I would really like some insight into what I’m going through. Drinking has never really been a problem for me but I’ve noticed I have been doing it more. About a month and a half ago I took a 9 day break. Limited myself well. Accidentally went 5 days without drinking without even thinking about it. But when i decide on these breaks it’s all I can think about. The reason I chose to take this break was because I was having bad anxiety and didn’t feel like alcohol was helping whatsoever. Plus I just had 3 days of drinking back to back. Due to this my anxiety went crazy because my dad’s an alcoholic and I’m now overthinking that I’m an alcoholic. Now I’m halfway through day 3 and I’m finding I keep thinking about it and worrying so much but I don’t even want a drink and I know I’m not going too. Can someone explain if this is actual anxiety or alcoholism?

anyone remember getting withdrawals so bad you appear drunk, even though you aren’t? Could barely hold your phone, walking looks like you’re sloshed because you literally forgot how to walk like a normal person, feels like a bad acid trip, eyes barely open, ZERO energy.

I do NOT miss those days!!!

i got the girl of my dreams and into my dream school within 2 weeks of each other. i’ve partied from teenager to adulthood and i sadly must admit that i am an alcoholic. i’ve been drinking for six years, poorly for three, and bender for one. i am happy to say that my usage is only a few drinks per night. tonight will be three drinks. tomorrow will be two, next day will be one.

pray for me :)

I had a history of abuse but don't drink that often unless I go out. I thought moderation. Had 10 drinks and here I am 4 days later feel chest pains flank pains. I have one kidney and my anxiety is telling me its failing. I've been here before and went to the ER in the past for them to find nothing. It this withdrawal? Even tho I haven't been drinking regularly? Maybe my past abuse caught up to me. I'm in my 30s. Need words of encouragement. Got insomnia, hot flashes, fatigue, brain fog, a lil dizziness and nauseous, and higher bloodpressure. No vomiting, pee looks normal. I'm in good shape working out 4 times a week. Need some reassurance. I don't want to experience this again

I have been attending things like cinema alone for years so I'm used to this at least. I have largely kept alcohol under control but sometimes I cannot stop when I get going, especially if it is a liquer or bourbon.

I attended AEW wrestling at Wembley this weekend and ended up having a couple pints to start with to ease awkwardness of being there alone. I stupidly had a couple cocktails after this and turned into a gibbering idiot.

I don't drink every day and am not addicted but if I have some time off work to let my hair down and theres a special occasion then I can seriously drink a lot and struggle to stop until I'm in a bad state.

Any advice of similar situations and how to overcome?

I saw a phrase saying that sometimes the only way to stop before drink 3, is to ensure drink 1 never happens.

It is ALWAYS my hardest work day of the week.

Day 6, and I'm not even detoxed much less anywhere near my brain re-wiring, but I had a fleeting thought of like, UGH *"poison would ve nice"*, and I am throwing that thought straight in the trash.

If I wanna have a better Tuesday next week, I've got to stay clear headed and productive this week.

IWNDWYT!!

Day 23 Alcohol free
Day 25/26 THC free
Day 15 Nicotine free

I’m absolutely miserable
The answer everybody gives me is to pick up nicotine again but I hated that more than alcohol.
And now that I technically went through that physical withdrawal why start again? The same question I had about giving up all three at about the same time was why do withdrawals 2-3 separate times?
But this is terrible. Absolutely terrible. Haven’t had a happy moment in a very long time.
Had 18 days before this stint with 2.5 day bender.

I feel like people on this sub really prioritize celebrations of sobriety. Helping people seek sobriety is an afterthought. It would be amazing if the sub did a sponsor system with different categories.

People need help. Reading about how you resisted a marg at a work event after being sober for three years is awesome! Take that energy and help someone who isn’t there yet!

Anyone got any tips on how to make the best of the experience? Intimidated by how much work lies in front of me, and so anxious I can barely eat despite feeling hungry.

