Aa
quitting drinking and tiredness
I was just wondering..... I quit drinking 3 months ago..... i used to drink daily, then i cut down to just the weekends.... i never woke up and started drinking, but i would drink heavily most of the time when i did drink. back then, when i was not drinking, i was tired, and then i would drink and i would wake up.
now that i have not been drinking, i am ALWAYS tired. I am not over weight, i eat pretty healthy, work out 3-4 times a week, take vitamins and drink a lot of water. i have even had my blood tested and everything is in order...... and yet, i am still, always so tired.... i don't understand what is wrong with me or even if the not drinking and tiredness are related..... the only time that i feel good is right after a refrshing shower or after i have a latte. :-( i want my energy back.....
now that i have not been drinking, i am ALWAYS tired. I am not over weight, i eat pretty healthy, work out 3-4 times a week, take vitamins and drink a lot of water. i have even had my blood tested and everything is in order...... and yet, i am still, always so tired.... i don't understand what is wrong with me or even if the not drinking and tiredness are related..... the only time that i feel good is right after a refrshing shower or after i have a latte. :-( i want my energy back.....
In 2 weeks (29th June) I have to have a DVLA medical. I was (and still am tbh) angry that I have to have a medical as I refused to give a specimen (automatic medical following 2 year ban). In my alcohol deluded mind they didn't know if I had a problem or not yet those who get 'done' for actually proven drink driving don't have to do a medical unless they are over around 80mg. That aside, I refused because I was drunk. This has been a humiliating and long deserved comeuppance.
My drinking habit has evolved over the past 20 years. My daughter is 17. I never drank whilst pregnant (tried wine once and felt so yuk). My poison is wine. Recently I was drinking a wine box (4 bottles) every other day. I could start at any time of day if not working. Often I would get complaints at work (am a teacher) that I smelled of alcohol. Once I even got drunk at lunchtime and left school early stating I was unwell. Shame is something I have battled with continuously as a result of my drinking. Reckon the shame is a cycle which comes both from the drinking and the reality of knowing I can't face up to the reality of the aftermath without blotting it out.
I didn't used to be a selfish person. Drink makes me selfish - unable to pay for my daughter's school trip on time but easily spend £15 on a winebox. Am sure that is probably a familiar story but it doesn't make it any more acceptable.
Every year I do DryJanuary and Stoptober. Each time I feel fantastic. Euphoric at times about the 'new me' and proud to bits. My daughter loves it. Only trouble is I then feel I can start again with the strength to drink only when it is appropriate and to the normal limit. Each time, I relapse. The last time I decided on Cannabis to prevent me drinking so much. It actually does work for me as I drink half as much, but the Cannabis intake rose instead.
Anyway, I am having to detox because I desperately want my license back. I can picture readers shaking their heads at this. Not having a license has made my drinking increase over the past 2 years because I no longer need to worry about being unable to drive. Boredom and social isolation has increased too which doesn't help.
As part of getting my license back I did the Alcohol Awareness course. Boring and certainly not informative. WE ALL KNOW we shouldn't be driving if we are heavy drinkers, tbh the course just reinforced that.
So, I am now on a detox mission. Have been sober for 10 days now. No longer take cannabis or alcohol. Have purchased milk thistle (twice a day) and liver function tests (not used them yet). In the evenings I keep researching all the information I can possibly find to steer me in the right direction. Am KNACKERED and sleep easily 10 hours a day. I don't feel tired most of the time like I have read here, but googled 'Why am I so tired since giving up alcohol?' and became really fascinated with this forum. This is why I felt I should also add to this discussion.
The first 3 days were hard. Nightmares, smelly sweat, constipation then diarrhea. Foul breath. Hot and cold flushes. Having done it all before I knew what to expect. I don't know if my attitude to the amazing tiredness before bed is delusional because I actually welcome the tiredness. To me it feels like my liver is now finally able to concentrate on doing all the jobs it was meant to do before I forced it to focus on the immediate threat of alcohol poison. I may be talking without real knowledge but surely once it is able to start getting rid of the glycogen and fat stores it must be rushing to do it knowing it hasn't got much time until it's unable to do so again (i.e. alcohol will be stopping it again). It helps me to imagine that's the case.
