365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
I'm on my day 6. First sober weekend in a while.
I quit last August/September for 37 days (probably the longest in 20 odd years) and although I felt the benefits, I did feel I was denying myself pleasure.
I'm trying to re-program my brain. I've drank mainly to alleviate boredom, anxiety and depression. When I quit last, these emotions come back to the forefront of my mind. It felt like these were a result of missing the booze, but it's quite the opposite really, this I'm starting to realise.
The alcohol was a bad "solution" to these problems. I need to address why I drink.
When I start to feel bored/anxious/depressed my brain still tells me I want a drink. 11am this morning as a prime example. I started to think through the process:
If I went to the shop and bought 4 strong ciders, I could drink them while watching the Grand Prix and feel pretty good.... for a bit...
Then what...? That'll take me to around 5pm...
Am I going to feel s
t after...? Yes. Would drinking more fix this...? Yes. Then what...?
Feel like crap in work tomorrow and either struggle through to the weekend or drink more...
It's a perpetual st cycle.
Time to break it. I'm drinking for the wrong reasons. Not anymore.
I quit last August/September for 37 days (probably the longest in 20 odd years) and although I felt the benefits, I did feel I was denying myself pleasure.
I'm trying to re-program my brain. I've drank mainly to alleviate boredom, anxiety and depression. When I quit last, these emotions come back to the forefront of my mind. It felt like these were a result of missing the booze, but it's quite the opposite really, this I'm starting to realise.
The alcohol was a bad "solution" to these problems. I need to address why I drink.
When I start to feel bored/anxious/depressed my brain still tells me I want a drink. 11am this morning as a prime example. I started to think through the process:
If I went to the shop and bought 4 strong ciders, I could drink them while watching the Grand Prix and feel pretty good.... for a bit...
Then what...? That'll take me to around 5pm...
Am I going to feel s
t after...? Yes. Would drinking more fix this...? Yes. Then what...? Feel like crap in work tomorrow and either struggle through to the weekend or drink more...
It's a perpetual s
t cycle. Time to break it. I'm drinking for the wrong reasons. Not anymore.
Drew106 said:
I'm on my day 6. First sober weekend in a while.
I quit last August/September for 37 days (probably the longest in 20 odd years) and although I felt the benefits, I did feel I was denying myself pleasure.
I'm trying to re-program my brain. I've drank mainly to alleviate boredom, anxiety and depression. When I quit last, these emotions come back to the forefront of my mind. It felt like these were a result of missing the booze, but it's quite the opposite really, this I'm starting to realise.
The alcohol was a bad "solution" to these problems. I need to address why I drink.
When I start to feel bored/anxious/depressed my brain still tells me I want a drink. 11am this morning as a prime example. I started to think through the process:
If I went to the shop and bought 4 strong ciders, I could drink them while watching the Grand Prix and feel pretty good.... for a bit...
Then what...? That'll take me to around 5pm...
Am I going to feel st after...? Yes. Would drinking more fix this...? Yes. Then what...?
Feel like crap in work tomorrow and either struggle through to the weekend or drink more...
It's a perpetual st cycle.
Time to break it. I'm drinking for the wrong reasons. Not anymore.
Speak to your GP about dealing with the reasons why you drink. I spoke to my GP about my drinking, and surprise surprise, they only dealt with the drinking. I ended up in a worse state sober than when I was a drunk. Only then did we deal with the mental health side of things (some therapy and a tiny daily dose of SSRIs), and I find that with a happier head the sobriety comes naturally. It takes almost zero effort (18 months in).I quit last August/September for 37 days (probably the longest in 20 odd years) and although I felt the benefits, I did feel I was denying myself pleasure.
I'm trying to re-program my brain. I've drank mainly to alleviate boredom, anxiety and depression. When I quit last, these emotions come back to the forefront of my mind. It felt like these were a result of missing the booze, but it's quite the opposite really, this I'm starting to realise.
The alcohol was a bad "solution" to these problems. I need to address why I drink.
