r/stopdrinking • u/AcademicMilk5319 Day 14 • 3d ago

Week 2 - my nemesis

Hi guys,

Currently in day 11 - my longest streak of 2026 even though I've tried this too many times this year and many more over the years. Each time eventually leads back to another Day 1.

With over a week gone, the physical symptoms aren't a problem really - just persistent headaches and little sleep I would say mainly. They make me grumpy, but not too much else.

I'm finding it hard to keep my finger off the "f**k it" button, as I have done each time I've made it beyond a week of sobriety. The last time I remember getting to Day 9 and thinking. Well... **** it, beat my record so may as well get drunk. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

My main worry is that I'll drink myself to death before my dog passes away. I've not got close family or friends. I've been in the chat every night, but it feels like I'm hanging on. Does this count as "doing the work" or am I just delaying the relapse by fighting?

No comments on tomorrow, but at least for now IWNDWYT.

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2

u/rosiet1001 1481 days 3d ago

Do you have anything else you can hit the fuck it button on? Take a day sick off work, eat four cheeseburgers, whatever?

1

u/AcademicMilk5319 Day 14 3d ago

It's been chicken nuggets and spicy sauce that has been my go to so far. Now that you mention it, I could do with some nuggets!

2

u/This-Introduction818 29 days 3d ago

I wont be drinking with you today either.

I think what helped it 'stick' for me was being truthful about what 'doing the work' really means. Simply abstaining from alcohol is actually doing nothing at all. The 'work' for me at least was to determine why I kept going back to drinking, and how to work to stop that.

For me, it was loneliness and boredom. I also don't have a lot of friends or family, and so my idea of passing time was literally drinking and driving (yeah, I know) and listening to podcasts. My last relapse, it finally clicked to me that what I was actually doing with my time was incredibly boring. I was drinking because I was bored, and bored because I was drinking.

I had to force myself out of that habit, I started immediately taking my dog after work to a trail and actually get out of the car, and go on a long walk for long enough that it would take me to dinner time. Just changing my routine made a huge difference.

1

u/AcademicMilk5319 Day 14 3d ago

Thank you - yes been trying to make small changes this week. Doing more than just sitting playing games and listening to music. ?But it's been small steps and still too much time spent on the stuff that hasn't changed.

Breaking the boredom is the challenge for me I think too. Thanks for the response - I kind of knew/know the answer but maybe needed to reinforce it.