Dry 15

[glad2016]

For all those sober, or would be sober, warriors. KOKO (keep on keeping on) lovely people :)

Hi Efc, who, day 4 here too. My skin is already looking much better and I have more control over my mood and the day seems less fraught. I also seem to have so much more time now I am not devoting the evening to wine!

Finnish that's going to be tough but you know you can do it - try not to think about the night too much in advance just see how you feel on the day.

Gosh lots of new people which I think is great so near to Christmas - I thought it would go quiet for a few weeks and then we would get a huge influx in January!

I am starting to think about Christmas and wondering where my head will be wth all of this. I started this as a 100 day challenge which finishes a couple of days before Christmas but think I really want to continue past that now - not going to pressurise myself too much at the moment just keep
Taking each day as it comes.

I have lost a stone so far so really pleased with that, although got quite a bit more to go! My skin is so much better, I am a lot calmer generally, my skin is not so dry, I don't sweat as much, my tummy is not so upset, I sleep better. The list is endless...

Oh and Day 64 for me!

Hello I would like to join in, I'm a long time problem drinker currently been sober for nearly 7 weeks. I was/am determined to make this forever but a few doubts have started to creep in (stupidly, as I feel great!) mainly just around socialising really. Anyway hope to gain some inspiration and chat with others feeling the same.

efc!!! Welcome home, we've missed you. Xx

Ohhhh so many more people have arrived, let's open a bottle brilliant to see you all guys. Believe it or not the real fun starts here

Hi All,
Just checking in - Im sleepless in the wee hours of day 5, can't wait to see the next gloomy few weeks in - The first are always my worst - LS

Hi Lost, but just think how goo it will be after those weeks

Welcome all and welcome back efc.

Not posting a lot but like many others reading every day and taking a lot of support from it.

Lou your post struck a chord. I've been away with work for two days and have been to a great party (drank water), stayed 2 nights on my own in a hotel (used to be a big trigger given boredom and the minibar) ate at a lovely restaurant (drank San P but nothing from the amazing wine list). Not done without effort but so much easier than it was.

Did I feel I was missing out?

No, because I don't want to go back to being a daily slave to booze.

Hi finnish, jojo, lobiloo vxa, cheesy, miss, lily , choc, user, who and everyone else I have missed naming both old and new :)

finnish I'm doing well, Day 60 today :) Done longer in the past but being utterly honest it was with the odd one day lapse along the way so this is actually the longest stretch I have done totally sober, (no alcohol drunk, not even one glass) for 16 years ( since being pregnant)
I feel amazing. Depression gone, anxiety gone, lost a few pounds (and lots of bloated inches) bank balance looks very healthy ( even with the sober treats I am buying) and best of all I am beginning to like my self again.
Just thought I would share the joy I feel :) It really was worth it and continues to be so.

Sobersarah! Well done that's amazing

This thread is brilliant - nearly 2 weeks for me (will be on Sunday) and that's the longest I've gone without a drink for about 3 years. It's brilliant . I read this thread every day and take such comfort from it so hello everyone and thank you

Well done soberSarah.

Day 5, nothing much to report. But it got me thinking today how many times I drove in the morning potentially over the limit. Our local police are starting on a crackdown on all types of risky driving behaviour and there by the grace of God I never had an accident or a fault with my car that meant I was pulled over I tried to work out my alcohol limits according to averages of when I'd be fit to drive the next day. But what if I was wrong.

:) lou

sobersarah congratulations. I am so pleased for you. I hope you are suitably proud of yourself
who the driving doesn't bear thinking about. I know I must have been over the limit the morning after. It was one of the things which made me realise I needed to stop. If had been caught drink driving I would probably have lost everything. Scary thought. So good to know I am always clearheaded now.

Waves to awe 2 weeks is fantastic. I agree this board is brilliant. I would not have got this far without the wonderful support here.

Waves to everyone else

Ahh right... now I wasn't going to mention this but seeing as someone else has bought it up.....I got pulled over on Sunday morning for a small misdemeanor and yes it was new driver alert scheme that the police have just bought out - they are really heavy on it as confirmed by a friend of mine who works for the Police. All I could think about when the policeman was chatting to me was "thank god" I wasn't drinking as I would have been mentally adding it up from the night before and would have been sat there terrified. On the whole I would think about if I was driving the next day and what time etc and would go through what I had and make sure I didn't think I was over in any way the next day but very occasionally you just weren't 100% sure. To sit there completely safe in the knowledge that there wasn't the slightest question in my mind was really really nice.

Awe - WELL DONE!!! 2 weeks is amazing

Well done to Who also

Folks GLad to hear all the positives, esp re the depression Sarah!

I'm now on day 72, longest I have been sober since I was 18 (no big surprise that I was never pregnant though)

I think that I've most probably driven the day after while still not sober, I know I've gone into work and handled firearms with my head still fuzzy from the night before.

Thing I notice now though is that I seem to think everything through and I am as clear as a bell in it.

My younger brother was done for drink driving when he was about 20. He had been to a party and slept over and took a friend home early in the morning and crashed. Luckily nobody was hurt, just a lamp post. He spent time in the cells, and was later taken to court. The car was written off. Nearly lost his girlfriend (but she stood by him) and luckily for him he worked in the family business so didn't lose his job, but probably would have anywhere else. Even though he lived in town not having the car was a right pain. He knows how lightly he got off and now never drives the next day if he's had a lot, and he still likes a party every now and then ! This could easily happen to anyone of us and the consequences could be horrendous, so please bear it in mind when you're having a sober wobble ! I think they say you need to allow an hour per unit drunk, starting from the last drink, for the alcohol to leave your system. I knew I was drinking too much but my brother's lesson was learned by me then, and I know I never drove if over the limit. We all know the truth but alcohol tricks us into having more. Keep resisting that first drink.

P.S sorry if that sounds patronising, I didn't mean it to be !

Day 1 here.

Yes the drink driving thing is scary. I drove home at 7am from a friends house after a heavy night at the end of last year. Scares me now thinking about it. A friends sister was killed last week by a drunk driver (head on collision) and the devastation it has caused... she had two young children who will grow up without their mum because of one person drinking too much :(

Those stories are sobering (intentional pun). It makes yu realise how lucky you are.

Despite my wobble about gaining weight earlier in the week I'm back from fat club half a pound lighter. Not bad considering the hangover roast, the pissed pizza on Saturday and the alcohol replacing cakes.

Now deciding between posh squash, lime and soda or hot chocolate made with milk.

I'm eating loads at the moment. 12 weeks sober and I've lost weight overall. Need to stop gorging though as I want to keep it off!!
I can recommend meditation for anyone feeling stressed. Today I did some before leaving for work (really busy day- out for 11 hours Including nursery run).It helped me feel calm knowing I had a difficult day ahead. Spent quality time with kids, cooked a nice dinner, had chai latte tea, now in bed chilling. Life is so much better without wine. I don't miss it at all.
Keep it up everyone!

Day 5 for me. Am sat in bed eating posh chocolates and drinking tea (and yet I have still lost 3lbs this week without the empty booze calories)

I have another motivator thrust on me this week- my daughter 9, is going through a rough time with hormones, anxiety and trouble sleeping. I know I can't help her if I am managing my emotions with alcohol so that's spurring me on through any rough moments. Life is so much better sober and this thread is keeping me on track so thanks and well don to all of us for resisting the first drink.

Great posts everyone sounding really positive. Great not to have to worry about driving in the morning.

Mnaddict when I'm sober I'm so much better at being there for the kids so a big positive.

Friday is a big trigger for me but I'm park running early Saturday and working Sunday so will be busy.