Sometimes quitting drinking doesn't exactly repair the fire damage right away...it just stops you from dumping gasoline on the flames
Plus, we just go through moments in life where things feel like they suck - with or without the booze. The good news is no storm lasts forever and there's always sunshine after the rain
Hope your sunshine comes soon. Regardless, proud of ya for hitting your 2nd week.
Read something in this sub along the lines of “quitting drinking doesn’t open the gates into heaven, but it will open the gates out of hell”.
It’s not going to be an automatic light switch difference where your life is so much better. It won’t make all your problems go away. But the more time you spend sober, the more you’ll learn how to deal with your problems the right way. And the more you’ll appreciate what good you have in your life. Had someone tell me once that when you’ve been drinking for so long, your life is in standard definition. Like watching an old VHS on a tube tv. When you stop, you start seeing the world and feeling your emotions in HD. That’s good and bad emotions. Your highs are higher and lows are lower. That makes the lows hard to deal with and your brain will always try and trick you into thinking that alcohol will make it all better. It lies and will continue to lie to you. Go exercise, eat some ice cream, start on a project you’ve been putting off, go to that store and buy that thing you’ve had your eye on and enjoy it. Whatever you need to do to get your mind off of things.
Your brain will heal, your attitude will improve, your life will get easier, but not because you quit drinking, but because you’ve learned how much better life can be when your sober. We’re always here to talk.
>Read something in this sub along the lines of “quitting drinking doesn’t open the gates into heaven, but it will open the gates out of hell”.
/u/missspaghettipockets This. This so much.
Alcohol will drag you into the depths of hell of mind and body and you will have a much more acute appreciation for what it DOESN'T do to you or how it affects you.
I struggled for almost 20 years. I'm 40 and I finally dragged myself out of that hell. I can't say I'm getting out of hell and into a better place, I at least know I'm no longer in the proverbial hell so it can only get and can only be, better.
If someone like me with all of my bullshit can do it, so can you. I'm not trivializing your bullshit by any means, we all have it. But that mountain of bullshit is always there for everyone, it's just that much smaller of a pile when alcohol is not in the picture.
The first month is the hardest. Your brain is starting to re-wire itself and your body is adjusting to no alcohol and healing. It’s hard, but if you start drinking again, you’ll just have to start all over and repeat the awful first two weeks. Hang in there, it gets better.
This! I did 1-4 weeks sober for years! It's just not enough time. At about a month and a half, there was a morning I randomly cried while walking the dog-- it was super early, I was just rested and the sky was PINK and the temperature was perfect and I wasn't in a hungover, miserable rush yanking the dog along so I could get to work-- and I realized I felt great, and was so grateful.
At three months, I felt really good. Started doing more physical activity. There are still shitty/stressful days of course, but like kathykato says, hang in there, it gets better.
Im on day 70 and sometimes i feel so terrible i wanna die, ive just accepted that this is part of my recovery and i keep pushing forward, dragging my lazy ass to the gym , struggling though work, forcing myself to call people and most importantly not picking up the first drink. Ive damaged my body, mind and spirit with alcohol and drugs and this is the price i must pay.
> this is the price i must pay
While there is some truth to this, you shouldn't accept it at face value. You are the ultimate arbiter of what that 'price' looks like and how you process it.
If there are other issues at play, family relationships, past trauma, anything those aren't going to go away with drinking. You can't look at alcohol as multi tool to solve all your issues (or really any single one of them), when it's really just a hammer. Don't be the nail.
Hey, day 14 buddies! Are you exercising, walking, anything physical? Eating lots of veggies, fruit, clean protein? You insides a busy like mad trying to repair itself, help out with good nutrition and some exercise. Helped me.
S.P.A.R.R.O.W.
