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!

Thank you for making me feel so welcome! .

So I didn't drink yesterday - my Day 1. I did speak to a counsellor at drinkaware which helped and I also downloaded (and have read) Allen Carr.

I woke up this morning (after a not bad sleep for me) with the strangest of feelings. Booze is still intruding in my thoughts but not in a Drink Me! way - just a weird kind of realisation. About the trap.

Don't want to babble much more as I am still processing it and I also recognise today is my 'danger' time. I have a slight fuzzy head feeling but not my usual day 2 headache. Odd.

Hi everyone newbie here

I'm 222 days alcohol free!

I was drinking a bottle of wine (at least) nearly every day for 10 years

I stopped last September after blood tests showed raised liver enzymes. A scan showed fatty liver but I honestly thought it would be cirrosis and too late for me.

I got through the first few weeks by having "exciting" soft drinks like cranberry and Fizzy water with ice.

I've started drinking becks blue.now and can honestly say I don't miss wine. It's amazing!

Gp has told me I can drink on occasion now but I really can't see the point. I don't want to so why would I?!

I sleep much better, lost lots of weight and have way more energy.
I can get out of bed when my alarm goes off.
I don't count.down until my DD goes to bed so I can.open the wine.
I still have nights out but I drive which is better than freezing my arsehole off waiting for a taxi.

Keep going guys it's gets easier and it's worth it

Massive well done on reaching the year milestone journey.

Brilliant phoenix, day one in the bag. First few days are always the hardest and unfortunately it seems common to have hungover/off type physical reactions the first little while. Hope you are feeling better now and coped ok tonight. Glad you got speaking to someone helpful.

What a nice even number chipshop All excellent advantages that I totally agree with.

Tomorrow I hit the 4 month mark, nearly forgot this month which is kind of an accomplishment in itself that I'm not counting time the way I used to. A new normal that seems to be flying in now.

Mood hasn't been great lately, reasons I can't specifically put my finger on. Lots of things but at least I know it's my own emotions and not caused by hormonal swings from booze and hangovers.

Had three invites to birthday parties next month and made excuses for not going to one of the booziest ones. I don't see the point in putting myself into the situation of a pub crawl. Maybe one day I can do it but right now I think I would struggle as it's bars, not somewhere I could go for a dance instead One of the others will also be a big drinking affair but as it's family I will have to suck up that one - and head home early if the mood takes me.

Off to bed to start my third book in the last week, on a Stephen King binge at the moment. Night everyone.

Morning all....

Inspired by your threads to check where I was and chuffed to see 150 days on my spreadsheet - woohoo!!

Triathlon training taking a little dent... ended up admitted to hospital on Monday night after peeing blood - nice

Seems it's a UTI that got carried away, but having just taken part in my ultra race the doctors (rightly) got a bit obsessed with that, despite me telling them I wasn't running...

Home now, and all seems to be on the mend, got some nice antibiotics

Taking things easier for now...

Interesting having to answer all the questions... do you smoke, do you drink..... explained to the first paramedic that I had been a heavy drinker but had quit, was asked 'so what are you, a recovering alcoholic? It was a little blunt, and perhaps a little insensitive, but I just told the first chap he could call it what he liked and answered the rest that no I didn't drink...

Day time telly sucks.....

Onwards

My dad was an alcoholic, I thought that would protect me as I was so aware of alcohol as a problem. I have reactive depression and had used alcohol to "cope" up to that point. I was able to give up for two/ three months. I am not meant to drink due to my medication but am. 9 cans of Stella from Friday to Sunday. This is my third sober day, onwards and upwards...

Hello all, hope everyone is ok today. I swerved the leftover wine on Sunday, sister in law took both half full bottles with her which was fine. I then threw myself into getting the house back in order after the holidays, being back at work and stripping the wallpaper off in my ds's room. Am now tired and aching!! In a bit of a danger zone I think - my 'reward' radar is on and I've just had to fight not to buy wine whilst doing the shopping. I'd love to go for a swim or something but no babysitting options. Am playing it forward in my head - the no sleep etc. I won't get any but it's hard .

