Do not be the person in the corner. I feel worse now than when I was drinking. I have lost 15 pounds and I now get more of a reward from knowing Im healthier and the cravings have subsided. One day at a time, Yes Im three months sober. I had a very boozy few years, always social. Quick disclaimer here everyones experience is their own. I felt like I did not know what to do with myself and aggitated. 10/10 would go AF again. To find out more about how we use cookies, see our, After 3 months, your liver will continue to experience that relief as mentioned above. Im at day 4 and feel great. I come back here from time to time when i relapse. More focused and determined during my career journey. I urge anyone trying to stop drinking to stick at it. I had to leave an important meeting just to get home and have 3 drinks to stop a panic attack. This is what you can expect if you quit drinking for a while. Used to drink about a 5th a day. Better health all around. 3 months on going without a drop of alcohol. Point is, it takes time and while I can appreciate the anxiety, I went through it terribly too, still do with the BP, as you allow your body to heal, you will start to feel better. Its important to recognise the small wins and keep an eye out for the inner critic that might downplay what youve done well. 2.3. Other than that Ive been feeling great and trusting in God and living one day at a time.. Hi everyone. I did not need alcohol in 2020 in fact it honestly never came to mind. I suppose over the last few years Ive drunk most days. Fat causes inflammation and turns into many liver diseases. During all those times I would say to my self please God make this stop smh. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. I was drinking nearly 16 pints of Stella artois, kronenburg 1664, sanmiguel on a nightly basis. Improved relationships. Any advice? I drank nearly every day previously some wine each day. We had zoom meetings with family every Thursday, and wed all toast to each other at the end. Tomorrow is my 39th birthday. Thank you everybody for your posts. I like keeping track of the health benefits I get after one week, two weeks, three weeks etc. Your worries and problems are still there, they still need to be dealt with, but with a clear head and guilt free mind are easier. Thats fantastic! I have not tried non alcoholic no sugar wine. I didnt know or understand the sudden craving. Dont think I could ever go back even though I miss it. Making a choice to reduce your alcohol intake or quit drinking is another one of these life choices. Unfortunately I discovered when I started drinking again that Im unable to moderate long term. 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. Wish me luck! These can include anxiety, minor agitation, restlessness, insomnia, tremor, sweating, palpitations, high blood pressure, headache, and alcohol craving. I used to drink red wine daily, for almost 10 years. My ankles and feet ache off and on and I still get shivers at least once a day, although over in seconds. The first 6 months to an year of sober living is going to be challenging and will test your patience at a lot of points. Since quitting. I think a lot of us picked up alcohol in our teens, when we were supposed to be learning how to socialize without drinking, we instead did drink and it became the crutch. 3 months sober now, the struggle is real, everyday I want a reason to drink but Im pushing through. Alcohol withdrawal is a result of your brain becoming too used to continuous exposure to the substance. Often people report needing fewer sick days from work, and your heart is a whole lot healthier than it was 12 months ago. Published 2018 Dec 5. Self medications after a few Florida hurricanes and the pandemic years took me to the level I described. One month alcohol free and completely surprised by how much better I feel both physically and emotionally. 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. Take care guys. 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. The day before NYs Eve 21, I stopped drinking alcohol completely. I was having 2 to 5 drinks a night, sometimes shots of liquor, sometimes very strong stout beers. Sounds like a small thing but was so handy to have the ability to do these things late at night. Short tempered. Kidneys and liver function tests are normal. Lifeline is also available for support 24/7 on 13 11 14. This is a great piece of motivational text that is vital for 35 million Americans fighting the battle to keep sober . This pandemic really helped me. Thank You. White Cheddar rice cakes are my crutch. My biggest concern is I dont know if I can ever go back to just social drinking. If I feel like something special I grab a cold one of those and reward myself with that! Posts are all inspiring and mirror much of my journey. This is because alcohol abuse can lead to serious health problems, such as liver disease and cancer. Havent decided if this is permanent. I did the same thing. I also was hoping for instant weight loss but its happening just now. one foot at a time and we all will make it. Hello Sunday Morning!!!! Trust me. Three things Ive noticed, sleeping better my joints dont hurts in the morning and my lungs fill like they can expand more. Within a few months I was back to 8-9 drinks a night every night. Zero weight loss, more of weight gain. of sobriety. I laughed I went over my former wine buddys house today and we went for ice cream. So, giving up alcohol can help your skin to look more hydrated and glowing. I feel good, healthy all the exercise and good eating has me in the best shape Ive been in for sometime and so Im pretty confident with a shirt off again lol. If you drink regularly, your brain will start to compensate by producing stimulating chemicals, according to Harvard Health. Returned to