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?

rainybow - yes, needed tons of sleep at first. It was like first trimester of pg! Even now (2 months in) i'm feeling the urge to go to bed about 9. Loving it and feel well rested but meanwhile my colleagues are up working. Hmm. Have to take the long view there. This is better for me right now.

Hiya
I thought I had a bug making me sleepy and yawning all the time
I'm a month in and really tired all the time too!

Morning all, still tired here. I am refreshed as well though so I can live with it. I am also feeling much more stable. I had a little google last night after hearing that you were also feeling tired and found quite a bit on giving up alcohol and tiredness. This seemed a pretty easy read here

BamBam I have recently become very interested in Scottish history after watching Outlander. Have you seen it? Read the books? I am starting to read them now as enjoyed the series so much.

Day 11 here and feeling quite positive. Had a definite craving yesterday afternoon / early evening but managed to distract myself.

Good link Rainy thanks.

Hi everyone! Day 9 here. I am still headachey and tired but okay.

I will read your link later rainy. I haven't read the Outlander books. I was worried that it would be a ridiculously romantic vision of ye olde Bonnie Scotland - but I might have a look if you are recommending them! Have you read any Barbara Erskine novels? They are fab.

Diana Gabaldon books are fab :) I first read Cross Stitch ( UK version of Outlander) when it came out and I eagerly await each new book. I had to buy the dvd box set due to our rubbish bandwidth here - so glad I did as it is a very good version of the first book : :)

Ooh another recommendation from glad - I must investigate! I really love to read, especially historical fiction, but generally just veg in front of the telly with DP. I must try to change that, but it's finding the time.

Yes Diana Gabaldon is v v v good - accurate and v entertaining ( and pretty sexy!) Def buy/read/listen/ watch. Better that BE in my opinion and I have read both ( and many more ...)

Morning everybody! Day 10 - yippee!

I will definitely check out Diana Gabaldon glad. Thanks. And rainy too of course! I really like Barbara Erskine, but having read a lot of her stuff, it can get a bit samey, but good stories.

I read your link rainy. I still feel so tired, but today I definitely felt more refreshed and positive when I woke. I just wish I could have had another couple of hours! DS2 still wakes every night, and I always have to get up at least once to pee, so I suppose I have a lot of sleep to catch up on!

How is everyone today? It's been very quiet recently.

Morning All

Well done on Day 10 BamBam

I love Outlander so I am pleased that we have turned into a Dry / Outlander thread I have watched the first series and started reading the second book. Yes, it can get quite sexy!! I am glad that the series did it justice as it had me hooked.

I haven't read Barbara Erskine. I must move onto that too. I got into historical fiction through reading Anya Seaton. My DSis is doing a whole PhD on Tudor Historical fiction...major jealousy.

Anyway, I am on Day 12 now. I got a sleep in this morning and feel really good now. I think my skin is starting to look much better too. I am sure that this is partly as I no longer fall into bed without cleansing, but also because of giving up alcohol.

Yay for day 12 rainy! Fantastic!

Really jealous of your DSis! I love early medieval stuff though, further back than the Tudors. I am currently reading the most recent Karen Maitland novel, but finding the time and energy to really get into reading again is difficult.

I think my skin looks a bit better too - less puffy round my eyes, and a nice pink colour instead of looking like dough! I need to drink much more water though, and eat a lot less crap. I have been shovelling so much rubbish in since I stopped (and I wasn't shy of a biscuit before I stopped either!).

Yes, I was hoping to be at least a stone lighter (OK, would have settled for 1lb) but that isn't happening with the constant distraction eating. I am good with the water at the moment, just need to cut the sugar.

I am very jealous of my DSis. She even has Tudor Christmas decorations. Henry VIII sits at the top of her tree I have just been off to google and have found this fabulous website for all sorts of Christmas decorations here Maybe I should spend my biscuit money on the Christmas tree

Those decorations are fab rainy, but quite mad! I'm not sure how the DSs would react if we replaced all the baubles with Madame de Pompadour and William the Conqueror!!

