365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
How are we all doing? Nearly three months for me and have no plans to go back to it.
Harder with everything that's going on, would be great to have a few beers and forget about the world's troubles. Except they'd be back in the morning and I'd have a hangover to deal with!
Still knackered everyday with no more energy than before :/ Got through a three months half marathon training plan though and have lost some weight.
One day, one week and one month at a time...1/4 down!
Harder with everything that's going on, would be great to have a few beers and forget about the world's troubles. Except they'd be back in the morning and I'd have a hangover to deal with!
Still knackered everyday with no more energy than before :/ Got through a three months half marathon training plan though and have lost some weight.
One day, one week and one month at a time...1/4 down!
4 months and 5 days.
Sleep loads better, easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Haven’t lost any weight, but that’s more related to taking up powerlifting :-)
Loads of joints, particularly my neck still crack. Was hoping this would get better but it seems not. Maybe not related to the booze.
Generally feel a bit more motivated and relaxed about things. Severe depression has gone, but have also been in CBT for 6 months.
The main thing is now I just don’t think about drinking any more. I’ve stopped counting the days, even needed to look at my app to find out how many days it’s been. I’m surprised after 5 years of daily drinking.
Sleep loads better, easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Haven’t lost any weight, but that’s more related to taking up powerlifting :-)
Loads of joints, particularly my neck still crack. Was hoping this would get better but it seems not. Maybe not related to the booze.
Generally feel a bit more motivated and relaxed about things. Severe depression has gone, but have also been in CBT for 6 months.
The main thing is now I just don’t think about drinking any more. I’ve stopped counting the days, even needed to look at my app to find out how many days it’s been. I’m surprised after 5 years of daily drinking.
Joscal said:
A depressant is the last thing any of us need now.
I'll second that!I wasn't going to keep on counting, but just wanted to pat myself on the back for a few good habits and realised I will achieve 600 days at Easter Sunday, which is pretty close now.
Keep going, folks. Better weather is coming so get some (local) exercise. Look for good things in life
45 days here, which I would never would have thought I'd be able to do at the start of the year. My anxiety has shrank and is continuing to become less and less of an issue. I always believed I drank because of my anxiety, but really it was drinking that caused it.
Aiming to get to 90 days now and I'll know I'll find it reasonably straight forward, albeit with the help of Becks Blue.
Aiming to get to 90 days now and I'll know I'll find it reasonably straight forward, albeit with the help of Becks Blue.
chrisp84 said:
How are we all doing?
Terrible, tbh. Once the lockdown kicked in I progressively started drinking more and more, turned into an 8 day binge - but hey, I've no work, nothing to do, so lets get pissed, right? 
Well once again my body is paying me back big time, and I'm fearful I've done some real damage this time. Started the first day off with the acid reflux worse than ever, unable to keep anything down, not even water - just projectile vomiting every time something was swallowed. Then there's the uncontrollable shakes, the tight chest the anxiety and total inability to sleep - I slept maybe 1hr in a handful of 20min parts. Day two much the same, stomach improves through the day, first light meal able to keep down maybe 9pm. Shakes pretty bad. Finally got to sleep around 3am, woke up at 6 with pretty strong chest pains - I've experienced these of course before, as part of the anxiety attacks, but this was different, longer and stronger. Stomach is back to normal again, but the background chest pains come and go - it's almost like I can feel my heart struggling to work. Yesterday I thought I might be getting better, and usually my 'antidote' is healthy living and exercise. So I went for a run. First 5mins were ok then suddenly started feeling light headed and dizzy, legs suddenly wobbly, felt like I might collapse. So turned back and walked home feeling dizzy and a bit wobbly.... whatever fitness I had before this binge has definitely gone, and it was decent - 2hrs football a week and 5kms run most days.Now, I'm prone to worrying, which doesn't help with anxiety obviously. And logically if I had/was having a heart attack it wouldn't last 4 days... would it? And would I get one from a stupid drinking binge anyway, if previously otherwise fit? Right now I'm just relaxing (pretty easy!) and telling myself the reason this feels so bad is it's the worst binge I've ever done, it'll pass in a few days and I can get back to exercising. As you can imagine, I don't want to drink ever again right now....
