DRY 13

[lilybetsy]

This is the thread for all those who are living, or committed to living, life free from alcohol.

I will quote a sober poster "I'm fitter, slimmer, richer, happier & healthier"

Go sober warriors !

[glad2016]

New thread here

[efc1878]

sirona good minds think alike! You'll be fine while dc are away. Can you try cinema, window shopping, free museum/art gallery? Podcasts? Take your book to a coffee shop? They're seen to be lots of free vintage/summer fairs on at the money maybe go for a browse.

cooee thank you I will check it out!

[CooeeOnlyMe]

efc I get it from www.seedlipdrinks.com/ but you can also buy it at Selfridges and Amazon (although it's more expensive on Amazon!)

[Sirona]

Congrats cooee, hitting the 200 mark is absolutely brilliant. Being able to say you're a non drinker is a great feeling too.

I've seen Seedlip on Amazon, not sure if you can get it cheaper elsewhere.

efc I have been guilty in the supermarket of turning the becks blue case so the 'alcohol free' sign is clearly seen.

Dc are away for a long weekend from today and I'm a bit nervous about it. Already had those sneaky thoughts that I can do one night. It's only one night right? Argh. In the past I would have taken the opportunity to go for long runs and hit the gym but can't at the minute. I need to quickly think of some other things to occupy me for four days. Any ideas? Getting bored of reading and Netflix.

Are we heading for a new thread?

[efc1878]

cooee well done on over 200 days and being proud saying you are a non-drinker! Where do you buy seedlip sounds interesting.

Everyone else well done on all these days mounting up!

sirona I smugly turn the necks blue bottles to face up in the recycling box! Makes a change from when I used to stack magazines on top to try and hide all the wine bottles underneath!

[CooeeOnlyMe]

Hello everyone hope everyone's okay in this heat! Not posted in ages but I've been following the thread.

Day 201 here! Whoop whoop! Can't believe I've got this far. Feel pretty great at the moment.

I ordered some new Seedlip the other day, the new green one. It's absolutely delicious. I don't know who said it tastes of aniseed, I can't taste that at all, it tastes of grass and peas. Very summery. Especially with elderflower tonic on s hot day.

Mini breakthrough the other day: a group of us were discussing a night out, and one friend says 'oh I don't drink'. To which I felt very comfortable replying 'neither do I'. Get me, a non-drinker!

Anyway shout out to absolute, well done on 200 days and where is hurricane? Hope you are okay. Also has anyone seen Lucy?

Tea and bed for me now, hoping I can get some sleep, it's boiling in this house!

KOKO sober warriors

[Sirona]

Good going with the drinks reception lizzy

Double figures, day 10. For the first time in months I haven't felt utterly ashamed putting out my recycling bin

[finnishbiscuiteater]

Hi Lizzie

still chugging along here at day 66!

Life without drinking is better this week than it was last wekk :)

[lizzytee]

How is everyone? I'm chugging along at day 33.

Haven't lost more than a pound or two but my belly is definitely flatter - and am nowdeveloping a marvellous farmers tan.

Went to a work meeting which had a drinks reception afterwards - stayed sipping juice/water and do you know, once I made the decision I wasn't touching a drop it was easy.

KOKO

[efc1878]

sirona it's a good tactic play it forward. Sorry to hear of your relatives. I look at one side of my family and the destruction that alcohol has caused is heartbreaking. But I'm determined I'm not going down that path.

I've been for a late run, trying to beat the heat. Now just hope to get some sleep- it's so hot.

[Sirona]

I agree lizzy, I'm late 30s and my now deceased relatives were in their early 50s. It's a young age to die and better to catch myself on now than continue down the same route.

Poor you glad, I would hate to working outside in that heat. It was stifling, I couldn't sit in it any longer than 10minutes and that was at 5pm. We are meant to be getting thunder and lightning tonight, hopefully will clear the air a bit.

Must say I missed a drink today, definite association with the sun and a cold cider or beer. Did the playing the tape to the end though, knew it would lead to more than one and probably a bottle of wine to top it off. Waking up tomorrow feeling hungover with the house a bit of a mess as it inevitable ends up once I've had a few. Went out and bought some AF beers instead, had one and was enough to take the urge away.

[glad2016]

No cos its too hot to be working outside but I have to!

[lizzytee]

It was a factor for me - I'm in my 40's and am seeing the impact on others 10 years older of long term alcohol dependency.

