To live a fulfilling and sober life, it is essential to identify triggers, cope with stress, and manage your new sober life. Experts recommend making healthy lifestyle changes, managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, finding new hobbies and activities, and prioritizing physical and mental health. Activities that captivate your interest and keep you away from environments associated with past addiction are key to maintaining a sober lifestyle.
Experiences to consider include exploring nature through hiking, cycling, or gardening, or diving into the world of books at a local library or book club. Reviewing strategies to live the rest of your life sober is crucial for maintaining sobriety. A list of 70 ways to practice self-care while living a sober lifestyle includes eating well, exercising, engaging with friends and family that positively affect your sobriety, and finding new hobbies you love.
Surrounding yourself with positive influences, such as partners, parents, siblings, or friends, is crucial for maintaining a sober lifestyle. Recovery is not a solitary journey; leaning on friends, family, and support is essential. Practice healthy living by exercising regularly, making time for recreational activities and hobbies, eating regular, well-balanced meals, getting ample, good-quality sleep, and practicing relaxation strategies like mindfulness meditation and yoga.
Embracing sobriety can lead to profound positive transformations, both physically and mentally. Seven notable benefits include:
- Openness to a wide range of benefits that can transform lives.
- Enjoyment of relationships, finances, and sleep.
- Recognizing the need to stop using alcohol or other substances.
- Recovery takes time and requires hard work.
- Sobriety is not just about abstaining from drugs or alcohol; it’s about experiencing benefits that touch every aspect of your life. This practical 90-page booklet demonstrates how AA members worldwide live and stay sober one day at a time.
📹 How To Live Life Sober?*HAPPILY*
If you are struggling with weed addiction or marijuana addiction and are ready for a path of sobriety without addiction relapse, this …
What happens 1 year sober?
One year of sobriety offers numerous physical benefits, including improved sleep quality, increased energy, healthier skin, and overall better physical well-being. It also reduces the risk of developing alcohol-related conditions like liver disease, heart disease, and certain cancers. Mental health improves with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhanced mental clarity, and better emotional regulation.
Celebrating one year of sobriety involves reflecting on the journey, setting new goals, spending time with loved ones, volunteering, journaling, or organizing sober social gatherings. Celebrating one year of sobriety is a meaningful way to honor one’s journey and improve overall well-being.
How do you develop a sober lifestyle?
To stay sober, it’s essential to stay out of risky situations, build a support network, find a peer support group, manage urges, find meaningful activities, learn stress management, relax, and manage physical pain. Avoid spending time with people you used to use drugs with or going to places you used to drink. Instead, focus on close friends and family for support, even if your relationships have changed. Consider seeking counseling or family therapy to address personal issues and improve your overall sobriety.
What are the odds of staying sober for 5 years?
Research shows that only a third of people who abstain for less than a year remain abstinent, and less than half of those who achieve a year of sobriety will relapse. By reaching 5 years of sobriety, the chance of relapse is less than 15%. These studies can provide insight into sobriety and relapse, helping individuals stay vigilant with their routines and increase their chances of long-term sobriety. However, the research has limited funding, and more funding and volunteer numbers are needed to make any traction in the field of addiction relapse odds.
What is the 6 month sobriety rule?
The 6-month rule in the U. S., a policy requiring patients with alcoholic liver disease to complete a period of sobriety before they can get on the waiting list for a liver transplant, has been criticized for its flaws. A 2011 European study and several American studies have shown that six months of abstinence is not a good predictor of long-term sobriety, and more than half of those with conditions like Gorzney’s die within that time. As addiction is now seen as a disease rather than a personal failing, many surgeons and families argue that the six-month hold unfairly penalizes those with substance use disorder.
With alcoholic liver disease rising among young adults and pandemic-related drinking exacerbating the numbers, it has become a pressing concern. Dr. Andrew Cameron, head of the liver transplant program at Johns Hopkins Medicine, emphasized the need to move beyond denying lifesaving therapy to those who deserve it.
How long does sobriety fatigue last?
Sobriety fatigue can last for a few weeks or months depending on the duration of drinking and the amount consumed. It is caused by the body’s natural process of healing and recovery after quitting alcohol, which involves adjusting to a new balance without alcohol. This can be tiring as the body works hard to heal and recover, and the brain needs time to produce certain chemicals on its own again, such as GABA, serotonin, and glutamate.
Several underlying causes contribute to the deep tiredness experienced after quitting alcohol, including the need for a healthy lifestyle, the need for proper sleep, and the body’s natural coping mechanisms. As the body gradually heals and adjusts to its new environment, the fatigue will gradually fade away.
What is the hardest stage of sobriety?
The first stage of sobriety involves detoxification, where the body eliminates toxic substances it has become dependent on. Symptoms may include nausea, headaches, shaking, sweating, and insomnia, but these are temporary signs of healing. It is crucial to seek professional help and support during this stage, such as medical supervision, joining a support group, or therapy.
The second stage of sobriety involves overcoming cravings and triggers. Cravings can be intense and unexpected, tempting reverting to old habits. They are normal part of the recovery process and can be triggered by stress, social situations, or emotional turmoil. Recognizing triggers and developing strategies to cope with them is essential. Remember, you are not alone on this journey, and resources are available to help you through it.
Why is it so hard to stay sober?
Addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain condition that can worsen over time, and there is currently no known cure. However, addiction can be adequately treated, with Pine Tree Recovery Center offering an effective program of addiction treatment that begins with medically monitored detox. Many people attempt to detox on their own but are driven back to drug or alcohol use before the process is over. The physical symptoms of withdrawal and intense drug cravings during early sobriety can be difficult to manage without help.
Coming to terms with a substance use disorder can be challenging due to the relationship between addiction and denial. People often struggle to admit that they cannot solve personal problems without help, and there is science backing this refusal. When a person uses a chemical substance for a prolonged period, their brain’s chemistry changes, leading them to crave the substance. The brain cannot produce certain chemicals without the substance, and it starts to say things like, “Hey, do you want to be happy?
Do you want to feel good? Then we need to get our fix. Now”. Denial serves as a coping mechanism for those in the throes of addiction, but it must be successfully overcome for long-term sobriety to be achieved. To learn more about getting and staying sober, contact Pine Tree Recovery Center today.
How long do most people stay in sober living?
The Journal of Psychoactive Drugs found that individuals staying in sober living homes for between 166 and 254 days experienced fewer problems with alcohol and drugs, lower arrest rates, higher employment rates, and more stable housing arrangements. These homes can be stayed as long as individuals want if they follow house rules. Substance abuse treatment programs may follow a step-down approach as individuals progress during recovery.
Sober living homes are often the last transition before returning home, and staying in residence for a longer period may improve the foundation for long-term recovery. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to providing original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information.
