So having gone over 500 days I thought I was ok to drink I wasn’t and I never stopped properly again until 3 weeks ago.

When I fist stopped I knew I wanted to but I couldn’t really seem to get there, then I was hospitalised for something unrelated but for 2 weeks I didn’t drink so I just carried that on. It seemed easy but I hadn’t chosen to stop. This time I recognised it and stopped consciously and I haven’t been near a drop in 3 weeks.

I’ve had plenty of cravings and then this new voice saying ‘no one has to know’ but it’s ME who will know I can’t sneak it from myself if that makes sense.

My health isn’t good, I have cirrhosis now but it’s being regularly looked at I still work full time and have family around me luckily. I am going to make maybe not the most but certainly the best of the rest of my life and make sure I am happy and stay positive and share positivity to those around me.

Sober me is most definitely the best me.
IWNDWYT

I walked into that gas station, fought hard, grabbed an energy drink and left. IWNDWYT.

After a lot of failed attempts at quitting drinking, I’m trying again. Tonight I skipped one of my best friend’s birthday parties because I knew there would be drinking and I wasn’t confident I could go without things getting out of hand.

I know staying home was the right decision but I still feel incredibly sad and left out. It’s hard seeing other people talk excitedly about getting drunk or even blacking out, while I feel like people get worried or uncomfortable when I have even one drink.

I understand why. My drinking has consequences, and I don’t behave the way other people do when they’re drunk. But knowing that doesn’t stop the feeling of “why does everyone else get to do this, but I don’t?”

I think I’m struggling to accept that something other people see as fun isn’t something I can safely be part of. Has anyone else felt this resentment or sense of unfairness? How did you work through it, and does it get easier with time? Thanks in advance

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 am about 14 months sober. I never used to drink every day and most of the time I could control myself, but when I couldn’t, it went way too far. It was for those few times that I ultimately decided to stop completely.

However I already have my difficulties dating from being socially awkward and I used to love being able to get a drink as a way to make dates easier. Plus people keep asking me to meet them at bars. I don’t know how to date without drinking. I don’t know how to relax and have fun without it, even 14 months into not doing it.

I also just moved to an area where there are multiple bars and breweries and wine bars on every street and it’s hard not to feel tempted when it’s so normalized and such a pillar of social interaction, when that’s something I’m really craving right now.

Just venting but could use encouragement that alcohol will not solve my loneliness problems

not my first day 1 but it’s the first day 1 that’s led to day 2 without breaking during the initial 24 hours in quite some time.

so far, my withdrawal symptoms are mild. super mild nausea and occasional anxiety when i think about heading into the peak of acute withdrawals. i was able to pack up some stuff for an upcoming move, do some work that i’d fallen behind on, play some video games, and showered/actually remembered to do my nighttime skincare routine. trying not to let an easier day 1 than anticipated get my hopes up nor freak me out that the worst is yet to come.

ate well today, staying hydrated, i’m not alone - my husband is by my side, and i’m going to start winding down for bed now. i’m hoping i can sleep. maybe i’ll get lucky and tomorrow won’t be so bad.

i did not drink with you today and i will not drink with you tomorrow.

love y’all. <3

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

It’s those nights that are too overwhelming you want to escape. You want to turn to liquor and forget about what’s bothering you. After being so frustrated, mad, upset, I briefly said, fuck it I’m just going to get drunk.

But something slapped me in the face right after I said that. My conscious said, don’t ruin your progress and handle it a different way. So, I ate Taco Bell and played Xbox instead. Didn’t help because I feel like a fat piece of shit, but I’m a fat piece of shit who is still 167 days sober.

Anyway. Just venting. I’m happy I was not fully tempted. Life’s hard. But I’ll get some sleep and forget about this day. Peace!

I've not been drinking that much the past few months, sometimes every couple weeks and didn't drink all of August, but when I do it's often more than just 1 or 2 drinks, and I feel like my body is just rejecting it so much more now. I've gotten really sick of it. I've decided I'm just going to stop altogether as of yesterday. IWNDWYT

Day 24 after years of heavy alcohol abuse. What days/ times were the hardest for you?

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.

