Yep, withdrawal is terrifying. The only time in life I legit thought I was going to die.

Wow! I love this.

Well I don't want to give the impression once drink is removed everything is just better. Drink was filling an undressed void that I them spent over a decade addressing. And recovery isn't linear. Life doesn't get better predictably. The most traumatic things in my life happened sober and they were unavoidable. So the difference is I can handle the hard times in life without resorting to a drink and burning it all down then pulverizing the ashes. Learning what makes me happy, useful and fulfilled without alcohol is hard. Alcohol is a shortcut. It's a cure and a poison at the same time. So when my cure is gone I have to identify what it was curing and how to do it in a healthy manner

IWNDWYT!

Follow your gut. It sounds like when you drink, you want it to just be a couple pints, but then it gets out of control. You have already made the connection there.

If you want to stop getting drunk, then you have to stop the first drink. It's up to you, but I hope you give it a try. Life is better without getting wasted.

Stop now before you lose everything. Explore this sub
good luck :)

That's a difficult one for me as well and we all are different with how we handle work stress and interpersonal relationships. I was always pretty open with a few trusted co-workers so when I would get sober they know I could be a little short fused or awnry at times. This last time I felt better leaving my job to get sober and it has been just what I needed in so many ways. I'm getting ready to find a new job in the next few months and start fresh in a much better mental state.

I didn’t know it came from somewhere else!!! Now maybe I have a reason to watch Dexter. (I’m also dark passenger re my bday and Halloween when I’m drinking). 

Iwndwyt!

Very happy that you’re here! This sub has been such a positive influence for me in my journey with sobriety.

IWNDWYT

I took long term sick leave and may not go back. Drinking was a cornerstone of my coping strategy to tolerate the intolerable in terms of workload and workplace toxicity.

I second the advice about therapy. The bitchiness and anger will build up under your cover of manageability and eventually burst through it more violently than ever. Cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation exercises will help. You will have to deal with the negative emotions and what is causing them eventually, even at work. If you don't work it out, you'll act it out.

I simply just quit, I quit lying to myself I didnt have a problem, quit hiding it, quit arguing with myself, and now im almost a year in and regret NOTHING.

I often watch people as they drink and realize how stupid I looked to people who have the strength to just say no.

That’s awesome! Wishing you a very fun (and safe) trip and concert!

I was sober for 3.5 years. One day, I decided that I could handle moderation. Things were fine for a while - a drink or two with dinner here and there - and then suddenly they were very much not fine. I know now, for certain, that I cannot control my drinking. If I could go back in time, I never would have started drinking again.

Congrats on triple digits! Yeah gaming has saved my ass so often on my journey, helps quell the occasional boredom. Keep it up IWNDWYT

You are in a dopamine crash. Takes a while to heal that. Doing lots of natural dopamine boosting stuff is essential. Food like walnuts, seeds, fatty fish, chocolate, magnesium, coffee, walking, music, drawing, journaling, meditation, dancing, feel good movies and shows, prioritizing sleep and rest. I’m slowly crawly out of some really bad depression and right around your day count was some of the worst for me. I promise it gets easier. Be kind and patient with yourself.

Yayyy let’s go!!

I actually sleep
Not having puke to clean up in the morning
Cheaper when we go out to dinner
No regret when looking at my phone in the am
No regret for having any stupid drunk misunderstandings
Always able to drive home safely
I remember everything from the evening
Basically no more stomach aches

(I quit because I would get terrible stomach aches that would last hours anytime I drank and it made drinking not fun anymore)

Thanks! I’m glad you’re here too!

Yep. It’s so weird. Looking back it feels like it just wasn’t me. I’m glad because I don’t like that person so much.

I do still get moments I’m sad but it’s not at all the same. It was like just complete hopelessness, despair etc. I can’t imagine ever wanting to induce those feelings but I realise every time I picked up a drink that’s what I was choosing.

Yet another woman sending a dagger through my heart. I can't do this anymore. Won't be drinking this time though.

That’s amazing! You should feel really proud

I didn’t drink today and I didn’t drink yesterday either :D

Social work!! And talking to people who seem like minded
It’s a relief

Awh yeah. I’m getting all sleepy lol. Got the dogs snoring and it’s sending me to sleep. 😅

Thank you! Engaging with this sub is so much better than any drink I’ve ever had.

It genuinely shows me the good side of humanity and I’m all here for it! IWNDWYT