DRY 9!!!!!

[CheesyNachos]

The DRY 8 thread suddenly came to an end! 1000 messages before we knew it.

THis is the thread for those who are abstaining and who want to abstain from alcohol. :)

All are welcome.

Previous thread is here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/2432985-DRY-8?

Best of luck for the talk tonight Bam.

3phase those without problems with alcohol can find it difficult to understand. It's hard when people frequently see problem drinkers as the 'vodka on the cornflakes' drinker and not those that may not drink every night but when they do it causes them issues or they feel it's out of control. Meditation and yoga is an excellent plan - as is the kidney excuse.

Hope everyone else is ok? About to head off to bed, ignore the wind and rain outside and snuggle under the covers with Netflix. Only thing for it on a night like that.

Morning everybody.

Still dry here, so on Day 2. I felt terrible last night, and wanted to drink so badly. The boys were both driving me mad. I even did my usual sneaky hinting to DP about it, but to his credit he didn't buy any or even suggest that we should. That's where it's difficult to square with me issuing ultimatums about him having to stop drinking, when it's not just his problem. Anyway, once it got to about 7.30-8, the cravings were passed, and I was glad I hadn't drank. DP said this morning that his legs felt better already, even after just one dry day (he has psoriasis and it had flared up again with the booze). It's amazing how quickly our bodies can heal.

Hope everyone is well today. Have you done yoga or meditation before 3phase, or are you just considering taking it up? I've always fancied trying yoga.

Morning and a belated welcome to fellow newbies
3phase I hear you when you don't have a partner with the same issues around alcohol want the fun to continue but it stopped being fun for us. Does your dh really know how bad things are for you? And how determined you are to change?
bam how are things?

Cross post but big well done bam* *
You are so right about the healing the benefits come so soon
Is there yoga for the inflexible and added risk of flatulence if so am in

Thanks ginger

God yes, the risk of flatulence - I hadn't thought of that! It does look fun though.

Good morning!

Erm no he probably doesn't know how I feel. I've tried to tell him but he thinks I'm making a mountain out of a molehill / worrying unnecessarily. He doesn't see the anxiety or insomnia as alcohol related either. I know full well what a vicious cycle it all is though. I'm in no doubt.

Well done on Day 2. Day 2 for me too!

Never done mediation. I've done pregnancy yoga and some mother and baby classes (lovely concept, pretty hideous in practice!) but that's it. I've found someone locally who teaches both so I'm going to do a few one-to-one sessions with her. Will let you know how it goes!

Hi I just wanted to check in and say hello
Im new to dry and am proud to announce that last night was my first alcohol free day since 2013.
I've known I am a problem drinker for years . Daily drinking and more on the weekends.
I've just lost a good friend to alcohol related health issues and yesterday we were sorting out her affairs.
I came home last night with my bottle of wine and for some reason I didn't drink it.
I say some reason because I don't know why. I feel different. Its like a switch has been flicked. One that I could not find in all my attempts at AA.
I know I won't drink tonight either but I can't see beyond tonight.
Maybe the switch will trip the other way.
In my many attempts (short lived attempts) to give up/cut down I have always obsessed about the evening ahead without alcohol. I'm not obsessing. I'm not frightened of the day feeling long without the reward at wine o'clock, although I am clearly thinking about it enough to post here!
Has anyone else felt like this?

Welcome dona Well done on staying dry last night. Maybe you shouldn't think too far ahead, and just focus on the positive way you are feeling now, and build on that.

Thanks bam I'm feeling good today but already having to be mindful. Ive got a spag bog on the go but the only wine I've got is a full bottle so I know if I open it.... fatal!

I usually put a good slug of wine in it I meant to say. then the rest for me

Welcome dona. You don't need to see beyond tonight - all that has happened in the part is irrelevant, as is tomorrow because "tomorrow" never comes. All we have is now.

I've been practising this really hard and I'm so proud that tonight I've been sober for one whole week This is after being drunk most nights for the past 13 years.

This thread has helped enormously to you all.

Hi. I have to admit the evening feels long
I'm off to the gym in half an hour. I figure that by the time I come home and eat that will take me up until 9. I think that will be an acceptable time to take a nytol.
Bought some cucumber water thinking it might be a nice change.
Its rank
jam one whole week is bloody amazing. and to you.