What is the hardest thing about sobriety?
Coping with stress without substances can be challenging, but finding healthy coping strategies like meditation, journaling, or talking to a friend can help manage emotions and adjust to sobriety. Having a list of healthy coping skills can be helpful in uncomfortable situations that may trigger relapse. Recovery is a journey, and everyone takes their own unique path. Despite setbacks, it’s important to keep an eye on the prize and celebrate even the smallest accomplishments as reminders of progress. These accomplishments can help stay motivated and encouraged throughout the journey.
What is the hardest period of sobriety?
The first 90 days of sobriety are often considered the most important and dangerous part of recovery, often referred to as the “danger zone” or “intensive care”. These challenging periods are when relapse rates are highest. However, there is hope for recovery. The first three months are crucial for support and guidance, as the body, mind, and spirit have changed significantly after a life-changing experience.
This is the first major milestone in recovery, and it should be celebrated but taken seriously to stay on the path. The goal is to build a foundation that will support you through day 900 and beyond, ensuring you are not alone in your journey.
What is the hardest month of sobriety?
The first 90 days of sobriety are often considered the most important and dangerous part of recovery, often referred to as the “danger zone” or “intensive care”. These challenging periods are when relapse rates are highest. However, there is hope for recovery. The first three months are crucial for support and guidance, as the body, mind, and spirit have changed significantly after a life-changing experience.
This is the first major milestone in recovery, and it should be celebrated but taken seriously to stay on the path. The goal is to build a foundation that will support you through day 900 and beyond, ensuring you are not alone in your journey.
📹 Are you NEWLY SOBER??? Beware of THESE 10 THINGS in early sobriety!!! – (Episode 176)
When we first start our sobriety journey, we’ve probably been thinking about it for years, and probably TRIED to get sober …
Hi Dr Frank, today’s day 60 that’s right 2 months cold turkey quit nicotine and weed, I am so grateful for your website. The first 2 weeks were absolute hell almost jumped off Mt balcony, the next 2 slightly manageable. Still had triggers tho, but this last month went by easy (relatively)Next milestone for me is 90 days, thank you for your wonderful work and the time u have devoted to help us all. Like I said before, doing God’s work 🙏 thank you so much
I spent my whole summer perusal these articles and I can’t thank you enough for giving me the correct Information to apply to my life. I was smoking weed and vaping everyday from the age of 14 and I am now 19. Over 60 days nicotine free and 18 days thc free and I couldn’t have done it without the mindset that was provided to me here.
I’m day three of going completely cold turkey off corn nicotine and weed. I am 20 and have been hooked to corn for over ten years and have been smoking weed daily for 5 years. Nicotine was only started a few months back. I have previously stopped smoking weed for month increments but ultimately come up short with relapse. Its not all bad though because it makes this current process a wee bit easier. The 100% hardest part about this will be stopping corn as I have watched daily, usually multiple times a day for a decade, to the point where I sometimes don’t feel anything. So far in these three days sleep has been the hard part along with not eating but a meal a day and just flooding my mind with depressing mixed emotions out of nowhere, which is very normal and I have been though before. I know I need to stop and so many wake up calls have been slapping me in the face. I got T-boned a few days ago and totaled my car and my third year of college just started, I want to become a different person entirely for the better and I know I can do it. Hard times make strong men. I just wanted to post this here to sort-of hold myself accountable and update the comments for progress and to show people that you can do fking anything you set your mind to.
So, do we get addicted because of problems in life? Yes we do. Is it possible to quit if you resolve the problem? Absolutely. BUT what if the reasons you take drugs, is because of medical Heath issues, that can not be cured, fixed, repaired? There is virtually no way someone in my position, could ever quit.
Thank you so much for all your content. You have helped me souch through my recovery. I had set a goal of ten days free from smoking marijuana and have now made it 31! I appreciate your insite and continue to tell my friends and family about your website praying that they too can find strength in overcoming their addictions. You are a blessing!
I nearly died last week from CHS. I had to quit my job. I’ve been off since then and feel AMAZING!!! This seems to effect men in larger numbers and as a woman I don’t know it seemed even more dangerous since we usually have less body day, and can’t afford to lose so much liquid! I also realized my bf is my partner for life, he spent a eeek with me at home and in the hospital cleaning my vomit of the floor, feeding me, bathing me, I just wanted to share ❤I would NEVER HAVE STOPPED without your articles bc everyone says I should just “moderate” it’s like TELING A HERION USER TO MODERATE! I’m 100000% ADDICTED!!!!
Dr Frank thank you, on day 5 of quitting after 10 years of heavy use. Initially the weed helped me with my emotions but over time the only thing I felt was numb. It feels like a reawakening and I’m remembering who I am. I got diagnosed with IBS 2 years ago but now I think it was CHS. Your website has helped me, thank you again and much gratitude.
Been smoking weed everyday (only bongs because I didn’t feel much in joints) for more than 17years, I thought weed made me calm and smarter until I my mental health deteriorated. I started getting angrier day by day, irritated by almost anything really and my partner ended up being the punching bag. All I wanted to do was to smoke a bowl or two and when I did it made me realize that I shouldn’t have said or done that, I could see how I was rude and all. To finally be at the point when even smoking 4 to 5 bowls didn’t made me calm and I just felt the same (stuck in a weird place). Today I’m 34 days sober and I am clearly more calm and I have started a little vegetable garden at the back of my house, started some side projects but more importantly I could be a better human being to the ones that I love. None of this would have been possible if I was smoking weed all day and I think the most important part is realizing that this is not a way to live and wanting to be better for yourself and everybody else around you. Having a partner who really understands you and loves you will make this better for sure. Thanks for sharing everything you do brother, proud of anyone who is fighting to leave all of that behind.
i started vaping then smoking 5 years ago when my life fell apart and I’ve realized. even though i struggled a lot with things mentally, having really bad adhd. there was a calm feeling i could accomplish before drugs and there it was really nice. since i started vaping and smoking weed. i haven’t gotten that feeling back since. it is like i am just more complacent with the noise instead. then i go sober and freak out like ill never feel the same again. I’m getting there though i have quite a few long quits and I’ve been able to convince myself that even though i feel like i got to always be doing something. i feel like i am more capable of doing those things when I’m sober.
Day 4 dr frank, i know you say not to count the days for me i feel im counting more of the severe withdrawal days, and now on day four i woke this morning feeling pretty good no cravings and brain fog almost gone, and appitie is getting better, foods are starting to sound good again, as a cook i miss that too lol . Just played my guitar for about 10 mins felt really good 👍 just want to focus on doing positive actions and focus on what i truly want in life, i feel like i truly can get my drivers license now . Ashamed to admit but yea 38 and no drivers license. Im gonna take the test im thinking in two weeks next pay check lol but also time to prepare sober, ive been practicing but always pretty much under the influence, not stoned out of my mind but as a daily smoker morning to night i felt constantly stoned in a way or constantly numb is the real way to see it . I feel like i can learn now with both parts of my brain not just my subconscious. Again thank you dr frank !