This time I have been experimenting with all the recommended remedies. I have invented my own concoction which should either kill or cure me! It gives me a kind of a heated, mild burning kick as I drink it and (aside from the fact is is non alcoholic) I find it cures the urge to drink alcohol (for me). The only downside is that my appetite is lowered and I do have to force myself to eat at times.
I mix turmeric, cayenne pepper with herbal lemon and ginger tea. It IS different to drink, but the warming feeling reminds me of spirits (without the financial or physical cost). I like it.
Am also taking Milk Thistle twice daily. Whether it's a coincidence or not, my night sweats have finally disappeared. So have the day sweats and the horrible instant sweat I have become used to whenever doing anything physical.
Does anyone else find their energy levels and productivity have increased tenfold? Perhaps that's why we are all so tired? My concentration has also improved. I was struggling to respond to students but that is much improved. My garden is better than it has been in 6 years. Please God let me be able to remember all these benefits when I feel I am 'in control' again and think of having alcohol. I still want to be able to drink occasionally. Drinking just brings on so much cognitive dissonance doesn't it?
Ladies will know the benefits of stopping. I have thread veins on my cheeks. I have red spots on my chest. I have scars all over my body from being clumsy through drink. I can't get rid of the scars, but the redness has definitely calmed (not disappeared). My gums don't bleed anymore. Even my hair feels softer, as does my skin. My eyes are whiter and brighter. I don't worry about getting close to people (used to worry about smelling of alcohol). I take baths most nights to feel cleaner and virtuous! My daughter and I spent last week online shopping for new clothes. Spent £70 (soberly ... not the stupid uninhibited purchases of drunk me). Realised today that my bank account has barely changed in 10 days. Have got really into coconut oil (I eat it, put it on my skin and use it in cooking) and feel my skin (particularly on my face) looks smoother and fresher.
Never have liked drinking water, so I still need to get that hurdle crossed. Am not majorly overweight (size 12, 5 ft 6) but my measurements across my ribcage and just beneath have decreased by 4 cm. There are very few downsides really. Except my fear of relapse. I know I will manage until the 29th, I just want to be normal for life not just a few weeks at a time. Aside from the tiredness (and have stated my attitude to that), I feel great.
One more thing I would like to relate is that this terrible problem is very common. People who hear of my experience suddenly come out of the closet to me and confess that they also have/had a problem. Some of my acquaintances also lost their licenses years ago but it's not polite conversation is it? Just today a male friend gave me a lift to the supermarket and he purchased some milk thistle. Surprisingly he'd had a medical 3 years ago and failed the liver test part. His doc gave him tablets but no after test, since then he still drinks heavily and spends all his money on booze. Only after our discussion did he realise how much money he spends.
I sincerely wish all of us the strength and continued awareness to beat this humiliation. Would dearly love to feel some self esteem.
Am hoping to be posting back on here having passed my medical. I want to be able to look back on my post in 6 months being a normal, average person who has overcome the psychological equivalent of climbing Everest. That would be great. What would also be great would be my daughter not worrying about her wedding day, my ability as a grandma (eventually). I want her to be proud of me.
Thoughts are with you all.
My drinking habit has evolved over the past 20 years. My daughter is 17. I never drank whilst pregnant (tried wine once and felt so yuk). My poison is wine. Recently I was drinking a wine box (4 bottles) every other day. I could start at any time of day if not working. Often I would get complaints at work (am a teacher) that I smelled of alcohol. Once I even got drunk at lunchtime and left school early stating I was unwell. Shame is something I have battled with continuously as a result of my drinking. Reckon the shame is a cycle which comes both from the drinking and the reality of knowing I can't face up to the reality of the aftermath without blotting it out.
I didn't used to be a selfish person. Drink makes me selfish - unable to pay for my daughter's school trip on time but easily spend £15 on a winebox. Am sure that is probably a familiar story but it doesn't make it any more acceptable.
