DRY 8!!!!!!

[CheesyNachos]

Hello! This is our 8th! thread for those who are abstaining from alcohol and for those who want to abstain. :) We love newbies and lurkers. We have people who have been DRY for years, for months, for weeks, days, and hours. :) ALL are welcome. We have heaps of tips and we offer support at any stage.

DRY 7 the previous thread is here...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/2347295-DRY-7?

Hello again all. Haven't been on in a wee while but great to see all the successes. Waves to all the new people and sorry for not namechecking you all.

Shaking up the routine sounds like a good idea Tang. I think you can sign up to SMART online afair if there are no meetings near by. I really understand how isolation can be a big factor, I drank my heaviest when I became a lp, trying to fend off the loneliness I think.

Oh my, yes don't be worrying about NYE yet Sea, says me future tripping over something too and could take that advice also . Eleven days is great.

Welcome Abundatia and well done on your eight months - and the 12lb :)

I also still keep mini bottles in the house to cook with. Funny but it never enters my mind to drink them, probably because they are earmarked for cooking and much more likely, that would never be enough for me to get my fill so subconsciously I know there's no point in drinking them.

I must admit some part of me has been contemplating drinking recently. 'Just one night' thoughts. Maybe I could possibly control my drinking but another part of me thinks why would I even take that risk? I've worked too hard and being sober is kind of precious to me now. I love my life now, it's not perfect but for the first time in a long time I can look in the mirror and have respect for the person looking back. It's madness to even think about it I know.

They are a bit at the start Hadron. I think that's why I had so many early nights. What about a series on Netflix that appeals to you or a good book you've been meaning to read? Quickly it does become a new normal not drinking. A few weeks ago I had a little surprise ponder to myself as I climbed into bed after a cup of tea that not drinking in the evening hadn't crossed my mind for ages. Only this upcoming concert has thrown me a bit with the drinking thoughts but I'm going to take Lucy's advice myself about future tripping.

Yes yes to early nights Hadron.

Don't do it custard, it is so not worth it.

Will get mini bottles if I need wine for cooking. I have only ever bought them to drink prior to going somewhere that will involve drinking.

Thank you for your concern Sea and Custard but I meant it in a good way! I've been more patient with the kids and I'm now reading a book. I can see now why I didn't ever get through my 'to do' list.
Early nights are helping me through.

My husband is out Saturday so I will have to remain strong and not buy wine. I plan on staying well clear of all shops over the next 48 hours.

Glad you are ok Hadron. I agree my mood has been more balanced and calm.

Tomorrow will be my first challenge. 5pm on a Friday is always wine time.

I have terrible pain right now from my bum to my toes and in my neck too. I think it maybe sciatica. Paracetomal and ibuprofen are not touching it.

Funnily enough today I cooked with the one remaining mini bottle of cooking wine I had in the cupboard, to make a bolognese sauce and thankfully one which wasn't rejected by the DC for a fecking change and after talking about them on here I did have the most fleeting of thoughts as I opened it and poured it into the pan, about drinking it. I suddenly felt vulnerable as in it went, just knowing that I could have a crazy five seconds and randomly turn the bottle in a different direction. Hard to explain, it's almost like just seeing the 'sliding doors' moment of another way your life could go in that split second. I didn't drink it, but it made me realise that I'm not that comfortable having them around if they're open and being waved in front of my nose, with nobody else in the house. Hmmm

Well done everyone, have to say there's a good spirit of success on here at the moment..

custard - your post resonated with me, particularly the bit about respecting the person in the mirror. Life isn't perfect, but at least we're facing it head on.

Sorry Teapot, that is my fault for bringing it up.

teapot I cooked with my wee bottle today too - food was delicious if I do say so myself I hovered for a milli second and then sloshed the whole lot in. Feeling good.

Good to see you again tang

Don't be silly Sea - it's been a long time since I used a bottle in cooking and it just surprised me that it's one thing it sitting there unused but another entirely for me to get it out and use it..!

I escaped unscathed anyhoo

Lovely sunny morning here. I'm doing okay, although I know I'm isolating at the moment and need to kick myself out of it.

Thanks Teapot . Most recipes I use call for red wine which I never touch anyway.

Lovely morning here too. Kick up the bum from me . How about an exercise class?

teapot I'm in isolation too! I'm ok with the kids but other humans are annoying me.

Hope you're feeling ok today Tang. What are your plans for the weekend?

I slept well last night (and had nice dreams) but I feel like I've been kicked in the lower back - is this related to not drinking?

