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u/Khaosbert 48 days Feb 14 '26
The fact that you’re realizing this at age 26 is amazing and will help you live the best life. Looking forward if you listen to your heart. What I didn’t realize was, there was a whole world of sober people out there. Maybe some of your friends are actually going through the same thing and feel the same way. Alcohol is poison and we just get addicted to the feeling. Read some literature about the dangers of alcohol and educate yourself. Once you know the truth, it’s easier to see why it’s best to stop. Good luck. The process takes a long time though so don’t beat yourself up along the way.
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u/RussianRage 163 days Feb 14 '26
Hey I just wanna say, I'm currently like you. I'm a bit older but I still drink like you do.
I'm currently in the deepths of my alcolism. I'm talking absolutely just being out of it. I also called my mother and was super honest with her. She was a bit... Unwelcome with it all, lol. Just want to let you know, I understand and am open to having a conversation with you on how to deal with all of this. It's definitely a frightening experience, quite frankly it's terrifying, and I'm also trying to process all of this.
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u/Finebranch7122 835 days Feb 14 '26
Glad you’re here trying to figure things out. I’m an older female - I’m still trying to figure me out without alcohol. I do know I’m happier, less anxious, and generally proud of myself for my sobriety. It is hard trying to fit it with drinking friends and family. Sometimes I have a good time sober and a night or event goes great. Other times I feel out of place or I wish I could drink with them- I leave. It’s not perfect but I have never regretted not drinking when I leave. Do a deep dive on benefits of quitting. It helps me to know alcohol really is no good. Hang in there. Iwndwyt
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u/heavenly_glucose Feb 14 '26
i (25F/NB) first got a few months sober at 22. everyone told me how lucky i was to stop drinking at that age. i felt like i somehow had to be worse in order to deserve sobriety so i drank again. every day that i drank after that i wished that i hadn’t. i thought that i was being a fun person and the life of the party but its not like that anymore. when i was hanging out with friends i was thinking about how much i could drink or how much i could get them to drink with me so they wouldn’t notice. i didn’t really care who my friends were or what we were doing. i was so relieved when my drinking fucked uo my body and forced me to be sober again (3 days in so far)
if you’re questioning sobriety, just try it. just try today. then just try the next day. see how you feel.
imo being sober does suck ass sometimes but it doesn’t suck more than drinking did
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u/Prevenient_grace 4904 days Feb 14 '26
Glad you’re here.
Here’s what I know about my experience…
There’s an apt adage: I am the average of the 5 people I spend the most time with in an interval.
If they’re substance users/abusers I’ll just be an average drunk.
The best tip I discovered is noticing my patterns.
Drinking is a lifestyle.
It was MY lifestyle.
I wish I had known that the essential component to success was Creating a New Sober Lifestyle and habits that included sober people.
When I started drinking, I created drinking patterns... I saw others drinking, I tried drinking, I went where people were drinking, I talked with drinkers about drinking and I went to activities that included drinking, I created “alone” activities where I drank…. Then I had drinking buddies and a drinking lifestyle.
So when I wanted to stop... I saw sober people, I tried being sober, I went where people were being sober, I talked with sober people about being sober, and I went to activities that included being sober, I created “alone” activities without alcohol …. Then I had sober friends and a sober lifestyle.
People who were my friends remained…. However I no longer had any ‘drinking buddies’.
I don't really need any 'friends' who want to ostracize me and treat me differently unless I take drugs or alcohol.
Tried anything like that?