it to the drinking - but now I think it must be!! I watched "silks" last night and I understood it all and I won't need to watch the same epidode 2 times as I was too drunk to remember the plot. I am amazed at how much energy I have and how I can't really go to sleep (once I'm asleep I'm ok) but I usually pass out "exhausted" at 8pm. But now I'm wide awake at 12! And as for cake - I'm over indulging on digestive biscuits and tea. But I feel slightly lighter already. Happy Friday everyone.

Unfortunately, I too have fallen off the wagon. Back in August I was away on a business trip, very awkward dinner (long story) kept waiting over an hour for our meal with some difficult business acquaintances. I was sat there sipping mineral water why they all swilled beer, uncomfortable, starving and stressed having travelled all day with nothing to eat, and in the end the management came over and apologised for the delay and offered us a free drink. .. well I'm afraid I caved and had a glass of red wine. After eight months without alcohol that was my first taste and to be honest I bloody enjoyed it. Next night I had another, eating alone at my hotel.

Since I've been back I've had wine on probaby four or five occasions - was away on holiday a couple of weeks ago and relied on pub meals so had a glass of wine twice .. and the bottom line is, I don't enjoy it anymore. I just don't. The first one in the restaurant was lovely (but it was an incredibly stressful situation I found myself in, nerves stretched to the limit so it really hit the spot, but the sporadic glasses I've had since - just leave me wondering what all the fuss is about and why I used to drink so much of the stuff?

So as of 1st October I am firmly back on the wagon. I simply prefer not to drink and that's it. I'm not saying never forever - I never would have thought I'd cave in and drink in August - I had no intention of doing so - and I did, but hopefully I can get back to the booze free life I had between January and August.

it is good to hear Fontella that the novelty of wine and enjoyment can be lost - that's a place I hope to get to. It's also nice to hear you can fall off the wagon and realise you can get back onto it. And that being on it is a better thing. good luck to you.

Fontella as falls go that sounds like a really useful one - no harm done and lots of interesting things learnt. Sounds like your 8 months off have really changed your tastes and your reaction to alcohol. One day I would like to be able to have a glass of wine in a restaurant or a champagne toast at a wedding, without it descending into a binge drink. Maybe one day I'll get there!
Teapot good point about the grape juice/ sugar disguising the taste of alcohol, which lets face it tastes disgusting and just like the poison that it is! Amazing that those sugary alc free wines are actually no higher calorie/ sugar content than wine but they taste like syrup.

Sugar coated poison - yum yum !!!

What do people think of this new tablet in the news today? if you drink three points or half a bottle of wine a night you can get a pill to stop you drinking more . must admit my first thought was 'lightweights'

My first thought was "is this what our country is coming to?" That we now need medication to stop drinking wine and beer in the evening? It's a nationwide problem! Sad when you think about it.

Tonight has been the hardest night.

stick at it. Honestly things will improve, and you'll start to sleep really well and be able to cope so much better x

I'm trying. Not helped by partner tonight saying have some wine! It's Friday night.
I can't have any! I have a problem with it.
No you don't!! He says. I'm addicted to cigarettes - I couldn't go a month without it, but you have done!! Have some wine.....
I wanted to say yes yes!! You're right. Give me some wine.

So difficult when it's so accepted by everyone.

Oh that's hard try to ignore it. Just focus on how good you will feel. Thinking of you.

Biggles post up tomorrow about what I think of nalmefene :D Just back from flicks seeing Gone Girl - good god!!

Just saying hello. Day 6 of being dry and got a wedding to go to tomorrow so nervous if I can do it :/

Morning Belle. You can! Just make a decision to stick to a particular drinkk and be firm! good luck

Morning all!
Belle I think it would help if you've already decided exactly how you'll manage each bit of the wedding - what to say when they offer arrival drinks, what you'll do with your champagne for toasting, what you'll drink with the meal, what you'll drink in the evening. Like Biggles says, if you make all the decisions before you're in the situation, you don't have to rely on willpower once you're there and tempted. Good luck!
Lucy hoping to see it today - was it good? Had you read the book before/ if so, how did it compare?
Freshly argh what a nightmare - did you resist? I don't know how I'd cope with that, luckily my DP is teetotal which makes it so much easier. Has he ever seen you have a problem with alcohol (e.g. drink too much, have a fight with him, etc?) If so, can you remind him that he didn't like it at the time, and why would he want you to do it again?
Re: the drug to help you drink moderately - my first thought was, woohoo I can take that and still drink wine! Then I read that it would only be prescribed for 6 months and thought, whats the point in that? I definitely still have some issues with alcohol to overcome!

Yup Belle - you can do it. As Biggles says - stick to a drink, keep one in your hand - and if possible have an exit strategy so you don't get stuck there after you are done. I enjoyed my first sober wedding but I was happy to leave around midnight. Even happier to wake feeling great the next day. ??

Hi to everyone new. Brilliant that there are so many people starting out (or already along the road) and joining us.

Some sober toolbox stuff that's helped me in case any use to anyone:

A very big secret (ie no one can see you've joined, that you post etc) Facebook group. it's very American but I get a lot from it.

th Bubble hour podcasts - Google and these will come up. Free on iTunes - cover a multitude of topics.

Blogs are wonderful. Check out Lucy's - A Hangoverfreelife onWordpress (sorry can't do links) and the

...oops posted without editing / finishing...

Other blogs - EverythingAfterwards, Taking a New Path - and Belle's "Tired of Thinking About Drinking".

If anyone wants to join the facebook group I mentioned, PM.

wow, loads of newbies, fab
Been remembering my early days and l remember not drinking an hour at a time, just getting to the next hour then starting again. A craving only lasts 10 minutes, that thought helped too.
Drinking tons of lemonade . Also the fact that I genuinely felt better every day was a great boost.
Belle..the wedding will probably be easier than you think, once you've set your mind to the fact that you're not having a drink.If it gets too much, just take yourself off for a wander, thats what l do.scares the hell out my partner when l did this as he thought l had sneaked off for a drink
Welcome all to sobriety, I was promised on my 1st day that I would have a better, happier life, and I have, I promise you without alcohol your life will be a million times better

Morning all! Non hangover mornings never get old and went for a run too!
99 haven't read the book but will now to see if the ending is different. I don't want to say too much in case it's inadvertently a spoiler but it reminded me of Fatal Attraction except the bunny boiler's not the mistress but the wife - eek she takes psychopath to a whole new level!! Very dark and dystopian
Haggis thanks for the blog name-check, tenners in the post
Have a good w/end all and enjoy the wedding Belle :)

Really looking fwd to seeing Gone Girl. Loved the book!

Loving hangover free mornings too Lucy. I have spoken to or seen three friends so far today who have humdingers of hangovers to contend with. It's hard not to feel just a tiiiiiiiiny bit smug

I'd love the details of that FB group; will PM you Haggis. I too love the Bubble Hour podcasts, I used to start off thinking pah, they're so American, but actually always wind up gripped by what they are saying. There is an excellent one I've just been listening to about sister addictions (food, mainly) which I am finding fascinating.

Thanks for the encouragement. Finding soda water and lime looks like a 'fake' drink so stops people asking why I'm not drinking. Just taking it an hour at a time. Keep thinking oh, I could just have one but the thing is, I can't, there's no such thing as just one!