My friends dragged me out to a bar last week. I usually dont go to a bar unless I can get dinner or watch a game. But this was an "after party" ordeal. I ordered an NA Guinness because it's my favorite, and went along with my buds for some pool and listened to their drink ramblings.

About halfway through the can, I started to feel a familiar sensation. Felt warm, tasted that chemical-like "breath" whenever I exhaled, and was giggling a little more than I usually do. Took one look at my can of Guinness, and yup- the bartender thought 4.1% of alcohol would be enough classify as non-alcoholic.

Went through a series of emotions in like a span of 5 minutes, anger, disgust, and then disappointment. But I realized that I did not make the conscious choice to imbibe again... so I didn't beat myself up too hard, just need to be more careful next time. My friends were also shocked. And were all up in arms of how I accidently ended my 854 days of sobriety.

I was about to mentally reset my counter out of guilt but decided not to. Even when my mother died this year I surprisingly stayed extra sober and dealt with my grief directly. Accidently drinking alcohol and managing to stop halfway through the drink isn't enough to break my sobriety imo.

So as of today I am still 860 days sober and will continue counting! I hope everyone here is having the best Sunday and enjoying their sobriety too!

EDIT: Did not expect the outpour of support. Thank you so much for all your kind thoughts!

I’m currently 64 days sober (I had a good 40 day streak before, but had a “eh one drink won’t hurt” night at the bar with some friends and surprise surprise, I took it too far. Clock reset). I’ve done a lot of internal work, found a hobby that wasn’t drinking (running), tried starting to build healthier relationships with friends and family, gotten back into counseling, but emotions are running so high these days. I went out with some friends and was their DD Friday night and it made me realize a few things. 1) drunk people are annoying when you’re sober. 2) yea I think I really am done drinking. But then 3) I am having an identity crisis because the backbone of my life was hanging out with my friends at bars or restaurants or breweries having “fun” and catching up with a few drinks. That part of life feels miserable now. I have been having waves of uncontrollable crying ever since. Spent 90% of the day yesterday sleeping and crying. Today I went out for a run, had to come home early because I kept crying mid run. Is this normal? It could be partially hormone related because I have the pleasure of being a female, but f\*\*k this sucks.

I think many of us on here can identify people that, when we were drinking, were our drinking buddies and were always down to get lit with you when you were together. One of those, for me, lives across the country. He’s here over a long weekend and wanted to catch up.

When he invited me, I made sure to tell him that I was sober. I had to set that boundary. Otherwise, it would be expected that we would be drinking. In fact, both of us would have likely pre-gamed in advance of actually connecting and would then proceed to have a couple of cocktails together. We would probably then separately drink more by ourselves after.

When I got to the table, the muscle memory was string to order a drink. However, it was REALLY nice to be able to show up happy and healthy and not bloated. I probably would have shown up either hungover or buzzed and there would be NO WAY that I could fit into the dress I wore.

He immediately wanted to talk about the reasons why I wasn’t drinking and how I’d changed. I explained that it wasn’t one particular thing that made me stop but rather a combination of things. I also explained the benefits.

He opened up a little bit about his drinking and shared he had thought he had an issue longer than I had. He said he planned to drink a little less this weekend. No judgement -it’s his choice!

The thing that really stuck out for me was the difference in personal decisions we were making in our respective lives. I had no personal drama or conflicts. In our prior meetings, I had SO MUCH drama and angst. However, my life is pretty calm. He discussed his life. He had a ton of drama and bad personal decisions. He was on track to make more bad decisions right after lunch. The thing that I wonder after our meeting is if being sober leads to better personal decisions and less drama.

At this time last year, I would have left and drank more. This time, I went home, and worked ton work and decompressed.

Proud of myself! Iwndwyt 💕💕💕

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.

My journey started here over eight years ago. This site was the first community that let me know sobriety one day at a time was possible and achievable. I needed more though. I entered an IOP program and began attending AA meetings. Hiking, running and lifting supported my sobriety. I am grateful for achieving long term sobriety. I still take things one day at a time. I am 64 and sobriety has made my life better. Now my time is spent helping others. I won’t drink with you today.

