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 All...

Training didn't go quite to plan - mostly due to wind and swans!! But keeping moving, and trying to keep the motivation going.... It gets harder as the event gets closer and the mindset just wants to get the thing over and done with..... Training wit good friend and 'coach' this afternoon, so the world will be a better place after that - it always is!

For me the AF substitutes is a case of whatever gets us through - the becks blue (and lemon) are good, the bavaria is OK, not tried the standard erdinger after I tried an AF wheat beer and it was rank. Yet to find a AF wine that isn't teeth squeakingly sweet - but that's just my tastes. M&S do a very passable mojito juice, and a pina colada one too. COOP do cans of AF gin and tonic.....

I had the liver test... I needed to know for myself... The doctor was fine with that - more arsey when I went for the results after three weeks (shift work, it doesn't take that long) and he really didn't seem to believe I had managed three weeks off the booze!! I was disappointed by his attitude, but perhaps he's 'seen it all before' - it's the first time for me, but clearly not for him...... I needed to know, and for me it was part of the process of admitting the issue to myself, of making it real, of saying it out loud!

I hope today is a good day - KOKO - onwards!

Hi BG good news on the liver test. Shame about the grumpy doctor not helpful. Can you go a different doctor? Shame too about the wind and swans. Assume it was the wind in the air kind 😀

Hope everyone has a good day. I'm going a bit crazy with all sorts of issues popping up. I'm going to see a therapist I think to talk through it all.
Day 12

Morning glad the test went ok BG. I've been really busy as it is DD's birthday today!
My mum had been storing her presents and I've just opened up the bags to find my dad has also packed their presents for DD (unwrapped) and all of mums Easter eggs for the whole family! Mum and dad aren't seeing her until the weekend and now I've got to figure out a way to get them back to her so she can wrap them. He is an idiot lol.

My DP made a comment about me drinking AF beers this morning. Basically along the lines of 'you haven't really given up if you are drinking a substitute'. He says the same about vaping. He btw still drinks and smokes . At least my 'alternatives' are a damn sight healthier. It's annoyed me tbh I've really been enjoying an AF beer when cooking. It relaxes me, I like the taste and it does me no harm. What the fuck is his problem?

Ah well hope training goes well and all you otherlovely ladies are having a fab day.

Onwards day 16 AF

Hi everyone, just checking in. Day 46 here. Going skiing tomorrow with three other families, a week that has historically been a week of non-stop drinking. I'm not too worried about the not-drinking, I don't think I'll be tempted but I am apprehensive about being stuck in a chalet with a load of drunken friends and my drunken DH each night! Think I'll be sneaking off to my room with a book quite often....

Great news about the liver test BG and Happy Bday to your DD Rarity My DH hasn't exactly been supportive either - he reckons I'm having a mid-life crisis.... This is quite a good article if you can get over the title; www.needyhelper.com/10-reasons-your-marriage-fails-after-you-quit-drinking-alcohol/

Gave me some things to think about anyway......

Thanks new I have had a browse and found it quite interesting!
Had a lovely day with DD yesterday she was so excited

I'm trying something new tonight, AF kopparberg strawberry and lime. It's nice but quite sweet, at £2 for 4 though it's a good price for something a bit different.

I went back to the GP today and she has prescribed me sleeping tablets. I'm planning on trying them on Saturday so if they o ice me out there is another responsible adult in the house for DD.

It's very quiet on here. Is everyone ok?

new do your friends know that you aren't drinking? Do you think there will be any peer pressure for you to join in?

I've never tried skiing as I can fall over stone cold sober in flat shoes! Therefore I figure I would be a liability strapped onto skis!!

Hope you have a great time and the snow is good

I'm here, still sober. Having a really crap time with all sorts of family crap though. God I want a drink, but not going to. That way madness lies. Day ? not sure, but lots and lots :)

I'd tell your dp to piss off and give me some credit Rarity but that's me. Do you reckon he feels his own habits are somewhat in the spotlight now you are making changes? Glad your dd had a lovely birthday and hope the sleeping tablets help you.

