DRY 12

[HowBadIsThisPlease]

Old thread
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/2584735-DRY-11?

The thread for people who want to kick the booze

Well done on another day dry everyone

I've just finished work so now knackered and ready for bed. I'm going to have to check my multi vitamin for L glutamine now, don't want to miss out on anti craving supplement!

Ice bar sounds hideous, I would need a duvet and Balaclava to survive

Well done on the self care vxa2 I need to start that, too many sweets being eaten to replace treat of booze at the moment.

Night all.

That's a great list...I want all that and an award too!

Hi all, hi vxa thanks for the name check! I'm still here, reading all the positive stories and sharing of experience glad you're feeling good!

Great to see so many doing so well!

Welcome shark your story about telling your friend was lovely

All good here, day 42 woooop!

I have a day counter app on my phone called 'days+ lite' and it has that little red notification bubble on it that tells me number since the date I stopped. It's not on my home screen deliberately as I didn't want to be all about the number, but it is lovely when I spot it every so often when I swipe screens

Found a new drink. Supermarket own brand diet sparkling bitter cranberry. Fizzy, not sweet/has bite, sugar free AND only 40p a bottle.

Also, this guy (contains swearing - NSFW etc).

I stumbled on it while looking for a TED talk or similar for some gems of inspiration. Hilarious and really quite hard to argue with!

Ooh had a LONG day today. HUGE pitch to get HUGE funding stuff. 4 hour drive home - will I drink cos it might be a crap outcome/ will I drink cos it might be a great outcome . Previously I would have drunk at least a bottle of wine, regardless

Guess what - I decided not to do either :) Sober and off to bed with AJ tonight :)

Morning all, hope everyone's got the sunshine with you. It's lovely here; the blossom in the garden has gone into overdrive and it looks soo pretty.

Funny thing happened yesterday. I was talking with a friend, one if the few who know that I've given up drinking. She asked if I would have a drink on my holiday in July. I said no, I didn't think so. So she said well of course I would have a glass at Christmas. So I said no, not even one, because I can't control it. It was the first time I've ever admitted to anyone that that's the reason I'm not drinking. (She just said,'oh'. And then we talked about telly. ). I don't know how comfortable I feel about people knowing the real reason behind my sobriety, I've always made excuses or given half answers ('it was badly affecting my sleep' is my usual ) Anyway I'm glad she knows, she'll keep it to herself so I can tell others or not as and when I feel it's right.

Right got to go and get the kids up, that will be fun on s Friday, they are worn out poor sods.

Have a good day everyone!

Morning cooee that's a big achievement and you did it on your terms when you were ready. I had a very similar situation with a friend. She kind of knows that I have stopped drinking because it was becoming a bit of a problem but the other day she said "but you'll be able to have one glass of wine sometimes". She looked surprised when I said I couldn't. Like you though I felt better for having been honest and if I ever socialise again (can't imagine that!!) she will be good to have on side.

How is everyone else this sober Friday ? X

Go once that's 6 weeks

That drink sounds good - which supermarket ?

Thanks vxa! Hadn't realised but you are right! 6 weeks Woop!

Cranberry drink is from asda. Between that and Purdey's my evening 'treat' drinks are sorted!

I make sure not to drink them each during a work day so they remain a bit special for evenings/weekends

Cooee well done! I think many people can understand the inability to control it once we/they start. I think most people have respect for those who recognise it and take action

Good morning everyone, what lovely stories and achievements to read through; you are all amazing and I'm loving the tips (and the confessions, they make me feel normal!).

Once hello! I love cranberry juice, so that's now on my list!

I was in the (outdoor) pool at 7am this morning, and had a lovely, leisurely swim. No way would I have done that with a hang over. Then I treated myself to poached eggs on toast at the uni café (where I work). Early at my desk too, very commendable!

I am so looking forward to my night out with my friend and not drinking, how weird is that? DP is going to wonder why I'm driving, but I'm keeping it casual, just say I have lots to do tomorrow (which I do) and don't fancy doing it with a headache. He did mention last night that I seem to be drinking a lot of peppermint tea!

Happy Fridays, everyone.

Morning all its a beautiful day here.

Slim how are you doing with all the change in your life?

I am in a lovely mood, finishing work early today and got a long walk planned then fish supper and I have got first try of the alcohol free cider tonight.

Matron that sounds lovely. Fish is a big fave, what are you making?

shark naturally fish is a big favourite for you

A simple sea bass (on special at Morrisons) with steamed veg and potatoes and Koople cider. I can't get on with the alcohol free wine it's too sweet.

Hi everyone
Matron - well done on the award! What a pity you aren't looking forward to receiving it. Maybe you should plan an alternative award ceremony for later to reward yourself for getting through it - a couple of best friends, a takeaway, and a lovely night in relaxed circumstances - or something.

Once WELL DONE on your 6 weeks , what a lovely number to have under your belt.

shark your morning sounds wonderful, good for you. I may have missed it upthread but have you not told your DP you have quit?