When I start to feel bored/anxious/depressed my brain still tells me I want a drink. 11am this morning as a prime example. I started to think through the process:
If I went to the shop and bought 4 strong ciders, I could drink them while watching the Grand Prix and feel pretty good.... for a bit...
Then what...? That'll take me to around 5pm...
Am I going to feel s
t after...? Yes. Would drinking more fix this...? Yes. Then what...? Feel like crap in work tomorrow and either struggle through to the weekend or drink more...
It's a perpetual s
t cycle. Time to break it. I'm drinking for the wrong reasons. Not anymore.
The difficulty will be convincing any professional that your order of issues is mental health THEN drinking. They will of course assume (and fair enough I think) that the alcohol is the cause of any issues, not the medicine.
Sadly, a GP has almost no training whatsoever on dependency.
The rehab where I worked was also a teaching hospital. Junior doctors spent a month at the hospital, spending about a week in each of the general psych. adolescent and addiction treatment wards.
Bless them, they had no clue about addiction. Very often over the years, a junior doctor would suffer a trauma response after sitting in with group work, as they realised that their own family was riven with addiction.
Very few of them expressed any desire to specialise in addiction. And so, the merry-go-round continues.
The rehab where I worked was also a teaching hospital. Junior doctors spent a month at the hospital, spending about a week in each of the general psych. adolescent and addiction treatment wards.
Bless them, they had no clue about addiction. Very often over the years, a junior doctor would suffer a trauma response after sitting in with group work, as they realised that their own family was riven with addiction.
Very few of them expressed any desire to specialise in addiction. And so, the merry-go-round continues.
Blib said:
Sadly, a GP has almost no training whatsoever on dependency.
No, nor would you expect them to, but they can get you referred to the right local services. I wouldn't have knocked on the right door without a fast-track appointment by my GP. I implied my GP didn't do a good job. My GP did a great job getting me in front of people who could help.Fishlegs said:
Blib said:
Sadly, a GP has almost no training whatsoever on dependency.
No, nor would you expect them to, but they can get you referred to the right local services. I wouldn't have knocked on the right door without a fast-track appointment by my GP. I implied my GP didn't do a good job. My GP did a great job getting me in front of people who could help.The overwhelming majority straight out lie to their doctors about their levels of dependency. In many, but not all cases a well trained GP could be able to discern the truth from fiction by use of judicious questioning.
365 days today.
I wasn't a big drinker, but it was becoming a bit too little and often and I was nipping in the local for a few with the lads rather than training or just chilling out at home. Job's all deadlines and aggressive, demanding clients so it was a way of switching off. Problem remains though.
To be honest, I have not missed it. it's quite liberating to know I can hop in the car anytime, no worries about taxis, lost weight, saved cash and keeps the black dog at bay.
One thing I do know, is that Beck Blue tastes like pish and many AF beers have more sugar than full fat Coke.
The best AF seems to be Pistonhead - whodathunk....!!
Castrol for a knave said:
365 days today.
I wasn't a big drinker, but it was becoming a bit too little and often and I was nipping in the local for a few with the lads rather than training or just chilling out at home. Job's all deadlines and aggressive, demanding clients so it was a way of switching off. Problem remains though.
To be honest, I have not missed it. it's quite liberating to know I can hop in the car anytime, no worries about taxis, lost weight, saved cash and keeps the black dog at bay.
One thing I do know, is that Beck Blue tastes like pish and many AF beers have more sugar than full fat Coke.
The best AF seems to be Pistonhead - whodathunk....!!
Well done to you.I wasn't a big drinker, but it was becoming a bit too little and often and I was nipping in the local for a few with the lads rather than training or just chilling out at home. Job's all deadlines and aggressive, demanding clients so it was a way of switching off. Problem remains though.
To be honest, I have not missed it. it's quite liberating to know I can hop in the car anytime, no worries about taxis, lost weight, saved cash and keeps the black dog at bay.
One thing I do know, is that Beck Blue tastes like pish and many AF beers have more sugar than full fat Coke.
The best AF seems to be Pistonhead - whodathunk....!!
This is a really great thread on PH. No dick measuring; instead so open and supportive.
