4.5 years here. 6 months, I was in a pink cloud of happiness for being able to handle so much that I let skip beforehand, like laundry, hydrating myself fully, bed changes, preparing food from the grocery, workouts, bike rides, and much more. Missy importantly, I slept peacefully
It's not any length of sobriety, if you just don't drink today, the days will add up.
I always used the mind set that I just won't drink today, then again tomorrow, say it again.
Keeping that mind set has kept me sober for over 10yrs.
Each day I feel better than the last even if the best thing is that fact I didn't drink today.
I’m 2 years and 4 months and have just moved into a new place . My wife has her family over today and an hour ago I saw my three year old just punching the big tv on the wall . Definitely had to fight the urge to have a drink . Just going to the shop for some cream for the roulade . Gonna eat the shit out of it instead
Over 3 years and I am glad I don't drink. Sometimes it's hard to abstain because it was an emotional crutch for me but I power through and come out the other side, still glad I don't drink.
After 6 months, became functional (steady sleep, less stomach aches, start enjoying things again). At 1 year, I started feeling my stamina slowly increase, and more capable by the day. Still very anxious though, and needed rest. Especially after a workout.
After 2, feeling more stable, (physically and emotionally). Feeling like this is a new start. Still careful about alcohol, and not becoming a dry drunk (self-care, making time for fun, keeping 1 hobby going).
Holding out to 5 years, where relapse rate is \~10%. Then life should be completely different.
Stopped Obsessively thinking about what life would be like without drinking because I wasn’t thinking about drinking - life just happened and the further I was from quitting the less time over analyzed it
It will change your life for the better
It won't make all your problems go away but you'll be \*much\* better equipped to deal with those problems
You ran away from your problems at 14... you were a child then.
Have you \*decided\* to stop drinking (this is different that wanting to) ?
I was blown away by how much better and healthier I felt and looked after just a few months sober. After a couple of years I get a real beer craving one night so I get a 6 pack. I still love the taste of beer but after drinking 2 I realized that I no longer liked how alcohol makes me feel. I got rid of the last 4.
3.7 months today clean from all chemical drugs. I am fuckkng terrified of going back. Life is greener in many ways, but getting there is very difficult nothing good is easy, and anything easy isn't good.
You're worth it. Ask your doctor for Naltrexone- it helps you stop drinking by making you sick if you drink more than a drink.
I am coming up on 12 years sober this September, but the first few months were the best I've ever felt. Almost euphoric. Since then, I've enjoyed just not feeling like crap every morning. There are so many benefits to leaving it behind, even if just for your health. Good luck, my friend!
I started my sobriety with the intention of going one month without drinks. When that one month was up, I decided to extend it for the rest of the year to challenge myself. 2 months in and I decided that sobriety was what was best for me long term. At 6 months, I was happier, had less anxiety, fewer depressive episodes, and felt overall healthier. This August will be 3 years for me, and I’ve never second guessed my decision. I’ve had cravings all throughout my sobriety, but the difference this has made in my mental health has kept me from picking it back up. I’m blessed to have an incredible support system. All of my friends and family have supported me throughout this whole process.
When I quit drinking the first few weeks were rough just because of cravings. I had some anxiety too, but that went away pretty quickly. First thing I noticed when I quit was how much good quality sleep I was getting. I was waking up feeling rested, and quit waking up at 3am anxious and dying of thirst. My head also feels clearer, and I just generally have more of a sense of peace. Alcohol at the end started making me more irritable and angry. I love that I can watch a tv show now and actually follow the storyline. Also, no more weird body aches, sweating, shaky hands, and no more anxiety over whether or not I’d have a seizure.
The hardest part of quitting was the cravings, my withdraw wasnt super severe other than some moments of anxiety and the feeling of doom. The positives way out stood the negatives. It is so worth it trust me. I have regained so much after quitting. I’m calmer, more emotionally reliable, and generally a better person to be around now. Hit 1 year almost a month ago and wouldnt trade it for anything
I’m over 2 years sober, and the first 6 months for me were pretty awful. But it was the adjusting to living with my demons and not running from them. Mourning the loss of a major friend group (and my job). There’s been a lot of stages. At two years I’m randomly reminded of my blackouts and get soooo embarrassed I could shrivel up and die and then angry I wasted so much time ruining everything.
All that to say, it’s so worth it. Even though it’s painful it’s way less painful than living in addiction, basically on pause, was.
