DRY 10!!!!

[CheesyNachos]

Welcome! This is the thread for those of us who want to abstain from alcohol. We are all at different stages of our journey, and many of us have some hiccups along the way, but we are committed to an exciting, fulfilling, joyful life alcohol-free.

Previous thread is here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/2485290-DRY-9?pg=1

Everyone is welcome!

Went to AA again this week. There were a few new faces, and if anyone is reading this and thinks they might have a drink problem, then PLEASE go along. You don't have to do or say anything, just listen. It's inspirational and yet there will be those there who have far far worse stories than its possible to imagine and yet have come out the other side to find happiness. And people like me who lost control of drink but hadn't hit rock bottom yet.
If in doubt, go. It really helps.

Hope everyone has a lovely peaceful and sober day! X

Thanks, Marry. I might attend a session to see what it's like.

Lucy and dona thanks for the welcome back. I'm doing good, thanks. I did drink over Christmas but can happily report I didn't go completely mad (which is amazing for me). This doesn't mean I am in denial about my problem though: I have known for YEARS that alcohol is a problem for me. But still it was nice to have some but not go overboard.

Day 2 today and feeling happy and contented with the world (despite the rain).

I can identify with so much that people have posted on here - the endless rollercoaster of guilt and remorse and the fear each morning wondering what happened... ugh. Horrible. The last couple of years have been pretty bad (but I guess I'm a "high functioning" alcoholic, in that it has never affected my work. It would have done though, eventually...)

A couple of low points recently were (vanity alert) my youngest DD asking me if I was pregnant (no, that's the gin, dear) and the haircutting incident... (I'll just leave that out there for now).

So grateful for this thread. It's good to not feel alone. It's a secretive and miserable affliction, alcohol abuse/-ism.

jelly I think its been around 10 weeks since I made the decision enough was enough and I have been dry for most of it save for a few occasions over Christmas. But if we are talking days I am as dry as January so 7 days tomorrow?
I didn't go mad over Christmas and didn't particularly get much enjoyment out of the drinks I did have because sitting there worrying about going too far wasn't my idea of fun.

My sleep has become unbelievably good. To the point where upon waking I am having real trouble getting up and could easily go back to bed and sleep. I haven't had that feeling in years.

Appearance wise my broken capillaries have shrunk and my teeth are whiter.

I feel like a different person and its amazing. To all of you who in the early days all this awaits you.
Keep going!

I went to AA last night :) :) :) SO glad I did! They were all so lovely and welcoming :) :)
I recognized so much of what every one said :(
The first meeting I went to ( last week) was an Alcohol reduction programme - similar to AA, but not. Last night was SO much better ( for me)
Off to a gym class now :)
Day 22 for me (this time around) I really hope and pray this is the LAST time around ... but one day at a time, hey :)

Well done glad it looks like you've hit a turning point.

Hello everyone else old and new. I'm still dry and can confirm to orange that your skin vastly improves. I have hardly any noticeable bags under my eyes now.

I decided to take a break from the Internet which is why I've not been posting. I'd usually scroll through my phone looking at shit while drinking so decided to break the habit. I've watched whole tv programs til the end!!

Keep going everyone X

Do thread veins go away on their own then? I might not need to have IPL?
(I don't really "do" beauty treatments etc, but might consider it if my veins don't go away - I have very very pale skin so they're quite noticeable .}

preces they haven't gone away completely around my nose but they are barely noticeable and once I have put concealer on them they stay concealed all day.
The ones that were on my cheeks just below my eye (which were very red after a session) have gone completely.

Gym swim sauna was fab :) scheduled lots of sessions early so I have to stay sober night before. Plan on going to Aa tomorrow as well. Really do feel more hopeful that I can keep on going as I think I have added some powerful new tools to my sober toolkit. Thanks everyone .

Day 4 - no booze in house so no temptation.

Feel really tired, bit run down. At least it's not yet another hangover.

Hello can I join too please? I have followed these threads since the first one. I had a few attempts last year to stop and managed 10 days each time but no further. I gave up smoking last New Year and the drinking has got worse because of that. I am now on day 4 and also feeling tired and a bit run down but feeling positive too!

Welcome Loubi.

I've found this thread v helpful.

Welcome Loubi :)
Glad you sound so happy lovely Day 22 is awesome! ODAAT indeed

Welcome to all the new people :) and if you (or anyone reading) need support just shout :)

Hello all. Welcome loubi
Well..gym class done. Bath done. I feel a bit wobbly tonight. I won't drink (there is actually alcohol in the house but I know it wouldn't be just the one) I'm ok not drinking I'm just annoyed that I am thinking about it so much!
Hope you are all holding strong! Its food and Netflix for me for the remainder of the evening.

Hello y'all and welcome Loubilou x

You girls really pick me up! Ive just sat down after a v long day. DH blanked me when i got home, he'd had his tea and lovingly prepared me.... bugger all grrrr. So i made salmon n veg, there was a bottle of red wine on the worktop whispering "drink me you pathetic loser, I'll make u feel better about being married to that toss pot". So i had my healthy tea and scurried upstairs to read all your posts, while the toss pot and the wine witch r downstairs. Bastards.

