DRY 18

[vxa2]

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

Very glad I decided to work tonight, by the time I get home I'll be too tired to do anything but sleep!

Tomorrow I couldn't drink anyway as I'm back to work on Sunday, so that's another hurdle over.

I'm still fighting in my mind as to why I don't want to drink, half of me knows exactly how bad I was and the other half seems able to ignore that.

Well done on how far you have come efc and for having the strength to put yourself first. Whilst I know it's easier said than done you are absolutely right to be prioritising whatever is necessary to not have that first drink right now. Did you make it to AA? ive never been but have thought about it sometimes.

georgina I'd imagine that conflict is very common - I experience it all the time. I used to smoke and when I was giving up pictured a nicotine monster in my tummy urging me to have a cigarette to feed him as he needed the nicotine to stay alive and my job was to kill him! Something like that may help to quieten that 'just one drink you don't have a problem' voice that I know all too well.

Morning !
Just popping in - busy but great few days away.
I used to feel the friday night pull but thats turned into happy sober enjoyable weekends and I relish the thought of all the things I can do without a banging head, feeling sick and utterly down and hating myself.
Set a new routine for friday nightsGeorgina a class? Or cinema maybe.
Good luck and hope everyone has a nice weekend

Happy fresh un-hungover Saturday everyone!

Georgina I've fallen foul to that internal voice all too often on previous attempts to stop drinking - it tells me that I overreacted in giving up drinking completely, and of course I should drink when I go out etc...the only way that has ever worked to quieten it down for me is to ignore it and most definitely NOT to drink, otherwise that old internal dialogue of when I should drink next, how much should I have etc etc stars up again and is never ending!

efc I've had 'issues' with one or 2 individuals who struggle with the idea of me not drinking, and seem to have a big problem with it, calling me a 'boring bitch' etc for not joining in. They soon get over it, or I just avoid them, it's clearly their own problem, nothing to do with us.

Hi everyone, nice sober weekend here- watching Netflix. Going take dogs out later and then get Chinese.

I didn't go to AA but I'm going to ring the helpline.

Love the mental image of a nicotine/alcohol monster- definitely needs killing.

Just checking in. Hi {waves}

After 53 days my app says I've saved $302. Obviously has no idea how much expensive wine I used to drink! Add to that the reduction in DH's consumption as his partner in crime has vanished and I think we're looking at well over £500.

Happy days indeed

Day 27 for me. I actually had a day yesterday when I didn't think about drinking...I only realised at about 11.30 that I hadn't consciously wanted a drink all day. That's a first!

Hi all, lovely to read all the messages!

I think I'll try that visualisation of alcohol as a monster - I gave up smoking in February so know all too well the cravings really.

I plan to try and use the time I would have been drinking to go to the gym, and to do some online courses.

If you think of the nights wasted drinking and the next day wasted on a hangover - I should have loads of time for self improvement

I'm pleased the first week is over with, last Saturday night was my turning point. It was the one that made me stop and think on what I was doing.

Never even thought about the money saved, that's another wee motivator. Thanks & well done to all!

cupoftea that's so motivating seeing savings like that.

most day to day I've stopped thinking about having a drink- for me its weekends/events.

georgina enjoy your extra time but don't be too hard on yourself that you need to fill it all the time with gym etc, it's ok to relax too.

I've had lovely weekend- really long lie in this morning up since I only drank pineapple juice last night, it was a refreshing sleep.

Enjoy your Sundays everyone.

EFC - weekends/events are the big issue for me as well. So I'm trying to keep busy with other things, arrange meet ups first thing in the morning with friends etc.

I've not told many people that I have problem with alcohol - so I'm having to make excuses for now. I think people think I'm pregnant!

Glad to hear you've had a nice weekend, it's so nice to feel refreshed!

Hi, hope it's ok to wander in.

I decided I needed to give up drinking on 28/7/17 when I woke up in a&e after way too much and downing a handful of tablets. Sober me wouldn't have taken them, and sober me wouldn't have smashed up my bedroom, or ran away from the hospital after being admitted, and have to be dragged back by my brother. I am utterly ashamed of myself

However..............I am now on day 10 of being alcohol free and so far so good. I am a little bit concerned at how easy it has been so far, and I'm expecting a big challenge to arise, probably this weekend coming at a wedding I am going to. Mind you, I am driving so should be ok.

I have wanted to drink, and have cursed Asda for not just having their alcohol in the alcohol aisles, but all around the bloody shop lol.

Hi original sounds like a very difficult time and well done on your 10days. Keep going one day at a time. There maybe hard days but don't worry about them for now. Have you seen the links at start of Dry 17- lots of support.

georgina I think for me it just had to be a no to some events- I am happier not drinking and I need to protect that.

Just checking in again to say hi, and offer some encouragement.

