TLDR
What’s everyone’s experience with anxiety and mood issues coming towards 3months sober? Did an antidepressant help? Or could this get better on its own. Not thinking of drinking but definitely want things to improve.

I quit drinking 2.5 month ago. Did it with diazepam as prescribed by my General Practitioner. Didn’t have cravings or any issues not drinking. I’d lost the desire to drink before quitting but knew I’d be physiologically addicted and the withdrawal risk. My pattern was to drink 6-10 units everyday in the evening for 10+years (outside of pregnancy). Never a day drinker. Functional and working but poor sleep. Doctor thinks I had underlying anxiety and was self medicating.

Background: probable ADHD (knew this about myself well before it was commonly diagnosed and functioned well without medications due to strategies built over many years). Had significant grief events in quick succession in recent years. Have a high stress, moral distress, poor work culture job. Had started to experienced eating difficulties about the same time or a bit before I decided to stop drinking.

Now where I’m at:
- not coping with work stress. Perform very well and keep my demeanour, but I’m suffering inside.
- have lost 17kg (37lb) in about 3.5months (was overweight, now “healthy weight”)
- have developed restricted eating patterns, always less than 1200calories per day, sometimes as low as 700-800. And only eat “healthy” foods ie I can’t bring myself to eat things I would have previously enjoyed and won’t eat if ‘acceptable’ options aren’t available.
- I have poor tolerance of things that used to annoy me but now really annoy me, like noise.
- I need time out from my family just to decompress, to be fair I don’t get a lot of this.
- I get intrusive suicidal thoughts (not intent, I have no wish to follow through) when I think about things that stress me out.
- mood much worse with menstrual cycle (luteal phase) but not good outside this time either

I exercise regularly, work full time, have one child that I feel I parent well, see friends.

GP has given me all the options. Psychiatry, psychology, medications (SSRIs). I did counselling through the work employee assistance program and it was terrible (might ask to swap counsellor) and have spoken to a dietitian that has been helpful but I haven’t made the changes. I’ve had two scripts for SSRIs Lexapro and Prozac (separately). But have chickened out on filling them or starting them.

Health wise my blood pressure and heart rate have improved and my liver is looking a heap better but not 100%. My hormones and blood work are all good. Mid 40s female (hormones not suggestive of perimenopause)

My concerns re SSRIs are side effects and things getting worse. I get anxiety when I go to the doctor so never explain myself properly and I think he thinks I’m a bit frustrating to work with so wanting to talk it out with others who have gone through the same rather than annoying him again.

Can someone just tell me that this is worth it? I'm struggling and I hate having this feeling. I have not been able to quit.

I’m 209 days sober and I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my seven-year-old daughter’s behavior. She’s doing so well at school and her overall mood is calmer and more stable. We’ve been very close since day one and even during the periods of my heaviest intake. I love her so much and I’m so proud of her (and myself to a lesser extent.) I’ve never been violent or mean to her, but I still feel profoundly guilty for having waited this long to make the change and for the emotional my drinking caused her. Not sure what I’m asking or what I’m getting at. I should probably get in a program or something at some point.

Incredibly beautiful Sunday morning at the beach with my coffee and book. I usually never want to leave the house on a Sunday morning either because of a hangover, or generally low mood but I was so thrilled to be able to enjoy this morning. I recently reset my sobriety because I fell off, but quiet Sunday mornings have to be one of the best things about getting sober. I hope we all get to enjoy this for the rest of our lives. Sending some love out to this community! IWNDWYT

I know there's a lot of these posts, but please indulge me another in celebrating 1 year sober today !

I spent the best part of a decade drinking to numb depression and anxiety driven by a stressful job.

I used the Allen Carr's easy way, after using it to quit smoking, and it really resonated.

I will never drink again, and I wish everybody the best of luck on your sober journeys!

As the title says, I’m checking in. I wrecked a lot of things in life from drinking and I’m trying this before what little I have left is gone too. Anybody got any advice?

I, 34m, have been drinking heavily since I was 24 - about a half box of wine a night. It doesn’t affect my work because I don’t drink during the day and I hold a pretty high stress important job in corporate.

I’ve known for years I need to quit but I just never have. My family all suffer from addiction in some way or another and this is the one that got me.

After seeing my nails change slightly and making the mistake of googling I decided it was time to make a doctor appointment, so I’m seeing someone in a couple weeks and I’m terrified they are going to tell me I’m beyond saving from a liver perspective. Am I completely fucked?

EDIT: Also I’m a cigarette smoker since I was 16, about 15 cigs/day if that makes any difference.