fitness and great nutrition. (No jinx ). Every day is a page. I like my life. Dont want to go anywhere or do anything. Im much more myself staying away from alcohol than when drinking. Handb Clin Neurol. I was a first class wine lover and looked forward to my first glass after getting home from work. Alcohol can cause problems in relationships, such as conflicts, communication problems, and trust issues. Do it. Newman RK, Stobart Gallagher MA, Gomez AE. Non alcohol beer has been a life saver, allows me to be in social environment without the akwardness! I feel so much better, mentally and physically and Ive lost 45lbs!! I was tired of living my life so lost. Read our, What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol. Congratulations ! It tastes like beer, no booze. Get some nice drinks in, I found fizzy water with ginger cordial an absolute must, it gives you a back of the throat kick, put ice in a nice glass and its a refreshing drink, that gets you through. Just a month in for me, looking much better in my face, no weight loss overall though but thats something to address over time. Once you have stayed sober for 6 months you will start feeling more and more calm and notice a great improvement in your relationships with friends and family. Take care. Roerecke, M., Kaczorowski, J., Tobe, S., Gmel, G., Hasan, O. and Rehm, J., 2017. I think that was my rock bottom and I knew my life needed to change immediately. Im in my 60s Ive tried quitting three times before. For the last few days I was wondering why I was feeling sick, irritable, not getting hardly any sleep, cold sweats, the whole shabang. If you're interested in cutting back on drinking, figuring out how to turn down a drink now will help you avoid awkward conversations later on, says Vanessa Kennedy, PhD, the director of psychology at Driftwood Recovery. However, when you stop drinking, your risk of developing these diseases decreases. I slept much better when I drank. Definitely drinking a lot more then I should be doing. Its still a journey I am on, but now my outlook is, I know what I Accomplished and my struggles as an alcoholic. 3 months and counting, i had to quit due to alcohol related pancreatitis. I now put ice tea and flavored fresh fruit water in my wine glasses. I am now 2 months sober and do not ever want to go back to those times. Everything is true. My anxiety was through the roof and my face was puffy and ugh, I felt awful but didnt even know it. I have grandchildren that I want to be around to enjoy a long time. The only foreign I want in my life is languages and travel! I made the choice to cut out the sugar and carbs. panic and a sudden fear of my own mortality had me quit the nectar. A handle a day is a lot. Avoid social gatherings for a good while. Im at the 7 month mark. Question for you Jon: My circumstances are similar, my husband still drinks a couple (high alcohol 8%) beers 4X a night, and I find myself irritated with his drinking, which never happened in the past. A study from the journal Appetite found that moderate drinkers were 24 percent more likely to order something savory like salty fries, which may be the only edible item at your local dive bar, after drinking. I have lost 6-7 kilos and weirdly no cravings although i have had some stomach issues caused by quitting and eat much healthier after using my drinking time 1 night to read Eat to Beat Disease by Dr William Li. My withdrawal symptoms are kicking in big time now. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means it has a slowing effect on the brain. I am 3 months AF this week. Ive been a heavy drinker 30+ years. No drinking alcohol in just over 3 months. AF. ( weights.. squats.. abs.. walking.skipping) but Specifically a weighted hula hoop Usually a couple times a week. Reading daily. Now, to exorcise the sugar junkie . My friends are super proud of me as well. One thing, for sure. Life is beautiful without alcohol. And I never ever plan on going back to my old drinking ways. I try not to beam so much around old friends who were old drinking buddies, including my wife, who still loves it. Sleep dictates our energy levels to an extent (SleepFoundation.org, 2020) so exercise or any form of movement can become easier and more enjoyable. Many will notice that their blood pressure has lowered if it was high before making changes. As I said, a handle is a lot so your liver has a lot to expel. Three weeks in and I am seeing an increase in energy. Im 46 and it I might be going through peri-menopause. Make sure that you talk it out with someone when you feel like you might be in a danger of relapsing or just generally feeling down. Because once you cross that hurdle it is all starting to go downhill. I never was big into sweets/soda but Ive been loving chocolate like the rest of you guys and diet ginger ale. He hid it well from all of us. So, giving up alcohol may help you to improve your relationships with friends and family. 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. I did it and am still my old self again after 7 years. this book isxwhat convinced me to stop no question! I dont miss alcohol and dont see myself drinking again having gone through the difficult withdrawal symptoms that came with not drinking. Finally I started getting chest pains, my BP was crazy and I felt terrible. water per day, and my fitbit shows my average resting heart rate has dropped from 69 to 57. not bothered about sleep etc that is an added bonus on top of the chance to live. Sleeping better, In the next two months I will wean myself off sugar. I didnt know why the website was named hello Sunday morning, until last weekend when I was laying in bed last Sunday morning and was enjoying another morning not hung over and miserable. 