Every year I do DryJanuary and Stoptober. Each time I feel fantastic. Euphoric at times about the 'new me' and proud to bits. My daughter loves it. Only trouble is I then feel I can start again with the strength to drink only when it is appropriate and to the normal limit. Each time, I relapse. The last time I decided on Cannabis to prevent me drinking so much. It actually does work for me as I drink half as much, but the Cannabis intake rose instead.
Anyway, I am having to detox because I desperately want my license back. I can picture readers shaking their heads at this. Not having a license has made my drinking increase over the past 2 years because I no longer need to worry about being unable to drive. Boredom and social isolation has increased too which doesn't help.
As part of getting my license back I did the Alcohol Awareness course. Boring and certainly not informative. WE ALL KNOW we shouldn't be driving if we are heavy drinkers, tbh the course just reinforced that.
So, I am now on a detox mission. Have been sober for 10 days now. No longer take cannabis or alcohol. Have purchased milk thistle (twice a day) and liver function tests (not used them yet). In the evenings I keep researching all the information I can possibly find to steer me in the right direction. Am KNACKERED and sleep easily 10 hours a day. I don't feel tired most of the time like I have read here, but googled 'Why am I so tired since giving up alcohol?' and became really fascinated with this forum. This is why I felt I should also add to this discussion.
The first 3 days were hard. Nightmares, smelly sweat, constipation then diarrhea. Foul breath. Hot and cold flushes. Having done it all before I knew what to expect. I don't know if my attitude to the amazing tiredness before bed is delusional because I actually welcome the tiredness. To me it feels like my liver is now finally able to concentrate on doing all the jobs it was meant to do before I forced it to focus on the immediate threat of alcohol poison. I may be talking without real knowledge but surely once it is able to start getting rid of the glycogen and fat stores it must be rushing to do it knowing it hasn't got much time until it's unable to do so again (i.e. alcohol will be stopping it again). It helps me to imagine that's the case.
This time I have been experimenting with all the recommended remedies. I have invented my own concoction which should either kill or cure me! It gives me a kind of a heated, mild burning kick as I drink it and (aside from the fact is is non alcoholic) I find it cures the urge to drink alcohol (for me). The only downside is that my appetite is lowered and I do have to force myself to eat at times.
I mix turmeric, cayenne pepper with herbal lemon and ginger tea. It IS different to drink, but the warming feeling reminds me of spirits (without the financial or physical cost). I like it.
Am also taking Milk Thistle twice daily. Whether it's a coincidence or not, my night sweats have finally disappeared. So have the day sweats and the horrible instant sweat I have become used to whenever doing anything physical.
Does anyone else find their energy levels and productivity have increased tenfold? Perhaps that's why we are all so tired? My concentration has also improved. I was struggling to respond to students but that is much improved. My garden is better than it has been in 6 years. Please God let me be able to remember all these benefits when I feel I am 'in control' again and think of having alcohol. I still want to be able to drink occasionally. Drinking just brings on so much cognitive dissonance doesn't it?
Ladies will know the benefits of stopping. I have thread veins on my cheeks. I have red spots on my chest. I have scars all over my body from being clumsy through drink. I can't get rid of the scars, but the redness has definitely calmed (not disappeared). My gums don't bleed anymore. Even my hair feels softer, as does my skin. My eyes are whiter and brighter. I don't worry about getting close to people (used to worry about smelling of alcohol). I take baths most nights to feel cleaner and virtuous! My daughter and I spent last week online shopping for new clothes. Spent £70 (soberly ... not the stupid uninhibited purchases of drunk me). Realised today that my bank account has barely changed in 10 days. Have got really into coconut oil (I eat it, put it on my skin and use it in cooking) and feel my skin (particularly on my face) looks smoother and fresher.
Never have liked drinking water, so I still need to get that hurdle crossed. Am not majorly overweight (size 12, 5 ft 6) but my measurements across my ribcage and just beneath have decreased by 4 cm. There are very few downsides really. Except my fear of relapse. I know I will manage until the 29th, I just want to be normal for life not just a few weeks at a time. Aside from the tiredness (and have stated my attitude to that), I feel great.
