The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living

Hi everyone. I am alcohol free for 35 days now and have been reading the posts in this forum for about 25 days. Although I am not typically one to share, I wanted to say thanks to those who do share, and who knows, maybe sharing will be good for me? So here goes.

I originally vowed to go alcohol free for the month of October (sober-tober) but now I plan to keep it going as long as I can (and hopefully indefinitely). I’d have to say that the second to third week were the hardest so far but I feel like now I’m past the mad cravings and moving forward. I’m also dieting – so double whammy – LOL.

I never drank when I was younger. I was always the “mother hen” and looked out for everyone when my brother had drinking parties at the house. When I turned 21 he took me out to the bar to celebrate and I got annihilated. Apparently I was downing tequila sunrises like they were water (not that I can remember though). Needless to say, I spent that night and the next day mostly in the bathroom and reaffirmed that I don’t like drinking.

Flash forward 30 years and who would guess I have to actively work to stop drinking alcohol. I became less social as I got older and then discovered that after a few drinks, I was a lot more fun than when I wasn’t drinking. And it progressed from there. As my better-half tells it, when it comes to drinking, I’m a “professional” (so is he by the way).

So there are a few challenges ahead. The on-going one is that my better half is still drinking so there will always be wine in the house. And the other is that this weekend we leave for Florida to visit his oldest daughter (who is quite the partier herself) and his brothers who we’ll be watching football with on Sunday. I’ve already declared myself the “designated driver” so I have a legitimate excuse to not drink while we’re away. How silly that I feel like I need to give folks an excuse as to why I’d rather have a seltzer than a glass of wine – but that’s how it is.

So, thanks everybody for this forum and for all of the encouraging stories !!

@stubbornloser, thank you for sharing the link to Belle Robertson's book. She writes with a clear "voice" and is quite inspiring. She reminded me that I DO indeed want to be AF, and like Clare Pooley, she underscores the obvious fact that Day One's are the hardest, so why keep having them rather than hanging in there and getting to the "good part."

I'm quite sure I'm older than most of the post-ers here. Don't want to assume, but I'm 63. It's just now that my drinking is starting to have odd little health implications that didn't arise during my forties or even fifties. Also, I have a step-sister-in-law who is 70 (Man, that seems OLD, but it's only a few years away for me). She has always looked like a model and literally turned heads when she walked into a restaurant or other public place. I don't know her that well, but I've always noticed that she eats practically nothing (thus the size 2 figure) but definitely enjoys her vodka or bourbon or whatever her regular drink is when I see her--usually after not seeing her for a few years. Her husband, my step-brother, just sent out a plea saying she needs a kidney transplant and is only staying alive by having dialysis 3 times a week. I don't want to be judgmental and assume drinking played a part in this, but my brain can't help recalling what I've observed.

I guess I'm saying this to say that if you are still in your twenties, thirties, forties, or fifties, be thankful that you're attacking this now. Like our friend kelly (can't remember the rest of his handle) who stopped drinking at 61, I feel like I've been given a chance to save myself and look forward to being active well into the next few decades. But going AF at a younger age would have been far better. So maybe that can provide a little extra inspiration if you're struggling.

Y'all are going to be sorry I'm not just "lurking" any more. Sorry for the long post. Have a great day!

donimfp wrote: »

@stubbornloser, thank you for sharing the link to Belle Robertson's book. She writes with a clear "voice" and is quite inspiring. She reminded me that I DO indeed want to be AF, and like Clare Pooley, she underscores the obvious fact that Day One's are the hardest, so why keep having them rather than hanging in there and getting to the "good part."

Yes!! That really hit home with me too!

donimfp wrote: »

I guess I'm saying this to say that if you are still in your twenties, thirties, forties, or fifties, be thankful that you're attacking this now. Like our friend kelly (can't remember the rest of his handle) who stopped drinking at 61, I feel like I've been given a chance to save myself and look forward to being active well into the next few decades. But going AF at a younger age would have been far better. So maybe that can provide a little extra inspiration if you're struggling.

I'm 46 and wish I had of clued in to how booze was slowly trying to take over 10 years ago. Better now than never