16-34. de Visser, R. and Piper, R., 2020. Granted the bad diet before I made changes may also be a factor so this could be unrelated to the boozing and this is something I have to deal with. Now I dont even care to do that. One of the surprising side effects of giving up alcohol is that your skin may start to look better. [online] Available at: [Accessed 15 October 2020]. I do have lots of regrets and lots of inner healing and self love and forgiveness I still need to work on. I took a 75 day challenge of no drinking. Why cant I go an evening without a glass in my hand? 3 months in also. Badly and very slowly. Day 9 today alcohol and nicotine free. Alcohol is a toxin that can damage your liver. your path from 1-12 months is amazing to follow. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Im also saving a lot of money because the beers I enjoy are stupidly expensive! Lost everything, wife n kids,my job of 23 years, was nearly on death bed, my health was shocking. Once you realize how unproblematic sober life is, you will keep yourself away from situations where you might face dangers of relapse. My healthy crutch has been sparkling water in a can. Does anyone have these same symptoms? Keep going yall! But its fine I dont like people that much anyways. Yes! McKenzie Maxson, as told to K. Aleisha Fetters. Im actually worried I might give up drinking. 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, Kate I hope you are having good luck with your reduced alcohol consumption. The benefits are ridiculously wonderful! Ive been sober 9 months and loving it. I work and am in a good relationship for many years. Yeah, thats a lot, but I could somehow manage the next day if I only had 7. "Most likely, people who care about you will be supportive and encourage your efforts to stay sober," says Kennedy. Reading these comments has helped a lot. Take time out for others and give something back to society. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. Days 30 and beyond: Cravings may continue but improve over time depending on how much and often you used to drink, Berens says. Better nutrition, more consistent workouts. We hope this has been helpful, seeing some of the benefits you can experience over time. I am approaching 12mths off the grog and feeling pretty damn happy with myself. But, simple truth is, its no way to live. Today is day 76. . Check out the Daybreak app to connect with others who may be going through a similar experience or reach out to a health professional such as GP. Keep it up. My b/p is going down,the quality of sleep is incredible,l didnt know l could sleep this well without alcohol,but ice cream and donuts have come in the picture,lm looking forward to many more months alchohol free,after 30 years of drinking,l dont miss it, Hi Peter, thats great that you quieted and you are feeling better , i quieted drinking for a month now and i went through a lot of symptoms ,the one is still not going away that easy its my b/p and bloated and constipated ,just wondering if you been through the same and if they eventually went away ,thanks in advance, I too Peter feel so much better. But a word of caution about just the one glass it doesnt work for most people. Everything would have been ok if I didnt drink. Hopefully, youve started to experience some of those benefits from the 1 month list and its ok if it took a little longer than a month to notice them. Im now doing them more regularly, before I quit altogether. Youve made it to 6 months! Feeling really good, very active and positive, Weight loss is slow but my sleep is so much better and my choices , really hoping I can keep going for at least another 4 weeks . I found both to be incredibly helpful! Sleep Foundation. Highly recommend. By not drinking for 3 months, the levels of your white blood cells rise, which reduces the risk of getting sick. Relationships are healthier, friends are closer (those that stayed and supported rather than the ones that judged and left). To Sandy Im 10 days in too , not as confident as you sound but giving it a good shot . Two things that makes me stay sober, 1. I ended 42 years of alcohol consumption on 7 December. I have lost 30 lb and feel great. Belly fat. I am 97 days AF and since day 40-50 i havent had a single craving for red wine or beer. Anyone out there with similar circumstances I urge you to get your life back. Highly recommended. Still tired, and really miss a Manhattan, but its just not worth it. I didnt understand that either. Next its the 60 pounds I gained since 2016 Meditation is known to bring peace and harmony to mind and keep negative emotions at bay. Skin clearer. Everyday is a gift & new opportunity. Six weeks free from alcohol at the moment,one year is the goal!! Im 46, gone from being slim, active and full of energy and enthusiasm, to overweight, tried all the time and and generally feeling pretty crap about myself. It is a way to thank them for being supportive and it has a new take on your relationships! But here's the thing: although it may have initially helped me head to dreamland, that alcohol seriously disrupted my REM cycle. Has been an interesting ride but my favourite result from being alcohol free has been the ability to do anything at anytime. During this time, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal, such as tremors, anxiety, and nausea or vomiting. Instead, I realized Sobriety was something I had. Once I reached my early 30s I began drinking a 12 pack a day and most of the time I would run out and go get another one. I am really struggling. Im waiting for my body to adjust from sobriety which I hope it eventually does, I feel like Im in hell mentally and physically. 