I’m reading this book I got from the library called The Having by Suh Yoon Lee and Jooyun Hong and I haven’t gotten that far in it but I already love it and highly recommend it. It’s helping me practice gratitude and stay present even though I’m going through a rough patch rn. In general I recommend reading books through your sobriety process if you’re into that like me, it definitely helps. 🙂
3 week. Day 18 without smoking. i need help. 4th day of work and every day may brain screams to me of smoking. I dont know what to do. I quit while on holidays thinking it would be harder while working but its getting really difficult. I am losing concentration and sometimes its like i am not even paying attention to the clients. My brain screams to me and i am having bad cravings. I dont know what to do. So i decided to comment just to get it out maybe it will calm me down
Ive been smoking weed everyday for almost a decade I spend around £500 a month on weed because my tolerance is so high but I dont even feel stoned anymore. I could smoke 5 spliffs back to back and feel normal, almost like I had none. But then if I dont I feel angry, sad, overwhelmed and unable to cope. I’m in a lot of debt and cannot get out of it because I drown out the anxiety around my debt by smoking more weed. I could’ve been out of debt 5 years ago if I didn’t spend all that money on this. I have a good job and have always aspired to earn more money… so that I could buy more weed. I earn the most I ever have… but my financial situation is exactly the same as when I was 20 because of my habit. I am an addict. I realised this and admitted it to myself over the last week. I am an addict, I have a sickness. But my addiction is not me. I found your website because I googled that I want to quit smoking weed but I am scared to quit. You posted a article about being scared of success. I feel for my situation it’s more that I am scared of being my true myself. Ive not been an adult without weed. Ive not faced life’s challenges without weed. I dont know if I will be good at it and im scared because weed has always been a constant, a safety net at the end of a bad day. But im tired Im poor I’m sad and my old friend no longer comforts me, it just grips onto me and doesn’t let me go. As a wiseman sang “Ive got to get sober, Ive got to start living right” Today is day 1 of saying goodbye to weed and nicotine.
I’m 18 and I’ve been smoking for about 6 months and I’m starting to get symptoms of CHS I talked to my primary doctor and she agreed I haven’t smoked sense yesterday morning and I’ve just felt constantly nauseous no stomach pain though I’m also constantly hungry and I have other symptoms not even related to chs so I’m going to a gastroenterologist next week do u think this is CHS?
Love you, man. I read the easy way years ago and failed…and have been struggling since with cigarettes and weed. Didn’t find it easy and beat myself up for it. Decades of addiction, 3 of em. Feeling broke and unhealthy now…and I was running 30-40 miles a week just a few years ago. Appreciate you and this website, thank you. Not giving up on myself.
I really enjoy these articles and they are helping me tremendously. I’ve struggled with quitting alcohol, weed, and nicotine. I’m able to quit for 1-2 weeks but I always tend to go right back. I’m going to watch these articles anytime I feel the urge to start again. I’m currently using nicotine patches and gum. It’s been about 2 months since quitting vaping and smoking. I’ve had two instances where I fell off the wagon, but I’m not going to give up. My wake up call was high blood pressure and my dentist telling me I’m at risk of gum disease. Thank you for going through with these articles and ignoring the initial haters, I greatly appreciate what you are doing.
Hey Doc, thanks for your articles. Today I am 2 days clean from weed. Over a couple days, I weened myself off after about 8 years of fairly consistent daily use. I’m feeling pretty okay about myself, but have been feeling some withdraw effects. Work and staying busy with yard and house work is helping me get my mind off it. You’re helping a lot of people out here. Thanks again.
You’ve brought up great points doc. I have been struggling over the past year to finally stop smoking weed. I did it last year for about 2 months, until I was facing homelessness as a single young mom w a toddler.. during those 2 months, I got to realize that my addiction lead to my current situation and me allowing certain things and people in my life. I’m 24 years old, and still in a tough situation but I’m praying 10 years from now, my life be completely different. I’m on my 4th day THC free today and concentrating on not using alcohol as a new substitute
I’m almost 57 and have been a social/binge drinker since my 20’s. I’m 3 weeks sober because I wanted to lose weight. It’s funny because if I tell my friends (and husband) I just want to be sober they will push alcohol but if I tell them I’m not drinking to lose weight they leave me alone. My plan is to never hit my goal weight 😂
6 years sober as of 3 days ago. 23 years binge drinking. If you’re struggling and reading this, all I can tell you is don’t overthink it. Most of us drink to not feel pain or emotions. I felt little for 23 years. One day, after visiting a friend, I decided I was done. That was September 27th 2017. I never had a drop sense. Why? Well, it was time. I finally had enough of hating myself and not feeling the joy and misery “normal people” felt. My friend had told me all his pain and disfunction, yet he wasn’t a drunk like me. He learned the skills to handle the pain and chaos at a young age. I never did, so I chose the bottle. In the end, he had everything I wanted, including the bad and ugly. I decided to feel the pain, qirk through it, and learn how to accept who I am. When you can truly view things in such a manner and be completely honest with yourself, you can stop and start building the life you want and deserve. It’s not easy, but nothing desired in life is. Be truthful. Trust yourself. Set the bar high and never look back. You won’t regret it!
1) cold water swimming 2) Being nicer to my parents 3) Reflecting on my thoughts that before I dismissed 4) Hanging with my kids, listening to them 5) Eating FAR LESS sugarier things, which makes you feel happier 6) Better sex 7) Eating smaller portions 8) Enjoying each day 9) Getting far more done 10) Creativity gone through the roof 11) Not repeating same mistakes
im almost 3 months in. I had one slip, drank 4 beers and it sucked. it didnt feel very good and the next day was crap. Im still struggling with crippling anxiety and depression. But Im able to work and take care of my kids. I wish I had more friends though. Almost all of my friends and family drink. All the people in my community that I know drink. Last night was halloween- i took my kids trick or treating- the 1st house offered me a alcoholic chocolate, the 2nd offered a hot toddy, the 3rd – a beer. all the parents were drinking. I went home and cried. I ate a half a large pizza and a bunch of candy. I wanted to go sing karoke but I knew i couldnt go. Im terribly lonely. But my body feels better. I know this feeling will pass. Its just sad to see how much alcohol has infiltrated evertything. I feel like nowhere is safe except an aa meeting. Thank you for the articles. Ive been perusal for about a year- through multiple relapses and binges. You and your team are very personable and easy to listen to. Thank you
I’m not in early sobriety anymore, I’m closing in on 12 years (!) but I just had to chime in that it is hard but the benefits are so great and more reveal themselves all the time. It really does get better and better. My advice to the newly sober is simple—don’t drink, no matter what. I continued to smoke weed (but not for long) I ate crap, I didn’t start back into the cigs, I was kind of a hot mess and I sometimes had to take the not drinking thing down to an hour or even five Minutes at a time but did not drink! It does get easier, life gets so much better!