DP has lost weight, as he just doesn't snack. He says he just rarely feels the need to have anything, so he eats his lunch and tea, and that's about it. I won't worry about it though. I'm sure once my poor liver gets into gear again it will start to deal with the fat!

Have just clicked on that website Rainy......LOVE It!!!!

Congrats on all the sober milestones!

Hi cheesy! How are you getting on?

Hello!

Generally okay thanks. :) Have been having alcohol cravings the past few days which I am not sure about..... I think it is because I am struggling with work and it is the default to think of a coping mechanism!

You sound fabulous, Bam . :) So happy for you .... 10 days!!!!! You deserve sober treats....... lots and lots!

What plans for the weekend for everyone? DS is agitating for a trip to McDonalds......... . I want to take him swimming also if possible.

I'm loving catching up on this thread, I'm another Diana Gabaldon fan - I read the whole series in my early 20's so was dead excited when I found Outlander!

Surgery went well thanks, I have sutures in until next Friday, but I can walk, drive etc, so it's not stopping me doing anything.

Reached just over 3 weeks now and have a bit of a difficult weekend coming up. Not only are we visiting parents (drinkers) but have a party to go to tonight. I'm going to drive though so I can use that as my focus for feeling like the only plum with a diet coke rather than because I can't have any.
It really sucks at times, but then whenever I start thinking fuck it, why am I doing this, a reminder pops up just when I need it. I was having a 'fuck it' day yesterday and could happily have gone to the shops for wine, then a friend shared a meme about 'Alcohol - the legal drug that's destroyed families for thousands of years.' That did the trick!

They are quit mad aren't they? Our Christmas tree is definitely a collection of random items that all have a story attached. I like the idea of getting my DC into history using covert methods

I think we will get control of our weight again. We just need to be kind to ourselves and face one challenge at a time. I just can't manage a day without snacking.

I am glad the surgery went well Fartemis and that you have reached 3 weeks Your weekend does sound tough. I am struggling with my image changing and not being the norm. I feel so ridiculous saying this but I feel like I am not fun anymore. The weekends are definitely a harder time to not drink. My DH rarely drinks that much but took the opportunity to as I drove to two events He is very supportive but I can't help feel frustrated that he is benefiting from this.

Sorry you are having the cravings cheesy. I really struggled yesterday as had a stressful day. I did find once I had sat down for an hour it had passed. It is so boring constantly thinking about it though. I have found I have numerous triggers - stress, celebrating, separating day from night.

Swimming sounds good. I am thinking of going for a nice long walk once the weather cheers up a bit. I feel the need for fresh air!

Aw thank you cheesy - that has made me smile! I hope you can get over the cravings. It's horrible when work can get to you so much, but your health is more important than anything.

Fartemis I'm glad your surgery went well. I'm struggling with my identity a bit too, in as much as drinking was what DP and I always did. It does sometimes feel "dull" to be sitting with a cup of tea, but I keep trying to remind myself of the benefits.

We are getting a takeaway tonight, and then I will have to take DS1 to his dance class tomorrow with DS2 in tow as DP is working. It's a train journey away and usually includes a Happy Meal! Might try to order some Christmas presents too (haven't started yet!) but that might be too ambitious!

Hi everyone sort I haven't been around and on phone so don't know how to name check everyone but I am, like Molly, nearly 2 years sober and another one who couldn't even do a single day without alcohol.

Welcome to all the new people - you are in the right place to get support, sympathy, identification and tips to survive these first few AF days.

I want to pick up on what someone said a few weeks back about
*DH doesn't like it when I use alcohol to blot myself out
*
This literally jumped out at me and was such a strong identification it was quite a shock. I absolutely did this without meaning to and without realising it.

