DRY 18

[vxa2]

Link to old thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/2841743-DRY-17

Evening...

I'm missing the numb blackout today... I'm missing being able to drink away my problems, to slip into a comatose state rather than face reality... the problems are still there, in fact they are realler than ever without the booze! And today I am missing the escape from it all.

I'm not tempted to have a drink, and I know it def won't help - I guess I'm not missing the blackout so much as I am struggling to face up to my problems without my emotional crutch - terrified I will fall over with out it...

I think I am tried, I know I am tired... and moving house not helping, although I know long term it should help... physically leaving some issues behind, moving closer to my support network... but not all the problems are so easy to fix, even though I know what I should do, I'm not strong enough to do it all at once, and the sobriety has to take priority, because without that I'll never sort anything else out...

Apologies for the cryptic ramblings, 'problems' covers a multitude of sins, some I am happy to share, other not so much (and that's a problem in itself).... so thank you for listening, I need to try and sleep now, the alarm is set for 5am....

Onwards, counter culture forever x

237 days...

Hi there,

I am hoping I can join you all on your journey.

My drinking has been an issue for a while now, many different factors leading to me using it as a crutch at times to manage my stress.. over the 1st half of this year I was putting away a bottle of wine 3-4 times a week plus more on weekends.

I have managed to cut down and recently have not been drinking midweek but, I just can't say no at weekends and am taking it to the absolute limits.

On top of this I have started taking citalopram to help cope with my anxiety issues, I feel the alcohol has a heightened effect and I've began getting horrendous hangovers(sick, lethargic for days etc) it also seems to completely stop the effects of the ad's but for some reason I am STILL struggling to stop.

This is having such a negative effect on my life, i have to stop but I don't know how I will manage without the support.

Sorry for the long rambling post, I've. Even lurking so long and I finally felt ready to spill my guts xxx

Hello, now that I have found you, can I join?
I'm beginning to realise that I'm drinking too much and alone. I really need to stop. When I'm with non drinking persons I'm alright. It's in the evening, when I'm tired. I'm finding that a drink (or two or three) helps me unwind and when I've started I'm finding it difficult to stop. Haven't told anyone about this. I did well last week, then had visitors this week-end, you can imagine the rest.
Have stopped again this morning. One day at a time?
Will eventually be able to ramble on about the why and the when. Not ready yet...

Welcome !
Its a bit quiet in here at the moment but maybe now that Love Island is finished it might get back to normal.
This i s my second time here after a year AF I thought it wouldbe ok to just have one.
It w a snt a terrible relapse but I could feel that it would escalate again.
I got in lots of AF drinks and sna cks and changed my evening routine.
Also m y anxiety w a s much worse when drinking
You will be amazed at howmuch better you will feel in just a few days.

I'm back in here after a totally shit time with family stuff which caused me to decide to relapse. After many many months/nearly a year/ many months of AF I caved and drowned my not inconsiderable sorrows in the last few weeks. Bitterly regretting this and back on Day 1.

Well, made it 2 days!! Would usually be considering a midweek glass(bottle) by now.. crippled with anxiety yesterday but feeling a little better today.

Been back through all the past threads and must say I am feeling encouraged by all the success stories.

Good luck tonight everyone xx

Onward andupward seeds
I was so cross with myself when I relapsed after so long.
I kidded myself it would be ok but it wasnt and never will be so I just got back on the horse and am looking forward not back.

Thats fantastic Kirsts
Keeping occupied early evening and having plenty of af alternatives is key.
Night all

Hi everyone, sorry to hear you've had bad time seeds hope things are improving.

I'm plodding along, feel like there is alcohol everywhere, I know I feel better sober and for today I'm not drinking but struggling.

How is everyone else tonight?

Im ok ,still sober and not feeling so tired.
Have done a mindfullness app today which has helped.
Sorry to hear you are struggling efc
So true that alcohol is everywhere and so are the justifications for drinking .
Stay strong !