Keep on keeping on I guess...

Hello everyone and welcome to the newbies. I remember you journeyon - congratulations on your soberversary !! I celebrated my year on 31 March x

Welcome mammysin

UTIs are horrendous BG, blood though, eek. Hope the anitibiotics have well and truly kicked in now. Body needs some well earned rest from the sounds of it, day time telly optional. Pompoms for the 150 days

Got myself a little 4 month treat.. drumroll... a new fridge freezer Yep living it up here. My old one was on it's last legs and I'm sadly excited at the prospect of being able to freeze all the things again.

Out to dinner later, alcohol is the furthest thing from my mind atm as I'm suffering badly with reflux past few days that my meds aren't even touching. So unfair when I haven't been drinking.

To the weekend sober lovelies

Was horrendous - I'll spare you the details.....#grim!! Course of antibiotics complete now and apart from feeling shattered I'm much better...

Treated myself to a new bike for the triathlon training and it's a bank holiday weekend, so gutted that I can't get out.... but I have to be healthy first.... online shopping for new bike kit taking a big hit so far!!! Oh dear.... but probably still less than I would have spent on drink over the same time period last year!

It's all relative!!

New fridge freezer sounds good... new anything is good!! We're all worthy of a treat! Regardless of what that treat actually is...

Trying to keep busy, without over doing things, it's tough!!!

Onwards

Hello....

Hope you're all surviving.....

Onwards

Yes, busy and sober and doing OK :)

Hi everyone,

sorry, I fell off the thread.

How are you all? I am day 2 today- I lapsed at the BH weekend because I was angry and I drank at DH. Srt of a 'fuck you. I'll do what I like, it's not as if you care!'. God I felt awful.... very sick about 2 drinks in, then a terrible sleep and paranoid.

I am back to AA this week also.

I was just angry with DH because he is crap at doing stuff with DS and I as a family. I try and arrange things and he pisses all over them - a day trip and he says it will be 'boring' or that DS will be 'a nightmare' (DS is on the spectrum and used to have meltdowns all the time, but now is capable of enjoying days out and going places if it is handled carefully- wich I am happy to do). I can't get DH to agree to come on a holiday, even a weekend away with us- despite the fact that he has a very specific and intense hobby that I have spent 15 years supporting and following him about for and putting my needs on the backburner... in fact, we have had one family holiday in 10 years in 2014. In 2015 and 2016 I took DS away by myself because DH just wanted to stay at home.

So i got angry and 'drank at him'. I realised (and I did not really understand this before) that I feel very isolated and alone in my life and I drink at that.

Yesterday was day 1 again and I felt so relieved to be back and alcohol-free. I felt awful over the weekend, and DH did not even know I was angry and so it was all me and eaten up inside of me.

Heavens this is a rant!

Yesterday I woke up feeling dreadful and took DS out to the cinema and did a few other things. I need to figure out how to talk to DH and get my thoughts and feelings across without him being defensive. He's a warm and loving father and husband, but he gets very absorbed in his own stuff to the absolute exclusion of all else.

Phew. There, it's all out.

How is everyone else? Sorry for a 'me me me ' post!

Another about me post. Sorry, need to get this out.

Got to day 4 - feeling so positive. Then my DP went MIA (it's a LDR) by the time tea time came around I was so anxious about him. And I thought fuck it.

Another row last night. I know I need to stop but I have to be a single mum, worry about my job meeting this week, bail him out financially. Oh and stop drinking with zero real life support. I have to do this to support him apparently.

He is as slow as molasses in January packing up his stock so that he can get here; he spends most of the day sleeping as far as I can tell.

I'm in a mess and it isn't stopping. He accuses me of not doing anything to stop drinking. Oh if only he knew the struggle that goes on every day in my head.

Oh Phoenix how are things this evening?

Hi phoenix and alice I am sorry you are both having such a tough time. 💐

phoenix would you consider speaking to your GP or another professional for some RL support ? I was terrified but in the end I referred myself to my local drugs and alcohol service. Is that s possibility for you ? Have you thought about meetings - AA or SMART Recovery ?