I was like a shadow of a mum, a shadow of a human. The image that instantly sprang to mind was a full colour family but a grey outline in the shape of a woman and that was me.

It's not like that today. Today I am 100% present for everyone in my life - including me. Without alcohol, there is so much more of me to give. And that boosts my self esteem no end and removes one of the many reasons I used to drink.

Friday is just another day. Just another day to not pick up that first drink. Enjoy your hangover free Saturday everyone!!

Big well done on ten days BamBam

Yes Fusion, I really do agree with you. It's only ten months for me yesterday but I love being ever full technicolour present in my life and my family's life. It's such a glorious feeling.

Glad the surgery went well Fartemis and super on the 3 weeks. Hope you enjoy your party.

I do love those little timely reminders you get, like Fartemis's friends meme. I had one of those 'memories you might like to see' things pop up on facebook today detailing a Halloween photo that reminded me of the massive bender I went on then. Wouldn't go back there for any amount of money, I was so unhappy.

Good here, was on a night out last night. Felt a bit weird ordering a becks blue the first time but don't think anyone even noticed what I was drinking. Think they assumed it was a normal beer. Was meant to be going to a pilates class tonight but suffering with a raw sore throat for days and generally feeling a bit crummy, going to skip it to sit in front of the fire with the pjs on, make-up off and watch The Returned.

Hi Fusion, it was me who said that about blotting myself out. Yes, like you I didn't mean to and I didn't realise it either. I actually thought I was doing everyone a favour because I thought that I was being so efficient and dutiful and I was there in the house continuing to do all the holding-the-fort stuff. (See, deep down, I just wanted to run away). I really didn't think the family noticed whether I was a drunk domestic automaton or a sober one. Turns out they did notice and they prefer me sober. Hell, I prefer me sober!

Anyway, day 44 for me. Hurrah! I feel brighter in the head, more positive, and less anxious. I've been avoiding a lot of social events because many of them are quite boozy. I'm a tiny bit worried that I'm hiding away though, and being "dull" like you mentioned, Rainy and BamBam. What I keep doing now is to weigh up an event and decide that if its main attraction would have been the opportunity to drink and not a lot else, then I'll skip it. One day at a time. Protecting my sobriety. All that.

Have a good weekend!

MORNING EVERYONE! :)

Hope everyone's doing well. I'm preoccupied with divorcey nonsense and am back in court again this week... urrggh.

Morning everyone! This should have been Day 13 for me, but it's back to Day 1. Bloody hell. I refuse to get down about it though, and will just try to brush myself down and get back on the cups of tea.

I didn't intend at all to drink on Friday. I felt quite happy and positive. But then DP came home and said he thought he would get some as "a treat" to go with our takeaway. I told him it wouldn't be a treat and that we would be back to square one, but I felt a bit bulldozered into it, and because the addict part of me still wanted it I suppose I didn't resist too much. And then that one "treat" turns into another the next day etc etc. So I felt annoyed with DP, but it was as much my fault I suppose. I just want booze out of my life, and for it to stop creeping back in.

Hope you aren't too stressed with the divorce stuff teapot

Morning all, just checking in.

I struggled this weekend - less due to cravings (although I did have those) but more due to feeling left out by not having prosecco when others were at a party. I miss the fun rituals. I was fine yesterday evening though as we are back into school nights.

Teapot I hope that the divorce stuff isn't too stressful. It must be very difficult to continue to be alcohol free under those circumstances.

Bambam just wanted to say well done for coming back and starting Day 1 again. I have to say that I would have really struggled this weekend if my DH had encouraged me to drink. I was just looking for any way to do it. We argued about it actually as I wanted to prove that I could just have one and he thinks it is too soon. He is right unfortunately but I felt sad that I have got into this position.

Does everyone on here intend on never drinking again? I am struggling already with thinking that maybe I could drink responsibly. I am trying to do just one day at a time but I am not sure what my long term goal is. Hope this rambling makes sense.