But once we get back to normality I'm going to every bloody organization there is to deal with addiction, because I've finally given in to myself and acknowledged this isn't just problem drinking, or getting carried away. Once I have 1 & there's no motive to stop (work appointment or need to drive) I just carry on. I can't control it, and I'm not pretending to myself that I can any more. It's in charge of me, and if I let it, it'll take everything I have.... it may have already taken some of my health, but that's to be seen. If I'm lucky enough to get out the other side of how I'm feeling now and get back to relative normality then things have to change drastically. Sorry for long post, it's cathartic writing it out
othername said:
Terrible, tbh. Once the lockdown kicked in I progressively started drinking more and more, turned into an 8 day binge - but hey, I've no work, nothing to do, so lets get pissed, right? Well once again my body is paying me back big time, and I'm fearful I've done some real damage this time. Started the first day off with the acid reflux worse than ever, unable to keep anything down, not even water - just projectile vomiting every time something was swallowed. Then there's the uncontrollable shakes, the tight chest the anxiety and total inability to sleep - I slept maybe 1hr in a handful of 20min parts. Day two much the same, stomach improves through the day, first light meal able to keep down maybe 9pm. Shakes pretty bad. Finally got to sleep around 3am, woke up at 6 with pretty strong chest pains - I've experienced these of course before, as part of the anxiety attacks, but this was different, longer and stronger. Stomach is back to normal again, but the background chest pains come and go - it's almost like I can feel my heart struggling to work. Yesterday I thought I might be getting better, and usually my 'antidote' is healthy living and exercise. So I went for a run. First 5mins were ok then suddenly started feeling light headed and dizzy, legs suddenly wobbly, felt like I might collapse. So turned back and walked home feeling dizzy and a bit wobbly.... whatever fitness I had before this binge has definitely gone, and it was decent - 2hrs football a week and 5kms run most days.
Now, I'm prone to worrying, which doesn't help with anxiety obviously. And logically if I had/was having a heart attack it wouldn't last 4 days... would it? And would I get one from a stupid drinking binge anyway, if previously otherwise fit? Right now I'm just relaxing (pretty easy!) and telling myself the reason this feels so bad is it's the worst binge I've ever done, it'll pass in a few days and I can get back to exercising. As you can imagine, I don't want to drink ever again right now....
But once we get back to normality I'm going to every bloody organization there is to deal with addiction, because I've finally given in to myself and acknowledged this isn't just problem drinking, or getting carried away. Once I have 1 & there's no motive to stop (work appointment or need to drive) I just carry on. I can't control it, and I'm not pretending to myself that I can any more. It's in charge of me, and if I let it, it'll take everything I have.... it may have already taken some of my health, but that's to be seen. If I'm lucky enough to get out the other side of how I'm feeling now and get back to relative normality then things have to change drastically. Sorry for long post, it's cathartic writing it out
No point in saying as you already know but hope you get some help. I was the same although never suffered any withdrawal for some reason. Well once again my body is paying me back big time, and I'm fearful I've done some real damage this time. Started the first day off with the acid reflux worse than ever, unable to keep anything down, not even water - just projectile vomiting every time something was swallowed. Then there's the uncontrollable shakes, the tight chest the anxiety and total inability to sleep - I slept maybe 1hr in a handful of 20min parts. Day two much the same, stomach improves through the day, first light meal able to keep down maybe 9pm. Shakes pretty bad. Finally got to sleep around 3am, woke up at 6 with pretty strong chest pains - I've experienced these of course before, as part of the anxiety attacks, but this was different, longer and stronger. Stomach is back to normal again, but the background chest pains come and go - it's almost like I can feel my heart struggling to work. Yesterday I thought I might be getting better, and usually my 'antidote' is healthy living and exercise. So I went for a run. First 5mins were ok then suddenly started feeling light headed and dizzy, legs suddenly wobbly, felt like I might collapse. So turned back and walked home feeling dizzy and a bit wobbly.... whatever fitness I had before this binge has definitely gone, and it was decent - 2hrs football a week and 5kms run most days.Now, I'm prone to worrying, which doesn't help with anxiety obviously. And logically if I had/was having a heart attack it wouldn't last 4 days... would it? And would I get one from a stupid drinking binge anyway, if previously otherwise fit? Right now I'm just relaxing (pretty easy!) and telling myself the reason this feels so bad is it's the worst binge I've ever done, it'll pass in a few days and I can get back to exercising. As you can imagine, I don't want to drink ever again right now....
