Anyone else doing No-vember?

[notmyfirstrodeo]

Having decided to take a week off booze, after a good few years (a lifetime?) of too much, I'm now reading the 30 Day Experiment and aiming for 30. One day at a time. Anyone else starting out?

[Isinatra]

Welcome! I took it one day at a time for twenty years with the help of a twelve step program. The reason for one day at a time is to keep from being overwhelmed with the thought of long stretches of sobriety. The first time I thought of never drinking again,I said….no way can I do that. But here I am. Each day stretches in to weeks and on and on. So just take it One Day at a Time. 🍀

[notmyfirstrodeo in reply to Isinatra]

Many thanks for taking the time to reply. I have read many of your other posts on here, and hence picked up the 'one day at a time' mantra! ⌚ Much less intimidating.

Today I will weigh and photograph myself, as being overweight is a huge motivation for me. I don't know if there are other boards with more people on, but sharing in case helpful to others here 😊

[Dizzytwo in reply to notmyfirstrodeo]

Hi good luck, I'm sure you will do it. I don't know if there is another board on here to help with drink problems.

I believe the group that set up the original drink support group closed. But HU decided to keep this one going and renamed it because it was a popular forum at the time.

Unfortunately I think it left up to members to run it. So it's without a captain. There does not seem to be much input from the HU admin team I'm afraid.

Hopefully that will change in the near future 🤞🤞

Just to give you the heads up. If you wish to keep what you post to this community private you can lock your post.

It's not a rule but a personal choice.

Mo

[Isinatra in reply to Dizzytwo]

Thank you, Dizzytwo. ☺️

[notmyfirstrodeo in reply to Dizzytwo]

Thank you - happy to be open but thank you for the tip. It is appreciated, as is your support and info 👍 Glad I'm not just being dopey in missing another page. Small but perfectly formed community it is then

[Isinatra in reply to notmyfirstrodeo]

Good start for you. Alcohol can put a bit of weight on a person, especially over a long period of time. Depending on how much alcohol the body has been consuming and the length of time and when the alcohol (high carb) is taken away, some people experience a craving for sweets. The body has been geared to receiving the “fast energy” from alcohol. Not all experience it, though. Some people for a while give in to the sweets. It staves off the craving for alcohol. Eating well is important as well as slowly decreasing

your intake of carbs.. The craving for high carbs eventually wanes, weight loss begins. Some sort of moderate exercise is a mood booster, too. I was advised in my early attempts to stop drinking not to make a lot of lifestyle changes. Stress is a great incentive to drink. Keep it simple for a while and focus on dealing with the alcohol. Better health makes for better life outcomes.

As for finding another community in HealthUnlocked that addresses concerns with alcohol, well…..I’ve looked and I haven’t found one. The community that does address alcohol is British Liver Foundation for one. A lot of people with liver problems that shouldn’t be drinking, but do anyway. And a few other situations with alcohol. Not a lot of helpful or accurate information regarding alcohol. If you haven’t already, scroll down to the bottom of this page and click on Communities A to Z and look around. If you find something that peaks your interest, I wouldn’t mind if you private messaged me to let me know. I may have missed something in my own searches.

Thank you for sharing a part of your story. As you can see, this community isn’t slam jam packed with a lot of activity, so your engagement here is much welcomed. 🤝

[notmyfirstrodeo in reply to Isinatra]

Thank you! Some very wise advice about taking it steady. I do have a habit of being all or nothing in EVERYTHING. Last month I gave up smoking. This month booze. One step at a time. So I am very happy to give in to chocolate temporarily, and have a stash of full sugar lemonade in the house too, just in case😉🥤

Went for a swim tonight for the first time in YEARS! So am thrilled. Now for healthy dinner 🎉

[Callison]

Like you I did the 30 day experiment. I read lots - The unexpected joy of being sober, The naked mind twice. Googled One Year No Beer. All these will lead to further sites. Take it all in over and over and over.Seems that the definition of an addict is a person who can’t stop knowing the negative effects of their addiction be it drugs, alcohol, sex, shopping.

If you fail on your journey ie: drink then get up and start again. One day at a time, one step at a time.

I’ve done 30 days, 100 days. Last weekend we opened some wine. I didn’t enjoy it nor want it.

Suggested alternative drink fizzy water with lime juice.

I’ve joined U.K. Alcohol change and hope to inspire others to give up this alcohol culture.

😉

[Isinatra in reply to Callison]

Yes, addiction is continuing an action even with negative consequences. Alcohol is chemically addicting as well as emotional. Once an addict, be it alcohol or heroine, always an addict. When an addict stops using their drug of choice, they are in remission until the next time they use. Withdrawals from alcohol can kill a person. Less so with heroine. The challenge is staying in remission. I learned in my 20 years of sobriety that this type of addiction can’t be compared to sex or shopping. They don’t kill you, you don’t die from withdrawals, they respond well to therapy and and rarely completely destroy other peoples lives. Yes, I’m passionate about addiction. I’ve seen a lot of things I wish I had never seen due to it. Just be careful, my friends……💖

[notmyfirstrodeo in reply to Callison]

Thanks Callison for sharing your thoughts. I found The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober a bit...um...well not for me, I think. How did you find it?

Are you aiming to stay off booze for now/for a while? (If you don't mind me asking.)

I have very much enjoyed my week so far, and have energy ⚡⚡⚡hope the same for you 🙂

[Callison in reply to notmyfirstrodeo]

I came to The Unexpected Joy of being Sober first. I picked up the book at Luton airport so limited choice. I was beginning to question my alcohol intake. The Naked Mind by Annie Grace comes with more online support links.I mentioned the alcoholic definition as lots of heavy drinkers ask the question ‘Am I an alcoholic ‘ or say ‘I’m not an alcoholic ‘.