Yes!! Well done once

howbad I am really looking forward to receiving it just don't know how to do it sober. Not having a crutch makes it scary. How's things at home? Got nice plans for the weekend? x

Shark what a great start to your day. I'm very impressed - an it sets you up so positively to achieve and do well doesn't it!

I was reading a soberistas book last night - I cant recall which one. I found it quite irritating in parts because it kept referring to alcohol as like a bad partner / lover. I get the analogy, but felt it was very overplayed - anyway I digress. This bit I DID like was the repeated statement that you have to commit to being sober - not commit to giving up alcohol, but commit to a positive decision NOT to drink. The statement was made strongly that 'messing about' with one day at a time, kind of gives you a let out clause at Christmas or birthday or disaster time. And that we should take the decision we have made to STOP drinking as a serious , permanent decision... ... not one to be be renegotiated when times get tough...

well done cooee and vxa - I think that was very brave admitting that you cant control you alcohol intake. I have shied away form that except with DP, as I feel too ashamed of myself - like its a character defect.

Cranberry fizz sounds good.

glad that is GREAT ! really well done - I hope you feel completely fantastic this morning

at work - so better get on - happy sober Friday x

Lily

Hi everyone,

WOO HOO Matron on your award!!!!!!! That is fantastic!!!!! I love the Sainsbos non-aclholic fizzy wine..... feels a bit special.Might buy some today... hmmm......

Welcome shark. Brilliant response from your friend! Rose I hope everything goes well tonight. :) I think your manager sounds like a gem!

sorry for being awol. Mad days! I am doing okay, thanks everyone again for asking. Bit up and down, alternating with thinking 'right let's get on with it' and thinking 'Oh shit'. One of the directors in DH's company it turns out has been stealing, so there is police involvement too which he is finding hard and stressful.... he thought this director was a good guy so there is a massive sense of betrayal also. Anyway. We will not be doing our planned for Lapland trip this year (which is what my not-drinking-money was going for) but I have booked us into a 3 day camping trip instead. Costs 5% of the cost of Lapland, means we can keep some savings and will be lots of fun! I have also realised that my eating issues are a bit like my alcohol issues in that I have been eating my feelings away so I have booked a session with a nutritionist for next week who specialises in binge eating and bulimia. It feels odd to be spending money when we have no idea what the future holds, but I think both the camping trip and the nutritionist plans are kind of empowering.

So that is me for now. Lovely sunny day out there! Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Oh blimey, slim, that sounds like serious stuff. I hope you and your DP are ok, and a big thumbs up for dealing with it all positively, rather than opening a bottle. You are very brave, and I am in awe.

Matron - delicious sounding, I am literally drooling at my desk!

Thanks, lily, and that books sounds (mostly) like a god read. I've been reading lots of the posts on the Mummy Was A Secret Drinker blog - it was what got me thinking about my own issues, really.

fuzzy - no, I've not told him. I will, I'm not sure why I haven't (not so I can fall off the wagon, I hope), more that he may not quite get it. He may think I don't have a problem (because of how I hide it), and he's not a big drinker, so he won't persuade me to keep me company.

Am I being foolish? I rather like the idea of not making a great big deal out of not drinking, just letting it slowly fade away.

If he does ask I can simply say it's for health and sleep benefits......

Sorry, spelling all over the place there, typing fast at my desk before my boss notices!!!!

I work with someone who has just sent me the loveliest email. (working from home). It made me cry!

this person has touched me more, in every sense, than P, in the year I have known him. He is gay and there is nothing untoward about this; he has many friends, is very charming and sociable and very good at making connections with all sorts of people, so I am not seeing myself as some amazing special snowflake in his life. but it's funny to release that someone you share office space with has become such a big part of my life... he is a really positive influence

Aw, How, that's great. Keep him close!

I am feeling weird. It's my normal wine time now, my first AF Friday. It's the day I let DS have the Xbox after school after w';ve been to the park, and he has pizza on the sofa. Minimal parenting, plus I make DP and I something grow-up like a curry, and I slob out in my pj's from 5pm watching telly and drinking wine. Lots of Mums on FB talking about getting the wine open and relaxing. Grrr.

On hindsight it's good I have plans to go out and that those plans involve driving. This means it is certain I won't drink tonight!

I bought myself some very hip looking teabags today (woo!), lavender and cotton hemp or something like that, to have when I get in, and a really trashy book!

Hugs to everyone.

I'm having serious spelling issues today, folks! So sorry!

Hi shark - sounds like you're doing really well! Tea bags sound interesting . Have a great night tonight, and remember we are here if you feel wobbly at any stage!

Thanks, fuzzy. It feels a bit nuts confessing all of this to strangers, a bit navel-gazing!

But your support is going to be essential, I think.

Yes, the Friday wine feeling, I know it well. Am ignoring it though in favour of lime and sparkling water. Have been very busy today, completed a funding application for the pre-school I help to run which has been a big job. Fingers crossed it goes well, the staff do so much on practically nothing. Also am in major clearing out and tidying mode, am determined to get this house under control. DH assembling some new garden storage units as we speak, we are on a mission!!

Hope everyone has a nice, sober evening!