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

I'm gluten free and there's a really good AF and GF lager called Ambar. It really tastes like the real deal . if that helps try it or any other AF drink! I went totally dry for 60 days with no AF substitutes , but whatever helps you stay sober is fine even in the early days of sobriety.

Thanks seedsofchange, Ambar is what I found online as well -I ordered a case of it since nobody sells it around here. 60 days AF is really impressive...hoping my willpower will get me through to the end of the month. I'm finding so far going AF that I'm craving more food of an evening, so hoping I won't put on weight. No doubt I'm saving calories from going AF, but I don't want to start an eating habit.

Hey all and welcome littlebear and tinkerx Hope everyone is good and this Thursday finds you well?

I wouldn't worry too much about food atm tinker, do what you need to stay off the booze. You're body's used to the sugar from wine in the evening which is why a lot of us crave sugary stuff in the early days. Yes, my skin went awful for a while too but it did get better.

The not being able to stop is very, very familar to me littlebear. Did you make your gym class?

Is it this weekend your relatives are here Alice, it sounds very stressful indeed. Wishing you the best of luck.

Not much happening here at all. Mood hasn't been great as I'm still suffering from a problem which my meds aren't helping with. Feel like it's been one thing after another health wise the last while and I'm fed up with it.

One positive thing is despite really wanting a drink, I know it would murder me and not worth it. Making me totally overhaul my diet too - no caffeine from the person who had 3/4 strong coffees before I even left the house and more during the day, plant based and hardly any junk. I don't know who this person is anymore

Testing next couple of weeks. Two significant birthdays coming up and a few big parties to go with it, one of which I know will be a very boozy affair.

Same here! Huge overhaul in food and drink intake and also exercise :)

alice was just thinking about you... I hope your weekend goes ok, you know there's always someone one here for some moral support, or even just to vent.....

Feeling a little scunnered today - still so run down, full of the cold, skin an absolute mess and diet out the window... hanging onto the fact I am still sober, but hoping the rest will come together soon... it's been five months.... I guess these things all take time, one thing at a time etc, but just fed up being run down and not able to train properly... (rant over)

Onwards - counter culture = the future......

Hi Burntnorton

It sounds as though you've had a real time of it with your health in addition to everything else going on for you lately. Having only recently joined this thread and read through everyones posts in a short space of time, its been an inspiration seeing the small positives creeping through for everyone throughout time. There have been setbacks and temptations along the way but the best of our intentions and support for each other can help us stay strong and get through this.

I've not had a great time the last few years, and this did not help with cutting back on alcohol at all. There have been times I've been scared to cut back in case I experienced withdrawal on an already tough week. I knew I was having way too much and on occasion I would feel ashamed I'd finished a bottle and took it down the recycling bank in the hope nobody noticed it in the rubbish. I've experienced 3 years of chronic pain due to a spine problem, lost a parent and close family member and experienced real bullying at work from a senior manager. In trying to help a close friend of the family we inadvertently brought trouble on ourselves when completely unfounded rumours were spread about my husband to get back at us. Thankfully a Police intervention made sure the rumors were stopped, but it has been so stressful worrying what people still think about us, and if they will ever think there is truth in rumor

Some positive changes are happening now which is why I think now is as good a time as any to cut back. Whilst it won't get much better without an op, my pain management is going well, and I've got back to swimming. I'm still in the same job but have had a new boss since before Christmas. I've never had such a fair and supportive manager. My youngest is 7 and is absolutely hilarious, wonderful at helping me stay strong.

My husband poured a glass of wine for me last night, but when I reminded him I was in week 2 of AF and declined, the look on his face was hilarious. He forced himself to finish it, and so the rest of the bottle of wine lasted the night in the kitchen. It is still there this morning with just his glass missing. I felt that was a small win last night. Hoping I canbehave this weekend. I have a distraction planned for this evening and Saturday although Sunday I will be on my own during the day...danger time for me.

Feeling relieved I planned a distraction for this evening in advance and agreed to go to a class with a friend so I won't drink before and will be too tired to after. I'm having the kind of Friday where I would normally get through the door and open some wine - parking up on the sofa all evening.nothing else would do. My best willpower required when I get home later

Get a nice AF treat for yourself lined up for when you get home tinkerx. Unfortunately you're in good company here with the chronic pain from the back, there are several of us about. Sounds like a tough few years you have had and sorry about the loss of your parent

I've had those worries about withdrawal to the point of full scale panic attacks the next day and the sneaking of empty bottles. Yuck, don't miss them one jot. Glad to hear your pain management is working and you're able to go swimming. Exercise helps so much mentally and filling some time.

High five to the healthy overhaul seeds

Sorry you feel so pants BG, is this you still from the aftermath of the event and infection? You're doing the best thing for your health taking it easy and not training even though it's bloody hard. I inwardly shriek in horror at people who train hard when they're really ill. Distance runner dad always had it drummed into me to rest as it can be dangerous in certain cases.

