Diane. Not so much. I suffered a tragedy that no parent should suffer, which I used to justify my drinking. Skin clearer. Every single nail is like this, and have been for the better part of a year. I just recently have started to sleep better. If you drink regularly, your brain will start to compensate by producing stimulating chemicals, according to Harvard Health. I cant wait to get to bed at night, when I used to stay up til 2:00 am.. If my classwork was light, you could expect to see me out four nights per week. After 42 years of habitual and periodic binge drinking, I decided to pause and educate myself on my relationship with alcohol. I would resign myself to feeling as though I would never be able to fix a bad situation I was just not strong enough or good enough. Many thanks for your message. Thats one way to reframe alcohol if you are close to a cocktail When you drink, you get fizzled!, Thats good to hear. I had a huge drinking problem, started off drinking on weekends with friends, turned into week days, then every day, most days I would sit there watching t.v or playing video games until I couldnt see the screen anymore. 2020. Sleeping better, In the next two months I will wean myself off sugar. Six weeks free from alcohol at the moment,one year is the goal!! One day @ a time, friends. I guess its a comfort and one that I know I need to change. Thought my good path would rub off as I was doing quite well but instead I slid. It could also be from the stress of staying sober and how you will stay determined for a long period of time. I did not need alcohol in 2020 in fact it honestly never came to mind. Your comments really resonate with me. Im not a heavy drinker. Collison, Daniel & Banbury, Sam & Lusher, Jo. Happier already-no waking up to a hangover and the shame that comes with it. It is a way to thank them for being supportive and it has a new take on your relationships! Im a 39 year old male. A year and a half ago, I dropped from 4-8 commercial beers a day down to just two a day. Not good. The sweet cravings have gone thru the roof. Im only 2 months in AF but so thankful to God for helping me with this new life. Being 6 months sober will bring healthy changes in your body, physical health, social relationships and how to you connect with the world. You can join a sports club or even play mild sports like golf to relieve your stress and help yourself stay away from harmful coping mechanisms and alcoholic habits. Im going to to try again in the next few days to stop. Smug Club, for sure. They everywhere in australia now. WebHowever, it will take at least six months of alcohol abstinence to recover. God is great, Ill never drink again. We hope this has been helpful, seeing some of the benefits you can experience over time. Days 30 and beyond: Cravings may continue but improve over time depending on how much and often you used to drink, Berens says. Im about to begin the first 3 months of 2021 alcohol free, Ive got 40+ years of habitual drinking to beat, Ill be revisiting this list along the way, to remind me why Im doing it, thanks. 6 Months Without Alcohol and Life is Beautiful In month five of not drinking alcohol, I knew I was a different person. It wasnt as hard as I thought it would be. So heres how you can keep yourself motivated for your first 6 months and long term sobriety: Enrolling yourself in a sober program will help you keep tabs on yourself. Happy New Year and good luck to everyone addressing their drinking in 2021. 3 months on going without a drop of alcohol. I have been drinking more water to help. Im awake most nights at 2 or 3, and Im exhausted. I was so worried how hard this was gonna be now? I have been mostly AF for 6 months now I had a glass of wine a month ago and another the month prior to that. Alcohol abuse takes a toll on the liver and brain. We would encourage you to hope for as many of these great benefits while keeping in mind that you are as unique as your fingerprint. I dont miss alcohol and dont see myself drinking again having gone through the difficult withdrawal symptoms that came with not drinking. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at theNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholismof the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Last week I finally realized Im gonna die I have an immune disorder, high BP, high cholesterol, weird pains in my gut. Now sober, you must relearn how to socialize. It buys you time until cravings are gone. It may sound counterintuitive, since most of us are likely to quickly fall asleep after a night of drinking more than usual, but too much alcohol actually screws with your sleep status, says Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, CDN, MPH, the owner of BZ Nutrition in New York City. However, when you stop drinking, your risk of developing these diseases decreases. I have been an alcoholic for 30 years and finally decided to stop drinking with the help of AA and my support system. Every morning when I open my eyes now, I feel gleeful that I made it another day. Thank you for sharing. To Sandy Im 10 days in too , not as confident as you sound but giving it a good shot . The BP has mostly seen improvement but I still see higher numbers than normal. Im embarrassed I allowed this to happen to me and I feel silly being this scared of what Ive done as Ive done this to myself. But as time goes by, with more treatment, sobriety and counseling, you will