DRY 17

[Loubilou09]

[This message is actually from Sober Sarah! She wanted this thread to start with links everyone will find useful. MNHQ]

If you're quitting alcohol for a brighter sober future come and join us here. A very welcoming bunch supporting ebach other every step of the way. smile
We have put together some helpful info and links, to help you do this Smile tiredofthinkingaboutdrinking.com

Tired of thinking about drinking, Belle's website filled with free stuff as well as subscription courses and an account of her four years sober.

joinclubsoda.co.uk/ Club Soda - to help you make the change you want.
www.sobersassylife.com Sober Sassy Life - A Selection of Articles, Blogs and Freebies to get you unstuck, and on the way to your Sober Sassy Life! Also has paid for courses.
thesoberschool.com/ - an online hub with the mission of inspiring and supporting women who are tired of feeling hungover

www.blogtalkradio.com/bubblehour - podcasts on a huge range of issues relating to addiction and recovery

www.smartrecovery.org.uk/ - an alternative to AA. Meetings nationwide and online.

Useful meditation or relaxation apps
www.headspace.com Headspace for calming the brain chatter
www.withandrewjohnson.com Andrew Johnson stop drinking app
Helpful blogs from people who are sober
sothisissober.com/ our own vxa's blog
www.alcoholfree2016.com our own Lily's blog
www.alcoholfree2016.com our own Lucy's blog
www.sobergrowing/blogspot.co.uk our own Sober Sarah's blog

All of these blogs contain links to loads of other brilliant blogs.

Sobriety counters
meetnomo.com/index.html
www.pilanites.com/streaks/

Hope this helps you ! Love Sober Sarah and Vxa

Morning everyone.

I hope everyone is fine and well.

I had a bit of a slump yesterday. I came back from my work conference and it did not go amazingly well. I was feeling low yesterday and to be honest if it were not for the fact that I was taking DS out to beavers at 6 pm I probably would have caved.

But, of course, by the time we were home again about 7.30 the urge had passed thank heavens. So we hada late supper and watched half of a dvd then bed.

Feeling fine this morning and remembered the truth of the saying; 'No-one ever regrets not drinking the night before'.

No huge plans this weekend- loads of housework to do, and I will take DS swimming.

How is everyone?

I like that saying Cocoa - lot of truth in it! Yay for Beavers and keeping busy in general.

My DS is away for most of the weekend but it will be filled with a combination of housework and paperwork (from work) and probably a good dose of time wasting too. Normally DH and I would go out for a meal when we are child-free...having a mini pub crawl on the way, 2 bottle of wine whilst we are there, and another mini pub crawl on the way back. Not tonight though...

Congats BG, hope you had a great weekend celebrating whatever you decided to do.

Just a quick check in here. Was my birthday last week so was out for dinner over the weekend. I'll be entirely honest and say I felt some serious pangs Friday night and Saturday. I thought it would be ok given I have spent my last two birthdays sober but I've gone for a long run on those days instead and of course can't do that this year. Felt a bit fed up with it all but sucked it up and I'm glad this morning there's no hangover or regret or starting back at day one all over again.

Hope everyone else had a great weekend.

Happy birthday

Thanks BG, what did you end up doing?

I have been a glutton this weekend and replaced bubbles and red for lots of desserts.

Tried a different Thai place, was really tasty...... and lots of croissants!! Almost time to head home which makes me sad....

Onwards

I ventured into a chain shoe store with DD (17) who went in for trainers and insisted on trying every other shoe in the store. I have lost the will to live ... :)
I did get a nice top for me, though :) And some new herbal teas :)

What herbal teas growing? herbal teas are my latest weakness. I am a massive fan of the pukka ones (except for the licorice and cinammon). I am currently mixing a pukka detox and a pukka nighttime tea and am reminded of Sheldon Cooper saying to Amy ; 'Two teas? You're not at a rave'.

Just checking in. Happy belated Birthday
Vidorra. Another dry weekend and I've totally loved it. Such a relief not to be even trying to moderate and get back to the clarity, control and peaceful mind I felt when doing Dry January. Haven't missed wine once despite going out for a Thai meal and having a girlie shopping day on Saturday which would usually always mean it's wine time. I love to run too Vidorra, sorry to hear you can't for whatever reason at the moment. I find on the weekend it gives me a different focus entirely and so much better being able to commit to getting out and not running with a hangover. Hope everyone else has had a good weekend too. Here's to another dry week ahead.

A great weekend, on the plane home now, but not having to figure out if I'll be sober enough to drive at the other end.... and knowing in reality I'm not. 100% sober.....