Today I’m 100 days sober. I’m feeling great, I’m a better employee at work, I’m hanging with friends more. Reading and gaming has been the biggest help and distraction. I love feeling like this and to anyone who is struggling keep your head up and stay strong. We all got this!!

Most people here probably quit while holding a job. How do you guys get over the attitude adjustments at work? After a while of sobriety I tend to fall towards anger issues and general depression/bitchiness. I don't want to treat other people this way. So I drink to keep myself "manageable".

I hate this.

I had my first day of my masters program and it was so exciting! I loved my classes and I’m hopeful I’ll make friends. I got some groceries after class and realized then I had to carry it a 20 minute walk 😭 It was okay and I made it through and was excited about the calories I probably burned.

But it was 3 pm when I got back and I was exhausted and wanted to get my usual 3 shooters. I resisted in every way I could and I haven’t drank. And I didn’t. The cravings were SO bad for like a full hour, but subsided after awhile. I’m glad I didn’t give in. I’m still on day 4 and I’m proud of myself

Haven’t posted here before. Just need some advice for getting over the first hump.

Like I need to hear from someone who has gotten through their first week. Someone that struggled through their first week.

Messages or posts from someone on day 509 of sobriety about mindfulness, meditation and getting back into old hobbies are not helpful. I want to do all of those things with every bone in my body but I really need a hand from someone closer to that first week.

I’m located in Western NC.

so i can remember every moment of watching my boys grow up. woke up to “365” balloons and a cheesecake on the counter from my lady

The beeping is always there. A countdown to an explosion you’re certain is to come.

It is soft at first. It’s always present, ticking its quiet warning. It echoes in the corners of the rooms you enter, a metronome raising the tempo slowly but surely, counting down to something you can’t quite name but feel anyway.

Some days it blares red hot, insistent,
as if the whole world shrinks to a single blinking wire you’re too terrified to touch.

Other days it stays quiet. A faint pulse under the skin, still waiting, still counting.

And when night comes and you lie still enough to hear every thought sharpen, the beeping grows louder as if the dark gives it permission to step closer. It fills the room. It fills your chest.

There is no off switch. It is not a rhythm, it is not a message, just a simple reminder that something inside you is wired to explode.

The beeping is always there. A countdown to an explosion you’re certain is to come, but never does.

Hi Everybody I have a question about stopping. I have been drinking on and off for about 30 years. I currently drink a half pint of 80 proof every evening. I find that amount keeps me from feeling too bad the next morning. My question is is it safe to just stop that amount abruptly or should I do half of that tonight then nothing tomorrow night? Also I‘m thinking about getting some over the counter sleep aids and taking one tonight if I don’t have any alcohol. Is that a good idea? Thank you

Just on a smoke break now. Bartending a busy downtown concert tonight. We get a free drink after work. This is my biggest trigger. Have to stay sober for my husband and kids.

Does anyone think this film is an accurate depiction of dependence on alcohol? I’m 30 years old from England and it’s one of my favourite films, I just wondered what other people’s thoughts were in relating to Captain Whitaker?

I had a positive experience using vitamins on day 1 when I quit. I took Magnesium, L-Glutamine, Milk Thistle, and Vitamin B-1 daily. I still take them now, minus the L-Glutamine.

Anyway, I had researched the best possible way to make withdrawal more comfortable, and those were the ones that popped up. I’m sure there’s others. While withdrawal was still miserable, it was less intense than my previous attempt at sobriety. That time I couldn‘t stand it and just started drinking again.

Anyone else have thoughts/tips? Especially for those who are just beginning. IWNDWYT

EDIT: I should have mentioned that Magnesium Glycinate is the one that helps with relaxation. There are lots of forms of Magnesium

Im 30 male, drank from 21 to 30 the last 5 years getting heavy almost every day with 8%tall tins or liquor. Had a few nasty withdrawals with seizure-ish feels but never had one. Last few times it was 2 months sober sints I fell off with multiple days of drinking.