I say this every day but... "on the bright side" i bought some gorgeous boots in my lunch break, ive only cried once and i think im starting to feel a teeny bit better.

dona oh no the wobbles, i had a mini wobble too. But like u say you know it wont be 1 glass. And it wont make u feel as great as u are gona feel when u wake up fresh tomorrow.

gladistpped AA... early morning gym sessions... Im super impressed. You aint letting this thing get the better of u ☺

Anyone else dreading tomorrow night? 😯

Hi Preces go on ... tell us about the hair cutting incident. And I'll tell u about my puddle incident on NYs eve ( i cant find a blushing emoji) and no i didnt pee my pants 😀

jelly that seems just mean of him IMO :(
I have an aa meeting tomorrow lunchtime in Big City not close by but there is also one tomorrow night in Home Town ( still not v close but you get the idea) .If I feel a wobble I might go to that as well. Sod outing myself as I do have a problem and am trying to do something about it. I also have bath face pack and then DVD lined up in my bed in my PJs early.

Also lovely DH seems to have stopped drinking without me saying anything to him. I think he thinks I am just doing Dry Jan again and is being supportive. I drank AF wine over Xmas and he didn't seem to notice! Not sure if he did but not yet ready to have "the conversation" with him just yet though.

jelley you have to share now!
I'm glad you stayed strong. I did too. It was probably only an hour that I struggled but I am in bed now with the tv on, cosy lamp on and MN to peruse.
I'm absolutely loving every minute of it. More than I would have enjoyed the momentary good feeling that wine would have given.
Evenings used to be drink wine and pass out. Usually on the sofa. Then I would wake up either freezing or boiling when I had left the heating on.
This is just the loveliest feeling in the world at the moment. Ah the highs and lows.
I'm not dreading tomorrow jelley because I am a bit further down the road in terms of being sober but the first few weeks yes I did struggle on a Friday. What helped me was a 9am dance class -I used to do it with a terrible hangover. Now that I have done it without a hangover I enjoy it so much more and I don't worry about being breathalysed.

That's another thing to ponder. I wonder if I drove over the limit?

gladistopped yep hes a peach! Good idea to have a plan, especially one where u are pampering yourself, every one here seems to be bath crazy 😀

Maybe you dont even need to have the conversation with your DH, maybe he kind of knows but is too sweet to say anything. Then again if u tell him u are struggling he may be just what u need when u have a weak moment. In your own time x I totally get why people go to AA but could never imagine going myself.

dona Preces first! Then i will share my puddle incident (sounds wrong). U must have a good one too?

Im useless with a hangover, i couldnt have done a dance class, every credit to you. Waking up on the sofa freezing/roasting...tick! I woke up in bed once after a night out with my frock and heels on and my bag still on my shoulder!

One thing that stopped me drinking was if i had to drive the next day (which tbh is probably why i only drank 3 nights not 7). But there were times when i had to drive in the morning unexpectedly, shudder indeed.

Good evening everyone! Hello new faces! Jelly it does sound like you're going through a tough time but stay strong. No negative self talk, you can do this!

Loubilou what is happening for you at day 10?? Are you trying to give up totally or just cut back? Is there anything different you're going to try this time?

Hello Preces and Donajimena! X

Gladistopped, go you with AA!!! So massively chuffed for you! It's a strangely amazing organisation, not a bit like I thought it would be! What were your first impressions?
I've just been reading some of the US AA blurb and they recommend 90 meetings in 90 days! I guess they're going for total immersion. I'm just a weekly attendee at the moment but I would like to try other groups as well. Your posts are so positive, brilliant!!!

I went for dinner with an old drinking buddy tonight. I drove and said I was doing DryJanuary, so I didn't have to explain anything. Had a really lovely evening.

Morning lovely people :) how are we all today ?

Since you insist jellybabey ...

I had got into a habit of drinking all evening and then carrying on after DH went to bed. This would involve LARGE g&ts and me getting progressively more blotto. I saw it as my "reward" after very busy days . I do have a crazy life (but can't explain without outing myself) but that's no excuse.

Anyway... one morning I woke up (in bed for once, not slumped on the sofa) with a strange memory of scissors and hair. I went back to sleep but the nagging thought stayed with me.

In the morning I saw with horror that there was a chunk missing from my fringe. I have a distinctive hairstyle so it was quite obvious. I passed it off to DH by washing my hair and saying it must have been my hairdresser (I'd luckily had it cut the previous week and sometimes it doesn't sit right the first time you wash it...)

But I knew. For some reason I had cut the best bit off my hairstyle. I'm still growing it back (almost there).

SO WHEN DID I REALISE I HAD A PROBLEM????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are plenty more stories like this btw... Glad I woke up (in more senses than one).

Morning gladistopped x hi all x marry thanks x

Oh preces what are we like? What goes through our heads when we are blottoed? I guess a chunk of fringe can grow back but sometimes i feel lucky i havent burnt the house down, fallen downsrairs and broke my neck, or worse hurt someone else.

Oh and those horrible flash backs in the morning, interspersed with total blanks...yuck.

My last 'incident' ( i remember it so i wasnt even 'that' drunk) i was getting into a taxi to go home after a night out. I stepped off the kerb and fell like a log into the deepest puddle ever, i was absulutely DRENCHED, none of my friends noticed so i jumped in the taxi and said nothing, the friends came in for more drinks and i sloped upstairs and got changed. No one was any the wiser. I wouldnt have lived that one down!

Anyone else care to share?

Ps- been for run this am and fruit smoothie for breakfast, feeling goooood! I think i might be able to get through tonight 😯

My worst drunk moments include having a snog and grope with my best female friend (I'm married), falling down at a friend's party and having to be helped out of the house, being drunk in front of my son on two occasions...

In my younger days, most of my drink related horrors involved one night stands with men I would never look at whilst sober...