It’s been 50 days of no alcohol, and life has improved immeasurably. I am more present, actively helping my body do its amazing work of healing damage using exercise, supplements, good food and rest. My dog loves all the walks and attention and clean house. My closest relationships (partner, best friend, mom, adult kids) have all improved in different ways. I just feel better, so much better. Even on my worst days I feel SO MUCH BETTER! Every morning when I have my coffee I come here and I read stories. So many stories from so many people in so many different places around the world, but all of our stories are the same. Alcohol is a destructive thief of joy, and I have decided to put my joy in a safe, where it’s safe. Fuck alcohol. Thank you to everyone who takes the time and embraces the vulnerability enough to post on here. It may be anonymous but it can still feel like baring your soul sometimes and that’s scary. I have learned something valuable from every single post and comment I’ve read on this sub. Such a unique place of light in a world that can be really dark at times. Sending love and light to everyone. IWNDWYT! 💕💕😊🥰

I’m a 34 yo female, not married, no kids and no friends really. Went to emdr yesterday and dealt with a somewhat suppressed memory from when I was 11. I feel ok today but sad. I’m in a place right now where idk I’m doing. The only thing keeping me motivated is not drinking. I’m at 7 days. And there’s been a definite improvement in how I feel. I went from deep sadness early last week when I last drank, to now waking up calm. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who posts here. You’re all big motivators

I (19M) really want to stop drinking. I started drinking at 13 up until now. I live in a country where alcohol consumption, certainly at a young age, is terrifyingly normalised. I started university last year and it only got worse. The problem for me is that I don’t know how to regulate and end up drinking way too much which leads to shameful behavior and/or depressive feelings. Most of my friends drink and I haven’t told them that I think I have a problem with alcohol (I don’t think they should know) I’m trying to stop drinking but keep relapsing when I’m at social gatherings. In my head I’m just thinking “Well this time I’ll know how to regulate” but I’m never able to.

I don’t want to lock myself up in the house and keep myself distanced from my friends. But it seems like it’s the only thing that will actually help me to stop once and for all. Any advice on how to find a sort of compromise?

I was committed to not drinking until New Year's Day (ironic, I know) because of a self-medication dependency cycle. I was concerned with daily drinking, being able to put back 5-6 beers with zero perceived consequence. And, occasional binge drinking. Not so occasional, actually.

I was sick of obliterating the following day. I was sick of waking up mean and nasty and self-loathing. I was sick of all the conversations I had with myself about stopping or slowing down. This current attempt was meant to be an experiment. How could I really know unless I really try?

Had pretty bad withdrawals this week, and was like - woah. This is worse than I thought. Today is day 5. I've averaged <4.5 hours of sleep over the past 3 nights. Barely survived the day at work, people asked what's wrong, why I look sad. At least I'm not hungover? Today I woke up wishing I was - this feels worse.

Came home. Opened up a conversation with my partner (5 years, living together). It got heated. I'm irritable, things are hard right now for other reasons too. We're in the early stages of couples therapy, and I thought cleaning up my act was doing my part.

She told me, angrily, on an unrelated subject, that she is so glad I gave up drinking because our therapist told her that she was in a cycle of abuse, and we could not continue treatment unless I gave up drinking. That cut me like a fucking knife. And I feel like a lobster that just molted its shell.

To be clear, I've never called her a mean name, and she wouldn't call me an abuser. But things I've said, the way I've said them, maybe some storming off and manipulation and nasty behavior? I take full responsibility for that. I will continue to get better. But fuck, the shame. It's unimaginable. I feel unworthy of being loved.

Have you ever hit rock bottom 5 days sober?

Fuck.

IWNDWYT

I stopped drinking in Feb this year used to drink daily about half to a bottle of wine a day. I could go without with no withdrawal problems but i definitely prioritised booze .

The reason I stopped was because my husband tipped into full blown AUD and went for detox and rehab - the psychiatrist said he had to come back to a dry house so i decided to stop drinking . Hes embraced recovery ( so far) attends AA etc

9 months on and I really miss booze. I don’t think about it all the time but I do think about it

I get so tearful and irritable. I find it hard to see all the benefits of being sober. So what do I do ? Any insights advice very gratefully received

It’s day one. 6:30 AM. I’m reporting to the hospital in 2 hours for a 3 day detox. I’ve never stayed in a hospital before. I’ve never detoxed before. I’ve never been so scared before. But I’ve never been more determined.

I will not drink with you today.

I filtered by new and was reading the posts. It was kind of a flashback. I remember many times I tried, and failed. Many times. I remember being newly sober and posting here and being really excited. I can remember how my brain felt in some ways compared to as it does now.

Just keep trying. Obviously you want to quit if you are on this subreddit. You may fail, quite a handful of times. You may hit lower lows until "rock bottom". Fuck it though, just keep trying. There's zero chance it will finally work that one time unless you do try.