1. Going to bed early so I wake up early 2. perusal articles like this as well as educational articles 3. Practice piano 4. Long walks in park with my dogs and wife 5. Soda Water with ice instead of bourbon 6. Exercise (getting stronger) 7. Gardening and home maintenance 8. Enjoying meals and the cooking process 9. Time with family especially in late afternoon without worrying about getting home for that first drink (much more relaxed about that time of day now) 10. perusal TV with my wife and dog while enjoying more soda water and ice!
10 days sober – for about the 1,000th time! A day at a time… My 10 things: 1. Take more regular exercise. It doesn’t have to be strenuous or time-consuming, or involve gyms. Walk and cycle more. Do a few planks, squats, press-ups, etc. 2. Treat myself to better foods and other nice things with the money saved from not buying booze 3. Start reading again – booze always killed the urge and enjoyment of it 4. Start writing again – booze always killed my creative buzz, which led to more booze to console myself for the death of my creative buzz. A self-perpetuating cycle. 5. Keep reminding myself how good it feels to wake up in the morning feeling refreshed rather than hung over. Similarly, keep reminding myself that all the bad stuff that’s ever happened to me – Sections, nights in the cells, evictions, damaged belongings, distanced friends and neighbours, destroyed relationships – happened because booze was involved 6. Instead of replacing booze with glasses of tasteless water or sugary squash, drink sparkling water with freshly-squeezed lemon juice – really good for the liver, especially with a dash of organic apple cider vinegar 7. When settling down to watch a movie in the evenings (the time I miss booze the most), I make a large mug of cocoa with honey. It not only fills me up, it also somehow takes away the ‘I want some alcohol!’ impulses. 8. Don’t complicate my life. Keep things simple. It cuts down the stress. So… get rid of stuff I don’t need, and have a bit of a clear up indoors.
Some nights I like to drive with my windows down and music up to get a chocolate shake from Mcdonalds. Sometimes I scroll sobertok for an hour or 2. I spend too much and I eat too much sugar and I waste too much time. These things aren’t the best way to cope lol but they’re not drinking. Being sober is the biggest possible improvement to my life right now so I’m giving myself a whole lotta grace with the other stuff.
1. Music 2. Long walks 3. Talking with other people in recovery 4. Reading 5. perusal recovery-based content online 6. Cooking/eating (eating in moderation because although it helps, I have to be careful because I have a food addiction issues as well) 7. Writing 8. Increasing my gratitude with meditation or just a gratitude list Ehhh…. I’m to lazy right now for another 2 so there ya go! Just joined the website and already I’m in love with it. Stay sober, Sandiego!
Thank you brother. You slowly opened my eyes. I’ve been called an alcoholic since I was 14 and always denied it. I’m 38 now, and I realize I haven’t been sober for decades. I drink almost everyday and always have some excuse to tell myself this is perfectly normal. Let’s try to quit and take control of my damn life.
7 weeks and trucking no booze! Did it temporarily, to lose weight, and for health. Besides the first 3 nights having a tough time falling asleep. After 4 nights it gradually gets easier. As much as I love drinking, I don’t miss it as much as I expected. The benefits are undeniable. Better sleep, blood pressure going down after a week. Losing weight, and saving money. Pretty easy path when I add it up like that! 😊
I’ve taken an interest in going to the movies again. I’m not really into film (more of a article game guy), but I find going out to a movie is a great distraction for when those evening alcohol temptations kick in. Staying in and streaming (or gaming) makes it far too easy to go out and grab a 6 pack (cuz the movie will be better if you’re buzzed, right?) You might think going to the movies often is expensive, but compared to drinking every night, it’s a bargain!
Thanks for this article! I just hit 120 days and am very excited. I also quit nicotine/cigarettes the same day. I did crack out on sugar at first but I think I’m past that now. I stretch, walk, meditate, go to the beach, read, watch one of your articles (if i am feeling tempted), call a sober friend, play with the dog, have a dance session, and journal to keep my mind off it. 😊
Running, walking the dog an extra nightly walk, birding, gardening, calling older family members, more vacations!! I stopped drinking 53 days ago before my weekend habit became a weekly one. I was not happy drinking every weekend and stopping has changed so much. My first vacation alcohol free ! Didn’t miss a thing. Thx for all your work. You made me realize it was better to stop drinking and I was fooling myself saying the red wine paired beautifully with this pasta dish. It’s all bs. I ran 13 miles a day drinking on the weekends. Now I’m doing 15-18 miles of running and walking. Life is great.
Was 1 year sober and relapsed earlier this year. I really did some inner healing and growth. Taking it a day at a time. Feels like i really figured it out for myself. No matter what, theres no need for me to run back to the poison or substances. Been smoke free (cigs included and all other smoke) for 2 years. Every year im getting better and better, and feeling that way too. Blessing to have recovered alot of myself from the monster that is addiction. Cheers.
Thank you for making this article. At age 29 (42 now) I’ve been sober approximately 7-8 years of the last 13 years. Dramatic situations lead me to relapses and relapses lead to excessively dramatic situations like fracturing bones. My point is one of the activities that I unknowingly took upon myself was giving my testimony in YouTube articles such as this became something I’d feverishly do. Looking back I didn’t realize how anxiety free I was just writing the comments much less giving someone the opportunity to learn from my experiences. I was drinking a liter of vodka everyday for 7 years straight, zero breaks. I pawned everything but my pc and my TV whilst having to live at my dad’s due to my roommate getting married. Being a alcoholic and having to hide the alcohol from him I’d decided vodka was the way to go because you can’t smell it… bullshit… you still can smell booze, I won’t go into detail of my tricks of the trade. I’d rather someone not get the wrong idea about my intentions. After 5 yrs in a realized I couldnt quit my body was far too heavily dependent on it. I couldn’t go 6 hrs without drinking or I’d begin to start dry heaving then I couldn’t eat anything without puking so I had to drink to eat, or sleep, and also function in general. Was going to college at a tech school in 2009 for a 1 year welding certificate. Joke was on me cause I couldn’t keep my hands steady for shit. Had to sneak drinks during class a few times just so I could weld properly. Anyways. I told my old man how deep I was in with alcohol and he didn’t understand but I promised him I’d go to detox when I graduated so I did.