Best of luck for the holiday new, I've never been skiing either. Don't know why, I think the draw of beaches, sun and heat beats it for me when booking holidays although I can see the appeal more now. Have an awesome time.

Hope the therapist went well Ruby

Can't imagine training for an ultra BG, that is super runner territory!! Is this your first ultra or have you done any before?

Sorry you're having a bad time of it growing and hope it gets better for you soon.

Not much to report here. Seem to swing from productive day to day I can barely drag the energy to do anything. Starting to sleep a bit better which is a plus. Last night I conked out reading about half ten with the ceiling light on as I was waiting for my toothpaste to wear off so I could use the bleach tray. Woke up at 3.30am, light blazing and that brief wtf happened, was I drinking and passed out? I never fall sleep with that light on unless pissed. Clocked the book lying beside me and breathed a sigh of relief

Vidorra what a lovely feeling to wake up and know you conked out reading. I do love waking up with no guilt.
Just been out for tea with dh and dc's and had non alcoholic ginger beer. 😇

Ooh ruby I do like a ginger beer . I'm relaxing with cranberry cordial and sparkling water.

I have a challenge this weekend. I'm going to a christening where DP's ex and new bf are also attending. We all get along ok but his ex likes a drink. Just dropped of DSS and she asked me 2 times if I would be drinking. I admit I avoided answering. TBH she was a bit tipsy tonight! Not looking forward to it

Has anyone else started to feel more clearheaded? I'm reflecting on the past, thinking about who I am and who I want to be. Finding it cathartic rather than a negative thing but wondered if anyone else was feeling the same?

Hi, Evening...

Vidorra it's not a running race, but a niche sport which may or may not out me - but the swans last weekend were relevant!! I entered last year in the two person category and we finished in a little over 23hrs.... The solo category is over four days, so three days of 30 miles plus and a shorter fourth day..... it's going to be a long hall....but it's really helped to have the focus - I started the training still drinking and a particularly boozy weekend nearly put me off for good, I suffered so much, and it was all my own fault... I'd rather try the ultra and fail, but be sober than to never try and to keep drinking...

Rarity - it's that 'who am I?' thing... I'm no ultra athlete, a weekend warrior at best!! But I have high hopes, and they won't be found in the bottom of a bottle/can!!

So be it AF beer, or training at silly AM at the weekends, we all have to do what we have to do to get through life.... We're all entirely human, and that's what makes us awesome, every last one of us!!

Onwards (in my case, to bed)

The end of week 3.
I don't know what changed but this week was much much easier than the first 2. I really didn't feel as many cravings and urges and low feelings pulling me back. I even managed to forget about it for much longer periods of time. The first week the torture was worrying I would never stop thinking about it. But I have in little bursts. It isn't that I don't miss it, but the intense good feeling I get from a drink is now less of a sharp memory.

KOKO all of you

Rarity I have realised I am boring. I don't feel fun. I don't know how to have the same fun. I need to make more effort with that. Because I was using it under the illusion I was having fun

Use the research into the actual benefits of AF drinks if anyone gets at you about it. I see the point as it worried me but FML I just enjoy one or 2 AF beer and no intention of drinking a real one! I think you can use AF stuff to get by, it's just another drink aside from Coke. If you like the taste that's why you drink it not because you want to be drunk. That is different

Thinking about steak for dinner.... would traditionally served with red cabbage braised in red wine... always assumed the alcohol was evaporated off, but now not so sure and not prepared to take the chance, unless someone knows for sure one way or another....

Any substitutes I could use??

Have similarly been avoiding tiramisu......

Any thoughts, or advise?

If you have to have wine in the house to cook with it, will that make you want to drink the rest? It would, me :( Tbh I wouldn't risk it if you don't need to, why test your sobriety? My view is, its hard enough staying sober in a drinking world, without setting traps at home?