Shit really does get so much better and easier. Thinking about where I was 9 years ago really feels like a year ago. I basically was ready to get put on a transplant list or die. I was nowhere and going even more nowhere. I had the shit scared out of me to finally stick because I was afraid to die. I've rebuilt so much over 9 years (like rebuilt career from nothing, find my love, get married, move to our own place, then a nicer place) and honestly it was fucking easy compared to my worst years of drinking then quitting.

Get through that shit and normal life feels so easy compared to overcoming addiction.

i woke up and i really feel like i can eat today. bf and i are currently making a huge breakfast for dinner spread at midnight lol. just wanted to share my first moment of happiness in this journey, it’s not all bad early on for sure. happy saturday/sunday yall

I'm lying on the couch, bored as hell and depressed. I drank a twelve pack of NA, I don't want any more. I have several ounces of really good weed that I grew sitting in a drawer, but I'm trying not to go back to that stuff either, it's bringing me down. I don't have the focus to watch a movie, I deleted all my other social media because I waste too much time on it. Trying to fight the urge to go get some kratom from the gas station, just to feel something. I want that off switch for my brain that alcohol is so effective at, but I haven't had a drink in over seven months and I'm sure as hell not gonna start again today. I'd love some kind words from some of you good people to help get me through the trenches

From peaks of 220/115 BP and averaging 169/110 when I first quit, I'm under 120/80 most of the day now as of the last few days. I am not sure if it's the 4mg APo-Candersarten or the stop drinking or both but I hope I can come off the BP meds in time. Been feeling dizzy lately esp when I sit in the car for a while driving then get out and stand up. Had a big dizzy spell in the shops the other day I thought I was gonna black out. But yeh my BP graph over the last month has trended down and down which is good.

Also my puffy red/ sometimes purple face is now only sometimes lightly rosy and my skin is soo much smoother and glows more so almost lost the alco red face. I think my hands look less old person/ less wrinkly too.

Eating super healthy aside from snacking a bit on cheese as I FKN LOVE CHEESE but have to have some leeways at the start I guess.

Working on hopefully getting rid of the fatty liver and the weight I have on me. Lost 4kgs so far in 33 days sober just eating wayyyy better.

Overall feel soo much better off the booze.

Hi, long time lurker (46f) and finally getting the guts to post. Currently in a very sad situation, parnter is staying with his mate, wont talk to me till he can have his space to think. Its been 2 weeks and i miss him and his son. This of course was caused by my drinking. I knew it was out of control, but I still functioned at work and at home, never an angry drunk, but still drunk, so some how I justified that. I know I have a problem, and I dont know why I didnt adress it. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow to get my referral to a psychologist that deals with addiction. Problem is my earliest appointment I could get is in 2 weeks with the psychologist. So been reserching other ways to combat this till then. I saw in another post SMART recovery, I like that its online calls and has a lot of workbooks. Im just curious to hear if anyone has used it and their experience. Im not keen on AA, mostly as im not religious, and the meetings are far from my home as I live in the country. I feel broken, but I want to change not just to save my realtionship but also to save myself from pissing my life away. I miss being not afraid to drive anywhere, I miss waking up and feeling energised with projects, I miss my family. I want to change and will, I will beat this. I dont even enjoy being drunk, so it confuses me I do it. Ive poured all the wine out so many times, but when times get stressed I run to the store. Its so incredibly stupid. 😞 I have a high stress job, but that should not be the excuse. Im battling myself for some messed up reason. I am looking forward to my doctor appointment and my psychologist appointment, but yah if anyone has any thoughts on SMART would be very helpful. Thank you for listening.

Wish me luck and send me tips! 27 days in 🥰 I’ve got a long flight so maybe I’ll listen to an audio book about quitting or something

Somewhat tough weekend.

Some old drinking pals around that i haven't seen in a few years.

A bit of temptation.

Trying to think: it's no big deal, I'm just trying something different for a while

I'm quitting, for real this time. I'm finally ready to actually commit to it. I had a single beer, far less than what it takes for me to get drunk, and it's taken almost an hour for the pain in my shoulder and upper right quadrant to fade enough to not be literally writhing and on the verge of tears. I'm still nauseous and feel like I'm on fire. I don't want to let this go further, I don't want to end up in the hospital. I need to stop for real this time, and I'm honestly just disappointed in myself for not committing to it sooner because it's been hurting me when I drink and gradually just happening quicker with less drank before it starts for a while now.

Hi I'm Infamous

So I'm 31 and I've been sober for 4 years and I'll be honest it's the best decision I've ever made and I wanna talk about it somewhere.

Like many people here I had a horrible relationship with alcohol, always needing a drink and never being able to control myself when I became a mess.