This last time it took me about 1.5 -2 months to stop getting spirts of fear and my brain to... normalize i guess u could say. Like feel totally normal.

PS. I can't smoke weed anymore at all or it gives me that weird like seizure aura feeling like a feeling of impending doom and a strong brusting/restless feeling in my brain like something is about to snap.

Same if I drank caffeine but now I can handle caffeine alot better if I drink my coffee slow

But in general im wondering if I had a few drinks again would it trigger withdrawal again. People around me keep saying its fine and it won't trigger anything but idk.

I don't have any cravings and I don't care for alcohol anymore especially after my last experience. My view on it has turned completely sour. Sober living has changed my life in so many ways for the better and im loving it.

Im curious about this because why can't I even enjoy weed anymore or caffeine. I wasn't big on them before but time to time its nice, dose that mean my brain is primed for withdrawals again even if I drink cough syrup because it had small amounts of alcohol in it?.

IWNDWYT

I love the support and resources here in this community - thank you all. 3 weeks today!

2 things that have helped: I asked AI to poke me every evening at 9:45 to check in with alcohol consumption, craving level 0-10, what triggers were associated with any cravings, and what helped me cope. It’s been useful for regular accountability and finding patterns.

Also, this web page [Sober100] tracks body recovery after sobriety in a fair amount of detail; I found it encouraging. Hope it helps someone else.

IWNDWYT!

I don't know if I can chalk it up to personal will. I've been taking blood pressure meds and the drinking would create complications. It's funny how the brain can rationalize that sudden mortality is to be avoided but not the slow inexorable grinding down of health that is chronic alcoholism. It takes too long to see the negatives manifest and by that point you could be well caught in the trap.

I noticed that I was able in the past to stop drinking if I had other medical stuff to prevent me, having to take antibiotics for a week, etc... so after finally getting a primary care doctor appointment after 10 years of being afraid to go, I feel like I have a new life. Blood panel looked good, which was surprising. ALT was a little bit high but not crazy. I don't know whether that means I'm ok or if I've just got scarring. No use in worrying about it though.

On a positive note I've lost 9 pounds in 11 days (was on a sixer of IPA 7 days a week). Down to 265. I do worry that whenever I get off the blood pressure meds I'll revert but that might be years and by then I should be fit and in shape and happy again like I was a decade ago before alcohol took over my life so maybe I won't feel like it. I started therapy and hopefully that will help me get mentally on track while the meds do their thing.

I feel like I have a super sturdy crutch to help me with quitting, but I'm just so relieved that SOMETHING WORKED to make me stop. I'm eating healthy, now that I'm not too drunk to cook. No more microwave meals. I'm able to watch long movies and play heavy dialogue video games without worrying I'll completely forget what I watched or played. I'm walking too, 30 minutes a day. Been mitigating the sugar cravings with fruit and a few sour patch kids/reeses. Future looks bright. Just figured I'd share. I feel like I've got the alcohol craving part of my brain in a judo trap where it can't rationalize a way to drink anymore.

I was so proud of myself for not drinking last night. I woke up this morning alert and feeling great!
No fogginess, I wasn’t tired, no headache, etc.! First time in two weeks!
Normally, I lay back down and sleep for an hour and a half after my kids leave for school. I stayed awake today!

But now, it’s 3:27 and all I can think about is drinking wine tonight.

estou pensando se eu deveria, ao invés de parar totalmente, mudar minha relação com a bebida...eu quero aprender a ter controle e saber aproveitar moderadamente, sem exagero...não me considero alcoolista, mas até uma semana atrás eu estava bebendo todos os dias, pelo menos umas 4 ou 5 cervejas, mas estou diminuindo...meu sono melhorou consideravelmente, meu humor está mais estável, mas quando chega 17h da tarde, tudo que eu penso é em uma cerveja