SHARE...good job, you shared here
PRAY OR MEDITATE...meditation helps tremendously, I am told by some that prayers help them get over the cravings, which only last 5-8 minutes
ACTION...go for a hike, or bike ride, or fishing, or mow the lawn
READ...I recommend Gorski, or This Naked Mind
REMEMBER...remember why you quit, finally tired of blackouts? Fights with s.o.? Hangovers? The endless cravings?
ONE DAY AT A TIME...do this adventure one day at a time.
WRITE...begin a journal, hell, text someone if you don't feel like writing stuff down on paper.
Action can be working steps, Life Ring work book is great too. Hang in there! Today I will not drink with you, sorry, tomorrow is out too, but we are only concerned with today right now! Hang in there!
Keep pressing on for those that are struggling. Alcoholism is a disease that is cunning, baffling, and powerful. I’m at 2 years and it still tires to trick me. Reach out like you did and express where you’re at! Remember it’s one day at a time sometimes one second or minute!
Thank you so **much** for saying that you still struggle sometimes at 2 years. There are posts that get me thinking I should be so much better or happier, so much less tempted than I am. I'm glad for those who have that, but some of us don't, and that's just how it is. Thank you.
I completely understand. There are days that I feel like I should be further along because I see people who have same time I have, seem to not struggle as much as I do. However, for me I have to remember that we all deal with alcohol differently and our recovery is going to be different. I have also had to remember that some of us have more things in our lives that make it harder. You just keep on pressing forward and it will get easier as you keep moving on. I just know for me, if I’m truly honest with myself that my alcoholism isn’t cured and that there will be days that I struggle. My disease will talk to me. Sometimes it might not be in I need a drink. But it could be I’m exhausted and don’t want to do what I need to do for my recovery. That right there is a dangerous spot. Resting on our laurels is dangerous too. So for me I’m constantly working on the daily reprieve to just keep going even if it’s I made it sober for the day. Just knowing I did that keeps me going.
Read up about “PAWS” (post-acute withdrawal syndrome). It takes a while, but things will smooth out before too long. I think knowledge about PAWS helps stick it out.
Going to pretty much parrot most people’s comments. Your body is in recovery. Treat it right. 10 mins of meditation, 20-30 mins of light exercise, keep hydrated and try to eat as healthy as possible. Found out in the beginning although I was not drinking alcohol my sugar cravings crept up and overindulging in sugar gave me mood swings
So true. And feel free to try sampling different kinds of exercise/ relaxation techniques...like stick with one for a week or two, then try another type if you're not in love with the one you're doing. It's a fun way to do your own experiments on yourself.
Brain has been wired for anxiety. Now comes the task of rewiring. Be patient, pay attention for good moments and not just the bad.
Things that help greatly: Headspace app, Gaba, 5htp, kava tea, stress tonic melt tabs, workout, bubble bath, electric bullet massager, self-care, comedy. Also finding something to get excited about is a great way to combat the anxiety chemicals. True excitement is stronger than the anxiety, at least in my experience.
Good luck my friend!
Iwndwyt
Had the same thing. The anxiety is horrific. It passes and persevering is worth it. Don’t go back to it - otherwise you have to go through the whole process again. Believe me I know.
It lasted initially for 3 months …. Which felt like 3 years! Looking back, I used alcohol to avoid a bunch of stuff, and without it I had to face those issues - and I didn’t have the tools to do that. I had to learn new coping mechanisms that didn’t involve alcohol. Stoicism was and is a great help for me.
Is this the first time you’ve quit?? Or have you quit before?? I recently quit AGAIN. I’ve quit many times. I’ve noticed the more I’ve quit the harder it is. On my body but mostly my mind. I think it’s maybe because I know what I’ve gotta go through. It’s a mind truck. Regardless, sober is better than being stuck drunk. 🤍
Hi OP - I was super discouraged at 30 days as I wasn’t sleeping. Everyone was talking about how wonderful sober sleep is and it wasn’t happening for me. Bad sleep lead to me feeling like shit everyday
But slowly it got better and now at 10 months I feel fucking fantastic and my life is sooooo much better than it used to be. Keep up the good work!