One more thing I would like to relate is that this terrible problem is very common. People who hear of my experience suddenly come out of the closet to me and confess that they also have/had a problem. Some of my acquaintances also lost their licenses years ago but it's not polite conversation is it? Just today a male friend gave me a lift to the supermarket and he purchased some milk thistle. Surprisingly he'd had a medical 3 years ago and failed the liver test part. His doc gave him tablets but no after test, since then he still drinks heavily and spends all his money on booze. Only after our discussion did he realise how much money he spends.
I sincerely wish all of us the strength and continued awareness to beat this humiliation. Would dearly love to feel some self esteem.
Am hoping to be posting back on here having passed my medical. I want to be able to look back on my post in 6 months being a normal, average person who has overcome the psychological equivalent of climbing Everest. That would be great. What would also be great would be my daughter not worrying about her wedding day, my ability as a grandma (eventually). I want her to be proud of me.
Thoughts are with you all.
2 Comments
I would love to get in touch with you as a lot of what you say resonates with me.
I really hope you are doing well. You have a lot of potential
Hi all
Great to discover this thread. I stopped drinking 8 weeks ago. I have been a drinker for 35 years - until I stopped I was downing around 7 pints of lager a day, 5 days a week, every week. I am male and if it makes any difference I am only 5 foot tall and weigh 7.5 stone - so I am told the amount I drank was alot for someone of my size?
I used to get home after drinking 3 or 4 pints and sleep all afternoon, then wake and drink another 3 pints.
I blamed the sleeping above on the drink - but now I have stopped I am tired - usually comes on around 3pm and then I sleep for an hour.
I am virtually constantly thinking about drinking - and people around me don't seem to think I have a problem as they did not see all that I drank.
I was worried before I read this thread as I did not expect to be so tired after 8 weeks - but perhaps it is normal.
One thing I have noticed though - when I go to bed at night I sleep much better than I did when I drank!
Almost daily I think that if I have a drink I will feel better - but then I know I will not so keep perservering.
Just hoping the fatigue and the thoughts will go soon.
Great to discover this thread. I stopped drinking 8 weeks ago. I have been a drinker for 35 years - until I stopped I was downing around 7 pints of lager a day, 5 days a week, every week. I am male and if it makes any difference I am only 5 foot tall and weigh 7.5 stone - so I am told the amount I drank was alot for someone of my size?
I used to get home after drinking 3 or 4 pints and sleep all afternoon, then wake and drink another 3 pints.
I blamed the sleeping above on the drink - but now I have stopped I am tired - usually comes on around 3pm and then I sleep for an hour.
I am virtually constantly thinking about drinking - and people around me don't seem to think I have a problem as they did not see all that I drank.
I was worried before I read this thread as I did not expect to be so tired after 8 weeks - but perhaps it is normal.
One thing I have noticed though - when I go to bed at night I sleep much better than I did when I drank!
Almost daily I think that if I have a drink I will feel better - but then I know I will not so keep perservering.
Just hoping the fatigue and the thoughts will go soon.
Hi Sam Yes it is normal.. Eat as healthy as you can and force yourself to exercise, even a swift walk around the block will help a lot you need to get those feel good endorphins working in your brain and drink a lot of water when we drink we are constantly dehydrated and this makes us feel very poor. Congrats on a week That is fantastic ! lesa
It took me awhile to notice how old the posts were. I am experiencing extreme fatigue ... no problem sleeping. It is all that I want to do. It's been a week. Is this normal
Sorry, had I looked at the date I would have seen that the post I was replying to was five years old. My intervention after all this time must seem very rude. Please excuse me.
To mellen 58, without wishing to be rude I think you should consider the fact that you are an alcoholic. I have a similar drinking pattern to you and am considering declaring myself an alcoholic. For people like us there is no such thing as drinking normally. We will never be able to drink sociably, once we start we MUST continue until we fall down. The only option is complete abstinence. Also, if you are having body pains you may already have fatty liver or liver cirrohsis (sorry for the spelling). I am going to stop next week and after a month I will go to the doctor. I expect him to tell me that if I don't give up immediately, and for the rest of my life, then I will die within five years. With respect, I think you should start to visit the Alcoholics Anonymous website. I find them a very reassuring presence even though I haven't yet joined their group. I wish you well.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I SLEPT like Rip Van Winkle in early sobriety!it is normal BUT if your like the rest of us who get their taste buds back previously not having good eating habits...and eat too many carbs,sweets and caffeine...these things can really contribute to the blood sugar levels peaks/valleys that contribute to sluggishness...carbs are BIG culprit here...and then we want to sleep a lot!PLUS we didn't have a normal sleep routine!a high protein diet w/plenty of water,good complex carbs and whole grains will help w/this!