Fair play to folks who post here; I think it is sometimes the hardest thing.
I am closing in on 1000 days AF. For me there are some real high points
- Never thinking shall I / shan't I when offered booze.
- Ignoring the wine section completely when shopping (Just like the cigarette counter; no relevance to me)
- Facing up to real life with my full brain power (regularly find that's still not enough!)
- Always knowing that I am safe to drive, safe to take charge
- Feeling stuff, instead of thinking I have to change how I feel (spoiler alert -doesn't work)
- Building up resilience to usual life issues, because sometimes I TAKE ACTION.
Lots more plus points in my head. Happy to PM anyone / chat, especially if you feel a bit scared of the thought of alcohol to 'help' or 'add' to your life.
Fair play to folks who post here; I think it is sometimes the hardest thing.
I am closing in on 1000 days AF. For me there are some real high points
- Never thinking shall I / shan't I when offered booze.
- Ignoring the wine section completely when shopping (Just like the cigarette counter; no relevance to me)
- Facing up to real life with my full brain power (regularly find that's still not enough!)
- Always knowing that I am safe to drive, safe to take charge
- Feeling stuff, instead of thinking I have to change how I feel (spoiler alert -doesn't work)
- Building up resilience to usual life issues, because sometimes I TAKE ACTION.
Lots more plus points in my head. Happy to PM anyone / chat, especially if you feel a bit scared of the thought of alcohol to 'help' or 'add' to your life.
I've just started, i'm one month in with no end goal and so far I haven't missed it at all.
I was a heavy binge drinker, Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings i'd just pile it down my neck until 2am then feel like crap the next day, I was essentially wasting my weekends. I'm 44 and had been doing this for as long as I can remember and I had reached a point where I was three stone heavier than I should be so it had to stop.
So far we've had friends over for BBQ's and i've been out on an all-dayer with mates but it hasn't been a struggle at all so far, the all day session was what I assumed would be the hardest test as I love/d a day drinking session but I didn't find it bothered me.
It's nice waking up with a clear head and being able to function at the weekends now. I've also started exercising which I didn't do before as i constantly felt lethargic and I've lost a stone this month as a result, so that's been a bonus.
As i said above, i'm not sure where I want to get to or what I want to achieve, i'm not sure if I have given up forever or if I will start drinking again in moderation but i'm currently enjoying not drinking.
I was a heavy binge drinker, Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings i'd just pile it down my neck until 2am then feel like crap the next day, I was essentially wasting my weekends. I'm 44 and had been doing this for as long as I can remember and I had reached a point where I was three stone heavier than I should be so it had to stop.
So far we've had friends over for BBQ's and i've been out on an all-dayer with mates but it hasn't been a struggle at all so far, the all day session was what I assumed would be the hardest test as I love/d a day drinking session but I didn't find it bothered me.
It's nice waking up with a clear head and being able to function at the weekends now. I've also started exercising which I didn't do before as i constantly felt lethargic and I've lost a stone this month as a result, so that's been a bonus.
As i said above, i'm not sure where I want to get to or what I want to achieve, i'm not sure if I have given up forever or if I will start drinking again in moderation but i'm currently enjoying not drinking.
thainy77 said:
I've just started, i'm one month in with no end goal and so far I haven't missed it at all.
I was a heavy binge drinker, Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings i'd just pile it down my neck until 2am then feel like crap the next day, I was essentially wasting my weekends. I'm 44 and had been doing this for as long as I can remember and I had reached a point where I was three stone heavier than I should be so it had to stop.
So far we've had friends over for BBQ's and i've been out on an all-dayer with mates but it hasn't been a struggle at all so far, the all day session was what I assumed would be the hardest test as I love/d a day drinking session but I didn't find it bothered me.
It's nice waking up with a clear head and being able to function at the weekends now. I've also started exercising which I didn't do before as i constantly felt lethargic and I've lost a stone this month as a result, so that's been a bonus.
As i said above, i'm not sure where I want to get to or what I want to achieve, i'm not sure if I have given up forever or if I will start drinking again in moderation but i'm currently enjoying not drinking.