Quitting IS hard initially , because you THINK about alcohol so much. It can be hard physically, sweats, anxiety, poor sleep, - but these wear off after about 2 weeks. After that it really is just taking one day at a time. Visualise yourself with a Coke / water / AF beer ( I adore becks blue lemon) , plan how to excuse yourself and avoid people who will urge yo to have just one ...

Am now almost 17 months sober and my life is SO much better. I am now single, but so much less lonely than I was, I have lost that hideous shame and I am living an authentic life.

I hasn't happened immediately, and some parts are hard,. But now, honestly, I do not WANT to drink.

You can get there too ....

Lily xx🌷

Www.alcoholfree2016.com

I would echo what Lily said
The first days are hard but its finding new habits and avoiding those situations and people who will break your resolve.

Day 30 for me

Thank's efc, ill take a look at the links.

I have so much I need to sort out in my life, stuff that I have been avoiding by drinking my nights away, but like you say, I am going to take it all one step at a time.

lily thanks for posting your blog, I'm going to read it over next few days (and look for some becks blue lemon)

pink well done on day 30.

I'm tired after long day in work but didn't think of drinking when I got home- made cup of tea and stuck rubbish to on xx

Good morning everyone
I have been sober for 5 years. and it was tough at first. My husband still drinks but I have been able to keep myself focused on myself.
However, there was a huge family get together a few weeks ago. All of it simply drenched in booze. I stuck to soda water and lime cordial, chatted to everyone but by about 10pm, no one was making much snese, so I tottered off to bed and felt glad to wake up the next day clear headed etc.
Since then I have have had the MOST UNBELIEVABLE CRAVINGS.
I had to walk out of the drinks aisle at tescos as I had a mental image of myself grabbing a bottle of champagne and simpy glugging it. It was an intense physical wave that took such a hold on me. Walking past wine and drinks has never been a problem. I can be around people drinking and not feel the slightest wobble but this has taken me by surprise.
In my day, I thoroughly abused alcohol. It got me into the most awful predicaments and undermined my parenting at one point. There is nothing to miss but some part of me rose from the great beyond to mess with me.
I think its past but it was very scary

Hi lola
Family (maaaaajor issues!) can be triggery for me and so I already have an idea I might crave and so keep them arms length /plan/prep so I dont stumble.

I think our brains are hardwired by excess drinking and even off it for so long (congrats!) there is sometimes a switch back to default iyswim?
Ive been caught by it once after sell over a year sober.
Well done for getting through it

lola that sounds tough- maybe go back to when you first got sober and do what you did then to stop you drinking/craving.

I'm off to work now for the evening which is as good a sober tool as anything else!

Evening- kids and their friends are having a water fight in my garden. It's chaos but I'm calm and happy to drive everyone home later. Nice to be sober and in control (sort of!)

Everyone ok?

Hi everyone and thanks for dropping in again lily your posts are always motivational.

I'm back from our first family camping trip and more than survived it sober - can honestly say it was a better, truer, more enjoyable experience than if I'd been drinking - despite the cold and the wet!

I tried alcohol free lager - 2 small bottles an evening - for the first time and felt I was having a proper treat.

Camping aside after just 2 weeks I've got so much energy and the depressive, teary cloud thats been hanging over me has lifted. I'm laughing again! Eyes are brighter and whiter. Sleeping well. Happy!!

How are you doing georgina and nutty and any other newbies starting out. Well done in your month pink! And KOKO efc Thanks for all your help so far.

Hi all,

Still not had a drink! Don't feel particularly positive about this just now. Not sure why?
Perhaps because I'm struggling a bit tonight (what is it about the weekend?!)

Have been very busy with work, and lots of talk about having a nice glass of wine once home tonight so it's definitely in my head. I did tell all that I was off the drink, didn't go into any details, just made a passing comment that I wasn't really interested in it anymore & I was so pleased by how accepting everyone was of that. No one really reacted in any negative way which helped.

Glad to hear we're all doing well though!

I find this thread so helpful, just to have somewhere to put down whatever is in my head & to read about the experiences of others.

Thanks all!

pickle well done on the camping- hope you have warmed up. I sold our caravan last year, can't say I miss it much- like my warm bed.

georgia hope you are not struggling too much. Everyone in my work was talking about drinking tonight. I have nice soft drinks (coconut water) and pick n mix(not good but better than alcohol). I have also done the food shop and ran 5 miles since I got home, I have in the past just slumped with wine so pleased with myself tonight.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend planned. Football starts for me, I have a season ticket but I have never drank before,after or during football so that won't be a problem.

Thanks for your kind thoughts EFC - sounds like you're doing brilliantly!

I'm thinking of going to the shops for something nice, to satisfy that 'weekend treat' niggle, but I'm not 100% sure I wouldn't come back with a bottle so perhaps better I stay home!

Enjoy the football, love how positive you sound.

georgina hope you are ok? Did you go the shops? Maybe plan that treat for tomorrow?

I'm in bed in pjs, looking forward to a Saturday without a hangover.

Night everyone.