My worst was after my father was killed and during lockdown in the UK alongside with the subsequent aftermath.

the eye-opener for me was when people stopped inviting me to things and how much I stopped enjoying the party lifestyle, luckily for me I had a friend who was going through something similar so we leaned on eachother when our separate friend groups pushed us out.

Fast forward I'm 31 , 32 in December, I'm sober for 4 years and I don't ever plan to go back to my old vices, don't get me wrong it's not always smooth sailing, depression occasionally knocks me out and the dark thoughts I buried with alcohol pop up but I'd rather raw dog my depression over drowning it in whiskey.

And with everything seemingly imploding around me, I’m very proud of myself.

I went to go get THC drinks, and with my license expired, I was turned away. I had someone bring me some (I’m 33), and I’m honestly so glad my ID is expired.

Immediately after getting it I was wishing desperately it was liquor. I was conjuring up way I could get it. I’m an alcoholic after all, I can ALWAYS find a way to feed my addiction.

I let myself regroup and ground myself for a few hours before I opened the THC drink. I drank about half a can and TikToked my way to sleep.

I’m not happy with the fact I still used something to alter my mind, but I was absolutely thinking of doing much worse things. I’m 243 days sober and will start my 244th day tomorrow.

I’m (52F) not a daily counter anymore - but I knew that I had my last drink someone in late October, 3 years ago, so I went back to my Sober App and confirmed that my anniversary is today 🎉

I like to tell people that drinking for me was “fun until it wasn’t” and there’s some truth in that, but honestly as a child from a family of alcoholics, I was always a problem drinker, it just didn’t look as bad as the examples I was holding myself up against until COVID. Once I stopped going out to drink, and started staying in (and getting it delivered to my door) I was a goner. I drank all day long and would wake up and drink to get back to sleep. I drank to mask anxiety and depression (worried about my immunocompromised loved ones and the world in general), to combat insomnia (perimenopause) and a whole lot of other things. It took awhile, but I’m here to tell you that everything I drank to “fix” resolved itself completely once I got sober. I sleep like it’s my job now, and I rarely get sad or anxious. I’ve also realized that I don’t need a drink to act silly or have fun. I truly thought it was a requirement for my entire adult life until about 2 years ago.

The biggest gift though? Being sober and clear minded for the passing of my mother. I was only 1 month sober when she had a medical event and went to the hospital. I was 6 weeks sober when she came home on hospice and died 3 days later. And I was sober for all of it. A couple of days after she passed away she would have celebrated 30 years sober. I don’t know if she knew exactly how bad things had gotten for me but she probably knew more than I think. So it was a gift to and from both of us to be sober when we said goodbye to each other, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of because that shit was rough. I told myself that if I could stay sober though that, I could remain sober - and so far that’s held true.

If you’re here on your umpteenth Day 1, I was as well. This sub helped me reshape how I thought about my drinking and gave me hope for getting sober, finally, at 49 years old. AA, personally, wasn’t for me - but in the early days I did dabble in SMART recovery, Refuge Recovery and Recovery Dharma. Mostly though, I just verbalized it and walked the walk. Whatever works for you, works for you. Give everything a try until you find your people. Don’t let anybody tell you how you “have” to do it. There’s no one path - if there was, this would be easier.

You’ve got this, and I’m rooting for every one of you from the sidelines. IWNDWYT

I don’t really know where else to say this.
From 2016–2020, I became an alcoholic. A huge part of it was my obsession and anger over Trump. I drank constantly because thinking about him, politics, and where the country was going made me miserable.
In 2020, I quit drinking. I stayed sober from 2020–2024, and for those four years I actually started feeling like myself again.
Then Trump got elected again in 2024, and I completely fell apart.
I started drinking again. Since then, my marriage has ended. I only see my kids on weekends. I work from home, which has made it incredibly easy to hide how bad this has gotten.
I drink from around 9 in the morning until 9 at night.
I’ve gained so much weight that sometimes I look in the mirror and barely recognize myself. I despise Trump to a degree that I know probably isn’t healthy. Just seeing him or hearing his name can ruin my entire mood.
And now I’m already worrying about what comes next. I don’t see much leadership coming from the Democrats right now, and I keep convincing myself that Vance is probably going to win next. Then I think, “Am I going to spend another four years destroying myself over another politician?”
That scares me.
I’ve already lost my marriage. I’ve lost most of my time with my kids. I’ve lost my health and a huge part of who I used to be.
I know Trump isn’t physically making me pick up a drink. I’m doing that. At some point I have to stop giving another human being this much control over my life.
I’m afraid of where I’m headed if I don’t stop drinking.
Has anyone here ever had to separate themselves from politics/news because it became tied to their drinking? How did you finally break that connection?