I got sober for the last time when I found out that I was going to be a father. I didn’t want to be “the drinking father, and that was the activity that kept me sober. Oh – And BTW, my son is now 40 years old and I’m still NOT the drunk father. But that is not the reason I continue to not drink. I’m proud of myself and my record of 40 years sober, but I’m mostly happy that I don’t even think about booze anymore.
Day 5 for me! Helping me stay the mark is replacing an activity at the “cocktail hour”! I take a walk and reinforce my desire for sobriety by reminding myself this is for me and I deserve. I wipe our ant notion that what my partner or anyone else is doing can affect me. I have a cup of tea with cookies instead. And I am journaling my impressions. Thank you for the encouragement! 🫶
Hey man, you look great! No more bags under your eyes. The older we get, the higher the cost of alcohol and the lower the benefit. I used to drink everyday. Just a few drinks most weekdays. Well, some weekdays a little more. Weekends were always wild. I havent lived like that in a couple of years. A cancer scare and a great relationship saved me. Been drinking only on weekends and a lot less. But recently decided to quit it completely, because I want to be a better person and start living up to my full potential. Looking forward to it!
Great website – love your positive delivery style! Can’t stretch to 10 as you suggest, but My 5 things to relieve boredom from sobriety: 1) learning my guitar (with lessons and graded exams to help provide structure), 2) walking the dog (rain or shine, you always feel better afterwards), 3) Going to the cinema (solo or with a friend, it’s a great distraction from sitting at home), 3) listening to music lying down 4) going for a drive in the country with a coffee) 5) Sleeping!
159 days sober and I feel so much better. Things I do to help me stay sober Gardening Walking or hiking Journaling Meditation Exercise Reading perusal articles like this one And the most important is digging deep into the reasons why I drank. Understanding this helps me to know what my mental and physical triggers are. Also, helps me to find different solutions than going for a drink😊
Thanks for this article. I do a whole lot of hiking when I’m able. Long walks are super helpful for me. I had a great sober streak going, but screwed it up on my girlfriends birthday. Didn’t get drunk, I only had one, but sure enough it crept back in to my life over the last month. The “detour” ends today.
I started being able to plan things better, having a cleaner house, not pushing things back because I was to hungover to do anything about it . Camping, biking, hiking, playing more with my daughter, not fighting with my wife as much, being less moody, eating better. Activities come naturally after a couple weeks of not drinking . Because you ARE so board that you just start doing things
Just found your website and will definitely catch up on all your episodes. I’m 8 days in, so a real newbie but it’s the longest I’ve gone without in 10 years and that was when I was deathly sick! So far the improvement in how I feel and think and the increased energy have been such a confidence booster I’m determined to see this through. I only hope I’ve stopped in time to give my liver a chance. I was getting some bad AST numbers and an ultrasound detected a fatty liver and I started having other symptoms like days just feeling lousy and fatigued. I knew I had to stop. I’m just starting this journey but I’ll be leaning on your advice as I go.
1) learn what’s wrong, why do I drink like I do – to excess? 2) understand that I can get help through human community, or even help from above. 3) make a decision to go after the help. 4) learn to examine myself and see what behaviors make me feel bad. 5) discuss this with someone who understands, from my human community pool. 6) ID stuff that I do that I shouldn’t do. Pick one thing and focus on not doing it. 7) ID stuff that I don’t do, that I should. Focus on these things and step up and do what I should be doing. 8) determine who I may have hurt with my out of control behavior. 9) go to such people and compensate them for the harms that I’ve done. 10) be on the lookout for new failures and immediately take action to correct these things as they occur.
1. Spend more time with family and loved ones. 2. Exercise more. 3. Focus on reading more. 4. Pray more often and find a spiritual life. 5. Socialize with sober people on a daily basis. 6. Focus on saving money from the funds spent on alcohol. 7. Finish things that I start. 8. Playing more article games. 9. Doing sober activities more, like exploring and discovering new places. 10. Focus on loving and caring for myself, my well-being, and my overall health.
Good common sense stuff. I’m in my 33rd year now. Sober longer than I used or drank. One of the most important things I heard or read when I first sobered up was, “Right living and happiness is a result of right action.” It was about what I do. My responsibility. There’s no magic -and that’s what makes it magic, I suppose?
“Stop saying you are bored!” — I like that advice so much. Being newly sober is certainly a transition and it can seem like you are buffering, but the more you say you are bored the more you focus on that and the more addict life seems enticing. The thing about sober life is that its unknown and you can’t conceptualize what it will be like yet!
Making my second attempt. I learned some lessons from my attempt last year. Only 17 hours in and while it’s not as difficult as the last time it’s not easy and i know it will continue to be a challenge until it isn’t. What I’ve found helped me this time was a somewhat longer tapering process, and focusing on only having a small amount during that process such that it’s only just mitigating symptoms, no allowance beyond. I also like to have my last unit early in the evening, get to bed early but with a long enough bedtime process to kill a little more time and really relax for the road ahead. I stock up on supplements to help with the healing process. Even knowing that they won’t help short term it makes me feel like I’m taking an extra step and helps build more routine. I also get plenty of fruit to help sugar cravings. Also, for myself, Seltzer water to fill gaps where I’d normally be having a drink, which for me is while gaming or with meals. Chamomile tea is a must as well. For cravings I’ll stretch, take a quick walk even if it’s just around the house or to a spot and back a few times. Hoping these will help me with this second and hopefully last attempt or at least help someone else.
1. Playing Drums 2. Playing Pickleball 3. Going to the gym 4. Meditation 5. Drinking healthy N/A bevs like ginger beer, kombucha, flavored sparkling water, etc. 6. Hot Yoga 7. Reading 8. Journaling 9. Going to a sober bar like a kava bar or cacao bar 10. Karaoke (but only if I don’t feel like I’d be triggered to drink since normally karaoke is held at bars)
1. Reading. Alcohol robs me of my ability to read novels and anything important, so I have a lot of catching up to do. 2. Writing. Same reason as above. 3. Hunting, fishing, or anything else that involves getting up in the morning. I really love perusal the sunrise. 4. Walking. Just simple walking, usually with my dog. 5. Resistance, strength training. 6. Intense cardio, preferably on my spin bike. Always having a playlist to listen to since music fuels my workout. 7. Shooting. Pistol, trap, rifle. My accuracy is so much improved, compared to shooting hung over. 8. Archery. It is an art involving Zen. 9. Playing with my dog, which is now more fun since my energy more closely matches his now. 10. Making love. Alcoholics make lousy lovers, and I have some catching up to do in this category as well. Sobriety is not about giving something up. It’s about taking everything else back.