Jam well done you! We are at about the same stage, I'm day 10 now. I have to admit I feel tempted this evening as I've had a rubbish day, but I will stay strong. Just need to make sure I take the route home from work that doesn't lead past the wine shop, then I'll be OK

Welcome dona. Taking one day at a time is what I'm doing at the moment. It's working so far.

for you Armada Double figures!

Thank you Jam! It's been a while January since I managed this long.

I'm pleased to report I made it safely home without any deviations and as we can't buy alcohol here after 10pm I'm safe for another night. Phew!

Hope everyone is doing OK this evening.

Hi armada a big well done and a and for you too
Well. I did it. No real wobbles. The day ended with pretty much the same confidence it started with. I had a small 'itchy' moment when my SN son had a major meltdown... There are two full bottles of wine in my kitchen. The voice whispered 'oh you can start again tomorrow' but it faded into silence as quickly as it came. Two nights off. In two years. This time last year I was drinking at 5pm . For the last 8 months I haven't started drinking til 7 at the earliest.
Tip for the day if you didn't read my earlier post is don't buy cucumber water. My addict brain must have been thinking it was Pimms

Hello Dry thread :)

I survived the scary weekend and stayed Dry :) But oh it was very hard. Still, I managed it .

Really want a wine now so am off to bed :)

Hi Dona and well done to you. And Armada - double figures - that's brilliant.

I think I've just had a bit of a divine intervention moment - we had a birthday party on Saturday that I was dreading because it's our booziest friends. Anyway I've woken up to an email from a girlfriend reminding me we booked tickets to the theatre months ago for Saturday so I can send DH to the party alone and pick him up after the theatre! Relief!

Have a lovely day everyone.

Hi everyone.

Great successes here!

Hope all is well with everyone.

For the first time in what feels like forever I have woken up thinking of breakfast.
No guilt. No shaking..no aching. It's so lovely!
Tonight will be straightforward because I have a fitness class at 7 - 8 then its the apprentice at 9.
Tomorrow I'm anticipating being a bit more difficult as I've nothing to do with my time after 4pm.
How do you all deal with wine o clock.?
I'd also like to know from those of you who have been dry for a while have you noticed any difference in your appearance?
I'm a vain sort who is strangely more concerned with her appearance than her liver..
strength to you all today!

Hi everyone. Well done to all you dry people!

Day 3 here. Last night was a lot easier, apart from the odd moment. I am planning on making a hair appointment today, as my hair is like a haystack. It's very thick, and I haven't had it cut since late July, so it's out of control. The reason I mention it is because I keep saying I can't afford it, but it's only a couple of days worth of drinking money! So do I want to poison myself, or do I want to look fabulous(ish)? DP is also finding that his skin is healing well, but neither of us are sleeping too well yet.

dona when I did Dry January I definitely noticed that my skin was brighter and clearer, and a nice pink colour rather than grey! I looked less puffy too, and my eyes were brighter. I don't think I did long enough to see any weight loss though, as I was still eating far too many biscuits! I have spots at the moment though. I only usually get them with PMT, but it must be the rubbish working its way out.

Well done on surviving the weekend glad.

Hi Dona and Bam!

Yup, treating yourself to something that makes you feel great definitely makes it feel worth it. Saving up for something nice is keeping me going when I start missing it.

Dona, I've noticed a huge difference in my skin. Some days I even go without foundation, and that's something I haven't done for years! Less eye bags and fine lines too. I know what you mean about the sleep, I still have a couple of days in the week where I'm awake until 2 or 3, but for the rest I sleep like a log.

It's helped me a lot to plan something different at wine o clock...a walk, or something you like. Taking yourself out of the environment where you'd usually have wine helps loads.

I used to start drinking as soon as I walked in the door from work - didn't even take my shoes off.

Now I have a hot chocolate in a pretty bone china teacup - a lot more refined than necking a tumbler of cheapo vino!

I also have a new hobby and am making a patchwork quilt. I really don't know what I'm doing, but it's very absorbing.

I sound like an old lady

I used to weave beads. I have hundreds of the bloody things sitting in my wardrobe. I think its time to get them out.
I've had a lazy morning so far but have to go to work soon so I will be putting my face on. As I mentioned earlier I'm a bit vain and although I look my years I already feel in my mind fresher. I gave up smoking recently so if I continue in the same vein I'll hopefully look about 12 by December..

The students that I went to high school with have an unfortunate habit of hosting reunions every ten years. I am hoping to look early 30s when I am 50.

As for what to do when you come in... it is a bit tragic but lately I come in and start the ironing while watching game shows. I am planning on learning to knit though......