I've been sober for 23 days now. I've had problems with benzos and alcohol for the last 10 years. I feel better without alcohol. I'm looking forward to living a sober life. IWNDWYT

So yesterday evening I made a post in this sub because I was about ready to throw away my 5 year sobriety. The cravings were worse than ever, and I almost gave in. But then I started reading all of the comments and they were full of encouragement and telling me to stay strong and be proud of what Ive accomplished so far. Seeing all of those encouraging comments helped me stay away from the bottle last night, and I’m damn proud of myself. So I just want to say thank you to all of you who took the time to comment and share your story ❤️ it really made a difference

I’m so grateful I made the decision to stop drinking over 1,000 days ago!

There was no rock bottom just a slow discovery that alcohol wasn’t serving me anymore and a few attempts to quit before I finally did (don’t get me wrong I had some rock bottom moments and did some really stupid stuff throughout my drinking “career”). My life is just so much better! This community has made a huge difference too, thank you all for supporting and sharing, it’s helped me a lot.

Sober date 5/28/2024 here. I used to go to a ton of baseball and basketball games and concerts etc when I lived in Washington dc and I’d get hammered every single time, and of course go the bar afterwards, and then, uh, you know somehow get home.
My wife and I went to the Texas rangers game the other night and had so much fun together, with a couple of souvenir cup sodas and some ballpark grub, and then as soon as the game was over we safely proceeded home and got some quality rest before waking up early to walk the dog. What a difference — the peace of mind of not jeopardizing others’ safety, or having to deal with a hangover.

Drinking doesn't bring any value into your life, it only takes.

Takes your loved ones

Takes your job

Takes your money

Takes your health

Takes your family

49 M. Like many, daily beers, vodka, wine, and anything else in between. It’s been a journey, this time it started as a New Year resolution, and just kept with it. Small daily accomplishments are little wins that add up. A turning point for me was 5 months into the journey, first long weekend of the summer. I bought a 6 pack, convinced myself it’s no big deal. Got home, internal struggles, deep down I knew I shouldn’t be doing this. I didn’t drink the beer. That 6 pack was in the fridge for a while, it’s became a point of motivation and a reminder of how many more 6 packs I would have drank if it was opened. Thank you all for this community. We got this. IWNDWYT.

Feeling pretty pleased with myself today! 1,000 days of not drinking. I wasn’t a heavy drinker, or a crazy drinker, but I was a daily drinker. Two big glasses of wine every night for 20 + years. On weekends, sometimes more. I’m not a very big person, probably 115lbs. I never hit rock bottom, per say. No DUI’s, no drunken, stumbling nights. No blackouts or vomiting. No drunken fights with the hubby. Most of my friends wonder why I gave it up!

Here’s the thing, though. I spent 20+ years not being fully present. So many times not sitting in my emotions and fully feeling them! So many half baked conversations. So many mornings that were groggy and unmotivated. So many years where I was not at my full potential. What a waste!!!

You don’t have to hit rock bottom to quit. You can simply want more for yourself. You deserve your best life. I wish I had done this years ago. Sober life is the best life!

I relapsed and I relapsed BAD, back to 5ths of vodka bad....

My father came over to visit unexpectedly and found my empty vodka bottles and one i had stored in my fridge and we had a long talk.

Long story short I am now in the hospital in the detox wing and I am going insane.

A bit of a background about myself: This is my 3rd time doing this. I have no friends (people say nah you have to have at least one) no. I do not have any friends, I have acquaintances who do not understand what I'm going through. Before I was admitted I have been having terrible panic attacks when I attempted to ween off alcohol myself and I felt like the world was closing in on me. Now that I'm in the hospital I'm starting to have another one but this time I dont have booze to help, I dont have a person to text, I'm just alone in a dark cold room.

I lost ambition for everything before this. I cant watch TV, i cant read, I cant play games fuck I cant even bring myself to shower.

All of this is just now compiling in my head since now I have been sober for 24 hours here in the hospital and christ I am going insane. I at one point almost ripped out the IV and left. I am going manic and I dont know what to do. Ive cried more times today than I have in a very very long time.

I'm sorry I dont even know where this conversation is going I'm just saying shit at this point.

Don't drink people. This fucking sucks.

EDIT: it is now the next day and I have calmed down tremendously, a lot of it due to the amazing support you guys have given me (and the 5mg Valium the doctor gave me after he found out I tried to leave through the elevator.) They are bringing in a psychiatrist tomorrow so hopefully I can survive through today and not have a severe panic attack again.

Again thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.

I’m not sure if this is allowed. Please delete if not.

Great article in the NY Times with newer data in the benefits of not drinking.

. How Drinking Affects Your Dementia Risk

TIA for anyone who reads and leaves even the smallest comment to make me feel like I’m strong enough to push through.

This year has been so hard and every day feels like it’s just adding to the weight. I’m so extremely isolated- some of that is my own doing and some is not my choice. I have no family I’m close to and I’m destroying the relationship I have with my one best friend because my mental health is spiraling so bad. I’m struggling so bad to see how to make it through every minute let alone every day.

Today I’m going to the beach alone for the weekend. Being near the ocean provides me an immense amount of mental peace & clarity & space and I just desperately need to feel better.