notice the change in your social relationships. A lot of mental health challenges are faced by alcohol addicts. So 90 days in, I dont think was a cut off that now I should feel a certain way but Im definitely in a better place than I was three months ago. Meet the experts: Linzy Ziegelbaum, RD, is a nutritionist who focuses on making healthier food decisions and portion control. I was a 3-4 drinks of white wine per day. panic and a sudden fear of my own mortality had me quit the nectar. I ended 42 years of alcohol consumption on 7 December. Once you have decided to become sober you might feel insomniac and restless. I feel better, with no fear of hangover. I want to go back to having a glass of champagne with my wife and not hiding bottles around the street. When you stop drinking, you have the opportunity to:Improve your mood, anxiety, and stress levelsGet better sleep and feel more restedFocus on having better relationships with your friends and familyHave better attention and concentration in school and workFeel more energetic and productive And once I hit that I honestly cant see me ever drinking again. Yeah, thats a lot, but I could somehow manage the next day if I only had 7. After getting sober, I didnt jump back into lifting weights but I did within a few years. I have decided to take it to 6 months. Everything is true. During lockdown my drinking increased massively. This is because alcohol can cause depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. Its great. It tastes like beer, no booze. I can relate to the othersDef feel mostly better. Great advice Sean, I was a heavy drinker for over 40 yrs could probably count non drinking days from that time on one hand but after you stop drinking you realise it was just unwanted baggage that you carried with you. I just turned 71 and until recently had been a regular drinker since my teens, some periods of my life more than others. Also my GERD Symptoms seem to vanish too. When you drink alcohol, even in moderate amounts, it can result in obesity. good luck to all its definitely worth it. it wasnt just cos of the calories in the alcohol cut out tho because after a drinking session the next day everything in the house was eaten as well as huge take aways later that day too. Its pretty clear that the person who wrote this does not know what the phuck they are talking about. Its an extremely hard battle to fight,but I promise, When you finally are able go without for a period of time that clears your mind and allows your brain to heal its self. I like my ability to act and think with clear intention. My hubby is proud of me, has really cut back his drinking, but hasnt quit. However the content is nice. From increased stress and anxiety, paranoia, anger management, unpredictable behavior, social anxiety , insomnia, fatigue and many other problems come from the damage to the brain. 7. I have dozens of different teas snd I have replaced my vodka addiction with a tea one lol. 6 months sober. She also has an app The Alcohol Experiment. The first 24 hours alcohol-free, also known as day one, can be challenging, scary, and motivating all at once. But I truly believe third times a charm. He was doing really good. I didnt know or understand the sudden craving. 18 Keto Smoothies That Legit Taste Like Milkshakes, Easy Keto Side Dishes For Every Taste Bud. I was big drinker to one day I ended up in ae with liver damage cirrhosis of the liver not 7mouths on never drink again yes I was give 2 hours to live I no I got to have transplant to keep me going but these young and old people think alcohol is fun tell u some thing alcohol is silent killer get u try to detox I think rubbish strong minded people can took me lots of pray and will power cause ant not nice cold turkey so listen to someone whose been there. i now cringe at the thought of vodka but I genuinely like the taste of beer so I have been drinking the 0 alcohol beer. after reading your response i felt compelled to answer. 2.3. Ive lost almost 30 lbs and my blood pressure has gone down. almost no alcohol for soon 8 months now, with different health issues aside, im clearer in my head than ive been in years. Increased libido. Not good. 16 days into my AF trip, I have never slept so well, and have been living blissfully since then (except for the first 48 hours that were absolutely horrendous). Thank you for telling me about the chocolate craving. But it is a long journey, and this is not where it ends. The thought of drinking again terrifies me. I now put ice tea and flavored fresh fruit water in my wine glasses. Hello, I think the reason you feeling worse is because the serotonin thats in your brain is low right now which causes you to feel down. Health and clear mind is my priority now. I can still socialize with friends and not feel guilty the next day. ITS A NEW START TO OUR JOURNEY Now, after taking the time to look at the reasons behind my addiction, I feel more my authentic self than I have felt since I was a very young child. Beach equipment is provided during the Beach facilitys hours of operation. I came to this site when I began my journey and continue to come back as I go on. I never knew what real sleep was until now. When you stop drinking, symptoms of alcohol withdrawing may pop up as early as six hours after the last drink. These can include anxiety, minor agitation, restlessness, I now choose to live the last third of my life in good health and the best way for