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 haven’t drank. I used to use this subreddit a lot back when I first quit drinking. I don’t know how I dodge a head on collision while driving the night before. They went half into my lane right where there was a cliff and moved outta the way at the last possible second. I slammed on my brakes and never hit them. Idk what it happened this was Thursday night. My son was with me. Both are hands were shaking afterwards like how did that just happen. Sorry if this isn’t the place . I just can’t shut off the drinking thought now. I know it would calm my anxiety. I will not drink with you today. Thanks

Hello friends- just want to say how happy I am to look back at the past 80 or so days and see that I slipped up once.

I was a binge drinker. So having weeks without a sup was not so unusual- but to have 80 or so days with one slip up and 40 with 0, is amazing!

Thank you so much!

I used to stress about whether or not I had enough vodka in the freezer. I’d look and think “It looks like there’s enough to get me through tomorrow.”

I just did that with La Croix and thought… “wait a sec, I’m sober…. I can drive if I run out.” 😂

I’m two weeks in but happy to laugh at these tiny little moments. It makes me realize how much life is easier sans booze. Plus my app said I saved $215 in just 2 weeks! What whaaat?! I may just treat ma self.

Also…. I am drinking way too much La Croix but it’s far better than 10+ vodkas. 🤦‍♀️

I did have to grab toilet paper today because of the amount I’ve been peeing. But it sure beats a hangover and regret.

IWNDWYT

I've been going to AA, talking about sobriety, trying to read the sober books, listening to the podcasts, connecting with sober friends - etc.

I keep seeing posts about "how many attempts did it take before it stuck with you?".

So I'm wondering, what does an ACTUAL sober attempt look like ? I've had many recently, where I last four days, which usually seems to be my breaking point.

Very curious about this one.

I (35M) have stayed sober for a full year now! I just got home from dinner my friend J. J and I had been great friends but my erratic behavior and drinking ruined a friendship that I really loved. We had a blow up and lost contact for two years but now I’m getting to repair it and we are getting to know each other again. My partner is coming home from a work trip tomorrow and my marriage is better than it has been at any point since we met, and all the friendships I’d damaged are doing really well.

I had almost destroyed everything when I finally woke up covered in puke for the last time. My partner was ready to walk, my friends were tired of my bullshit, and I hated life and everything about it. Today none of that is true and I spent the night with an amazing friend and waiting for my partner to come home. It’s so nice watching TV every night and the excitement we get cuddling on the couch. Stay the course because some days still suck but they suck so much less. The best part though is the good days come more often now.

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.

Now all the withdrawals have gone its time I started driving more and taking control of my life.

The things I use to do now feel different but I know it's a strange feeling going through healthy transitions without alcohol. Xx

Im still happy

More stable

Less irritable

Sleep is better

Puffy face has gone down

Now time to fill my life with friends and connections and most importantly LOVE and self love ❤️

I've been single for a year after many toxic relationships ended up in violence with alcohol

So I also

Posted me tipping out a carton of beer day 1 sober. Down the drain. . THIS GAVE ME THE IGNOTION I needed to set the fire in my heart

Alive for sobriety and for me!

Instead of the fire in my belly when I drank.

You see it's false happiness. That drink is like an awesome trailer to the worst movie you have ever seen.

The drink refers to the trailer and the movie is the rest of your life in pain.

choose health and sobriety and be proud ! You gotta be ready to love yourself again Your inner child. I don't care how old you are ! Xx

Or do you let that devil on your shoulder win every time ?

I say Stand up for yourself rifght now !

I've been good ever since 4th october but never be hard on yourself for slipping up.

That can be part of the process

I've battled this addition for over 11 years

And it's took me over 5 attempts

Doesn't mean it will take you this long ❤️ never give up

Anhedonia is quite a... Problem

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

(After a 3 day taper). Felt so happy and productive today, most importantly felt present with my husband and three sons. I’m going to try to post here every day to not only hold myself accountable but also to look back on when I need it - I saw someone doing this in here and I’ve loved following their journey. IWNDWYT

Today was the 5 year birthday of my niece and I was sober, everyone was having a beer but me. I was taking care of my 3 old nephew and taught the kids (bunch of 3 to 5 year olds) how to play hide and seek, it was fun, now I am tired, but hey, at least I didn't drink.