That great and really well done, my experience has been the longer without the less and less I wanted to have another drink. I was a heavy binge drinker, Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings i'd just pile it down my neck until 2am then feel like crap the next day, I was essentially wasting my weekends. I'm 44 and had been doing this for as long as I can remember and I had reached a point where I was three stone heavier than I should be so it had to stop.
So far we've had friends over for BBQ's and i've been out on an all-dayer with mates but it hasn't been a struggle at all so far, the all day session was what I assumed would be the hardest test as I love/d a day drinking session but I didn't find it bothered me.
It's nice waking up with a clear head and being able to function at the weekends now. I've also started exercising which I didn't do before as i constantly felt lethargic and I've lost a stone this month as a result, so that's been a bonus.
As i said above, i'm not sure where I want to get to or what I want to achieve, i'm not sure if I have given up forever or if I will start drinking again in moderation but i'm currently enjoying not drinking.
I’ve always said I ‘might’ drink again but it just doesn’t appeal anymore which has amazed me as I was a weekend binge drinker too. The hangovers definitely hurt more the older you get too!
Congratulations to you and the others who have reached milestones recently!
I really enjoy this thread and the positive vibes from people who are on their own journeys.
I agree, there's been some really positive posts recently. It's really heartwarming.
But, this doesn't mean folk can't post up about their difficulties and struggles too.
There's an awful lot of experience on this thread for those who are about to set out on the path to sobriety and also those who have had a slip or two along the way.
My experience on here is that no one is judged, everyone is supported.
So, please, if you're having a difficult patch, post about it here too.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE !
But, this doesn't mean folk can't post up about their difficulties and struggles too.
There's an awful lot of experience on this thread for those who are about to set out on the path to sobriety and also those who have had a slip or two along the way.
My experience on here is that no one is judged, everyone is supported.
So, please, if you're having a difficult patch, post about it here too.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE !
Castrol for a knave said:
365 days today.
I wasn't a big drinker, but it was becoming a bit too little and often and I was nipping in the local for a few with the lads rather than training or just chilling out at home. Job's all deadlines and aggressive, demanding clients so it was a way of switching off. Problem remains though.
To be honest, I have not missed it. it's quite liberating to know I can hop in the car anytime, no worries about taxis, lost weight, saved cash and keeps the black dog at bay.
One thing I do know, is that Beck Blue tastes like pish and many AF beers have more sugar than full fat Coke.
The best AF seems to be Pistonhead - whodathunk....!!
I wasn't a big drinker, but it was becoming a bit too little and often and I was nipping in the local for a few with the lads rather than training or just chilling out at home. Job's all deadlines and aggressive, demanding clients so it was a way of switching off. Problem remains though.
To be honest, I have not missed it. it's quite liberating to know I can hop in the car anytime, no worries about taxis, lost weight, saved cash and keeps the black dog at bay.
One thing I do know, is that Beck Blue tastes like pish and many AF beers have more sugar than full fat Coke.
The best AF seems to be Pistonhead - whodathunk....!!
Well done dude! 365 is a mega milestone. How do you all deal with the sleep and overthinking for the first 1-3 weeks?
I had a stint afew years back wheere I significantly reduced my intake, coupled with better diet choices and exercise i lost weight. This felt great, I i drank loads more water, i ate my dinners earlier (around 7-8pm) and went to bed around 10-11pm. A big glass of water 30-60min before bed really aided in my sleep. my sleep was more consitent & uninterrupted and i woke up feeling more alert. i had loads more energy throughout the day.
however the first few days from not drinking...seems always hard. a change in routine might see me go to bed at 11pm..but not fall asleep until 2-3am. sometimes in the evenings if i dont have afew, i might go to bed not entirely exhausted... which will make my brain go into overdrive and i'll start overthinking all sorts of nonsense.
Ive got weight i've wanted to lose for about a decade, I know that if i reduce my intake to just weekends (or very little) it will make a great deal not just calories, but mindset. It's just those first moments where you have the restless sleep...how do you deal with that?