I too have been drinking excessively with occasional drug use of different variety since I've been 15 and now 40. Only taking breaks during pregnancy and breast feeding. Even stopping breast feeding earlier than I would of liked because of picking bad habits back up. I have had years of good times but also bad, dark and bad decision making black out times.
I had been addicted to Tramadol for 2 years and finally withdrew and kicked that in Dec 2014. Now, I'm on 21 days with no alcohol after the last straw of a bad night. I feel liberated and really am determined to live sober going forward.
My foggy head is now clear and spirit is good but I do sleep very heavy for anywhere from 8-10 hrs per night and after dinner need a nap! Im hoping eventually I will be able to pop out of bed after 7 hrs of sleep with no need for naps! I agree with the boredom! Next step is to try to fill my once drinking hours with more family oriented activities! I keep telling myself one step at a time.
I too am happy to stumble upon this site! Helpful to hear I'm not the only one trying to better my life alcohol and drug free without going to a damn class!
I had been addicted to Tramadol for 2 years and finally withdrew and kicked that in Dec 2014. Now, I'm on 21 days with no alcohol after the last straw of a bad night. I feel liberated and really am determined to live sober going forward.
My foggy head is now clear and spirit is good but I do sleep very heavy for anywhere from 8-10 hrs per night and after dinner need a nap! Im hoping eventually I will be able to pop out of bed after 7 hrs of sleep with no need for naps! I agree with the boredom! Next step is to try to fill my once drinking hours with more family oriented activities! I keep telling myself one step at a time.
I too am happy to stumble upon this site! Helpful to hear I'm not the only one trying to better my life alcohol and drug free without going to a damn class!
exercise, get more sleep at night, keep a healthy diet and take vitamins...works for me.
Thank you for your post. This is my first time posting as I have been in denial for a long time until the last several weeks. I have been a daily drinker now since 1999 and really picked it up after both of my folks passed away in 2008. I have been a scotch drinker and am now Type 2 diabetic and have fatty liver. I have not had a drink for 2 days, and I am feeling the effects right now big time.
I am not shaking, but have been experiencing night sweats, which I really hate. I too itch. Not all over, but particularly head, shoulders and arms. Never had that before. I am also excessively tired all the time. I am overweight (I used to show horses years ago and was nice and thin and in good shape). I am 63 years old now, and losing weight and getting enough exercise is TOUGH. I have aches and pains, particularly in my legs.
Given my age, as my days without booze continue on, will some of these symptoms end do you think?
I am not shaking, but have been experiencing night sweats, which I really hate. I too itch. Not all over, but particularly head, shoulders and arms. Never had that before. I am also excessively tired all the time. I am overweight (I used to show horses years ago and was nice and thin and in good shape). I am 63 years old now, and losing weight and getting enough exercise is TOUGH. I have aches and pains, particularly in my legs.
Given my age, as my days without booze continue on, will some of these symptoms end do you think?
I am a 51 year old and I have been drinking for as long as I can remember. I would think nothing of drinking 2 or 3 of bottles of wine a night or a bottle of vodka, so much so I think my body became immune to the stuff as I never felt ill or hungover and had more energy than all of my kids…this has gone on for years, no-one would suspect I am a severe alcoholic, even my own family didn't realise the extent of my drinking!
I stopped drinking a month ago...I can't tell you why, I'd like to say it was a watershed moment but after losing both my parents to alcohol you'd have thought I'd have had one of those years ago! I detoxed at home by myself and it wasn't nearly as bad as I convinced myself it would be…I really thought I would need medical help as I had seen my parents come off the booze several times and I had seen extreme symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in both of them but my main symptom was very severe diarrhoea. One thing I do know (and I hate to say it) but vanity was one of the reasons I wanted to give up the booze…on the surface I looked good for my age but underneath the slap my skin was becoming a mess, especially my nose which I had to secretly 'squeeze' every morning as it was full of puss under the skin! I also had 'lumps' on my face which were starting to spread like wildfire and I knew then that my liver wasn't working properly.