A little longing over lunch yesterday, but not prepared to jeopardise what I have now, what I have achieved.... and the feeling passed!

Hoorah for elderflower presse, in any shape or form....

Onwards, always onwards...

Hi everyone, glad that everything seems to going well for everyone. I could never really get into the herbal teas, but Coffee suits me.

I'm hitting six calendar months in 26 minutes time, and I don't regret not drinking this last six months!!!!

Sooooo glad to be sober.

Congratulations user on 6 months!!!!!

USER Wow and well done..... brilliant!!!

More chocolate milk for you

Am back! I went on the night out I posted about last week with it being my final farewell to alcohol. I came home with a gigantic pizza and a sprained ankle so I definitely went out with a bang. Day 1 was yesterday, went for Sunday lunch with friends and stuck to water. Day 2 going well- been to the supermarket for the weekly shop and avoided the wine aisles. Am keeping my evenings busy this week to battle the bored urges to get drunk. I feel soooo much better already, not thinking about what time it would be acceptable to start drinking and trying to moderate. Wish me luck and I will be checking back in regularly for support.

100 days.....

Here's to the next 100....

Rings not here yet but something to look forward to......

Still drawing huge support and encouragement from this thread!! I can fuck it all up tomorrow so long as I don't take that first drink today

Chocolate milk for us all

Chin chin BGJ, congratulations on 100 days.

Hi I have spent this morning reading through the thread.
I drink too much wine, it's crept up from half a bottle to a bottle a night.
I'm off work with depression at the moment and I know I am self medicating in a damaging way.
My DP works nights and I couldn't sleep last night. So I drank a bottle. And then I hid the empty bottle in the cupboard. He found it this morning and is annoyed. He thinks I am an alcoholic. I don't think I am a 'label' but I know I need to address this. I can't moderate, I've tried it before. I need to stop. I stopped smoking in Jan and I'm hoping I can kick this too. I think it will help my MH and make me more present in my own life if that makes sense?
Sorry if its rambling I had about 2 hours sleep last night.

rarity75 you're in a good place for help and support, and practical tips...

You don't have to label it as anything to want to change...

Keep reading, and re-reading - it's helped me SO very much

You WILL feel better for it

Thank you BG I know in my heart of hearts that my drinking is unhealthy and I'm fed up of groggy heads in the morning. Also of the toe curling incidents at family parties and black holes in my memory afterwards.
I know I am worrying my parents and my DP. But he talks to me like an angry parent, I get defensive and it makes it harder to talk to him. I feel judged and that I've disappointed him. I know it comes from a place of love and that he doesn't know how to talk to me about it.
I am on the sofa doing absolutely nothing. If I had slept last night then there is so much I could have achieved today. I'm fed up with myself.

So today I will not drink. I make that commitment to myself, for myself and not for anyone else.

Hi Rarity. Welcome.

I agree with BG that you don't have to label anything right now. At the moment I say if anyone asks why I am not drinking wine; 'I;ve decided it doesn't agree with me'.

It's a bit of a bastard, alcohol.

I have found it easier to talk to my loved ones once I had made the decision to quit... It acknowledges there's a problem of some description (call it what sits easiest for you) and that you're prepared to try and fix it. It's more about moving forward than making endless excuses...

I just tell people I've chucked it for now - that seems to appease most questions... Although not really any of their business!! The 'for now' seems to help them accept it too - cos forever would just be 'crazy' right?

It's a big bit of a bastard... A lying, cheating, dishonest, sneaky, hideous, life wrecking bastard..... #dumped

Hi cocoa It is indeed! I've spent this morning reading through Belle's blog. It is inspiring and scary at the same time. I can't look to far ahead although am mightily impressed by some of the posters achievements.

I like the concept of the car and Wolfie. I am going to have to stock up on AF fizzy drinks and crisps. Also going to try kondoing my wardrobe in the evenings.

I don't know what to say to DP when he gets up later. The sad thing is I wasn't drunk. I can easily drink a bottle and feel 'normal' but it isn't normal. Then there are the binges where I feel like I've poisoned myself and it can take 2 days to recover.

I'm a bit scared tbh, but I need to do this. Means a lot to have people reply. Thank you.

I like that.

#dumped

I also like Belle's blog. If you have not checked it out yet, also see SoberMummy.

mummywasasecretdrinker.blogspot.co.uk/

Good luck for later.

Yes BG I think that might be the best approach. I don't want the pressure at the moment, as well meaning as it would be. Just saying not drinking at the moment. My immediate family will be supportive but too involved I think IYSWIM.

I need to do this for myself. My extended family are Big Drinkers and every get together is a massive piss up. But that is a hurdle for another day. Today is just about one day AF.