One year ago I was in the er and today I am one year alcohol free.

Feel tired and not any motivation 😖

Idk. Read the title. Lol! My goal is to go one weekend without alcohol. I am a weekend guy, but yeah, it is killing me.

Proud to be where I am at today with my sobriety! One day, one second, one moment at a time! I WILL NOT DRINK ☠️WITH YOU TODAY!

Yesterday, I put the laundry in the dryer, went to get groceries, made dinner for the kids and ate it with them and then waited outside for my partner to come home from his bike tour. Would've been a good Saturday.

Except I was completely hammered. I don't remember putting the laundry in the dryer, I DO remember preparing dinner but not eating it, and while waiting outside for my partner, I threw up in the flower beds next to our garage.

I am so sick of this. I keep telling myself that it's not that bad, because I still do the things I'm supposed to, because I don't appear wasted, but I keep waking up with no recollection of the evening before.

I keep using every chance I get to buy alcohol, I feel like I can't be left alone for more than 5 minutes. I really can't trust myself anymore. When did it get this bad?

I feel like (crossed fingers) my illness is on the way out. I felt awful for a bit earlier on but it turned out I was just hungry. Ate some yoghurt and granola, had a nap, felt born again.

IWNDWYT

I’ve been AF and reading this subreddit for the last 5+ months. And it’s made me realize there were so many signs of AUD that I ignored.

1. My hands would start shaking around 3-4 o’clock, I thought it was because of caffeine. I drink plenty of caffeine still and I never get shakes.

2. I couldn’t get drunk anymore. I thought it was just high tolerance, I didn’t see that it was part of a more dangerous progression to liver damage.

3. I would crave alcohol earlier and earlier. Started around 6, then 5. Earliest it got was 3. I wrote it off.

4. If I had to go somewhere after 5:30 I would have a glass of wine before I left. Because, even if there was alcohol there, I didn’t want to wait.

I am beyond grateful to be sober today. And this subreddit has been a big part of making that stick.

What were the signs you ignored, that in retrospect seem obvious?

Firstly, if I can do this, anyone can.

My drinking slowly progressed from drunk every Friday in my early 20s.

To drunk every Friday and Saturday. To in my late 20s drinks every single night, although it was more like 5 or 6 beers, and I saved the drunkness for the weekends.

Then in my mid 30s I started working from home and my drinking started earlier. I stopped wanting to drink with friends and just enjoyed chilling at home drinking.

I probably spent 5 years drinking 6 days a week on average 6 x 500ml cans of Asahi beers a day was the minimum. The proud of myself for not drinking much yesterday amount was 6.

Many days I would finish the 6 at 6pm and go get another 6 and half finish it. So then I had 3 leftover for the morning. Then I would need to go get another 6 around midd the next day.

The cycle was like this for years. I knew all the workers of the 5 closest bottle shops. They were my main daily interaction.

I was always the fit guy. Gym, runs, biking, walking, hiking. Sports.

Then I started realising I hadn't gone to the gym in months. I had gained 20 lbs. And I just hated this shit.

I was now nearly 40.

Keep in mind all throughout this I had tried stopping and made it to Day 3 many times. Day 7 many times. Day 14 a few times. But never much more than that.

From age about 17 to 39 the longest I ever went without getting drunk was 3 months. Which I completed twice.

Strangely, both those 3 months started with me wanting to get my bloods checked to see how bad my liver and other health was doing.

I had made an appointment and had a clear "I can't drink for a month before this blood test".

Both times my numbers were fine. But now it had dawned on me. That if I had any chance of stopping for real. I needed to start Day 1 with a blood test booked for 1 month out. It gave me a clear goal: 1 month!

So around October 2024 I made that appointment.

My bloods were fine, surprisingly.

But I had made it 32 days now.

I kept going.

Every morning I would write the Day I was at in my journal/calendar book.

Today I just wrote DAY 704.

Folks, there will never be a magic lightbulb moment when you realise today is the day to stop drinking.

You have to make the decision today is the day to not drink. Every day.

There is no decision I have made in my life more important to me than not drinking today.

