Dry 14

[glad2016]

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

It was only ever weekends really I would go off the rails. But yeah I want to give it up all together. I wouldn't say I was dependant on it but I would find an excuse to have one I would but every weekend I would binge like no tomorrow x

choc I was very similar to you.....
For me personally I believe there are different types of dependency/addiction and I was dependant/addicted to drinking to oblivion every weekend. I had no "off switch"
As far as I was concerned for me, that was a massive problem, making me a problem drinker....

Does that sound familiar??

Currently on holiday - loads of nice booze here.. Am fighting with myself daily to not drink

Yeah it does we would buy loads different types of drinks then be back round at shop before it closes. Pretty stupid way to spend the weekend I don't know maybe it became the 'in' thing to do. I know I just don't want to feel so low again.

Are you feeling any better, choc? Some of it might be a long hangover. It doesn't make it easier, I know. But a very long bath, lots of fluids and an early night might be in order. Things will look better in the morning. (I sound like my mum now...).

Yeah feel a bit better, got the children in bed early and had a nice bath just got into bed so goin to relax..I am definitely going to stay off drink I spoke to my partner abt it and he agrees I have been in quite a bad place and down because of the weekend but despite that I have been drinking in ex cess for many years and don't want it to affect my life/relationship anymore.

misscookie you're doing brilliantly....don't crack now, it's just not worth it. It's all a marketing ploy, makes alcohol look so attractive when we all know it ruins lives. Have a naive drink like a lovely mocktail, spoil yourself by ordering delicious (expensive) food from the menu. Go shopping and buy yourself something beautiful like a new handbag, or an item of clothing, or some jewellery. You deserve it. Just take care of you xx

Naive drink.....should read naice drink

Hi all, haven't been on much. MN seems to be playing up on my phone and to be perfectly honest I knew I was going to drink at that event I had spoken about. It had been planned for quite some time and all my friends were going to hit it hard. I did, drank far too much; remember the whole time, didn't say anything embarrassing or stupid but Sunday brought the horrors and familiar anxiety about my health and whatnot.

I think it's actually made me very conscious that even if I don't do anything that night to make me regret it, I do after.

So I feel fully committed now. It's not worth it. Have spent the last three days reading a lot of recovery stuff. I am feeling a little bit jittery about the thought of never drinking again but I know it's just that little addict voice speaking. I am a free willed person who doesn't need to listen to it and can no longer justify poisoning myself on an almost daily/ weekly basis. It will end badly one of these days and I loved being sober.

So slightly anxious but quietly positive. Away myself on holiday tomorrow but quietly confident I can do it. Looking forward to spending some clear headed sober time with the dc.

Sorry for not name checking, trying to type this before it cuts off. Hope everyone is well, everyone on their holidays enjoys them and will be able to check in over the next few days if there's decent WiFi.

choc you are doing SO well! keep on keeping on (koko) as it is really worth it.
I am now 9 months sober this time around. Longest time ever sober, thanks to lucy. this thread, SSL, Belle, a host of sober blogs, tools and books :) :) Done many month blocks before but this is the best run so far :) . It is challenging being away on a dig under canvas with hard drinking crew for three weeks with a load of normies who can get rat arsed occasionally ( on a dig/holiday/after finals/a wedding/ a celebration etc) but then not drink at all or have just one. I cannot do that and tbh never have been able to I think. So I have stopped trying to do it.

Just stop drinking. Really. It makes life SO MUCH easier. My head is SO MUCH quieter. I have been meditating for 100 days now using Headspace - I really do recommend it as I also do Andrew Johnson Stop Drinking. :)

Much love to all Sober warriors new and old xxx

And to all those I have not name checked - I do read every post and I do normally reply but have v limited bandwith on phone so please do understand . And all of you are SOBER WARRIORS :)

KOKO my lovelies it is so great to wake up without a hangover :)

Afternoon everyone, how are you all keeping today??

9months is fantastic glad, I'm loving your very happy positive post :)

I'm in a pretty good place myself right now despite it being early days. Was out for a walk earlier and I feel lighter not physically but emotionally. As you say glad I''ve had this constant internal struggle with drinking. Why can't I drink like everyone else, feeling resentful, sometimes white knuckling for months ready for myself to trip up.

I read some of that rational recovery online and it works for me to imagine that additive voice as a separate entity that doesn't give a shit about me but that I don't have to pay any attention to. It's me that gives it it's power by picking up a drink. I'm the one that got myself into this situation but I'm a strong, determined individual that has done many things that have scared me in the past. I can do this

Waffle over, may go and get ready to set sail. If I don't get online over the next few days have a great sober weekend you lovely lot.

My injury starting to recover helps

Hello!
Wrote a post beside the pool but it didn't go and I've lost it!
To sum up...not drinking much harder on holiday but I won't give up and well done everyone!

Hi everybody!!!

Long time no post (so sorry)...

NZ was fabulous, I'm still dry (of course, day 459) and have just made the decision to split with my (D)P...

Ive only skim read as there's a lot going on here, but I am SO So pleased to see how people are getting on; ESP vxa, lily, like, onewhite... I hope you all feel proud and take time often to reflect on what you've achieved.

Right I have to go but I will try to pop in more often.

Go sober warriors!!!!

Oh and welcome all noobies, hang in. You won't regret coming here..,

fuzzy sorry about the split but glad for you as well iykwim. And yes we should all take time to feel very proud of taking back our lives from alcohol :) Well, that's how I feel about it, anyway

Hey there glad!! (Argh this is why I shouldn't name check; I always miss so many people!!)

Yes it's sad I suppose but absolutely the right thing. Sobriety has made me face some stuff - as most people here - and this split had been a long time coming.

and all round... Xx

Morning, I think I'm a bit down i just want to be in bed and havnt got much energy. I can't shake off a weird feeling. Not been sleeping much either. Don't have much patience. Want to feel happier.

Morning all!

Choc, sit with the feelings, and allow yourself to sleep when you need to. I know I was all over the place sleep wise in the first couple of weeks.

It does get better!

After 2 awful bits of PMT, this is my third pmt session sober, and its fine! Only noticed the bloating - haven't felt bad at all! I was so worried that I'd be like that every month, but think it was some combo of PAWS and PMT.

Another big challenge weekend for me, am spending the weekend with my friends who are all big drinkers, the last time I was with them was my breaking point (I feel now I'm in my 40's I shouldn't be drinking to the point of puking )

Will be interesting to see how the weekend goes!

But I have no intention of cracking and drinking, will stick to tonic water.

I'm aware it will be a challenge, and will work on it, but I feel quietly confident. Will try to check in with you lot when I get the chance, so I know some people will be proud of me - even if I get interrogated like I did last weekend!

Hugs fuzzy, sounds like its a good decision, even if it will be hard at times.

Last weekend my family set a challenge to make me break my not drinking, and that didn't work, so I'm feeling confident. I also know my friend week had been in AA for 20 years will be there, so I'll hang out with him if things get tough.

And in fact hugs to us all! You are such a great group, I know that I couldn't be where I am today (3 months sober) without this page.

Must get back to packing Koko

Got wifi, yay!!

fuzzy, I remember you from previous threads, been away for a good while and since nc. Sorry to hear about your split but sometimes as you say they are for the best. I hope it is friendly as can be

choc it's ok to feel all over the place for the first while. My sleep is all over the place too, not helped by dd being particularly restless as well. Alcohol messes with your body and hormones big time and it can take a little while for it to find it's equilibrium again. As finnish says, it does get better if you stick with it. I often think of the saying 'you can't stop the waves but you can learn how to surf' when I'm feeling down or having urges.

finnish at your family, that's ridiculous. Why on earth would they do something like that? Glad you have an alcohol free friend as support there this weekend.

Day 5 and I must admit found it a little testing last night with two drinking round me. Went to bed and watched some youtube alcohol free videos with the earphones in. Came across a man Kevin O'Hara that rightfully said if alcohol was being approved today there is no way such a toxic poison would pass legislation. That as society we have drummed into us that to be a moderate drinker is what we should attain when in fact we shouldn't even look to put one drop of such a substance in our mouths.

Despite having some cravings last nights, so glad to be waking up fresh this morning. You never regret the drinks you didn't have eh Have a good day all!

I'm still here, o feel a bit level headed and not so sad about the thought of not drinkin. Been thinking of all the stuff that's happend when booze has been involved and it wouldn't of if not under the influence.

Finnish that must be infuriating.

We're going to see friends this weekend who are fond of a drink. Have texted ahead to say that neither DH or I are drinking at the moment, will make sure I bring some nice AF drinks.

Choc I've found that some days I am just putting one foot in front of the other, and that's ok.

Glad - loving your posts about life under canvas.

Thanks likeahurricane back and still sober and feeling v proud of myself. Will now catch up with the rest of the posts

Glad you're feeling better choc and big well done misscookie

Working my way through This Naked Mind by Annie Grace. Written very much in the style of Allen Carr's books debunking myths of alcohol and how our subconscious through societal norms, advertising etc affects quit attempts by how alcohol is regarded and how to change that thinking. So far, so good. Haven't finished it yet.

Please can I join you? I have woken up full of self loathing and fed up that my enjoyment of social situations is marred by the morning after.