My story and experiences. I was a long time (decades long) daily drinker. It wasn’t too hard to confine it to evenings and at night but if social day drinking was available I would also indulge (not usually on work days). My “goal” generally was to get a buzz. And to combat anxiety. This habit hurt my relationships and my career and my self esteem. Long story short, i eventually saw that I was a prisoner to my habit. It was also harder to be satisfied with “moderate” drinking and the amount I consumed would creep up. After an extended period of perusal this happen and trying to slow it or curb it I decided to go sober. For me the best and maybe the only way to do that was to STRICTLY reduce my intake over a few months. By strictly I don’t mean I did it drastically…I mean I made myself do it slowly but with no back-tracking. This method helps break the cycle of craving. Cold turkey may be the way for some but for me it left me too prone to relapsing. Toward the last weeks of my process I was having a very small amount of alcohol each day – a fraction of a drink – but it seemed to serve a purpose in keeping my body from feeling “withdrawal”. Once I stopped this process (went to zero) a desire to drink came to me on several occasions but the daily urge was gone. I think it is very rare for heavy drinkers to become moderate drinkers. But I think a lot of people can use INCREASING moderation to break the drinking habit. Just my view and my experience. People have different genetics and different life stories but this is what worked for me.
Paulie in Japan. Hiya Jae. Hope ur well. Just a bit derailed recently. I went 16 months AF then I lost it a bit after my trip to Australia. Drinking with family. I really wanna re rail from September 1st so please put in a good strong wish for me. I did it before so I know I can do it again. Just feeling a bit deflated and disappointed with myself now for this period of drinking again. Nothing mental but I just know life is much better without it. Advice? Many thanks my good friend. P
I am 16 days sober. Decided to quit drinking for the month of Sept. (After binging Labor Day weekend) I’m starting to talk like this could be it for good. The wife and I are golfing a ton, fishing, and focussing more on work. Forsure need a couple new hobbies. We just started talking about hitting the gym. Just turned 49, pretty much been a “high functioning drinker” since 16. Now back to this great article! Going to subscribe. Thanks
5 months sober here. Now dedicated to healthy eating, hitting the gym, immersed into my old habit of music and language learning. Still dealing with a lot of cravings for alcohol. Drinking more coffee than before quitting alcohol. I even seek after caffeinated sparkling tea. 😮 Looking forward to control my caffeine cravings.
Sober going on 19 years, I highly recommend Rational Recovery Book . It’s about making the decision to do it, I said I don’t drink and never will again, don’t get me wrong it took years and years and years and a horrific rock bottom story . I didn’t tell anyone ( well, there really wasn’t social media back then ) I did stay away from certain places, even listening to old rock albums were a trigger at first, I was also judgmental of others that got drunk, which was a bad mindset, I got over that . I did not go to AA, i was always super fit but I gained weight, which I lost, I did get into coffee too much at first . My high now is exercise and playing piano, I highly recommend learning an instrument and learning music theory, it’s very time consuming, challenging and rewarding to read and play music
I’ve replaced old friends with feeling complete, whole, and in love with myself. I’ve replaced hangovers and fatigue with early morning workouts and hikes. I’ve replaced zoning out with play time and genuine laughter with my dog. I’ve replaced self-disapointment with pride in accomplishment of goals I have set for myself. I have replaced selfishness with empathy and showing kindness and generosity to others. I have replaced apathy for so much love for life that I never want to go back. 5 weeks. Amen
Ah stress. I work for a university financial aid department. And classes start next week. I’m pooped. The last two days have been insane. As soon as I hung up the phone it rang lol. BUT, no booze. 46 days with 1* 🎉❤ I like to exercise, take walks, drink hot tea, nap, hang out with my son, journal annndd I’m tired so I can’t think of anything else lol. Thanks Jae, you are in fact, the best!
I had no idea just how absolutely, frighteningly awful and debilitating the physical addiction would be. It took a full year to feel “right” physically. I wish that on no one.. Drinking is a nightmare. An absolute. Nightmare. Quit 10 years ago and I haven’t looked back……It’s seared into my memory.
Going to dog park Going to gym Massages Gardening Spending more time with my mom Cooking more Morning yoga outside (weather permitting) Renovating my home Going outside more Cold therapy (ice baths or cold showers) Me time – pedicures, manicures, lashes, etc Listening to inspiring YouTubes AA meetings – I’m meeting so many compassionate people there. I especially like my Zoom group
I started a yoga and workout regimen, and this requires a nutritious diet to support, so, it has led me to much more home cooking and improving my cooking skills. But honestly, when the boredom/cravings are SUPER intense, I just give myself permission to lay on the couch and watch Netflix or play games on my phone. Anything to just not drink.
I’ve just been taking it day by day, but it’s crazy how often the craving does come around. If anything I have learned to greatly appreciate the clarity, I had always had a toxic relationship with alcohol and went back n forth between believing I had control over it. Though, getting close to 60 days has been tough.. being able to live in the present moment has been a blessing. Right now I still feel really bad when I have to turn down drinks with friends, and stray away from the activities/places we would go to. One day at a time tho 🙂 we got it!!
Lots and lots of prayer. I walk about 6 to 8 hours a day and I pray to Jesus the whole time. I was near death from alcohol poisoning and I begged Jesus to heal my body and to not let me die a drunk. I started walking that morning. I could barely stand up but he gave me the strength to keep going and He healed me and a couple of nights later I was praying and I felt The Holy Spirit come alive in me! I’m 52 years old and I have never been more sober and I’m happier than I have ever been. I will never take another drink. I have missed so much in my life, but thanks to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, I have a lot of life left to live and I will enjoy it sober!!
Just a shoutout to the great articles you do, If you would have told me 25 yrs ago I would be sober this long I would have called you crazy, I went away for work for 2 weeks and bought the ring for my gf, Instead she was in bed with someone else, That is when the bottle was my only friend. I wound up in the hospital for 2 weeks with a warning to never drink again. Never? that cant be, I think I went out 4 times before I did quit. it definatly was not easy, but things did get better, dont ever give up people, so many things are better sober, like sex. Remember one second, one minute, one day.