In whatever form it’s just ethanol.

After several months being free we opened a bottle this weekend and I really didn’t like it nor want it. I may have something at Christmas 🎄 but generally it’s not something I want to bring back in.

Ask the question ‘ Does this add anything to my life’?

Has it added anything positive to your life’?

Negative ? Hmmm... lots?

We never question this drinking culture and why we drink. The Naked Mind made me really question it.

😉

[Isinatra]

Meant to tell you. Your headline….very catchy. 👍🏼

[notmyfirstrodeo in reply to Isinatra]

My username or the thing about each month sorry? Next I will add a photo. Probably of something else I can quit 🤔😅

[Isinatra in reply to notmyfirstrodeo]

No…vember😁 Photo? 😂

[notmyfirstrodeo in reply to Isinatra]

Ahhhh! Thank you! And I meant a profile picture. Currently I am a purple blob. And I don't need or want to quit purple blobs just yet 😂😉

[Isinatra in reply to notmyfirstrodeo]

😂

[Hidden]

Hi again when I stopped drinking before I got non alcohol beer just the smell and opening it pouring it out help and my urge for comfort drink passed I also turned to sweets like a kid buying sweets and eating, it was during lockdown and I couldn't go swimming was more or less confined to the house, I went to AA and just one meeting helped they pray there it's very spiritual they pray for the members and I remember we got a lift first time off another member and she couldn't get parked usual place she stopped outside a pub called the angel I knew it was a sine not to go have drink 😊but that I was been guided it was very eye opening hearing the stories of people and so many were binge drinkers they hoped to be able to drink sensibly, sometimes I can but my concerns are when I can't I could risk harm even death, I fell backwards over my cat last year hurt my ribs badly was in agony for weeks still a weakness there now, good luck with your November, I find keeping busy helps and the swimming helps me sleep and it's very meditational so I'm glad you are a swimmer, a week of not going has set me back I didn't go as kids were off and it gets too full and there's been lot COVId in the local schools 🤗😺

[notmyfirstrodeo in reply to Hidden]

I did find myself dodging people in the pool, but it was still worth it! Hope you can get a swim sorted soon. I am not religious, personally, but glad to hear that you are comforted by your own faith. Hope it is also helping, in a difficult week.

[Hidden in reply to notmyfirstrodeo]

Thanks I'm swim at ten in morning with sister at present I'm.trynee sleep need chamomile tea but will wake my cat I had small glass wine watered earlier then got apetite, had one poured and left it I will sleep on tomorror night I'm feeling so much better with no alcoholic remorse it really effects my mood hope you sleep well 🤗🙀

[Isinatra in reply to Hidden]

In my over thirty years of attending and learning the twelve step program of AA has a member ever helped a person to continue drinking. AA is all about not drinking and helping people stop and stay stopped. Maybe in that one meeting you attended, you misunderstood the message. Unless I misunderstood and the place you went to wasn’t an AA sanctioned meeting. Your comment sounded like you were referring to AA.

[Hidden in reply to Isinatra]

Yes was AA people there had there stories to tell and some said hoped to be able to drink sensibly one day the last phone call I made about going to more local meeting I mentioned binge drinking and she said it is been recognised now as not alcoholism but a form of it and I am yet to believe there's a cure for binge other than if stress related to deal with the causes, which as people usually realise in the end they can't be trusted even if in good mood can binge so aim to stop, hoping to get some sleep when pixie wakes I'll have chamomile tea and I'm swimming tomorror so I'll be tired out and sleep well night night 🤗😺

[Isinatra in reply to Hidden]

Sorry, Mandy. AA in its true origins til this day, does not help people to continue drinking. Your meeting could not have been a sanctioned meeting. Sanctioned meaning the meeting has to abide by certain guidelines to advertise that it’s an AA meeting and participate in all AA activities. Conferences, district meetings and elections of district officials. To be included in an area meeting schedule,to send a representative to all area and district meetings. When a new meeting is formed, it has to register with the district chapter and follow AA guidelines. Members are elected to represent their area at a yearly conference that include representatives from all over the US. When possible, it’s the same world wide. Anybody can say they are an AA meeting, because there are no AA police. And because there are no police, usually AA members police themselves. They are of one mind, to help the suffering alcoholic get and stay sober. Whatever meeting you attended, I hope it helped you.

[notmyfirstrodeo]

A little update. Day twelve booze-free for me. Been swimming, have a lot of energy, sleeping amazingly well. Nothing much else to report, but all good news at least!! Hope all others doing OK on here.

[Isinatra in reply to notmyfirstrodeo]

No other news to report? What more news would anyone want to hear other than you’re doing well with not drinking? I can’t think of a thing. 😁🙏

[notmyfirstrodeo in reply to Isinatra]

Ah bless you! Day 17 today and first meal out with an OLD friend. A big test. Had three non-alco beers with dinner and ended up very bloated but no other I'll effects!! 👌👌👌Thanks for the support x

[Isinatra in reply to notmyfirstrodeo]

17 days! Even better. When I stopped drinking, I didn’t go for the fake stuff cause I was afraid it would make me want the real stuff. It would be playing Russian Roulette. I wouldn’t take that chance. .

[notmyfirstrodeo in reply to Isinatra]

Yes I had that worried about too. And worried the waiter might accidentally pour the wrong one. But each came in a bottle, so it reassured me as could check the label. But I actually really enjoyed it. I am not a fan of most fizzy drinks, so find substitutes really fizzy or really sweet.

[Isinatra in reply to notmyfirstrodeo]

Lol beer is pretty dang fuzzy, I mean, fizzy.

[Camper33]

Hi just wanted to know how you got on with 30 days AF, was it very hard and are you still off it

Thanks