Everyone enjoying the sun?

[Sirona]

So sorry to hear that efc Are you holding up ok yourself?

It hits home doesn't it? Two relatives of mine died from liver failure last year, one is in hospital now because of booze and has lost everything. Really makes you see how alcohol can destroy hope, health, lives and families.

[glad2016]

efc so sorry :(

[efc1878]

Evening everyone very quick post.

Eye opening weekend spent with a relative who has ended up in a hostel mainly due to alcohol. So scary and sad to see.

[Sirona]

That sounds nice glad. Yep red wine was my poison of choice but since we don't have Waitrose here have never been able to try the Torres. Thanks very much, I'll have a gander tonight. Hope you're doing something nice today to celebrate your 7 months

[glad2016]

sirona I really liked the Weinkonig Cabernet Sauvignon and the Romance en Rouge Organic Red. Absolutely delish, if you liked red wine. OH honestly thought they were real wine in a blind tasting :) They are similar price to Torres Red in Waitrose.
The Ariel Chardonnay is nice as well.
gave me something v nice to drink at a party where there were lots of heavy drinking wine buffs around - and made me smile when one had some of my red wine and told me it could not possibly be AF as it was "too nice" ...

[Sirona]

Just thought of another one for the L. I did a couple of online courses with FutureLearn at night. One in forensic science and one in drug and alcohol addiction. Really interesting and there were facebook groups set up to discuss the courses. I find if my mind is occupied I don't feel as lonely.

[Sirona]

Fantastic glad, well done! Any recommendations from the alcohol free shop? I've been considering putting in an order myself but unsure what to go for.

We watched nothing exciting finnish, Rapunzel for the eleventy millionth time . She's only three and it's her favourite movie of the moment. It's nice to spend time with each dc individually though, even if it's doing something I have to stifle yawns at.

I dealt with the A by exercising. Obviously not for the anger in the moment but if something was pissing me off that I couldn't shake it was usually fixed by earphones in loud and trainers on. Otherwise just earphones in or taking myself off to the kitchen and singing along to the radio my poor neighbours

Loneliness, well I'm kind of used to that tbh. Once the dc are in bed, I'm stuck in the house. Night time I tend to read forums or message friends. Days off without the dc I take myself out if friends aren't available. Sometimes go to a meet up group, gym classes where it's the same faces and we occasionally for a coffee after or look up if there's any talks of interest to me being given.

[glad2016]

Afternoon all. 7 months sober for me at the weekend, was crazy busy and outside for most of it - in the evening lots of wine around so I had my af versions ready and felt great :)

ordered some fab ones from alcohol free shop - so much nicer than stuff from supermarkets!

Waves at everyone, hope you are all doing ok :)

[lizzytee]

Morning everyone...enjoying sunshine here!

Finnish, would you consider any kind of talking therapy? Counselling might be helpful if you target strategies for dealing with A and L generally.

I did 8 sessions of counselling over two months a couple of years ago - focusing on anxiety and panic attacks I was experiencing. I was too cowardly to admit alcohol dependency to the counsellor but wish I had.

I paid for it myself - didn't meet the criteria for NHS treatment - but it was really worthwhile.

[finnishbiscuiteater]

Hi everyone!

Well done on day 7 Sirona, and on the movie night- sounds like a lovely night you had - what did you watch?

200! that's very exciting numbers, absolute - are you finding it easier now?

I think that I'm now in a place where I need to rebuild my life without alcohol - the old HALT - I can cope with H and T - but need strategies in lace for when I'm A (all suggestions greatfully acepted! )

And I've no idea how to deal with L. But today I did go to a friends for a cup of tea, which is great...

lizzytee - your day sounds exciting - but thank you for what you do! DD plays in her school orchestra, and I can't imagine how the teachers cope with it! but I know it means so muh to her, and she's gaing such great experience with performing - even thought she'll ever be musical, it's so good to see her confidence increasing all the time...

[Sirona]

Hope everyone is enjoying their hangover free Sunday

Whispers of the old wine witch yesterday. First when I called to see dm and she was pouring herself a glass, second when dp messaged to say they had gone to a party. Had fleeting 'it's not faaaiirr' thoughts. Instead dd and I had a movie night and ate our body weight in junk food.

On day 7. Puffiness around my face has gone and my anxiety has settled down. All good.

[Sirona]

Get you lizzy, that made me exhausted just reading that

Major accomplishment on 200 days absolute, congratulations!!