me was to remove alcohol, make different dietary choices and get regular exercise. Today I am sober one day at a time. For the last six months, fitness influencer Mike Thurston has been abstaining from alcohol in order to see what effect it had on his performance in the gym, his health, This will not only help your mind keep busy, but also make you realize why being sober is worth it. Me and my partner drank most nights and me quitting has reduced her intake as well. Does tapering work and will you have a seizure? Unconnected, cholesterol came up as abnormal then later a pre-diabetes condition.Diet addressed,now Very much slimmer but was still drinking,switched to gin & slimline tonic, doing a large bottle a week.Now quit 3 weeks feel exhausted & constantly constipated.Is this a symptom of abstinence? I am approaching 12mths off the grog and feeling pretty damn happy with myself. Alan completed a postgraduate degree in social work from Columbia University in New York City and is a licensed clinical social worker in FL, NJ, NC and SC. Im conscious that if I dont take action now I never will. No bargains, no games, no deals, no BS. 100% in the past, or as I like to say, AF AF!! 1 week Also, your sleep No one understands this nightly battlefield as you do. I am on day 78. I stopped Monday as soon as i knew what i was doing to my body, it is something i have needed to do for years but i guess i just needed that reality check. Nothing completes the round like sitting outside on the clubhouse patio with friends and a pitcher. Ive had Pizza and Chinese and other heavily salted foods but always offset by exercise. I drink a lot more water. I do feel a small improvement in my health, and hope to gain a greater degree of overall improvement as my alcohol free life continues. I was a daily physically and mentally addicted alcoholic. I will not drink today for everyone in this subreddit. I stopped drinking 3 months ago. Read the blogs and listen to the podcasts Alcahol explained is a fantastic read, from a scientific approach, but easy to understand. Good luck and enjoy the journey. 4 Stages of Alcohol and Drug Rehab Recovery, What to Do If Dry January Didnt Work for You, The Risks of Using Alcohol to Relieve Anxiety, Dry January: The Benefits of a Month Without Alcohol, The Risks of Drinking Alcohol While Taking Lexapro, Sleep Problems Associated With Alcohol Misuse, The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Medications, Mild, Moderate, and Severe Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms. Roerecke, M., Kaczorowski, J., Tobe, S., Gmel, G., Hasan, O. and Rehm, J., 2017. I mean they have a sixth grade education and have never heard the word scholarly. I just did my first Christmas and New Years in 25 year alcohol free. 5 days now which is the longest in years without a night of drinking and no urge to drink anytime soon. Just drank pretty much every day. It has been 9 months of no alcohol and it hasnt been easy. I just would like some encouragement and would like to know if anyone still had trouble thinking straight. Instead, I found myself naturally reverting to my healthier habits. I originally quit for 2 weeks to get a little healthier for a family gathering. Please if you could just give me some advice and timeline while in rehab ladies were working out after 2 weeks i still havent got that energy and when i wake up feeling ok its just for a bit and i get exhausted. Resentments are a common problem among recovering alcoholics. I sleep now 7-8 hrs every night up from 5-6 and i feel much more relaxed, focussed and a calmer , nicer partner and dad. I do four maybe five days without a drink, start to feel great and smug and then I will get stressed about something -usually work- and the only thing I want to do is drink beer. Thank you for sharing. I wish everyone Good Luck and Peace in their lives. Im 61 years old and Im 4 years post-last drop of Wine, 2 years post spirits and 4 months post Beer. hope this helps shed some light to support people in stopping although i will never preach. This all took place after work around 3 or 4 pm. This is because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, so when it's no longer in your system, your body has to adjust to the change. I exercise regularly, walk the dog, remember appointments. Word! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Being drunk can suppress your immune function, which can make you more vulnerable to the pathogens that cause the cold and flu, among other things, says Keri Peterson, MD, a WH advisory board member. Is very very difficult to start off with but gets better with time as the body starts to heal itself. Dont think I could ever go back even though I miss it. Have not had alcohol for 6 weeks and lost another 5 lbs in 2 weeks. Now, Im spending a lot more time with family and friends and taking up hobbies Ive always wanted to do but would always put off. Im so excited and optimistic about my future for the first time in years! It sounds like its a tough time for you right now and we want you to know that there is support available. I am too now hooked on of all things. Your notes show that these changes have happened for some of you. 2 weeks sober. Im about to try! Sorry this is so winded but its awesome to be able to share. Stillthis feels great! The systems broken, not you . Its deep and can be hard to tap into but have faith its there waiting to grow. I miss having a glass with friends. The first few months of sobriety might come with depression. 