Sometimes I kind of feel bad, I’m 29 weeks sober, I’m 36 and I was heavily drinking in the last 6 years, daily, starting in the morning, and I stopped because I was afraid, i got scared because of some blood tests results regarding my liver and I did a 180 (and it turns out my liver is fine). I know I did the right thing, but like you said in your article, now I just smoke a lot of weed, and I know it’s another problem (less problematic than alcohol but still). I’m at this point where I don’t know what to do, all my hobbies seem less interesting, I hope it’s temporary
My 10 things 1. perusal sports or movies with family 2. Cooking or meal prepping 3. Gardening, I grow veggies and cacti for fun. 4. Hiking, usually I’m gone all day for this and have no energy when I get back anything else. 5. Walking/running around my neighborhood 6. Reading 7. Fishing 8. Visiting family, I’ll just pop into my grandmas house whenever I’m bored and have nothing to do. Grandma always loves the company 9. Camping, I camp a lot ever since the pandemic maybe 5 or 6 times a year. 10. perusal articles on YouTube 😅
Sober since I met my wife more than 10 years ago…I really realized how awesome sobriety was when me and my wife were sober at r wedding while every body else had a drink in there hand…and me.just perusal by min how stupid they would act with each drink…basically I just had 2 stop hanging around people who were not sober….I would ask old friends let’s go workout..they be like maybeee…I used to dj when I was drinking if I said hey I got this party I’m doing 2night they would be there in with a quickness….I realized who were my real friends were
One very important thing to keep in mind when quitting, like most of us, as there is an addiction issue, is this… Talk to your doctor like I needed to. Quitting cold turkey can kill you, literally. I realized that the medication needed was not favorable as well as expensive so… To prevent yourself from having seizures or worse, at least taper off trying only one beer or less a night for the first little while. I dislike needing to say this, but it is important and I do care about you/all of us 🙂
So AA is supposed to be more by attraction but I can’t tell my thing without mentioning it. 1: started going to AA and did a lot of listening to the amazing stories of newly and long time sober people 2: found a relationship with God 3: forgave myself for all the things I punished myself for by drinking 4: forgave others that I felt had hurt me 5: started working out 6: did a diet change to a realistic health standard 7: decided to be grateful for everything even when it was hard to choose gratitude 8: chose peace as a standard 9: started asking people I had hurt for forgiveness 10: chose selfless activities and thoughts instead of the selfish ones I had chosen before. I’m at 1 year and 1 months so far and it’s a blessing. Life still hurts sometimes but hurt as well as joy and other emotions are part of this beautiful experience we ‘get’ to have.
haven’t touched a pricklestick in years. nearly a youtube partner already. chasing adrenaline is much more fun than chasing the dragon. it’s hard, really hard. but it’s definitely not as hard as the hell of being a slave (as i’m sure most people who have spent any time in any anonymous meetings will surely know that’s where the word addict comes from in latin, slavery or something like that)
I year no drinking. 365 nights has passed without a drink That 365 x2 = 730 glasses of wine that didnt pass through my liver. 730 glasses of alcohol that hasnt soak in my brain, killing brain cells at night. Last memorial day to this year memorial day. Over 365 day not a drink. Lots of soda, tea, coffee,, snacking, activities, etc to distract myself from drinking. After 1 year of doing all this, what do i replace drinking with? Answer, nothing. I dont drink, think about it, even if i do the thought goes away fairly quickly.
Hi, I’m new here and find your website so helpful! Do you have any articles for those of us who may need motivation when we are “in the moment” with maybe a glass in our hand & even though we have seen all your articles and found them to be incredibly helpful. My tutor has given me information on how cravings come and go and that you need to “wait it out” but I don’t think I’ve grasped it yet and since you’ve made such amazing articles of your experience I wonder if this is something you recognize ? I’m so grateful for your website and everyone who comments, I think it’s such a nice community<3
I haven’t had a drink for 20 days. I drank alcohol almost everyday for 15 years. But I drank 3 to 9 beers at a time. I never got wasted. I also smoked weed. I have smoked twice since the 20 days. I don’t feel any different. I feel like if I never drank again it would be fine and if I went back to my routine it would be fine too. 🤷♂️ it just feels like I quit drinking soda or something.
1. Spend more time with my chickens, they bring me joy. 2. Longer and longer walks with our dog. 3. Took up watercolor painting again (turns out I’m good at it!) 4. Listening to podcasts. 5. Diving into our record collection again (some real goodies I forgot about) 6. Knowing who my real friends are. 7. Reading more. 8. Making peace with my past drinking induced mistakes. 9. perusal our savings grow (boy does it add up fast) 10. My proudest new hobby is: Waking up everyday feeling GOOD, not clouded or worried about something I may have said or done. Thats worth it alone. I love your articles Jae, you’re a natural this. 🎉
I got overconfident after 5 YEARS of easily being sober… just because I can control smoking at last (I smoked a pack a day, now I smoke a few cigarettes 3-4 times a year), I thought the same might apply to drinking… That was 2 years ago. Today is the tenth or so “day 1″… I got 2 months and 2 weeks streaks of being sober, but it didn’t stick – I was STILL overconfident, thinking that I can just drink with the very best friends… So… yes. Overconfidence is very dangerous.
I tried to drink myself to death a week and half ago! 3 day bender, no food just booze. When I woke up Saturday morning, I couldn’t believe I was alive. From that moment on, I get sick even thinking about booze! I had been suicidal for several years and things just popped! I downed three 1.75 liters bottles of rum started on 4th one when I passed out Friday night. Somehow, for some reason I’m alive. My back and left leg got seriously injured in a work accident, because of the injury, I can’t do much of anything. Now I have a new perspective and am looking to do something with my life. What, I don’t know yet, but I’m still here! I hope no one ever gets that close to the edge like I did. However, sometimes, it takes getting close to that edge to see the horizon!
1) Bike riding 2) practicing guitar 3) listening to podcasts 4) perusal you tube articles 5) visiting new places 6) perusal netflix etc- sober and actually remembering the movies and shows 7) calling old friends and family i have been putting off just to talk and see how they are doing 8) reading 9) writing 10). Being present in the moment
1) Think of the money saved. 2) Think of the money saved. 3) Get healthier / live longer. 4) Hopefully save to go on holiday with my daughter. 5) Stop being so skint. 6) No longer go to the pub. 7) Plan for a brighter / richer future. 8) Please family and friends. 9) No longer act like a dick online. 10) Think of the money saved.
I call alcohol my two faced girlfriend who is trying to kill me. A toxic relationship for sure! I used to drink in moderation, I had an off button, I knew when enough was enough. But somewhere down the road I lost that off button, so I have to lose alcohol, I still struggle but I’m sober most of the time but still can relapse.
1. It’s fucking up my nervous system 2. I can’t react to a situation normally because my nervous system is fucked up 3. I can’t make simple fucking decisions because of my prefrontal cortex is getting fucked up 4. Teachers think I am fucking special I’m not 5. I have a perfect personality a great attractive body and a beautiful face
Sugar absolutely can be an issue, but ive been keeping it moderated 🙂 And ive lost 15 lbs. Things i do to combat boredom? 1. Computer science research 2. Writing 3. Artwork 4. Building a company 5. Up soon will be yardwork, still healing from surgery 🎉 6. Cooking and photographing cooking 7. Concentrating on incremental, compounding improvements 8. Exercise 9. Setting realistic short term goals that i know will build to big things with patience 10. Practicing alcohol free anti anxiety exercises …did i mention cooking?