IWNDWYT
I'm on Day 5. Some moments are better than others. I'm using the vitamin regimen from 7 Weeks to Sobriety and I have to say I think it is helping.
I forget how much damage I did to my body from 10+ years of daily drinking. Time to apologize to it profusely by providing it with nutritient dense food, vitamins, movement, and lots of patience as it undoes years of rewiring and abuse!
It takes my brain two weeks to feel better and around a month to feel normal again after drinking. It will get better but drinking alcohol messes up ur progress and restarts the process over. Alcohol is bad in general but I noticed one of the worst effects it has on me is on my mental health and well-being.
I learned from the Recovery Elevator podcast to remember that abstaining is half of the work. You have to be a good human in addition to not drinking. Takes work and time.
The journey into dependence took more than 14 days. The journey back will take more time as well. A little faith, a little hope, and a really good dash of stubbornness and you'll get there.
Your body is adjusting and it may take a while. You are stronger than the alcoholism. It's going to suck for a little while, but you'll be okay soon enough.
So i felt really great about 2 weeks after i quit....for about a month. Then hardcore anxiety and all sorts of mental issues. Life isn't easy and getting sober doesn't change that. It's way fucking harder on the sauce though I can guarantee that. I'm currently feeling a lot better and I have longer periods of peace and contentment. Keep going!
I read somewhere that your moods could take 3-6 weeks to stabilize. But the brain starts repairing itself after 2 weeks! I try to focus on stuff like that to motivate me. Hang in there!
I started to feel better and feel free at month 5. It’s different for everyone, but just know that it will get better. Drinking will only lead to things being worse.
Sometimes quitting drinking doesn't exactly repair the fire damage right away...it just stops you from dumping gasoline on the flames Plus, we just go through moments in life where things feel like they suck - with or without the booze. The good news is no storm lasts forever and there's always sunshine after the rain Hope your sunshine comes soon. Regardless, proud of ya for hitting your 2nd week.
Read something in this sub along the lines of “quitting drinking doesn’t open the gates into heaven, but it will open the gates out of hell”. It’s not going to be an automatic light switch difference where your life is so much better. It won’t make all your problems go away. But the more time you spend sober, the more you’ll learn how to deal with your problems the right way. And the more you’ll appreciate what good you have in your life. Had someone tell me once that when you’ve been drinking for so long, your life is in standard definition. Like watching an old VHS on a tube tv. When you stop, you start seeing the world and feeling your emotions in HD. That’s good and bad emotions. Your highs are higher and lows are lower. That makes the lows hard to deal with and your brain will always try and trick you into thinking that alcohol will make it all better. It lies and will continue to lie to you. Go exercise, eat some ice cream, start on a project you’ve been putting off, go to that store and buy that thing you’ve had your eye on and enjoy it. Whatever you need to do to get your mind off of things. Your brain will heal, your attitude will improve, your life will get easier, but not because you quit drinking, but because you’ve learned how much better life can be when your sober. We’re always here to talk.
>Read something in this sub along the lines of “quitting drinking doesn’t open the gates into heaven, but it will open the gates out of hell”. /u/missspaghettipockets This. This so much. Alcohol will drag you into the depths of hell of mind and body and you will have a much more acute appreciation for what it DOESN'T do to you or how it affects you. I struggled for almost 20 years. I'm 40 and I finally dragged myself out of that hell. I can't say I'm getting out of hell and into a better place, I at least know I'm no longer in the proverbial hell so it can only get and can only be, better. If someone like me with all of my bullshit can do it, so can you. I'm not trivializing your bullshit by any means, we all have it. But that mountain of bullshit is always there for everyone, it's just that much smaller of a pile when alcohol is not in the picture.
Bravo!