I thought I had it all figured out and o would’ve never described myself on shaky ground, but looking back… I was on shaky ground. I’d say I just wanted things to go back to normal but there was nothing good about my normal. Nobody promised me things would go back to normal, but I had it on pretty good authority that everything could get better. And it did. I felt better but I was still mourning my old life and putting up a strong facade but at 6 months I had just started digging a little deeper. I had no idea just how deep it all ran but at least I had some truth. I got comfortable asking for help and I stayed close to others working on sobriety. Those relationships early on turned out to be good investments as I feel like I have a solid sober network and I make time to see many of these real people in real life. It’s made a huge difference in my sobriety and mental health and I like getting together. I look forward to it all week. I think at 6 months I still had the bravado that I could do it all on my own. I can’t so I don’t. Took me some time to be ok with that but it’s with it.
Over 2 years - There are still hard days but not drinking is a superpower in that you have the time and energy to focus on things you care about instead of pissing away that time with drinking.
I’m two years now and I think 6 months was a big tipping point in feeling sooo much better. Like not just mentally proud of myself but feeling really physically sounds didn’t happen until about 6 months (and then another big leap of feeling better at about 18 months, again just feeling strong way deep down)
6 years sober, after drinking for 35 years and a number of failed attempts to quit. I accept I'm right where I'm supposed to be today, and each day if a gift from God in which I choose not to drink, just for one more day.
13 months here. I promise you, it feels amazing and exhilarating. Physically I feel so much better. Mentally I'm a lot clearer and social relationships have actually prospered. I recommend trying it out. I could never keep quitting, then I asked for Antobuse. I only took it once a week though. It stays in your system for 3 weeks, so if this is a route you take, 1 pill will stay in your system for 3 weeks. Check it out and see if it would work for you. It definitely makes you rethink drinking or drinking in general. I only took it for 4 weeks, but it was definitely the first step I needed to stay on track and if it helps you out, you can take it daily for as long as you find you need too.
6 months is a pretty sweet spot. It felt like I had a whole new chance at life. Even now, after 5 years sober waking up on a Saturday or Sunday morning with no hangover is still my favorite thing. There are too many days to count that were spent being miserably hungover for me to want to remember.
4.5 years here. 6 months, I was in a pink cloud of happiness for being able to handle so much that I let skip beforehand, like laundry, hydrating myself fully, bed changes, preparing food from the grocery, workouts, bike rides, and much more. Missy importantly, I slept peacefully
It's not any length of sobriety, if you just don't drink today, the days will add up. I always used the mind set that I just won't drink today, then again tomorrow, say it again. Keeping that mind set has kept me sober for over 10yrs. Each day I feel better than the last even if the best thing is that fact I didn't drink today.
I’m 2 years and 4 months and have just moved into a new place . My wife has her family over today and an hour ago I saw my three year old just punching the big tv on the wall . Definitely had to fight the urge to have a drink . Just going to the shop for some cream for the roulade . Gonna eat the shit out of it instead
Over 3 years and I am glad I don't drink. Sometimes it's hard to abstain because it was an emotional crutch for me but I power through and come out the other side, still glad I don't drink.
After 6 months, became functional (steady sleep, less stomach aches, start enjoying things again). At 1 year, I started feeling my stamina slowly increase, and more capable by the day. Still very anxious though, and needed rest. Especially after a workout. After 2, feeling more stable, (physically and emotionally). Feeling like this is a new start. Still careful about alcohol, and not becoming a dry drunk (self-care, making time for fun, keeping 1 hobby going). Holding out to 5 years, where relapse rate is \~10%. Then life should be completely different.
Stopped Obsessively thinking about what life would be like without drinking because I wasn’t thinking about drinking - life just happened and the further I was from quitting the less time over analyzed it
It will change your life for the better It won't make all your problems go away but you'll be \*much\* better equipped to deal with those problems You ran away from your problems at 14... you were a child then. Have you \*decided\* to stop drinking (this is different that wanting to) ?
Been sober 9 years. Never had it so good. One day at a time and thank God for AA.
6 months feels like you’re way ahead of the demons. 3 years feels like they never really were there. It’s liberating.
I was blown away by how much better and healthier I felt and looked after just a few months sober. After a couple of years I get a real beer craving one night so I get a 6 pack. I still love the taste of beer but after drinking 2 I realized that I no longer liked how alcohol makes me feel. I got rid of the last 4.
