Hi 
I use the mental health team in the UK, its been ok so far, i hope you can get the support your needing from them 
Your weekend sounds like you had alot of fun, when i had like 8 yrs sober around year 3 i was out with everyone still, different crowd (more calm) and i was designated driver and i enjoyed it so yes your right it can be done.
This time around for me im already thinking about xmas day having some champagne and i can tell you it is just a thought as no one in my family drinks luckily and i can run the thought now through my head and find defense mechanisms so on the day i have already fantasised about it and taught myself to ignore it. So for me right now unless i need to be in a place where there is drink or substances its off the cards for me. But i know in the future when i get to the point in sobriety where i really know deep down i dont want a drink and im truly happy sober (everyone gets to this point at different timesand each sober stretch is different too) thats when il know im safe but at my age now im finding this time sober that doesnt seem like fun for me anymore but i can say i have had fun over the years so its not like I didnt get to experience it i just did it too much and never wanted to stop 
You’re so right - just because some people have trouble finding the right fit it doesn’t mean all the drugs are bad for everyone. Much like with antidepressants - the first ones I was on were TERRIBLE but the ones I’m on now seem to really help! Good to hear the good impacts too, thank you!
I think I was particularly unlucky with where I used to live, they were doing some restructuring around the time I was needing the most help. And then I got referred out of the service because I started some antidepressants and I didn’t have severe depression for two weeks, despite the fact I’d been struggling through CBT for the previous however many months. Not that I’m bitter about that or anything… 
And yes re going out and about, it is definitely easier now. I stopped drinking in 2018. Did go to a few boozy things in the first year but a lot of planning and effort required. Now it feels like such an obvious choice… Like why would I ruin a perfectly good evening with alcohol?! Not complacent, but definitely enjoying being in that place!
Trust me to just be laying across the sofa as i scroll through and read this
I have been out today litrally 5 min walk down the road from my house to get some soft cake for after dinner and to get out.
This is where they filmed part if the new marvals Eternals film,
Litrally the end of my road also full or tourists it gets so busy.
Just to chip in slightly…i saw a friend in Aldi today i was like hi Sarah…oh hi she says im just getting the munchy food in ready the hangover on Sunday! I laughed with her but straight away i thought…im so happy i dont have to deal with those anymore 
Oh my God 
looks like Hollywood crowds geez. What you have to go through for some cake lol
Dang Shy fx that’s wassup. ANDY C is going to be in l.a. my birthday weekend but I’m not going lol. Congratulations on youre accomplishments 
Timings would align, i.e. - I’d normally find myself heading out to drink from around lunchtime.
However, it’s just a strange sensation. I’ve had so many days over the duration of the last 2 & a bit months where I’ve been perfectly ok at that time of day. For some reason, I just suffered from really strong cravings yesterday.
Nevertheless, today is a new day & I’m feeling much better
Thats so typical as with depression we can be okay for a week or two or even a month and then boom it gets us and its so difficult when your not feeling that low to describe it or even want to think about it and tell someone when we feel okay/or think we are.
I find my depression hits and its like im stuck for approx 2 weeks then when i come out of it its like a light switch and im fine but i realise while i was down and sad and depressed the rest of the world was still going about their business it took a while for me to get used to this, and to try and still be able to keep up.
I know they are really backlogged near me i have been waiting to have councelling for 3 months (im not complaining) but if you find yourself really struggling i have walked into a&e and told them i feel like i cant cope and i live with my son who thinks im at an emergency dentist as i dont want to worry him, i wasnt a danger to myself and i expressed that and that im just struggling and so anxious and they got me councelling for 12 weeks straight away and pushed my mental health referral. I really was in a bad state and everything was too much but they were really gentle and kind and just want you to know if you ever need to that is an option and as i wasnt in danger i was okay to go home after a few hours. I found writing stuff down when i felt low helped when i had appointments but felt happy and fine to remind me and help describe what i was like.
I can actually remember being out dancing like feeling so confident in myself sober as i would of used to have had many drinks before i could even step in a place !! 2018 thats such nice sober time, around the same time i found myself able to go anywhere as i knew in my heart i didnt want a drink- really makes it easy when you get to that mind set i cant wait for that moment for it to click with me.
what i had to go through for some cake yep!!
I lost a two euro coin over there, care to help me find it back? 
Congratulations on your 4 years Wow!!
Amazing ! 
It’s funny how it reminds me of my own town while it’s really not like it at all… The water and the crowds maybe…
I do see what you mean i think yours is much better scenery though !
Im sure you posted a bridge before that i seen on youtube with divers clearing out the river and there where bikes in there i like watching stuff like that but i am sure it was the same place in amsterdam.
I like the pictures you post, i am starting to take some on my walks around now too.
Inwas going to go to the park today woth Polly my dog but its bonfire night tomorrow so tonight and tomorrow prob best not too, we get lots of kids doing them in he day and sometimes causing trouble. But il keep taking pics and il walk down the canal next week and get some more
Gratuliere Freundin! And yes, you are a super hero. Four years of persistence and steady work on making something better of yourself and building something better for yourself. Hugs and love your way. You are an inspiration.
Checking in on 50 days sober! I have the day off today. Going to do some baking and reading and maybe decorate for Christmas because I’m one of those people 
Wishing everyone a great sober day.
Hello all,
Checking in on Day 1,561.
God Bless!
Amazing Franzi! So great to walk this path with you 
Day 400
5:50pm
So glad today i got up and went for a walk for some cake to have this evening, done a few bits around the house and now its tv time while the lasagna cooks in the oven
Can feel anxiety trying to creep in with negative thoughts, not drinking just not good thoughts but tv should keep me out of my mind thinking too much.
Hope everyone is having a lovely day
Congratulations on your 50 days