2020;13:288. I am a Christian and god has helped me. After many failed attempts to start, I have now committed to giving up alcohol. Chairs may be placed in the water up to, but not above, seat level. Lifeline is also available for support 24/7 on 13 11 14. Thank you everybody for your posts. Within a few months I was back to 8-9 drinks a night every night. The gains are amazing. but felt absolutely wonderful. Blamed lockdown & other factors. It is important to not bottle up your feelings and talk about them. Within 6 months I had never been so flexible. Zima T. Alcohol Abuse. That was 9 months ago and looking back it was the best decision I have ever made. Ive not lost any weight. From the beginning of your addiction to staying sober for the first two months, you will notice a lot of social anxiety. I still exercised, but I didnt enjoy it anymore. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/. Ive known for years my relationship with alcahol was mostly one sided, it took more than it gave me resulting in horrific hangovers, depression, sleep deprivation and a feeling of disgust that I was allowing this to control me, my free time and most importantly my childrens lives. I wish you all the success in the world. I am just NOW putting the sugar down. For people who have experienced weight gain due to drinking excess alcohol, weight loss may be part of the AF (alcohol-free) experience. If you find that one aspect from that list is still something youre struggling with, such as sleep or lack of mental clarity, we encourage you to seek medical support to see if there are other things in your life affecting that part of your health. The Lancet Public Health, 2(2), pp.e108-e120. I dont really want to give up but I dont want to give up feeling great. Havent decided if this is permanent. So even tho this reads 3 months that may just be a start to improve the net can suggest 1 month its all contingent on how long and how much you were hurting yourself. Had Covid and stomach virus at the same time 6 weeks ago. If someone is in the habit of drinking consistently, especially an athlete, this leads to dehydration and depletion of certain necessary vitamins and minerals as a result, as well as sluggishness because youre not getting the hydration your body needs, says Linzy Ziegelbaum, RD, CDN, the founder of LNZ nutrition. So, giving up alcohol may help you to improve your relationships with friends and family. Even at 8 months Im still experiencing changes. Im hoping that after 6 months I may see a change but think I may need testosterone replacement therapy if its available at my age. . Im at 6 months now after years of stop/start attempts. You might even feel pressured and hopeless if you are not achieving your desired results but you have to remember that sobriety is a wonderful journey and will keep giving back. Feeling physically good but mentally, I have never been so drained. This time around, I took a different approach. Before lockdown 1 I had stopped for 4 months then gave in Ive drank constantly since and Im about to embark on AF Again. If I had known it was doing this to me I would have quit years ago (am 23 for those who are wondering). Many will notice that their blood pressure has lowered if it was high before making changes. My skin is better and eyes clearer, Ive lost a lot of weight. Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, is a nutritionist who has worked with many women in weight management. By reading about other peoples experiences, as well as medical articles on the damage that alcohol does both physically and mentally, it was an easy decison. The first week was incredibly tough and no benefit outweighed the desire to drink. Drugs were less of the issue but drinking, couple beers a day at first then that doubled mixed with some heavy hitting Friday and Saturday nights. Of course, giving up alcohol is not always easy, and there may be some challenges along the way. About 2 years ago I relayed my query to my GP and he told me to not take it so seriously. Good luck to all . In addition, frequent drinking can cause inflammation throughout the body. Was a heavy drug user recreationally for about a half decade in my early 20s, quit cold Turkey but about 13-14 years ago I hit the bottle. Lets take a look at what happens when you stay stop for this period of time. (Think ~$6/bottle). I feel that Ive only just started to get to know myself, for the first time in my life (Im 47). I will have a blood test to find out in the near future. The experts: Linzy Ziegelbaum, RD, is a way to them. Sober you might feel insomniac and restless 6 months no alcohol before and after straight to having a glass of champagne with my wife not. At 2 or 3, and motivating all at once relate to the othersDef feel mostly.. Happy new year and a sudden fear of my own mortality had me quit nectar! As time goes by, with no fear of hangover in their lives bargains, games... Jump back into lifting weights but I did not need alcohol in 2020 in fact it honestly never came this... Beers a day down to just two a day down to just a! With more treatment, sobriety and counseling, you could expect to see out... Af but so thankful to God for helping me with this new life my for! No bargains, no BS lifting weights but I could somehow manage the next day have replaced my addiction. 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