Thank you everyone for all the tips and suggestions you've given I am trying to take everything on board and arm myself with as much information as I can, and also to change my way of thinking which is a lot harder

I hope everyone slept well last night and are all set for the weekend?
I'm on my 8th day now, but still can't shake the dull horrible headache. It feels like a hangover, which is infuriating because I don't get hangovers when I drink

One thing really bothering me, my appetite has increased a lot, and I'm craving fizzy sweets, when I never eat them usually. I'm scared that if I manage to crack this, I'm going to end up huge.
I know it isn't healthy, but alcohol has always dulled my appetite a bit. Now I just want to eat. Does anybody know if this will pass?

Thanks for the concern but I definitely won't be drinking. Went straight from here to facebook last night and a friend who has many years of sobriety under his belt had posted as a status about the goal not being sober but loving yourself so much you don't need to pick up a drink. Very serendipitous for me :) I've got this

I'm glad the long night was in a good way Hadron

It's the smell when I'm cooking it sometimes gets me Teapot. Love that expression 'sliding doors' moment.

Treasure I was exactly the same between smoking, alcohol at night and too much coffee the next day my appetite wasn't great and I was far too skinny tbh. I have put on a stone and a half in nearly nine months (I'm tall though) but it's about a perfect bmi even if I'm not happy about the flabbier stomach. I have the fear I might stick on more now so have started from today meal planning and am going to avoid buying all the sugary stuff I have been scoffing by the bucket load. Hope the headache passes soon, so unfair isn't it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. That's me logging off til Monday as I've taken all screens off the dc, not as a punishment but to spend time as a family - they probably don't see it that way Have to set an example I suppose. Enjoy

The sugar cravings do pass, they take a little while but bugger off in the end!

Thanks for inviting me back into the fold guys, I really do appreciate it

I scoffed everything in sight the first few weeks, then gradually cut down including sugary drinks and magnums
I wouldn't worry too much and I found a nice cold fizzy drink helped in the evening.
Ive lost quite a bit since then with out even trying.
Its day 70 today ! ( Im only counting for thread purposes)
Am knackered but planning a nice evening of fish and chips, buttery bread and tea< rocknroll> plus crappy soaps !

Have a good weekend everyone !

Ooooh chippy chips Pink. I feel really hungry as I have spent the day doing a big clean. Of course, I would usually reward myself with at least one bottle of wine and it would be open by now. "Why not, it is the weekend after all". Then I wouldn't really eat anything as the wine would kill my appetite.

Instead I am doing a bit more housework. Then bath, dinner and a red bounty (Yum).

I have started to read a lot again so I am thinking of getting a kindle. Not sure whether to go for the paperwhite or voyager. Has anybody used both and have a preference?

Hope everyone is ok and is having a great af Friday!

jumping in on the thread to post this link.

www.telegraph.co.uk/food-and-drink/features/giving-up-alcohol/

Loved it. Not sure Hannah Betts is a MNetter or a DRYer but she sure writes like one of us.

will write more tomorrow.Has been a trying day so cannot give the thread the attention it deserves. Am reading though. :)

Are there any other kind worth eating? Sea
Currently stuffed and lazing on the sofa.
Laundry is on, dishwasher on and cats on duty lolling all over me

I'm in touch with Hannah on Twitter and she does know about this thread as I told her to pop on by
Hope all have a lovely sober week-end. I'm supping a Bavaria 0% and chowing down on Fruit and Nut
Treasure echoing the others don't worry about the sugar cravings they will settle. It's because you are replacing all the sugar in wine you're used to and at 500 calories a bottle a few fizzy sweets won't hurt

Alcohol is mega carbs and messes with your insulin response - so you crave a lot more sugar stuff!

Evening everyone.

I've had a mixed week - 3 good days and 3 bad days but at least I can see a pattern, I've had a drink when I've got home from a social event where I haven't drank (if that makes sense), some sort of warped 'reward' for staying sober when I'm out?

Anyway, I am going to follow glad's example and count my sober days this month so far; 8 out of 11 is a lot better than I've done for a long time.

Disappointed with myself for not succeeding with my dry September but I'm heading in the right direction.

I've had my bath and my milky drink and now time to get some sleep, pleased to say the weird dreams are subsiding.
Have a good weekend all.

Great article cheesy thanks for posting. The advice from a friend asking 'do you really just want the one' adds to my mental helpful things to think about when tempted list.

Had a fish and chips Friday too pink. Yum!!!

A month in and I'm still eating lots of sugary nonsense I wouldn't have touched when I was drinking. But the last week or so it has felt more like because it's there than because my body is craving it. So from Monday no more sweet treats slipping in with the shopping....

Good weekends all

Well done everyone

Day 13 and this is the longest I have been af in the last two years
I think I am safe from temptation today as feeling under the weather. Once I have got my chores out of the way it will be a duvet day on the sofa for me.

Have a good day all.

Ps Fab article Cheesy

Checking in - I'm ok at the moment.
Well done everyone.