I'm still going (over 6 weeks now), just beginning to sleep better. Unlike most people I've spoken to, alcohol helped me to sleep well and since stopping I've really struggled to get to sleep and to stay asleep. Last night I slept from 10:45 til 5:50 and I feel so much better this morning! Fingers crossed that this continues. Other than being very tired I feel amazing :) My skin is awesome - everywhere! I love stroking my arms 😂 They feel so silky soft! I have no alcohol cravings but I haven't been particularly socially active - out with the girls on Friday so that might be a challenge but I think not as I have no desire whatsoever to drink.

Keep up the good work everyone, sorry to hear that some are finding it tough at the moment and I hope my cheery report isn't too grating. I am so happy that I'm not drinking! I feel fabulous, look better than I have for probably 15 years and am finding the real me; the one who has been hiding behind booze for the whole of my adult life.

Thanks pink I was fine in the end- had an early night.

I think last night it was like BG says upthread sometimes you just want to switch off- I'm not very happy in work but I decided last night I'm going to change that not mask it with alcohol.

cupoftea your post is great and it's lovely to hear the positives. Do your friends know you won't be drinking? Don't worry about it now but have a plan in place Friday to stay sober.

Hope everyone has a nice day.

I completely get the need to switch off - usually go to bed if its really bad as I know I would totally regret it if I did drink.
3 weeks for me and feeling really positive.
I do the same Cup my skin is amazing -for an old bird
have you been away? comments all week .
Keep on it everyone!

pink that's exactly what I did went to bed with a book. So glad not to be hungover today. And well done on 3 weeks.

Thanks efc
Have lost about 2kg so far and I cant believe how little Im spending-lots of positives in just 3 weeks
It would be more if I ditched the Magnums

Dunno how many days as it's been a few years since I drank last but I don't anymore as I don't like how I act when I drink, even small amounts. Prone to over reacting and could easily become violent (although have to say I never have, but I saw the warning signs there). So I just don't drink anymore. Makes me look odd as I am young, but I don't want to lose control and regret my actions.

Good luck to all of you for whatever reason you are quitting drinking. :)

Hi everyone

pink weight loss is great and even better the savings!

barbaro thanks for your post it's nice to see people making not drinking work. Can I ask, you say it's odd because you are young, do you still socialise and do you make up excuses as to why you don't drink? Any advice is helpful.

Off to work then planning swim and early night.

Have been sober 34 years, please try AA xxx

Hi everyone looking to join the thread please. I did over a year alcohol free but have had a major relapse. Feel so down and depressed about it and need to snap out of it and get back to feeling me again with no booze. Will catch up on the thread later but this is really just to put in writing that I'm not going to drink today.

Hi Pickle, well done for not drinking today and for coming and telling us about it.

I'm on day 20 and I won't be drinking today either.

efc1878 I used to just to shut people up basically because they couldnt accept I just didnt want to. Now I tell people and if they dont like the reason, I know they arent someone I want to spend my time with, so I just dont.

Thanks Most. Have felt very down today which i think is a combination of feeling bad about where I've got to with my drinking and not being able to top up the alcohol levels to get to 'normal' again. Just getting to the end of today as tomorrow will be better I'm sure! Have to remember to be kind to ourselves. Congratulations on your 20 days.

Hi Pickle, yes your body will definitely make you aware it's missing something! I've been eating quite a lot of sweet stuff which helps a bit (but not my waistline obviously!)
Good luck today, all you have to think about is not having that first drink.

Hi All

I really want to do this

I can't remember the last time I had an AF day. Years and years ago. I literally don't know where to start! Does it get easier? Are the first few days harder.. or is it always hard?

I don't drink during the day apart from weekends, and most weekends include so much alcohol I can't remember much the next day. It's horrible and it's making me feel so depressed

I'm also very non-productive which makes me feel worse. DP drinks too so I might ask him to do it with me. Not sure he'd want to though. I don't live with him during the week so those days might be easier

Do people find AF beer works?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm desperate to stop drinking but I'm scared (is that weird?)

Doing 100 days, a month in. Found AF beer has really helped win events, birthdays etc. And The occasional AF wine though I can't seem to find one that's not pretty awful. Any suggestions??