I keep wine in the house and use it for cooking with however I only buy a quarter bottle and use it all. I know a quarter bottle wouldn't be enough for me so it doesn't bother me having it in the house. All the alcohol doesn't evaporate but only small amounts remain, depending on how long you cook it for. My theory is you can give it to toddlers (like spag bol etc) so I'll not panic too much about it.

Cool, thanks..... was thinking 183ml mini bottle, and more than happy to pour any left overs down the drain... not tempted to drink it, just to braise the cabbage.... which takes forever so probably very little residue ABV...

Best day of the year so far, really should go training.....

Hi everyone - made it through the first couple of nights of our ski holiday. They were the nights that were always going to be the hardest. I haven't been that honest with my friends about why I'm not drinking rarity . I have a long-standing kidney issue so I've been using that as an excuse but I've started quietly saying to my DH and good friends that actually it has more to do with my mental health than my physical health. My insomnia and anxiety had reached a point where I knew I had to do something and as much as I didn't like it, I also knew that stopping drinking was the biggest thing I could do to help myself.

I cook with wine still. I'm a keen cook and can't imagine cooking without it. I generally use stuff that's 'gone off' though - the dregs from a dinner party or something. Wouldn't drink that! We had fondue last night which must have been cooked with white wine but it didn't make me feel drunk or want a glass.

Well done new and hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Apologies BG, I assumed running. It is a feat to do an ultra no matter what sport - a lot of motivation and discipline required! Four days is huge but you sound like you have the right mindset towards it. Hope it goes really well for you.

Fab going for 3 weeks Kiki. I fear I am boring too now but suspect I probably was before also , only difference is now I have no drunken antics stories to tell. The ones I would laugh off when really I was mortified about them.

3 months myself today, 100 days around the corner. It is one of the few things keeping me going atm. I have some health issues that I am worrying over, actual legitimate ones rather than my usual health anxiety although the anxiety doesn't help me that my mind automatically goes to the worst 'what ifs?'. I spoke to dp about it last night which helped a bit and admitted I felt like going out and getting wrecked (and smoking) just to forget about it. I'm craving that oblivion rather than the actual getting drunk iykwim?

Plugging on for the time being, trying not to panic about things and staying away from bleeding google. Can't promise anything but today is done.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and all you mothers out there were spoilt in some way and enjoyed your day. For those missing those not with us anymore to you all.

No apology require vidorra... 3 months, and 100 days will be awesome, keep on keeping on...... I'm only at 118 I think, so not so far in front....

I'm sleeping a lot at the moment, I'd like that to pass if possible.... feel like I'm snoozing my life away, but better than pissing it away!!!

Onwards

Hello all, hope you are keeping well.

I've been really busy this weekend and attended a christening. As the designated driver I drank soda water and watched everyone else drinking. God it was boring! I was so ready to come home.

I've been really tired too BG it's annoying because I'm also struggling to get to sleep!

Onwards day 20

Shift work doesn't help the sleep..... but I am tired right now, 20 minutes to go!!

Morning all- Day 1 here I am afraid. Went out with a friend last night, was feeling strong and cocky and did not plan so thought 'Aaah, I can handle 1'!

1 turned into three then a beer at home.

1 also signalled the return of the night time sweats and the night time horrors.

To think I used to think drinking was 'fun'.

Hello, can I join? I haven't read the whole thread through yet but thought I'd post before I chicken out.
Today is going to be day 2 for me. My drinking has been out of control for quite a long time. Over the last year or so I've been trying to have more days off but it's always so hard, feeling like I'm missing out. Anyway, lately I've started to realise that I really am no longer enjoying drinking, more just blocking out things that I struggle to deal with. But on the flipside I struggle not to drink. I have started reading This Naked Mind and although what she says makes total sense and isn't anything new it does seem to be properly sinking in. People say there is a point in the book at which you just lose the desire to drink, has anyone any experience if this?