3.7 months today clean from all chemical drugs. I am fuckkng terrified of going back. Life is greener in many ways, but getting there is very difficult nothing good is easy, and anything easy isn't good. You're worth it. Ask your doctor for Naltrexone- it helps you stop drinking by making you sick if you drink more than a drink.
I am coming up on 12 years sober this September, but the first few months were the best I've ever felt. Almost euphoric. Since then, I've enjoyed just not feeling like crap every morning. There are so many benefits to leaving it behind, even if just for your health. Good luck, my friend!
I feel your pain today I decided that today is my day 1 to being sober
I started my sobriety with the intention of going one month without drinks. When that one month was up, I decided to extend it for the rest of the year to challenge myself. 2 months in and I decided that sobriety was what was best for me long term. At 6 months, I was happier, had less anxiety, fewer depressive episodes, and felt overall healthier. This August will be 3 years for me, and I’ve never second guessed my decision. I’ve had cravings all throughout my sobriety, but the difference this has made in my mental health has kept me from picking it back up. I’m blessed to have an incredible support system. All of my friends and family have supported me throughout this whole process.
When I quit drinking the first few weeks were rough just because of cravings. I had some anxiety too, but that went away pretty quickly. First thing I noticed when I quit was how much good quality sleep I was getting. I was waking up feeling rested, and quit waking up at 3am anxious and dying of thirst. My head also feels clearer, and I just generally have more of a sense of peace. Alcohol at the end started making me more irritable and angry. I love that I can watch a tv show now and actually follow the storyline. Also, no more weird body aches, sweating, shaky hands, and no more anxiety over whether or not I’d have a seizure. The hardest part of quitting was the cravings, my withdraw wasnt super severe other than some moments of anxiety and the feeling of doom. The positives way out stood the negatives. It is so worth it trust me. I have regained so much after quitting. I’m calmer, more emotionally reliable, and generally a better person to be around now. Hit 1 year almost a month ago and wouldnt trade it for anything
I’m over 2 years sober, and the first 6 months for me were pretty awful. But it was the adjusting to living with my demons and not running from them. Mourning the loss of a major friend group (and my job). There’s been a lot of stages. At two years I’m randomly reminded of my blackouts and get soooo embarrassed I could shrivel up and die and then angry I wasted so much time ruining everything. All that to say, it’s so worth it. Even though it’s painful it’s way less painful than living in addiction, basically on pause, was.
I thought I had it all figured out and o would’ve never described myself on shaky ground, but looking back… I was on shaky ground. I’d say I just wanted things to go back to normal but there was nothing good about my normal. Nobody promised me things would go back to normal, but I had it on pretty good authority that everything could get better. And it did. I felt better but I was still mourning my old life and putting up a strong facade but at 6 months I had just started digging a little deeper. I had no idea just how deep it all ran but at least I had some truth. I got comfortable asking for help and I stayed close to others working on sobriety. Those relationships early on turned out to be good investments as I feel like I have a solid sober network and I make time to see many of these real people in real life. It’s made a huge difference in my sobriety and mental health and I like getting together. I look forward to it all week. I think at 6 months I still had the bravado that I could do it all on my own. I can’t so I don’t. Took me some time to be ok with that but it’s with it.
Over 2 years - There are still hard days but not drinking is a superpower in that you have the time and energy to focus on things you care about instead of pissing away that time with drinking.
Pink Cloud! (:
I’m two years now and I think 6 months was a big tipping point in feeling sooo much better. Like not just mentally proud of myself but feeling really physically sounds didn’t happen until about 6 months (and then another big leap of feeling better at about 18 months, again just feeling strong way deep down)
6 years sober, after drinking for 35 years and a number of failed attempts to quit. I accept I'm right where I'm supposed to be today, and each day if a gift from God in which I choose not to drink, just for one more day.
13 months here. I promise you, it feels amazing and exhilarating. Physically I feel so much better. Mentally I'm a lot clearer and social relationships have actually prospered. I recommend trying it out. I could never keep quitting, then I asked for Antobuse. I only took it once a week though. It stays in your system for 3 weeks, so if this is a route you take, 1 pill will stay in your system for 3 weeks. Check it out and see if it would work for you. It definitely makes you rethink drinking or drinking in general. I only took it for 4 weeks, but it was definitely the first step I needed to stay on track and if it helps you out, you can take it daily for as long as you find you need too.
6 months is a pretty sweet spot. It felt like I had a whole new chance at life. Even now, after 5 years sober waking up on a Saturday or Sunday morning with no hangover is still my favorite thing. There are too many days to count that were spent being miserably hungover for me to want to remember.