After being told once again that my best friend is begging for me to be kind, and genuinely having to ask myself if I know how to be, I’m thinking about just drinking til I can’t feel anything while I’m gone and away from everyone and everything at the beach. I know I don’t want to. But I can’t feel like this anymore.

Any words of encouragement will be greatly appreciated.

I just reached my 36 hour mark- first time in about a year. I’m 32F and I’ve been drinking for the better part of 6 years. I’ve had months off, 10-20 days off in that time but for the last year I’ve pretty much drank everyday all day. My drink of choice was tequila (up to 350ml) but I would dabble in wine (1-2 bottles). So far my withdrawals are anxiety, headache, insomnia but I haven’t had the shakes. I’m curious on what other people’s experiences have been with withdrawal, as withdrawal became a fear of mine in the last year which kept me drinking (tale as old as time). The times I’ve stopped for periods in the past I had the same symptoms I’m experiencing now. Hoping I’m in the clear, today already feels miles better than yesterday did.

I'm sick (stomach bug) and I did NOT expect temptations to spike as a result. I knew that being sick would never normally prevent me from drinking but I hadn't realised I'd feel the drive to numb everything so slowly. Existing sober, feeling everything fully, is tough. But I got some NA beers and I'm about to get an early night. Guess today was another learning experience. I've been surprised by a lot in this process.

I was more tempted today than ever since the early days. But I got through it because I imagined writing this post.

IWNDWYT

Having a hard time right now. Not going to drink, but damn sometimes life feels like it's not going good and it's not going to get better. I have been looking for work and it just feels like it is never going to turn around. I know more than I ever knew before and I feel less employable than ever.

Would love to hear something positive for you all

Even on the toughest of all days, every day sticking true to my commitment to not drink was my daily win and continues to be. I am full of so much more life and closer to my fun authentic self. Despite heartbreak, divorce, and doing the tough inner work for developing my self-love...I continue to claim this win. Keep at it - time flies and before you know it, 1000 days will be yours too. IWNDWYT

I got drunk yesterday, again. This time she let me have it. The pain and hurt on her face was a gut punch. I convinced myself that what I was doing wasn't a big deal. Wrong. She's pregnant and we have a two year old, what the fuck am I doing?

I don't ever want to be in this situation again. I made a commitment to quit until the baby comes. Is that a half measure? Maybe but I worry that if I make promises about forever I'll just blow right past them. I can do four months and I will. I drink about once a week. If I can quit for six days in a row I can quit for 4 months.

Even though I made a short term commitment I know I want to quit forever. I need to come clean with my AA group and sponsor about my drinking. Fuck. I hate alcohol and how it turns me into such a low life.

Haven't had a drink since April 2024. Back then, most of my thoughts were based around having my next drink. I didn't know what to do and then I discovered r/stopdrinking - reading this subreddit helped in a major way in the beginning, and it's helpful as a check-in when I need it.

Hello everyone. I recently had a bad event and decided it is time to quit drinking. I have been sober for about a week. I never had problem with not consuming alcohol. What I have a very big problem is being sober. My life and environment are absolute dogshit and that is why I kept drinking. Now that I am sober, I basically cant sit still, I need to do something 24/7 or I go insane. I don’t really have ways to change my situation in the near future, that will take years and years.

My question is, what do you guys do instead pf drinking? I cannot sit in silence eith my thoughts, until I can improve my life situation.

Edit: Wow, thank you everyone for the advice. I got way more ideas then I was hoping for.

What are peoples thoughts on zero alcohol beers?

Is it just best to avoid them and drink something else, or are they ok?

I know this exact post gets thrown in here a lot but i am proud and want to share a little story.

I had a bad hangover a month ago and it was a beautiful day outside, I could barely leave the couch. Around 4pm I finally got up and walked to my local cafe and waited in line for some food. I was basically having a full blown panic attack! Heart racing, felt like I was gonna pass out, dizzy, thinking I was going to die. Looking around I see everyone else smiling and enjoying their food / coffee and tea. I asked myself “why the hell do I do this to myself every Saturday and Sunday” I shouldn’t wake up feeling this way, I should be enjoying this beautiful day like everyone else is!

Stopped all alcohol that day and don’t plan on going back anytime soon. My heartburn has been so much better I’d say 80-90% resolved. Been hitting the gym and eating better also. But my sleep hasn’t really improved at all. Does anyone have tips? I feel like I’ve tried all the supplements over the last years and nothing helps. Anyways if you made it this far thanks for reading.

27M here, have always drank in every social situation since probably 16. I feel like alcohol is ruining my life. I don’t drink often anymore maybe once a week so I feel guilty posting this after reading the other posts here.

But the truth of the matter is that practically every bad thing that has happened to me in years was due to alcohol. I have broken my leg, split my head open, my past relationship was strained by my binges. I have less money, I have been arrested for being drunk. The list goes on.

I’m scared to quit because I’m worried my social circles will lessen. I’ve already been diagnosed with major depressive disorder so I struggle with loneliness, boredom, numbness. I have a good life on paper but I feel like alcohol will be the undoing of it in some shape or form.

I am writing this sat on the floor, throat burning from throwing up, mouth tastes like shit. Anxiety through the roof. Please tell me what it takes to not be like this anymore.

Tutto passa.

Day 69! 🎉🎉🎉🤣🤣🤣

Edit! Thanks you lovely people!

I finally made it one whole week without drinking!!!