I had a stint afew years back wheere I significantly reduced my intake, coupled with better diet choices and exercise i lost weight. This felt great, I i drank loads more water, i ate my dinners earlier (around 7-8pm) and went to bed around 10-11pm. A big glass of water 30-60min before bed really aided in my sleep. my sleep was more consitent & uninterrupted and i woke up feeling more alert. i had loads more energy throughout the day.
however the first few days from not drinking...seems always hard. a change in routine might see me go to bed at 11pm..but not fall asleep until 2-3am. sometimes in the evenings if i dont have afew, i might go to bed not entirely exhausted... which will make my brain go into overdrive and i'll start overthinking all sorts of nonsense.
Ive got weight i've wanted to lose for about a decade, I know that if i reduce my intake to just weekends (or very little) it will make a great deal not just calories, but mindset. It's just those first moments where you have the restless sleep...how do you deal with that?
ambuletz said:
How do you all deal with the sleep and overthinking for the first 1-3 weeks?
I had a stint afew years back wheere I significantly reduced my intake, coupled with better diet choices and exercise i lost weight. This felt great, I i drank loads more water, i ate my dinners earlier (around 7-8pm) and went to bed around 10-11pm. A big glass of water 30-60min before bed really aided in my sleep. my sleep was more consitent & uninterrupted and i woke up feeling more alert. i had loads more energy throughout the day.
however the first few days from not drinking...seems always hard. a change in routine might see me go to bed at 11pm..but not fall asleep until 2-3am. sometimes in the evenings if i dont have afew, i might go to bed not entirely exhausted... which will make my brain go into overdrive and i'll start overthinking all sorts of nonsense.
Ive got weight i've wanted to lose for about a decade, I know that if i reduce my intake to just weekends (or very little) it will make a great deal not just calories, but mindset. It's just those first moments where you have the restless sleep...how do you deal with that?
Been there done that. It'll pass in time, your brain is just reacting to the absence of a stimulant. Exercise will massively speed up the recovery. If it's anything like what I've experienced you'll also have incredibly weird lucid dreams which sometimes wake you up. It can take weeks for the booze to wear off if it's been a consistent thing, just stay with it and trust it'll pass.I had a stint afew years back wheere I significantly reduced my intake, coupled with better diet choices and exercise i lost weight. This felt great, I i drank loads more water, i ate my dinners earlier (around 7-8pm) and went to bed around 10-11pm. A big glass of water 30-60min before bed really aided in my sleep. my sleep was more consitent & uninterrupted and i woke up feeling more alert. i had loads more energy throughout the day.
however the first few days from not drinking...seems always hard. a change in routine might see me go to bed at 11pm..but not fall asleep until 2-3am. sometimes in the evenings if i dont have afew, i might go to bed not entirely exhausted... which will make my brain go into overdrive and i'll start overthinking all sorts of nonsense.
Ive got weight i've wanted to lose for about a decade, I know that if i reduce my intake to just weekends (or very little) it will make a great deal not just calories, but mindset. It's just those first moments where you have the restless sleep...how do you deal with that?
Yep this is pretty normal, it takes 10 days according to the William Porter book for alcohol to get out of your system. Drink plenty of water and take a good multi vitamin.
Depending on how long/much you’ve been drinking you’ll be seriously depleted in minerals and all the good stuff.
I remember those nights so well, it’s awful and I haven’t had one in three years now so it does pass!
Might be useful https://www.stopdrinkingexpert.com/vitamins-for-al...
Depending on how long/much you’ve been drinking you’ll be seriously depleted in minerals and all the good stuff.
I remember those nights so well, it’s awful and I haven’t had one in three years now so it does pass!
Might be useful https://www.stopdrinkingexpert.com/vitamins-for-al...
Edited by Joscal on Sunday 6th June 14:51
Yes, the brain has been used to being intoxicated with an anaesthetic and therefore has been adjusting the chemical balance each night, now it is adjusting the balance without the anaesthetic…it will pass soon enough. Just notice the thoughts and do not react or feed them with worry.
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