Dry 14

[glad2016]

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

Hi Strong Tea - thank you. I think I will make a GP's appointment. I know I should, really - I've been putting it off because if I have damaged myself, I don't want to know. But then again, that head in the sand approach is exactly what led me to my drinking in the first place.

I had headaches too - I think it is probably withdrawal related. Perhaps related too to the codeine you've been taking? Are you hydrated?

x

oh good luck. Remember that the liver can overcome a lot of abuse. I personally don't want to dwell on that too much as the prospect of liver damage was a bit of a breakthrough moment for me yesterday. Stay positive

I'm keeping well hydrated on herbal tea and water. The headache got pretty bad so I did take some n+ . I hope I haven't got a codeine problem too. I don't think i do as i don't crave it like i do alcohol. I still do go for days without it without any opiate type withdrawal so fingers crossed. I'll mention it at my first AA meeting.

Probably a good idea to mention it - or perhaps just try taking some milder painkillers for the next month or so and see how you get on?

Thanks for the good wishes. x

Hi everyone can I join? I thought I could moderate but cannot, had nearly 2 bottles of wine yesterday and feel awful.

My poor children I'm so selfish I need to stop but don't know if I can, I have read some inspirational posts on here.

Hiya can I join ? I've been reading the previous posts and find you all inspiring.

I've worried for a while now I have a problem with alcohol. I don't drink Sunday to Thursday as working the next day and I'm pretty fine - don't ever crave during that time. But come the weekend I'm terrible. I'm not so bad if drinking at home as will fall asleep after a few drinks and therefore not drink too much or be hungover, but if I'm out I'm terrible - and can't stop until I'm absolutely leathered and feel like I'm just an embarrassment. The hangovers afterwards are excruciating and though thankfully the bad ones are not too regular - the physical feelings plus shame and anxiety are too much to bear and I really don't want live my life in that way anymore.

I went out with a friend yesterday whereby we had a glass of beer and then 3 bottles of wine between us over about 6 hours. We ate food during the time as well. I was home for 8pm, plenty of water and went to bed but today has been horrific. I was vomitting all morning and only able to eat a piece of toast this evening.

That is a lot for me to drink and I feel ashamed and anxious today - not to mention nauseous and weak.

I feel like during the week I'm a different person and come the weekend I'm like an animal! So I think giving up is the only option - but I don't know where to start and am worried about not being able to change.

Thank you onewhite, it's great to be back . 69 days is 'epic' as my ds would say , well done you. I think there's specific markers you can ask for liver function wise irrc from Lucy. I think about getting it done but I'm a bit scared to at this moment in time. The liver is a remarkable organ and very forgiving repair wise though. I so get you with the being honest with yourself regarding previous slips. I now know if I can spend 9-11 months off it at a time and still end up unable to moderate once I start, I can't keep doing the same thing over and over again making it harder for myself by getting the same result.

Codeine can indeed give you headaches StrongTea I've found in the past if I have to take them for days on the trot I get an achy pressure like headache. Could also be a bit of a withdrawal symptom, many of us had hangover type feeling for the first week or so after stopping. I hope you are feeling better tonight

Welcome Lily and Yellow

Having a great holiday. The odd time I feel like I'm missing a drink but it soon passes as I realise how much I'm enjoying sober time with my family. It has been the best fun and even when the dc are tired and cranky, I'm dealing with it calmly and not snapping back.

We went to the park today and I got stuck on one of those spinning bucket things and couldn't get off, it was whirling too much. I haven't laughed as much or as hard in a long time. Something so small but tickled us all. Loving all these sober moments with no wanting to hurry up and get a drink in my hand! Life is good Unfortunately I had hoped to stop smoking as well, stupidly started again once I started drinking. I have been practically chain smoking since arriving but I'll deal with that particular hurdle once I'm home. I'm dealing with drinkers around me, I can only do so much right now and concentrating my efforts on that.

Hi!
Checking in here on day 1. I've been lurking - and admiring.

I have been sober before but only I think about 8 or 9 weeks. It's just stupid how much I can drink, how much time I waste drunk, and how awful I feel afterwards.

DCs and I have had a nice day, first back home after 2 weeks away. I've been focusing on them rather than on how crap I feel, and avoiding all thoughts of work tomorrow.