I think I should have been dead a long time ago with the amount I used to drink and the lifestyle I used to lead as a result of the drinking but one reason I was probably still alive is that I was very physically active during the day and had a very good diet and really positive attitude to life in general!
Since stopping drinking a month ago my face is starting to improve considerably, I am losing weight (I now have cheekbones) and I sleep through the night better than I have done in years...something I never did before as my kidneys would ache so much. The downside, so far, is that I am very tired (even after a good nights sleep) but I am hoping this will pass and I also itch almost all of the time. I do miss drinking, I feel 'bored' most of the time without it but I hope this will also pass without having to drink myself into oblivion like I used to!
Good luck to you all, its nice to hear people's stories and realise it is possible to stop drinking! x
I stopped drinking a month ago...I can't tell you why, I'd like to say it was a watershed moment but after losing both my parents to alcohol you'd have thought I'd have had one of those years ago! I detoxed at home by myself and it wasn't nearly as bad as I convinced myself it would be…I really thought I would need medical help as I had seen my parents come off the booze several times and I had seen extreme symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in both of them but my main symptom was very severe diarrhoea. One thing I do know (and I hate to say it) but vanity was one of the reasons I wanted to give up the booze…on the surface I looked good for my age but underneath the slap my skin was becoming a mess, especially my nose which I had to secretly 'squeeze' every morning as it was full of puss under the skin! I also had 'lumps' on my face which were starting to spread like wildfire and I knew then that my liver wasn't working properly.
I think I should have been dead a long time ago with the amount I used to drink and the lifestyle I used to lead as a result of the drinking but one reason I was probably still alive is that I was very physically active during the day and had a very good diet and really positive attitude to life in general!
Since stopping drinking a month ago my face is starting to improve considerably, I am losing weight (I now have cheekbones) and I sleep through the night better than I have done in years...something I never did before as my kidneys would ache so much. The downside, so far, is that I am very tired (even after a good nights sleep) but I am hoping this will pass and I also itch almost all of the time. I do miss drinking, I feel 'bored' most of the time without it but I hope this will also pass without having to drink myself into oblivion like I used to!
Good luck to you all, its nice to hear people's stories and realise it is possible to stop drinking! x
I found "RationalRecovery.org" after not connecting with AA. I immediately felt a relief and am practicing their philosophy, it is helping a lot.
Hi did you go back to a moderate drinker then give up al together? I'm 4 weeks in and shattered, must be the sugar effect!
I hope you're still keeping up the sobriety as I see this was posted sometime ago. Take Magnesium glycinate or citrate. Also read the book...Miracle Of Magnesium. ALL addiction and recovery stems from a Magnesium deficiency.
This is a very old post, and will be posted directly onto the Alcoholism forum for further comments.
Incidentally, I will , or you can , copy and paste my comment along with yours, so that anyone looking in to your posted quesion, can see how your thread is being played out. thanks. Liz
Hi there Shan, i spoke with you via private message, and have come back to re read your original comment that I saw.
First it would be a good idea to copy and paste your comment directly on to the Alcoholsm Forum, at the top right hand side of this page. I believe that you'll get some traffic there, and ultimately be able to make some friends that can support you in your journey.
Congratulations on your clean time, 23 days now , and counting. I used the larger tracker , and the big pic with the people with their arms raised, never ceases to make me feel good about each and every day I get to have put up there a the top of my profile ~ that i've maintained my sobriety for one more day ! No matter how hard my day goes, if i can go to bed and wake up to another day adding up, it makes it easier. Keeps you accountable too! The more people know exactly your situation , the more accountable you are. The more clean and sober friends you make, that are aware of your clean date, the harder it is to **** can the attempt. It's like we're all in this together. I think it might help you to use the tracker function on your profile page. Let me know if you want to , and have any trouble with it, okay?