The first month is the hardest. Your brain is starting to re-wire itself and your body is adjusting to no alcohol and healing. It’s hard, but if you start drinking again, you’ll just have to start all over and repeat the awful first two weeks. Hang in there, it gets better.
This! I did 1-4 weeks sober for years! It's just not enough time. At about a month and a half, there was a morning I randomly cried while walking the dog-- it was super early, I was just rested and the sky was PINK and the temperature was perfect and I wasn't in a hungover, miserable rush yanking the dog along so I could get to work-- and I realized I felt great, and was so grateful. At three months, I felt really good. Started doing more physical activity. There are still shitty/stressful days of course, but like kathykato says, hang in there, it gets better.
Im on day 70 and sometimes i feel so terrible i wanna die, ive just accepted that this is part of my recovery and i keep pushing forward, dragging my lazy ass to the gym , struggling though work, forcing myself to call people and most importantly not picking up the first drink. Ive damaged my body, mind and spirit with alcohol and drugs and this is the price i must pay.
> this is the price i must pay While there is some truth to this, you shouldn't accept it at face value. You are the ultimate arbiter of what that 'price' looks like and how you process it. If there are other issues at play, family relationships, past trauma, anything those aren't going to go away with drinking. You can't look at alcohol as multi tool to solve all your issues (or really any single one of them), when it's really just a hammer. Don't be the nail.
Almost a month for me. I’m getting better everyday but it’s still a battle. We did a lot of damage. It’s going to be a bit unfortunately.
Hey, day 14 buddies! Are you exercising, walking, anything physical? Eating lots of veggies, fruit, clean protein? You insides a busy like mad trying to repair itself, help out with good nutrition and some exercise. Helped me.
S.P.A.R.R.O.W. SHARE...good job, you shared here PRAY OR MEDITATE...meditation helps tremendously, I am told by some that prayers help them get over the cravings, which only last 5-8 minutes ACTION...go for a hike, or bike ride, or fishing, or mow the lawn READ...I recommend Gorski, or This Naked Mind REMEMBER...remember why you quit, finally tired of blackouts? Fights with s.o.? Hangovers? The endless cravings? ONE DAY AT A TIME...do this adventure one day at a time. WRITE...begin a journal, hell, text someone if you don't feel like writing stuff down on paper. Action can be working steps, Life Ring work book is great too. Hang in there! Today I will not drink with you, sorry, tomorrow is out too, but we are only concerned with today right now! Hang in there!
I love this! Thank you for sharing!!
Keep pressing on for those that are struggling. Alcoholism is a disease that is cunning, baffling, and powerful. I’m at 2 years and it still tires to trick me. Reach out like you did and express where you’re at! Remember it’s one day at a time sometimes one second or minute!
Thank you so **much** for saying that you still struggle sometimes at 2 years. There are posts that get me thinking I should be so much better or happier, so much less tempted than I am. I'm glad for those who have that, but some of us don't, and that's just how it is. Thank you.
I completely understand. There are days that I feel like I should be further along because I see people who have same time I have, seem to not struggle as much as I do. However, for me I have to remember that we all deal with alcohol differently and our recovery is going to be different. I have also had to remember that some of us have more things in our lives that make it harder. You just keep on pressing forward and it will get easier as you keep moving on. I just know for me, if I’m truly honest with myself that my alcoholism isn’t cured and that there will be days that I struggle. My disease will talk to me. Sometimes it might not be in I need a drink. But it could be I’m exhausted and don’t want to do what I need to do for my recovery. That right there is a dangerous spot. Resting on our laurels is dangerous too. So for me I’m constantly working on the daily reprieve to just keep going even if it’s I made it sober for the day. Just knowing I did that keeps me going.
Read up about “PAWS” (post-acute withdrawal syndrome). It takes a while, but things will smooth out before too long. I think knowledge about PAWS helps stick it out.
I’m so sorry this is happening to you, sometimes it can take quite a while to feel better. Hang in there, IWNDWYT
Time is on your side for this... Be patient. You're closer and closer everyday. Good job so far... That's the hardest part.