Morning all.

I was wondering about AA or SMART also for you phoenix. I know it is terrifying though at first. SMART does not work where I live (quite rural) and I was terrified of going to AA because again I am rural. I went to AA alot last year, and it was fine, and not scary at all. I mainly went to 2 meetings aweek...and I plan to go back this Friday. I did not get involved with finding a sponsor or the 'God stuff' I just sat and listened and had coffee afterwards with people. What struck me is that every single person i that room was so incredibly brave- and funny.

Day 3 for me after my bank holiday slip. I am so happy to 'be back'. Drinking scares me.

Onwards everyone.

Morning everyone.

How are things now phoenix?

Not much to report here. Weather has been brilliant so lots of pottering about the garden and park with the dc after dinner every night. The cravings hit yesterday afternoon - Friday, sun out, everyone in fb appeared to be drinking something cold and alcoholic. 'Luckily' I still have heartburn and waiting for my extra meds to kick in, knew it was a no-go. I'd end up just being in pain and sick.

Hope y'all have a lovely Saturday.

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is fine and had a good weekend. Mine was madly busy - I had a long chat with DH about how resentful I feel that he does not spend alot of time with us, but goes off and does his own thing.

Otherwise back to the routine this week. Sigh.

How is everyone?

Morning,

Back to the routine for sure....

Starting to feel a little evangelical, not sure I like it!! Or maybe just deciding I don't want to be around binge drinkers for now.... just trying to avoid any flashpoints or triggers, and to some extent, just avoiding the issue socially - feeling a little more sensitive about explaining why I chucked the booze, but also think I am being a little more honest with people... which I think reflects on how I am feeling about things generally. So yes, I chucked the booze, why? Because it was getting out of hand, and I needed to sort it.... 5 months ago I would never have said that in conversation, so maybe progress of a sort!!

Laundry, grocery shopping and cooking for late shift today, dull but necessary!!

KOKO, onwards x

Evening all.

Hi there BG.I think feeling a little evangelical is probably quite useful! I am still very consciously training my brain to think of booze as poison.

I have been watching anti-alcohol documentaries etc on youtube this week. Very useful once I get past the scary factor!

KOO, onwards. x

Yes, off to visit friends this weekend and warned them in advance that I am still off the booze - these historically have been very boozy weekends..... My friend said it will be weird to have me on the water... err, no different to when you were pregnant... and actually I won't be the excuse for overindulgence this weekend, but I am slightly worried about having to justify myself, and potential for a wee sneaky snide remark here and there...

Have you seen the Russell Brand documentary on addition? I stumbled on it on netflix and found it very interesting/informed/rational/sensible..... can't for the life of me remember what it was called though, which might be useful.....

Good old google:

Very slow shift tonight so far which is always a worry - chaos surely inevitable at 11pm!!!

Two types of chocolate milk in my fridge currently - L'Oreal!!

Morning BG hope the rest of your shift went well.

When DS and I were out at the weekend, I bought him chocolate milk and thought of you!

Thanks for the Russell Brand link- that is tonight's viewing sorted. I feel very grateful to be living in theinternet age and to have all these resources- and support!- at my figertips.

Hope the weekend goes well- no advice except take it one moment at a time and don't be shy to remove yourself if it gets too much.

Hope everyone has a great day. :)

KOKO.

Oh- my latest sober treat..... we are now eating at the table every night. Before I was always exhausted and we would slump in front of the tv. So I have just splurged a bit on lovely spring-themed table place-mats from John Lewis. :)

Hello all

I'm sorry I've not checked in. I'm not sure if things are better or worse. After 8 weeks of worry and anxiety about the meeting to resolve things at work; they cancelled it at the last minute. Because they didn't feel it would be beneficial for them.

I can't even begin to express how I feel, wretched. So so angry. How can they do this to me? Havn't they put me through enough already?

Yesterday, spoke to union rep and he's now going to negotiate my exit. So that's done. But I don't know if I feel better or worse.