Was a beautiful day here today and I think the vitamin D has helped my mood a little Looking forward to a lie in tomorrow and not having to fight to get the dc up for school!

Littlebear - I hear you. That sounds like my drinking. Most done out of the home, and when I start all bets are off as to when I stop. Often getting far drunker than planned. Getting drunk affected my relationships with loved ones. I was always baffled by my own behaviour. I didn't drink everyday so never thought in was an alcoholic. However that's exactly what i am. And for me that meant changing what I do. I couldn't think myself into sobriety, so needed to take action. The problem is my alcoholism told me I didn't need to get help. The fact is that I couldn't regulate the amount I was drinking and was unable to start off the drink altogether, so has to get help. Iam glad I got help before things got even worse. Don't leave it until you have lost your family. Good luck

Hi ladies, I hope your weekends went well and you managed to see some sunshine during the weekend. We were at a family birthday celebration on Saturday. I gave into pressure and slowly as possible sipped at a glass of prosecco. It was just the one, but I was so annoyed because the pressure to accept the glass and finish it was from the family ...aren't they supposed to be helping me? I've stayed AF other than that. Once again, there is a wine bottle open in the kitchen, but I,ve not been near it. Danger time for me will be later this eve...feeling bad about Saturday, dreading work tomorrow, and still getting sugar cravings in the evening since going AF. I may turn in very early and if I can get to sleep I won't need to think about eating or drinking anything ellse today.

Hi can I join please. I made an appointment this morning to see gp talk and finally admit I have a problem. I'm sitting in my gps waiting room in next to be called. I'm scared but I'm going to take this step because I've tried and failed many times to kick the habit on my own. It always ends up just one drink then it just snowballs. I want the control back. I have not had a drink since Friday. I hope this time of the gp is helpful I can be more positive I can do this.

yellow I hope you got the support from your GP... it is scary, I was in exactly the same position almost six months ago... bricking it!!

I personally didn't find my GP overly supportive, although not sure what I expected, but the act of making the appointment and saying it out loud was enough of a kick start for me to take control of my problem drinking!

And you're on here saying it out loud, and you're at the GPs saying it out loud - and that is one of the hardest, and bravest, things to do... congratulations on taking the first steps, and on being sober since Friday - these are huge steps in a great direction!

BGJ43 thank you. It was terrifying, I sobbed all the way through it while I poured it all out. She was kind and listened. Im not sure what I expected either! Just being about to spill it all out and have someone listen has helped me no end . She has referred me to an Alcohol Liaison nurse. Assured me she was really lovely and will help as long as I engage with her. Put a plan in place when I get to see her then my gp has made an appointment to go back to see her in 3 weeks to see if I would benefit from antibiotics for my depression, sleep problems and anxiety or will that begin to change when I'm not drinking. Congrats on being 5 months sober, sorry your feeling run down. I've not read the whole thread but I'm going to over the next while to see what others have experienced.

Welcome YellowPaisley - how brave have you been today? Amazingly so. I'm so glad your GP listened to you, and that you feel better for seeing them. It sounds as though you have more support on the way. I joined this thread two weeks ago and read through all the posts like you say you will. I really think reading it has helped me so much. It is a comfort and reassurance to me to know I am not the only one going through this and that we can offer words of support to each other. As an addition to any other support we are getting I'm positive this thread is helping -we can get there together ladies Xxx

tinkersx5 thank you. I have to say I am struggling tonight though. What started out as quite a productive, positive day. Turned out to be a bit chaotic. My mood by the evening was not good. I have wine in but I've not touched it. I need to get rid of all the booze in the house so the temptation is not there. It's the insomnia that is grinding me down. I've just tossed and turned and lay awake for the last 2 nights any time I do manage to sleep it's vivid dreams or nightmares. I am looking forward to the Alcohol liaison officer, it's tough doing it on your own I've tried and failed miserably many times. I've only had time to read a couple of your posts. Your doing well. Sipping one glass of prosseco isn't the end of the world. Don't be hard on yourself xx

Hi YellowPaisley In the past I was a much heavier drinker and I dreaded cutting down whenever I tried because I knew how hard the first few days and nights would be...the broken sleep, mood swings and anxiety aren't nice. It is such a hard time. You took an enormous step today and should be very proud of yourself. Do you know how long it will be before you see the AL nurse?

Tinkerx5 I had the worst withdrawals of my life on Saturday, each time I stopped after a binge is day never again but I'd get through it and then 'forget' how bad it was and think just one. But of course it's never just one. I'm not entirely sure when I will see the AL nurse. My next GP appointment is in 3 weeks and she hoped I would have been seen by then. The clinic is also a walk in clinic which I only discovered today after googling the nurse for the area and the website says for self referrals your care will start within 2 weeks of referral. So I'll see how I go and if I'm don't hear from her sooner rather than later and I'm struggling I'll self refer aswell. I've just checked out the tiredofthinkingaboutdrinking.com website and that's helped tonight to refocus on what I'm doing so I'm now in bed happy I only have 30 mins left until I start day 4 AF. Do you find yourself sleeping better, less anxious and moody in the two weeks since you joined here?

