This is a place to motivate each other to control or stop drinking. It is also a place for non drinkers to discuss and share.
We welcome anyone who wishes to join in by asking for advice, sharing our experiences and stories, or just encouraging someone who is trying to quit or cut down.
Please post only when sober; you’re welcome to read in the meanwhile.
I'm not one of you (that might be obvious from my username). I just wanted to stop in and say the daily check-ins are inspiring. Y'all keep doing what you do (or don't do, as the case may be)!
I was a 'standard drinker' a couple of weeks ago. Every once in a while I'd browse All to see stats going around and I kept seeing these posts. At first I thought 'hm well good for them but it's not for me'. After a while I started to think 'maybe I should drink less'. Then I subscribed. Then I started commenting on these.
Now I have a festival today and all week I've been considering just going it completely sober. I might drink a couple of craft beers just for the taste but if they have alcohol free I'm going for that.
My point is that two months back I would have never considered going to this festival sober. I would have had drank too much, had had a crappy week after... The usual arguments.
Dude, that's awesome!
I will say it's for me, but not yet. I'm absolutely a self-medicating drunk and I'm not ready to deal with some shit. I'll get there when I'm ready. In the meantime I'll just keep being inspired and celebrating y'all's victories.
It's great to acknowledge that first step. And I think it really doesn't matter whether you keep up not drinking or whatever, just cutting back a little is a huge accomplishment and communities like these provide an enormous boost.
I hear you. Looking back, I was self-medicating my ADHD and when I stopped, I had no excuse not to seek that diagnosis. The thing about stopping drinking is it leaves you nowhere to hide from your own brain any more (weed isn't legal in the UK), so if you do stop drinking you need to have a plan in place for dealing with whatever comes up.
Oh man, I feel this in my soul, lol. Love having you here! You’re always welcome
I love it. I’ve been thinking about this and we already know what it’s like to drink and do things drunk. I’ve tried real hard when I have those inkling moments of “what if? What if I didn’t drink?” to go for it. It’s kind of exciting and I don’t think I have ever regretted it yet. Whatever happens man, good on you and it’s good to have you here
I’m so glad you are here. ❤️
I shall not imbibe with you today!
I will report back after the weekend. I have a traditional two-day festival this weekend. My goal is to take it really easy.
Nice, excited for your update!
Day 2 report (if anyone still cares at all):
Went to the festival quite early because one of the DJs opening is an acquaintance of us. First drink was a craft beer. After that, I did what I did yesterday. Having sodas in between and skipping rounds of drinks. All in all I've had four craft beers and one regular beer my friend errantly got for me.
This is just light buzz territory so still a welcome change from the way I usually left festivals. I am counting this a win.
There was a part of me that wouldn't have minded taking a small amount of drugs instead of drinking at all but in the end I think I am better off this way.
I care! And am happy to hear things went well and you kept control. Good on ya
Well day one report: I found the festival itself kind of disappointing as the Saturday is usually far too crowded. I started off with a low alcohol beer (0,5%) which tasted not too bad but definitely not good.
I had a couple of cokes after that, skipped a couple rounds of drinks here and there. Ate a vegetarian burger (I'm not really a vegetarian but the lines for the other places were just bonkers). Then I had two craft beers. Just got home (half an hour by bike on pitch dark cycling lanes) and finishing the night on the couch with a Crystal Clear.
Overall I found the thought of allowing myself two craft beers liberating. After the whole festival, I feel like I could have done without. I found not drinking today easier than I thought.
The only downside to me is that I lack the physical fitness to go wild while sober because I wouldn't make it two hours before I'd have to sit down for an hour.
Sounds like a success to me! You made a plan, stuck with it, and realized that you could have done without the beers. Well done!
Thanks! I'm just hoping tomorrow will be as easy.
I'm here.
I will join you!
I’m a little late because I did some crazy last night. I got tired, soooo…. I went to sleep! lol. I got in bed and decided to actually just put my phone on the charger instead of browsing till 3 am.
I will not drink with y’all!