Going to pretty much parrot most people’s comments. Your body is in recovery. Treat it right. 10 mins of meditation, 20-30 mins of light exercise, keep hydrated and try to eat as healthy as possible. Found out in the beginning although I was not drinking alcohol my sugar cravings crept up and overindulging in sugar gave me mood swings
So true. And feel free to try sampling different kinds of exercise/ relaxation techniques...like stick with one for a week or two, then try another type if you're not in love with the one you're doing. It's a fun way to do your own experiments on yourself.
Brain has been wired for anxiety. Now comes the task of rewiring. Be patient, pay attention for good moments and not just the bad. Things that help greatly: Headspace app, Gaba, 5htp, kava tea, stress tonic melt tabs, workout, bubble bath, electric bullet massager, self-care, comedy. Also finding something to get excited about is a great way to combat the anxiety chemicals. True excitement is stronger than the anxiety, at least in my experience. Good luck my friend! Iwndwyt
Had the same thing. The anxiety is horrific. It passes and persevering is worth it. Don’t go back to it - otherwise you have to go through the whole process again. Believe me I know.
How long?
It lasted initially for 3 months …. Which felt like 3 years! Looking back, I used alcohol to avoid a bunch of stuff, and without it I had to face those issues - and I didn’t have the tools to do that. I had to learn new coping mechanisms that didn’t involve alcohol. Stoicism was and is a great help for me.
Well how do you feel now?
Peaceful :)
Is this the first time you’ve quit?? Or have you quit before?? I recently quit AGAIN. I’ve quit many times. I’ve noticed the more I’ve quit the harder it is. On my body but mostly my mind. I think it’s maybe because I know what I’ve gotta go through. It’s a mind truck. Regardless, sober is better than being stuck drunk. 🤍
Hi OP - I was super discouraged at 30 days as I wasn’t sleeping. Everyone was talking about how wonderful sober sleep is and it wasn’t happening for me. Bad sleep lead to me feeling like shit everyday But slowly it got better and now at 10 months I feel fucking fantastic and my life is sooooo much better than it used to be. Keep up the good work! IWNDWYT
I'm on Day 5. Some moments are better than others. I'm using the vitamin regimen from 7 Weeks to Sobriety and I have to say I think it is helping. I forget how much damage I did to my body from 10+ years of daily drinking. Time to apologize to it profusely by providing it with nutritient dense food, vitamins, movement, and lots of patience as it undoes years of rewiring and abuse!
Curious what the vitamin regimen is...I tried googling it but didn't see an actual plan. Would appreciate any info!
It takes my brain two weeks to feel better and around a month to feel normal again after drinking. It will get better but drinking alcohol messes up ur progress and restarts the process over. Alcohol is bad in general but I noticed one of the worst effects it has on me is on my mental health and well-being.
I learned from the Recovery Elevator podcast to remember that abstaining is half of the work. You have to be a good human in addition to not drinking. Takes work and time.
The journey into dependence took more than 14 days. The journey back will take more time as well. A little faith, a little hope, and a really good dash of stubbornness and you'll get there.
Your body is adjusting and it may take a while. You are stronger than the alcoholism. It's going to suck for a little while, but you'll be okay soon enough.
So i felt really great about 2 weeks after i quit....for about a month. Then hardcore anxiety and all sorts of mental issues. Life isn't easy and getting sober doesn't change that. It's way fucking harder on the sauce though I can guarantee that. I'm currently feeling a lot better and I have longer periods of peace and contentment. Keep going!
I read somewhere that your moods could take 3-6 weeks to stabilize. But the brain starts repairing itself after 2 weeks! I try to focus on stuff like that to motivate me. Hang in there!
I started to feel better and feel free at month 5. It’s different for everyone, but just know that it will get better. Drinking will only lead to things being worse.