I was somewhat worried, when i read that your bf and you were drinking buddies. You wrote, " My bf and I could polish off a 5th of whiskey, maybe more a DAY!! It was awful. Shaking and sweating non stop, so in order to feel better, we would have to drink all day long. Not to get drunk, just to feel normal."
Since you've said that you and your bf were drinking 13 plus (in order to avoid the shakes and sweats) over the entire day it sounds sounds like your bf has just as much of a problem as yourself, and you have not said anything here about how he is dealing with his problem with alcohol. Ultimately the drinking habits of our significant other (especially if you live together) do affect us and our sobriety, in one manner or anothe. You mentioned you don't like the smell, but to have someone so close continuing to use indiscrimiately affects our mood greatly I would think. How do you feel about your bf still drinking? Again, i'm asking on line here so that your followers are able to help you the best way that we can (and i believe that you will have followers , when you do end up posting your own question on the forum as we've discussed via private message).
I went to work within 30 days of my finally quitting drinking every day (although i have to admit, when i got to the end of my drinking career, i would black out drinking very little liquor, whereas my tolerance was huge for so many years, in the end ,my tolerance was significantly lowered, below that of the normal drinker). It helped to be so busy, where i was in a position that i had to perform for 10 - 12 hours a day. It' helped that i had no choice. lol After a few months , I was fine and well used to handling my affairs sober. I got real good at minimizing my side effects and concentrating solely on my job expectations. In other words, i did a lot of faking it til i made it.
I thought i had already posted on a comment here, maybe i did and this is a glitch, and i'll end up repeating myself, lol, but at the risk of not commenting I'll repeat, it's a whole different story if we are quitting while in the company of a spouse or significant other who is not recognizing his / or her active addiction issues? Where are you on this point?
First it would be a good idea to copy and paste your comment directly on to the Alcoholsm Forum, at the top right hand side of this page. I believe that you'll get some traffic there, and ultimately be able to make some friends that can support you in your journey.
Congratulations on your clean time, 23 days now , and counting. I used the larger tracker , and the big pic with the people with their arms raised, never ceases to make me feel good about each and every day I get to have put up there a the top of my profile ~ that i've maintained my sobriety for one more day ! No matter how hard my day goes, if i can go to bed and wake up to another day adding up, it makes it easier. Keeps you accountable too! The more people know exactly your situation , the more accountable you are. The more clean and sober friends you make, that are aware of your clean date, the harder it is to **** can the attempt. It's like we're all in this together. I think it might help you to use the tracker function on your profile page. Let me know if you want to , and have any trouble with it, okay?
I was somewhat worried, when i read that your bf and you were drinking buddies. You wrote, " My bf and I could polish off a 5th of whiskey, maybe more a DAY!! It was awful. Shaking and sweating non stop, so in order to feel better, we would have to drink all day long. Not to get drunk, just to feel normal."
Since you've said that you and your bf were drinking 13 plus (in order to avoid the shakes and sweats) over the entire day it sounds sounds like your bf has just as much of a problem as yourself, and you have not said anything here about how he is dealing with his problem with alcohol. Ultimately the drinking habits of our significant other (especially if you live together) do affect us and our sobriety, in one manner or anothe. You mentioned you don't like the smell, but to have someone so close continuing to use indiscrimiately affects our mood greatly I would think. How do you feel about your bf still drinking? Again, i'm asking on line here so that your followers are able to help you the best way that we can (and i believe that you will have followers , when you do end up posting your own question on the forum as we've discussed via private message).
I went to work within 30 days of my finally quitting drinking every day (although i have to admit, when i got to the end of my drinking career, i would black out drinking very little liquor, whereas my tolerance was huge for so many years, in the end ,my tolerance was significantly lowered, below that of the normal drinker). It helped to be so busy, where i was in a position that i had to perform for 10 - 12 hours a day. It' helped that i had no choice. lol After a few months , I was fine and well used to handling my affairs sober. I got real good at minimizing my side effects and concentrating solely on my job expectations. In other words, i did a lot of faking it til i made it.
I thought i had already posted on a comment here, maybe i did and this is a glitch, and i'll end up repeating myself, lol, but at the risk of not commenting I'll repeat, it's a whole different story if we are quitting while in the company of a spouse or significant other who is not recognizing his / or her active addiction issues? Where are you on this point?