Thanks Mate, great advice, a little big uncanny, like you are talking to me, so many things make sense . I hit rock bottom a week about after years of falling down a slippery slope . It happen after a boozy night with one my best friends who I hadn’t seen for a while, but once I finished the beers and started on whisky it all got ugly and we had a punch up, he got the better of me with a kick to the head . I was knock out cold, or black out because of the booze, either way I woke up sore and confuse with no memory of it all . I was told by a very angry partner who surprisingly has given me one last chance sober up or get the xxxx out . Into my second week sober and I’m going for gold . We took our dog for a walk together today, even got to hold her hand . Maybe next time I’ll get a kiss ❤
I did 483 days sobriety about eight years ago and made a mistake having one drink. I was back to square one and have drank heavily since. Going to try another one soon. I am an ‘open one, drink it, open another…’ type drinker. I cannot just have a four pack. It was about twenty three days into that sobriety eight years ago when I was driving home from work and I suddenly realised I hadn’t thought about a beer all that day. During that sobriety when I WAS actually sleeping I was literally dreaming about drinking. It was a brutal three weeks. Couldn’t sleep, shivers, shakes, sweats, even hallucinations early on. You can beat it but it is brutal at times. NEVER EVER DO WHAT I DID AND HAD ONE DRINK BECAUSE THAT 483 DAY SOBRIETY NEVER EXISTED. I never drank as a teenager or most of my twenties as I weight trained and did martial arts and kept a strict diet. Why I started drinking I can’t really recall, think it was to help me sleep on early starts at work. I lost a well paid job about four months ago when I blew over the company limit on a random breath test. I am determined to start another sobriety. I have been following numerous websites on YouTube etc and will set myself a date to start. During that 483 day sobriety I used an app on my phone to track how much I hadn’t spent on alcohol. NEARLY NINE THOUSAND POUNDS and that is a conservative amount it would have been more I can assure you. I urge anyone who wants to quit to watch these articles and seek more professional help if needed.
I just hit 110 days sober! Still rewatching these articles bc they are such helpful and motivational reminders. Exercise (running) is my #1 sobriety buddy. It’s challenging, but it helped me lose weight; and bc I started regularly donating blood/platelets (sobriety buddy #2), I’m perusal my health stats retreat from the cardiovascular danger-zones that drinking was steering me toward. Sobriety buddy #3 = I Am Sober app. The community is supportive, I meet people with surprisingly similar experiences to my own, I can interact with both new and long-haul sober warriors, and it feels good to have other people to cheer for, too.
1. Kayaking 2. Reading 3. Horror films. My guilty pleasure 4. Walking by the ocean 5. Being present. Trust me it’s a hobby as i have wasted so much time drinking or recovering 6. Walking my retriever 7. Journalling. It’s my daily habit 8. Dance lessons. Starts next month. 9. Tennis. Haven’t played in years but
Im guilty of number 1… although this time (a month ish sober)…ive started the wim hof method…so my days are get up … breath work…then i squeeze in a 5k…cold shower…work…home … cook…gym with my daughter and wife..shower sit down for an hour and read or draw watch a little t.v. bed. I need the routine right now it seems to help. Good luck everyone
My mates father was a savage alcoholic, he’d drink 4/5 liters (Over a gallon for our US readers) of wine a night, plus drink beer throughout the day. He was also a cronic smoker, 2 packs a day minimum. He was like this for over 3 decades then one day he woke up after a dream or nightmare, placed his packet of cigs on the mantle piece and told all from that day he was never smoking or drinking again. He did it and ended up travelling the world helping others, he was even awarded a medal in the US by a President. To this his death he would never tell us what the dream/nightmare was, but whatever it was it was so significant he stopped drinking and smoking at the same time and instantly, never once doing either again. Those cigs on the mantle piece remained there till his passing
Great article! I’m now 5 days sober it’s been along time of letting stress and anxiety pull me to the bottle. I haven’t drank hard alcohol in 5 years but thought I was smart just switching to drinking beer only. Let’s just say that didn’t help either. I am doing well as I can be so far however the withdrawals really suck. Could you if you haven’t already do a article on what to expect to feel physically and mentally in the early stages of sobriety?Thanks for your words of wisdom. 😊
I have been sober for 8 years now. I have gone to AA meetings. I understand the not wanting to listen to others’ problems, but you find many of their issues are yours. They help you in handling life and the emotions you have suppressed for years. I am thankful you are out there to help people but AA is a great organization and I would have been dead without it. Bless you
Thanks for what you do it’s very important. I am only nine months in. It was time for me so it’s a little different. I’m in my mid 40s so I know that I am done but that doesn’t make it easy. I was dying those of us in this position know what’s going on just when you go to the bathroom Things that happened in private we know I was dying. But anyway, I feel much better now obviously I always worked out so that’s been good. The boredom boredom is a problem for most of us. We have to fill that time with some thing. Quitting caffeine was one of the best things I did to almost harder than liquor, but made a huge change. Sleep is so important. That one took about four months to get over, again thanks for what you do stick with everybody. And we do have to remember at least I have to remind myself. Life is not a series of dopamine hits. It’s going to seem dull to my addict brain a lot of the time it’s not always exciting and the cool thing to realize is that’s beautiful in itself. Just calm, regulated thoughts and energy and moods. It’s beautiful eventually you start to feel like you did when you were a kid try to pick up the hobby is that used to love when you were 13 if you can remember what those were you’d probably still like it at least some of them for me that’s fishing even playing with RC cars sometimes I can afford to get the nice ones now. Whatever it is for you.
Okay so I am sober from alcohol for 2 years and 11 months. In regards to #6, I have smoked probably an ounce of weed in this sober from alcohol time period and it never messed anything up in my life whatsoever. I did it on days off with my girlfriend, I did it after a 12 hour day at work, etc. My point is that it didn’t get in the way of me working hard, it didn’t get in the way of my relationships, it didn’t trigger me to drink, it was a benign thing in my life. I also didn’t end up being a stoner. It was a fully separate thing from alcohol. Sure it made me feel kind of better and was a recreational thing, but I’m a proponent of harm reduction. Sometimes if you’re broken and the kind of person who needs something, weed can be something for you to turn to that doesn’t fuck your life up. Also, I haven’t even touched it in like 8 months, it’s something I can just put down. If you associate alcohol with marijuana however, of course, don’t go near it.
#1 is what always screwed me. Every single time. The thought that creeps in “maybe just one won’t be bad” and every time. Every single time, end right back full bore. First few days of relapse it’s nothing crazy, but within a week, drinking all day every day again. #1 is what has screwed me EVERY time