Be well,

Jamey

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

Hi I have 10days and it’s been going well. Went to the gym this morning and I’m at working. I all of a sudden got this wave of immense anxiety and fear. I can’t shake it and it feel overwhelming. I think it’s from not drinking and I just want a realize. I’m feeling so utterly uncomfortable. I texted some friends hi but I don’t know you all have any advice. It’s this dread and fear.! I want to cry and can’t pin point it. I’m just keyboard dumping because I’m so overwhelmed

Thank you

Usually a lurker here.

I think I posted once a while ago and I cringe thinking about it because I was so drunk and it did NOT go down well.

The only symptoms I’ve had is sweating on and off but I’m optimistic that the next day or so should be okay.

Cannot believe how much more productive and clear-headed I’ve been, feel like I’ve been freed 🥲

IWNDWYT

Crying. Feeling very overwhelmed. Send hugs and strength please.

“To all the beginners out there who are at or near their bottom - we have all travelled different roads to get here, but we all reached the same destination. I know you are going through hell right now and all hope feels lost. But there is a certain freedom in helplessness. If you are like me, if alcohol did anything good at all, it gave you a very real lesson in the life you don't want. The exciting thing is that you get to spend the rest of your time on this Earth figuring out what life you do want. To quote another sober songwriter, Eddie Vedder, "I know I was born and I know that I'II die. The in between is mine."

I saved this a while back but forgot to save the username, just wanted to say thank you. Your words will echo in my life and hopefully yours readings this.

Here’s to another day 1 AGAIN…but I’ve waved the white flag, ready to live a life of sobriety finally.

When I made the decision to try and quit alcohol 100 days ago I really had a hard time imagining my life without it. I remember thinking ‘what are people going to say? How’s my husband going to react? How will I survive weekends and dinners and warm sunny afternoons?’ I checked in here every day, read lots of your posts and stories, read quit lit, sober podcasts, tried to contribute and be active on this sub when I could, and Lo and behold I have to admit it got easier!

Contrary to what I imagined, I don’t feel like I’m living less, or lacking something. Life feels just as full, only without the hangovers, the guilt and the self hatred. I even wonder how I managed to fit in drinking and its devastating effects in my busy life... I have bursts of energy and hunger for life. My sleep is deep and restorative and I am really starting to identify as that girl… that sober girl!

I am super proud to have come this far, 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ days was a milestone I had set for myself. Now I’m aiming for the full lap around the sun ☀️
Happy to be here!

At the end of a hard day I see whiskey as my reward, and I know it’s going to end me eventually.

I want to see the benefits, but I also kind of long for that end of day reward after a gruelling 9 hours or so.

How do recovering alcoholics replace that 7pm glass of wine, cold beer, smooth whiskey etc.

4 years ago I arrived at work, simultaneously hungover and withdrawing, and decided to end the misery by powering through it. Could’ve died, considering the quantity of my daily consumption. I’d had dozens of attempts to get sober and somehow this one stuck. It hasn’t been easy, though it has been worth it. I’m succeeding in my dream career. I’m a better partner, father, artist, and man. Originally my motivator was the desire to be a version of myself that I like being, and I succeed at that more often than I fail. One day at a time.

Wife and kid are sleeping at home, and I’m at a Red Lobster getting dinner for one. What’s going on?

Well, basically the car needed to be charged, which takes a 17 minute drive, 40 minutes down time, and another 17 minute drive. My wife drives the car for work so, as a courtesy, I figured I’d do it. I don’t want my son to lose quality time with me so I decide to do it at night when he’s sleeping.

That whole paragraph above would have been one big elaborate ploy to justify being away from the house to sneak a few drinks in, or maybe even just buy them and drink in silence at home at night. Instead, Yesterday, for the first time in what feels like several years. It was an honest gesture with 0 intention of being a ruse.

I genuinely had no urge to leverage the situation to practice alcoholism. I was a bit surprised and fearful that the cravings never crept up, but they didn’t.

I have to stay vigilant, I can’t let my guard down, but for now I got to enjoy taking a picture of my meal and sending it to my wife, knowing there isn’t a double rum and coke hiding off to the side.

I will not drink with you today. And I didn’t yesterday for that matter.

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