BRAVE BABES - the bus keeps trundling on...

[venusandmars]

We filled up the last thread, but never fear, we're always here!

Whatever your issue with drinking, whether you just want some encouragement with dry January or whether you've reached your rock bottom and need to quit. Everyone is welcome. You'll find support, encouragement, help. You'll find lots of understanding folks, who won't minimise your problem but who will never judge you. Never judging, never minimising our problems.

If you want to catch up, our last thread is HERE

And if you want to follow everything from the start, the very first thread from almost 11 years ago is RIGHT HERE

You can join in anytime. Everyone is welcome. Whether you are trying to cut down, abstain completely , or are simply acknowledging that you might have a problem... Post what you want.

[spanna41]

venus thank you for setting up a fresh new thread phew 😊

Happy Sunday All x

[Slingsanderrors]

Thanks Venus. I’m lurking as usual.

[Therainisback]

Thanks Venus - I've no idea how to set up a new thread, so get glad you were keeping an eye on us.
On day 10 now, going ok until witching hour, but so far have managed to beat her. Taking make-up off is a good way of avoiding the shop of an evening if you're wrinkly and vain like me

[SmallFox]

Phew - I got you’re panicky for a moment there, when there wasn’t a thread. Thanks, Venus. Cold and grey outside, snuggled down with the dog, fire and a fake g&t. Could be worse.

[beachestoexplore]

Thanks for the new thread Venus

I am with youtherain on day 10, well done us . Perhaps this week I may try a few less of the surgery treats but as long as I stay away from the wine the diet is number 2 priority.

A few suspect dreams which I think are a direct result of watching the Serpent - pretty bloody sinister but great 70’s fashion!

Off for a walk with the mutt. Take care all xx

[venusandmars]

beaches intrigued to know what your "surgery treats" are Makes me think of Silence of the Lambs!

[beachestoexplore]

Ha! What would a surgery treat be? I meant sugary.

[dementedma]

Day 10 done but struggled today and have been snacking on sweet things all day! Shouldn’t have made flapjacks either, but no doubt they won’t last long to tempt me with DS in the house!

[MintToBee]

There you all are!!
Its been -7° and snow and ice round these parts. Raining now.
Fed up with 2021 already and fed up with stuffing my face with chocolate to try and get over it.
How is everyone? Any yellow opal fruits for me in the bag? 🙄

[Therainisback]

Oh bloody chocolate! No wonder I can't lose weight when I'm scoffing all of my wine calories in Christmas chocs instead.
Well one Beaches & Ma.

[Therainisback]

Sorry - my crap proofreading. Well done not well one

[chitofftheshovel]

Found you all!!
Still trying not to count the days but counted back to figure out how much money I’ve saved - £255 roughly over 15 days. Puts the level I was drinking at into perspective somewhat.
Hogmanay was the toughest evening so far, I was madly googling open shops and booze delivery at 10.30pm...felt half-crazed with the longing. Since then I’ve actually found it relatively easy, one day at a time and all that.
The night sweats though...I’m like a melted bloody snowman every night. Anyone else experiencing this charming side effect? And how long can it be expected to last?

[Craftycorvid]

Thanks for the shiny new thread! Waves! .

[Therainisback]

Day 13 here. Struggled this week, in fact have found it trickier than week 1. No idea why, but hanging on. Cured last night's craving with Turkish delight ( I'll be glad when the Christmas chocolate stash had gone).
Hope you're all ok.

[Craftycorvid]

Well done Therainisback - 13 days is great. I think it’s the point I got to and realised something had changed, having got to an awful lot of days 3 and stalled. Craving sweet stuff is completely normal too - alcohol contains a lot of sugar and you’ve interrupted the supply.

[venusandmars]

therain Is there a particular time of day, or location, or other trigger? I find early evening making dinner the hardest so I plan for it. I have ice cold soda in the fridge, I have lime wedges, I have Angostura bitters, I have a nice glass and lots of ice, so I'm cooking / prepping food with a drink already in my hand. Alternatively I make dinner in the morning - a big one pot shepherd's pie, and then just pop it in the oven at dinner time without having to linger in the kitchen.

[Therainisback]

Venus trigger time is after tea, usually about 8 p.m. My normal drinking pattern is to pour a drink once I've done all the chores and can sit down & relax. Interestingly when I ride it out, it passes after about 1/2 an hour. Who knew! I downloaded some sober books & promised myself I'd pick up some self-contained craft projects, but so far I've justified in mumsnet

[WatershipGolum]

I drank 1.5 bottles of wine last night

Ugh, I really need to stop this.

[Therainisback]

Are you ok Watership. Take it 1 minute at a time.

[TheSilly]

I'm ok, thank you.

Dry January app is now downloaded to try and hold myself accountable.

Alcohol is so pointless isn't it. You feel and look like shit the next day.

[TheSilly]

(I name changed)

[Therainisback]

Tell me about it! I have promised myself "never again" so many times. I'm sure someone wiser will be along soon.

[venusandmars]

I read somewhere recently about a 24 hour theory, where you feel a craving 24 hours after you started drinking the day before, and that if you can get through that, then it's easier the next day.

Don't know if it's true but might help you get through today silly

therain anything that engages your hands and your brain is great - crochet, jigsaws (online jigsaws), sudoko, writing, painting, DIY...

[Therainisback]

Thanks Venus, my post should have said half finished - no idea how it auto corrected to self-contained
Yes I have knitting, cross stitch & a rag rug on the go ( none of which has been touched for about a year).
Had a little meltdown 1/2 an hour ago, but told myself off, got a 0% beer & I'm ok now - well still feeling very grumpy but safe for tonight.

[venusandmars]

Grumpy now, perhaps. But nothing like as pissed off as you'd feel in the morning if you had given in.

A wee bit grumpy (even a big bit grumpy) tonight VERSUS a hangover and feeling massively disappointed tomorrow morning... Easy choice!