But once we get back to normality I'm going to every bloody organization there is to deal with addiction, because I've finally given in to myself and acknowledged this isn't just problem drinking, or getting carried away. Once I have 1 & there's no motive to stop (work appointment or need to drive) I just carry on. I can't control it, and I'm not pretending to myself that I can any more. It's in charge of me, and if I let it, it'll take everything I have.... it may have already taken some of my health, but that's to be seen. If I'm lucky enough to get out the other side of how I'm feeling now and get back to relative normality then things have to change drastically. Sorry for long post, it's cathartic writing it out
It doesn’t get better, your body has had enough. Drop me a mail and happy to chat and give you my side of the story.
Davie_GLA said:
No point in saying as you already know but hope you get some help. I was the same although never suffered any withdrawal for some reason.
It doesn’t get better, your body has had enough. Drop me a mail and happy to chat and give you my side of the story.
Appreciate that fella, I'll drop you a message later. Just about to go for a walk. Tentative go on exercise bike after. Road to feeling better and all that...It doesn’t get better, your body has had enough. Drop me a mail and happy to chat and give you my side of the story.
othername said:
Terrible, tbh. Once the lockdown kicked in I progressively started drinking more and more, turned into an 8 day binge - but hey, I've no work, nothing to do, so lets get pissed, right? Well once again my body is paying me back big time, and I'm fearful I've done some real damage this time. Started the first day off with the acid reflux worse than ever, unable to keep anything down, not even water - just projectile vomiting every time something was swallowed. Then there's the uncontrollable shakes, the tight chest the anxiety and total inability to sleep - I slept maybe 1hr in a handful of 20min parts. Day two much the same, stomach improves through the day, first light meal able to keep down maybe 9pm. Shakes pretty bad. Finally got to sleep around 3am, woke up at 6 with pretty strong chest pains - I've experienced these of course before, as part of the anxiety attacks, but this was different, longer and stronger. Stomach is back to normal again, but the background chest pains come and go - it's almost like I can feel my heart struggling to work. Yesterday I thought I might be getting better, and usually my 'antidote' is healthy living and exercise. So I went for a run. First 5mins were ok then suddenly started feeling light headed and dizzy, legs suddenly wobbly, felt like I might collapse. So turned back and walked home feeling dizzy and a bit wobbly.... whatever fitness I had before this binge has definitely gone, and it was decent - 2hrs football a week and 5kms run most days.
Now, I'm prone to worrying, which doesn't help with anxiety obviously. And logically if I had/was having a heart attack it wouldn't last 4 days... would it? And would I get one from a stupid drinking binge anyway, if previously otherwise fit? Right now I'm just relaxing (pretty easy!) and telling myself the reason this feels so bad is it's the worst binge I've ever done, it'll pass in a few days and I can get back to exercising. As you can imagine, I don't want to drink ever again right now....
But once we get back to normality I'm going to every bloody organization there is to deal with addiction, because I've finally given in to myself and acknowledged this isn't just problem drinking, or getting carried away. Once I have 1 & there's no motive to stop (work appointment or need to drive) I just carry on. I can't control it, and I'm not pretending to myself that I can any more. It's in charge of me, and if I let it, it'll take everything I have.... it may have already taken some of my health, but that's to be seen. If I'm lucky enough to get out the other side of how I'm feeling now and get back to relative normality then things have to change drastically. Sorry for long post, it's cathartic writing it out
Really sorry to hear this, I lived in the same circle of self loathing for years. It isn’t you it’s the alcohol please remember that, you’re just better at it than others (as I was!) There are various books mentioned earlier in this post which were hugely helpful to me some of which have forums with so many people in the same boat. Well once again my body is paying me back big time, and I'm fearful I've done some real damage this time. Started the first day off with the acid reflux worse than ever, unable to keep anything down, not even water - just projectile vomiting every time something was swallowed. Then there's the uncontrollable shakes, the tight chest the anxiety and total inability to sleep - I slept maybe 1hr in a handful of 20min parts. Day two much the same, stomach improves through the day, first light meal able to keep down maybe 9pm. Shakes pretty bad. Finally got to sleep around 3am, woke up at 6 with pretty strong chest pains - I've experienced these of course before, as part of the anxiety attacks, but this was different, longer and stronger. Stomach is back to normal again, but the background chest pains come and go - it's almost like I can feel my heart struggling to work. Yesterday I thought I might be getting better, and usually my 'antidote' is healthy living and exercise. So I went for a run. First 5mins were ok then suddenly started feeling light headed and dizzy, legs suddenly wobbly, felt like I might collapse. So turned back and walked home feeling dizzy and a bit wobbly.... whatever fitness I had before this binge has definitely gone, and it was decent - 2hrs football a week and 5kms run most days.Now, I'm prone to worrying, which doesn't help with anxiety obviously. And logically if I had/was having a heart attack it wouldn't last 4 days... would it? And would I get one from a stupid drinking binge anyway, if previously otherwise fit? Right now I'm just relaxing (pretty easy!) and telling myself the reason this feels so bad is it's the worst binge I've ever done, it'll pass in a few days and I can get back to exercising. As you can imagine, I don't want to drink ever again right now....