This is a time of big change for me. Lots going on. I have to be sober and on the ball and riding the waves to make this positive change and not go under.

I really appreciate all your thoughtful posts. Looking forward to spending more time with you all over the next while.

Hope Sunday evening is treating you all well.

Thanks teadress and welcome to fellow newbies. I'm glad you're enjoying the holiday. I'm staying at my mum's which usually means free babysitting and off to see old friends at the pub. Then the slinking home feeling like a teenager (I'm 31) and not being able to enjoy the next morning . I'm tucked up in bed already and plan to start my day with a dip in the sea, a walk with dd on the beach and cooking a big breakfast for all the family staying. I can't wait for the morning!

Sea! Fantastic. I am just back from two weeks near the sea and it is the best thing ever

Wow lots of new people joining! Welcome and well done on all steps taken.

Haven't posted much lately - but it's now day 58 for me.

Just wanted to say how much I appreciate the kindness and empathy shown in this thread - which is not always the case on MN. It helps me whether I lurk or post.

Just back from a weekend with friends where the wine usually flows freely....and didn't drink at lunch or dinner. This despite the host not listening to me saying I wasn't drinking and pouring me a glass anyway.

Another week to keep on keeping on.....

Hello everyone! Great to see all the newbies on here! Welcome everyone!

I am very pleased with myself, today is day 90 for me. Am feeling stupidly tsp (twatty sober Pollyanna, I.e. Brimming with positivity, to an annoying event)

3 months ago I drank so much I was puking, and had to be helped to bed as I couldn't walk. I thought id hate giving up drinking, and never thought id last this long. Everything you said on your early posts on the other thread, strong I said on my day one.

But I've done it, it's been really hard at times, and I could not have done it without the pays and support on this board and I'm sure I will struggle again soon, but today, I'm not drinking and that makes me really happy 😊

strongtea I had headaches for about 4 months - I don't get them anymore but convinced they were withdrawal symptoms. They were pressure headaches and sometimes got so bad I had to lie down (which is really unusual for me).

Welcome `lilybensmum - children are very forgiving and they also forget (if young enough) - one book that helped me a lot was The Easy Way by Allen Carr. You can read it while still drinking and then decide if you are going to stop. Life is a lot easier sober - many, many problems vanish and life really become a whole lot easier.

Welcome yellow your drinking sounds like my own (however I have had many stages where I drunk everyday, with a beer for breakfast). I think in the end I convinced myself I was now a normal drinker as I didn't drink mid week - but all I'd done is shift my pattern of drinking to what I thought may be deemed acceptable.
Imagine life without the shame/anxiety/hangovers - well in my experience (7.5 months sober) a sober life is an excellent life. I now feel that a new world has opened up to me. My thoughts are more deeper and clear, I enjoy being in my own head and enjoy my thoughts, life has clarity and purpose.
For now though just get lots and lots of rest and give yourself treats. In the early days I went to bed early, had lie ins and ate a silly amount of sweets and chocolate!

finnish - 90 days is fantastic. I remember when you first joined. You have come so far. This sobriety business is tough but so worth it. Have you got anything planned to mark your 100 days.

Welcome to all the new people - lovely to see you. The support here is wonderful.

Day 139 for me today. On holiday. The last holiday I went on was when I reached my rock bottom and knew I had to stop. I feel so different this time. It's amazing.

Love all especially to the newbies. You can do this.

And so you should have that tsp feeling finnish, 90 days is a great achievement.

Couldn't agree more lizzy, I've been on and off the threads from the first one with varying periods of sobriety, although missed a brave few from the middle. Every time I've come back with a tail between my legs feeling but have been shown so much compassion and understanding from this little haven in MN. Hurrah for staying strong through the weekend, even when your glass was filled.

Welcome also Maudlin, stick around

Thanks you for the warm welcome. And miss cookie thanks for identifying with me. I think because I don't drink when in work the following day I have normalised it - if I'm off I do drink everyday - sometimes only a couple of beers or something but it is constant. I do want to live a hangover and anxiety free life so I guess this is the first step.

It's great to read these stories, I can't believe people are able to go on holiday and out for weekends with no drinking, I can't imagine that, I know it's that first drink if I start I can't stop and a glass of wine seems to make things feel better. miss you describe how I want to feel. Oh and I wil get sweets and choc today.
strong your planned day today sounds great have fun , I read your other post and could identify.

However I'm now looking forward to the clear head and I like the sound of being in my own head. I really need to do this.
We were at the park last week and a Lorry pulled In to deliver to the cafe it had wine pictures on the side, my DD who's 8 looked up and said oh look it's like a van full of wine you would love that mummy! I felt sad but I know she didn't mean anything she was stating fact.

Everyone on here is doing amazingly well and so positive, I know it's tough too!! I am under no illusion just worried about my abilities, DH is onboard so I know that will help. I have got Allen Carr and Jason Vale any ideas over which is the best not read them yet.

Also what non alcoholic drinks do people have out I'm very much wine or tea at the moment, last question than I will shut up, can anyone recommend an app that counts sober days and money saved etc I had a look but there are loads. Thank you everyone I hope I can this, this time. Have a lovely sober day all.

Hello everyone and welcome newbies, great to see so many new faces on here. I've still away in epic long holiday finishing with a stay at the inlaws so I've been following the thread but not posting due to distinctly dodgy wifi. In fact I may well lose this post!

Lily I use an app called imdonedrinking. It's in dollars but counts away quite nicely and it's satisfying watching the calories and money saved mount up! It says I'm on day 226. Crikey.

For drinks out I'll either have a tonic water or an AF beer or a mock tail. I love virgin mojitos, even without the kick of the alcohol they feel special.

It's been interesting being on holiday sober. We've still done the sitting around with drinks at sunset, but I'm not falling over by ten o'clock and lying around hungover the next morning. I've had a lot of admiring comments on how well I'm doing. Not sure how to take that to be honest!

I'm m usually fine with other people drinking but last night nearly had a row with MIL as she was very drunk and boring and talking all the way through the tennis. Ended up taking myself off to bed.

Hope everyone has a good day!

lizzietee that's a great achievement. I still can't imagine getting to that point. Oh and only two day's in and getting people who don't want to hear no thanks as an answer so full empathy on that one!

finnishbiscuit amazing too. How you can start from the point I'm at and make that sort of progress, wow.

mosscookie the headache is back again today so yes I imagine it must be some sort of withdrawal which really is hammering home the seriousness of my situation. I'm trying to lay off the codeine today too.

Still bowled over by all the overwhelming support on this thread and the AIBU one. and all round.

Things I've heard my family saying before midday so far (at my mum's for a family birthday)

1. Ooh we haven't had any Buck's Fizz yet, we're behind on our drinking.
2. My brother trying to reminisce about our last pub visit together where I fell asleep on the bar
3. Lengthy discussion as to whether we do cocktails or fizz for lunch.

It's not even midday GIVE ME STRENGTH!!!

And now I've just been called holier than thou for refusing a pimms. This is horrible

Keep strong, Strong Tea If you crumble this time, all you are doing is showing them that the next time you don't want to drink, all they need to do is pester you. Be rude if you have to - they are being awful.

People who care THAT much about what someone else is drinking are probably hiding something from themselves about their own relationship to the booze. They don't want you to reflect on your drinking, because that means they might have to reflect on theirs.

Go for a walk if they are being tits.

It may be horrible strong but think how pleased you will feel later and tomorrow waking up without a hangover and enjoying life. If you can get through all of this temptation you deserve a seriously big chocolate bar!! Keep posting on here having just found this thread I love the moral support. You can do this! Think of your DD and the example you are now setting.

I would hate my children to grow up thinking the way I drink is the norm.

I'm on day 38 now. Been lurking here and other forums (bright eye is amazing).....you are doing amazingly well Tea. im lucky cos no one has tried to get me drinking again and has been really supportive. How about you make a massive jug of lemon or limeade with loads of fruit in or just say its for personal reasons (medical? antibiotics? ). Don't give in its really worth it after a few weeks it'll get easier cos you'll have routines and people will stop nagging. I got a hypnosis app called quit drinking and listened to that while falling asleep and it's been a big help xx

Thanks, I'm full of resolve so am not even contemplating it but I can't bring myself to tell my family I'm not drinking. I've just fobbed them off for now saying I want to pace myself. They're finding that concept hilarious

Stay strong, tea. You'll probably find that the more they drink the less they will notice what you are drinking.

If you can slope off early, do. Drunk people are so flipping boring!