I have been a heavy drinker for 10 years. I recently quit (21 days ago) and I feel amazing except for the exhaustion that most people seem to experience. I saw a lot of comments about the excessive sweating as well. I was really reluctant to go to inpatient because I heard they do a Valium detox. I did not want to mask my addiction by obtaining another. so I thought 'what the heck' I can do this. I know it is dangerous, very dangerous. But I had asked my Dr. and he said I would be fine and put me on Tarazadone. My first day sucked! My bf and I could polish off a 5th of whiskey, maybe more a DAY!! It was awful. Shaking and sweating non stop, so in order to feel better, we would have to drink all day long. Not to get drunk, just to feel normal. Well into 24 hours, my skin itched horribly and I had to lay in bed with cold wash cloths to get rid of the sweat. I would take a shower, and I could smell a chemical like formaldehyde. Like, I was being embalmed. 2nd day, same thing. Except I finally got my appetite back. I was happy about that. 3rd day, shakes went away, and a little sweaty, but not so much as having to change my sheets all the time. Day 5, felt normal...although, the itching is still a nuisance!! uggh. It only happens at night when I try to sleep. And, being a bartender...this is REALLy a challenge for me!! I still get the cravings when I have a rough night at work. I am on day 21 of no booze, and so far so good. My mind is clearer, I am focused and organized, I eat 3 healthy meals a day and my digestive system is back to normal. I just wonder how long it is going to take before I get my energy back...and the awful itching is still here. Like somebody is poking me with little pins and needles. This is my story. I thought I would share. I figure people out there can relate. Good luck to everybody! shan.
I decided to quit drinking about five months ago, I stopped initially for six weeks but was surrounded by other drinkers and eventually capitulated and started drinking again, however after drinking on and off for about two months I realised that the only way for me was never to drink again, I am now in week five and apart from feeling incredibly tired, I am feeling really positive and looking forward to a life without alcohol, I am 50 years old and have been a habitual drinker for 30 years, this is a great forum with lots of good advice and it is good to know that I can share my experiences, and gain knowledge and pearls of wisdom from people that have been through the early stages of sobriety. I would like to wish everyone here success with there alcohol free quest
To YOU ALL!!!!! this is an awesome experience to read each of your testimonies as i am on my 3rd day no drinking (have quit other x's) and have 2maro off....my alcoholic brain is telling me "its your day off" and I came across this page looking for answer to 1 question...
Thank you All and Stay Strong and God Bless your journey.....
is there a site on fb for US folks to chat?
Thank you All and Stay Strong and God Bless your journey.....
is there a site on fb for US folks to chat?
ericramu
Mar 04, 2012
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To: phsycodog
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Yes there is a way to quit without AA. Its called the 12 NON steps and its for people who have a brain and can think for themselves. Its based out of California and is expensive, but just reading about what they say on the site will spare you a religious based AA program that doesn't work for a lot of people.
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rpooo
Mar 04, 2012
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To: 12Tess
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I hope you are doing well, how are things going for you?
ericramu- You should show respect for those who have used AA as a tool to maintain their sobriety. Your comment is unwelcomed and has been reported. Apparently your brain didn't allow you to think that post out before making it!
Randy
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Dolmen I believe this is the thread you are talking about. Nowhere am I implying that you must be an AA member to post. Ericramu was not just stating his opinion he also insulted those who have chosen to use AA. For this he was reported. He has not since posted.
My intentions here are nothing more than to help those who ask. Click on my name and read my posts. BTW I have never been a member of AA but I do not criticize those who use this method. Do whatever it takes!
Have a nice day.
Randy
No support group. I use my will power and help from my wife of 17 years together for 23. My wife has been very patient with me, the first month was hard, lots of communication (getting our issues out and talking about what is needed from each other). We both gave up tobacco 12 and a half years ago. Said today was the day we would ever have another fag and never have and never craved. The same with my drinking, I said from this day I will never drink again and have not had a drop in 3 months and have had no cravings. I don't know how I do it. I guess if I want something bad enough I will do it. I wish I could have the same power when it comes to my personal feelings/emotions.
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