But once we get back to normality I'm going to every bloody organization there is to deal with addiction, because I've finally given in to myself and acknowledged this isn't just problem drinking, or getting carried away. Once I have 1 & there's no motive to stop (work appointment or need to drive) I just carry on. I can't control it, and I'm not pretending to myself that I can any more. It's in charge of me, and if I let it, it'll take everything I have.... it may have already taken some of my health, but that's to be seen. If I'm lucky enough to get out the other side of how I'm feeling now and get back to relative normality then things have to change drastically. Sorry for long post, it's cathartic writing it out
Give them a try maybe?
Joscal said:
Really sorry to hear this, I lived in the same circle of self loathing for years. It isn’t you it’s the alcohol please remember that, you’re just better at it than others (as I was!) There are various books mentioned earlier in this post which were hugely helpful to me some of which have forums with so many people in the same boat.
Give them a try maybe?
Thanks Give them a try maybe?
and books a good idea right now obvs - I haven't read the whole post but could you (or others) recommend some? Would rather hear from those who've 'been there done that' than google....Of course, gladly!
Alcohol Explained by William Porter - this was a real eye opener and really made me think.
The alcohol experiment by Annie Grace - initially thought it was too American but the online aspect really helps and is free. Her other book This Naked Mind is equally as good with a great forum too.
Kick the Drink easily by Jason Vale - eye opening again!
The best thing about the books was realising I wasn’t alone in being fed up!
Best of luck!
Alcohol Explained by William Porter - this was a real eye opener and really made me think.
The alcohol experiment by Annie Grace - initially thought it was too American but the online aspect really helps and is free. Her other book This Naked Mind is equally as good with a great forum too.
Kick the Drink easily by Jason Vale - eye opening again!
The best thing about the books was realising I wasn’t alone in being fed up!
Best of luck!
Joscal said:
Alcohol Explained by William Porter - this was a real eye opener and really made me think.
A really good read, can’t praise it enough.Never seemed to preach, was designed to go at your pace, just presents the facts and lets you absorb them. Once they went in, which was easy for me, a whole lot of it seemed to stick.
Well written stuff
K12beano said:
really good read, can’t praise it enough.
Never seemed to preach, was designed to go at your pace, just presents the facts and lets you absorb them. Once they went in, which was easy for me, a whole lot of it seemed to stick.
Well written stuff
Yes it’s the book that really stuck for me. I (like everyone?) had absolutely no idea just how bad alcohol really is for our bodies. Prior to reading I thought it was fun and sure you get a hangover but it’s worth it!Never seemed to preach, was designed to go at your pace, just presents the facts and lets you absorb them. Once they went in, which was easy for me, a whole lot of it seemed to stick.
Well written stuff
I gave it one of my colleagues and he has quit after reading it too. He had no intention but just doesn’t see the point anymore.
Joscal said:
Yes it’s the book that really stuck for me. I (like everyone?) had absolutely no idea just how bad alcohol really is for our bodies. Prior to reading I thought it was fun and sure you get a hangover but it’s worth it!
I gave it one of my colleagues and he has quit after reading it too. He had no intention but just doesn’t see the point anymore.
And another as above. Great book that really clicked to me. Well worth a read and he has the first few chapters free to read on his website.I gave it one of my colleagues and he has quit after reading it too. He had no intention but just doesn’t see the point anymore.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff