Dry 14

[glad2016]

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

Dp didn't want a drink which is good. Go us x

Welcome Rosie Tea and lazy - as you can see the support here is wonderful. So glad you've all made it here.

cookie personally I don't drink anything which is 0.5% because it worries me that it would be the start of a slippery slope. There are lots of AF beers which are 0% including Becks blue, Cobra 0% and Bavaria 0%. Perhaps try one of those.

I am on my first AF holiday. Just finishing the first evening with a peppermint tea. All going ok so far.

Sober waves to everyone xxx

Hi chocoholic . I can hear fun being had down the road at our local. Dps working late so feeling a bit lonely and still reeling at some of the realisations I had today. Have you tried the co ops own brand 'posh' orange juice. It tastes like someone has just squeezed it that second! That with tonic and ice mmmm

Hmm that does sound nice. Will try some maybe tomo.
Let other people do what they must,we will wake up fresh and able to care for our babies. Be proud 😆 x

Hi vxa2 I'm probably going to be boring the pants off everyone posting to get me through the first few days.

Mmm pep tea. I've got some fresh mint and might make a pot now.

strong no that's what this thread is for. People r on hear for support. Post as many times as u need. Keep on. ☺

Post away. When I first stopped drinking I posted all the time. I felt bad about it but I was told very firmly that that is what the board is for. If no one posted there wouldn't be a board and we would all be struggling alone. So keep posting and don't worry about it for one second. Whatever you need to do to get and stay sober xx

Well said choco

I bought this beautiful orchid today for £3.50! It sounds contrived but i wanted an orchid a symbol of life to mark a fresh start today. My sobriety orchid

That's lovely!

vxa2 I'm half way through it - it tastes exactly like beer.. it shows how long I've not drunk for as my DD said to me "mummy do you drink beer?" - had to explain to her it was AF - she's only 6 so not sure she understands what that means.

Ffs. Never normally bothers me but neighbors are goin wild had to shut windows as all I could smell was there cigarette smoke coming in my home and they got music on and swearing and shouting! very classy.
Feel bad for my dc never normally notice it. The beer has got a lot to answer for.

I also tried a Fever Tree tonic water yesterday - tastes just like a G and T!

Lift the lemon tea that you and hot water too well it's lovely and refreshing with cold water aswell lots of ice cubes.

StrongTea I have not one a single tattoo and only one teadress This is my incognito name Your orchid is absolutely beautiful, one of my favourite flowers.

Hope everyone is loving waking up fresh and clearheaded on this Sunday morning. I know I certainly am. Still working my way through that Annie Grace book I mentioned and it is very good.

I think what has made it easier this time is finally realising that every period of sobriety has been broken by those thoughts. I've been off it so long, I can moderate, control it and be like a normal drinker. I can't, I may be able to moderate short term but it's a slippery slope and before I know it I'm throwing back booze like I was before I stopped, riddled with guilt, shame and anxiety again. All I need to do it take care of not imbibing that first sip. Not the second or third drink, just that initial taste.

Everyone is doing so well and kudos to those with parties going on round them last night and staying strong. Here's to sober Sundays

Morning everyone, having a lovely hangover free breakfast with my dd. Instead of making an energetic toddler snuggle into bed and watch endless Dora the Explorer on the iPad, we've played with her train tracks and we're going to bake some cakes for her friends birthday party later today.

tatoosandteadresses I've been given some great ideas by you and others for sobriety lit. I feel a heavy amazon order coming on!

The thoughts of doubt are inevitably creeping in today. 'Just a shared bottle ' over a pub lunch before the birthday party. That was the original plan. It just doesn't seem like such a terrible idea today (my minds telling meeting it would make two hours in a soft play centre more 'fun'). Must stay strong, will stay strong

Happy sober Sunday and chic, I hope you got some sleep.

choc not chic

Tea you are doing great. Those little thoughts are the wine witch whispering in your head. Remember you are in charge, not her. She might want you to drink but do you want you to drink ? From what you say I think you've already answered that with a resounding no.

It might help to play the tape forward about what it would really be like if you drank this afternoon and how you would feel afterwards.

I find sober blogs helpful because they are written by people who actually get it. Mine is www.sothisissober.com and Lily's is www.alcoholfree2016.com. There are loads out there.

You can do this. You are doing great xx

It is amazing to see so many new people here. Welcome!

choc you are doing brilliantly. The worst of the weekend is over - do you think it will be easier for you during the week?

Strong Tea I am so glad you're here. I feel like you got a bit of a kicking on that other thread - but shaming someone never got them anywhere. It's all your choice and always was. I love your orchid. I've been rewarding myself at the end of every sober month (I'm on day 69 today) with a plant for my garden. I think there's something really lovely about taking gentle care of something - it reminds us to take gentle care of ourselves.

Lazysummer are you around? There's been a bit flow in of new thread posters so I'm sorry if I missed you earlier. Every single time I name check I end up missing someone. How are you?

Tattoos welcome again! What you said about moderation really hit a chord with me. I've been having those thoughts myself these past few days - that I could just have a couple, as a reward for staying dry these past couple of months. When I talk to myself honestly (and this is a rare and new thing for me - I've been in utter denial about my drinking for so long) I hardly ever have 'just a couple' and when I do, it isn't my choice, it is because there's only a couple available. So really, when faced with a drink, I drink All Of It.

misscookie I love the FeverTree tonic water too - there's a herbal one that is straw-coloured and it tastes lovely, but also looks pretty like sparkling wine, so helps you 'blend in' if that's what you are after too.

Yep, play the tape to the end Tea. Imagine how disappointed in yourself you would be having a drink. I know myself I know it would mean I'd be impatient to get home.

This is the link to the download of the book I was talking about this naked mind Dying for a drink is also very sobering and quite a hard read health wise.

People who know about health and scientific matters: do you think it is worth going to the GP for a proper check up?

I was a fairly heavy daily drinker for several years - with a semi-regular bender thrown in too. I would say I was probably on about 100 units a week (and that is, if I am honest, probably a conservative, minimising addict's estimate). I stopped dead 69 days ago, and after the first couple of weeks had three weeks of feeling exhausted, depressed and - worryingly - feverish, on and off. Now that is all gone and I am feeling healthy, energetic and great. I take a multivitamin.

Do you think I should get my liver checked anyway?

one yeah easier I hope is easy as like I say it was more a weekend thing with me. Was thinking of you lastnight as I was on here quite a lot didt have much sleep. But feel better then I ever have on a Sunday morn in a good while.

onewhite great thanks I'll look out for it. I don't feel the need to blend in anymore - I did in the early stages but now I'm proud of my cup of tea however I just miss having a grown up drink. I also liked the taste of lots of alcoholic drinks so I just miss the bitter taste.
I must say drinking the beer last night was really strange (AF Erdinger) - It was as if I were drinking a real beer - however I obviously felt absolutely no effect. It didn't make me want to drink alcohol either... I also didn't want another (if it were booze I would have drink 4 easily.

choc that is great. Well done you! I guess if the week is easier for you, that takes the pressure off and you can plan whatever you need to plan to get through next weekend? You are doing so well. x

misscookie I've never tried AF beer - not sure why - beer was never my drink of choice, though I would have it if it was there, of course. I don't like sweet drinks either though, so it might be worth looking in to.

Hi everyone,

onewhitepillow 69 days is amazing especially considering what you were drinking before. And thank you for directing me over here. As for getting your liver checked I wouldn't be well able to advise you as it's not my field at all, however no harm in asking for some routine bloods eg FBC , LFTs.

I'm coming towards the end of another sober day but it's been harder today. I've had a headache like a bike helmets been on too long and some horrendous abdominal cramps. Does anyone know if this is related to laying off the sauce? When I'm hungover I don't get either of those symptoms.

Thanks also chocoholic and vxa and tatoos. I didn't even go out for a pub lunch in the end. Too much temptation.