Sorry I should learn to proof read, I'm notoriously bad for not doing it, sober or not!

Good Morning YellowPaisley. I'm definitely less anxious and moody, but as for the sleeping...I am sleeping now but even though I have been sleeping heavily for about 4 nights now, since it is close to 3 weeks this time giving up, I'm still feeling unbelievably tired and low every morning. I guess my body is trying to take advantage of the rest. I find shopping hard...not going to the alcohol section when I'm getting the shopping in seems alien - like I'm really forgetting something. Last Wednesday I did an online shop to curb this. Planning in advance meant I couldn't give in last minute. I then went to thr market at yhe weekend for the veg. Drink is still calling me every day...just one to get me through, but I know if I give in. In answer to your question, yes I think this thread is helping me because I am no longer just telling myself I am giving up, and then cutting down for good. I haven't found my husband that supportive TBH, then again I have never been honest with him about exactly how much alcohol I was drinking in the past, which I feel very guilty about.

Morning all...

Body still fighting off the lurgy, just so very run down... but no one can say I'm not trying - probiotics, vitamins and iron, fresh orange...

Trying not to overthink it, but finding it hard with no training in the bag for my triathlon... but, and it's not an insignificant but, I have to be healthy first...

So maybe some yoga this week, a weekend away where I will have the luxury/option to do very little and chill out and see where I am then...

Hangover (sic) from visit to my friends is I have a nagging feeling about my holiday in September regarding drink. Seems so ridiculous - it's months away.... but the thought of 'enjoying' a glass of wine whilst away seems to be really eating away at me for now... what is it about bloody alcohol that gets so under our skin? Because in real terms it doesn't matter a flipping jot whether I'm sitting on a balcony in France enjoying a glass of wine, or if I'm sitting on a balcony enjoying a glass of flipping orangina..... it's about France, its about spending time with someone special, it's about the balcony and all I can think about is a bloody glass of wine, that I don't need....

Just tired I think, tired to my bones....

Perhaps I have a chocolate milk deficiency??

Onwards to the counter culture capital....

BGJ43 - sorry to hear the lurgy is still wiping you out - keep eating up all the good stuff...it can seem like it takes an age for these things to go away and they are meant to make them more short lived. I had to pop to the supermarket on the way home today. I found myself in the wines and spirits aisle looking for ...something...WHY??? I was so close to leaving with a bottle of ...saying to myself I would buy it to prove I didn't need it and wouldn't open it only to get myself a drink??? Just about managed to snap myself out of it and walk away. I am more than unnerved I still found such a pull to the wines and spirits. I'm going to keep up with doing an online shop for a while longer so I don't get tempted for a bit. I'll get veg from the local market again this weekend. It has been a difficult long day and night here - I live and work in Manchester, and it's been a tough day today.

Hi, BGJ43 yoga and a weekend away sounds like a good plan to me. I quite fancy that myself! I know what you mean about thinking about having a glass of wine when your away, I let my brain run away with me today thinking about the events over the coming weeks and months and at the moment I'm struggling to get my head around how they will be because for the last ten years alcohol went hand in hand with everything. Your right it doesn't matter a jot, Your going to France to enjoy France not going to France to have a glass of red wine. I'm interested in the cheese in France, yum!

tinkerx5 well done on snapping yourself out of it, you should be very proud. You did prove to yourself you don't need to drink it and you didn't waste any money doing it. On a day like today, I can't imagine how stressful, terrifying and surreal it must be in Manchester today . I'm way up in the North West of Scotland and I've been glued to sky news all night. One of the girls that is unaccounted for doesn't live too far away from my area. It's just awful.

I've had a fairly decent day, I down loaded Headspace app last night and listened before I went to bed. I slept, I couldn't believe it! Listened again earlier when I was finding it hard and it worked wonders or my anxiety so that's another tool under my belt!

I rang my friend tonight and told her about going to the gp and referral to AL nurse and she was supportive so that was another step. I also told my DP ( we don't live together) he's away at the moment so I didn't go into too much detail just that I was going to stop drinking and he thought I was joking, not in a malicious way, I've hidden it from him better than I thought. He's back next week, I'll sit down and talk him through it then.

I'm away to make a cuppa and head to bed. Day 5 tomorrow.

Of course cheese........

Which app are people using for headspace - I searched the apple App Store for "headspace" but nothing called that exactly......

Prepared to try pretty much anything to get healthy again!!

TIA

I haven't had opportunity to use it yet but mant thanks for the info YellowPaisley. BGJ43 I downloaded Headspace via Google Play store on my S5. I searched for Headspace free download. I forgot my headphones, so will have to wait till later to try it.

I'm so glad to hear you had a great night of sleep YellowPaisley. Hopefully a few more like that will make a big difference for you.