6 Weeks Without Alcohol You may have higher thinking and problem-solving skills, memory and attention than those who are still drinking alcohol. There were no more morning trips for bagels (yes, bagels plural) and coffee to tend to my hangover. I went all out and gave up a lot of Juno food also with it and found it easier to go all out. I am 39 days dry after several years of alcohol abuse. Nobody but GOD! Havent had a drink in over 3 months, but started eating chocolate after dinner and havent lost any weight. I just lost my nephew from vodka. I have never eaten sweets, now thats all I want. Aha! They everywhere in australia now. Ive had Pizza and Chinese and other heavily salted foods but always offset by exercise. Im awaiting a good colonoskopi now in 2 weeks, liver values are not that good, iron is bad and the iron deposits are sky high. These symptoms may begin anywhere from two to seven days after your last drink. Is very very difficult to start off with but gets better with time as the body starts to heal itself. Im currently at a resort in Mexico and am envious of all the people I see enjoying their cocktails. Maybe after a year i might see all these real benefits. I feel so much better now! During lockdown my drinking increased massively. Stay strong its a poison thats become socially acceptable. Smugness has been another feature and Im not ashamed of that and the longer I abstain the more it will grow and I dont apologise for that. This is the point where some more intangible benefits start to appear. 7. Hangovers, unfulfilled promises not to drink and embarrassment tend to lead to self loathing which has been a joy to shake off. My normal personality is quiet and somewhat shy. The benefits are incredible, the smug feeling is overwhelming and not to be underestimated. You can opt-out at any time. I have learned so much. Im back on the dry 14 days and determined to stay off it. I used to smoke weed and drink. more energetic and positive. had much alcohol past 2 weeks, stopped 2 days before test Dr. Ed Friedlander answered Pathology 46 years experience I'm happy for you: Congratulations on recognizing the problem. Relationships between Age, Sex, Self-Esteem and Attitudes Towards Alcohol Use Amongst University Students. I cant imagine why if I can do this I think most can as I was such a slave to the just have one we can quit tomorrow mentality. In January 2022 Ill be 41. WebNew years resolution 2 out of 6 months down. I was a daily drinker (around almost a bottle of wine in the evening, Id always leave a little bit just so I didnt feel guilty about drinking an entire bottle). To have a drink now would feel strange and wrong. This is because alcohol can cause fatigue and decreased motivation, so when you stop drinking, you may find it easier to get things done. It might mean the ability to get up earlier and get more done in the day. Sleep is something I had trouble with, no more. Weight loss occurred and bloating went away. feeling better health wise mentally getting stronger eating and sleeping well. It gives you a whole new lease on life. 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). In That was the point I knew I had to do somethingso I stopped drinking. 187 pounds But the thing is The only reason I hadnt quit was because the people around me were telling me I didnt have to, or shouldnt. When I quit I didnt set a time frame but more of an open goal. From the beginning of your addiction to staying sober for the first two months, you will notice a lot of social anxiety. But you might also experience what's called "hang-xiety," or anxious feelings that are experienced as part of a hangover, says Dr. Peterson. I am three years and three months sober. SO GOOD! Then I started to see a jump. I cant imagine drinking again knowing this is what life can be like without it. Life back Sobriety was something I had to quit due to alcohol related pancreatitis to continuous exposure the! Awful but didnt even know it a while Ive drunk most days have not tried alcoholic... Amazing to follow difficult withdrawal symptoms are kicking in big time now, friends are closer those! Experience over time the one glass it doesnt work for most people crazy and I knew I to! Go back to society is amazing to follow is languages and travel can expect if quit! Laughed I went over my former wine buddys house today and we went ice... Depressant, which reduces the risk of developing these diseases decreases its way... Going through peri-menopause Gallagher MA, Gomez AE instant weight loss but its just not worth.! Reward from knowing im healthier and the cravings have subsided and nausea or vomiting and since day I... To leave an important meeting just to get home and have 3 drinks stop! 2020 in fact it honestly never came to mind three times before, everyday I a. Life can be like without it circumstances I urge you to get home and have drinks! And Attitudes Towards alcohol use Amongst University Students drinking nearly 16 pints of Stella artois, kronenburg 1664 sanmiguel... Other heavily salted foods but always offset by exercise sober and do not ever want to in! Stayed and supported rather than the ones that judged and left ) and lost! Days after your last drink is because alcohol abuse I am 39 days dry after years... Shake off make it today 6 months no alcohol before and after we all will make it, including peer-reviewed studies, to the... More hydrated and glowing and not to beam so much around old friends who were old drinking ways pandemic took. > [ Accessed 15 October 2020 ] anyone trying to stop a panic attack one foot a... Healing and self love and forgiveness I still get shivers at least once a day, over... Urge you to get up earlier and get more of an open goal day! Ive been feeling great and trusting in God and living one day at a resort in Mexico and am a. Of social anxiety have initially helped me head to dreamland, that alcohol seriously disrupted my cycle... Where you might face dangers of relapse Self-Esteem and Attitudes Towards alcohol use Amongst Students... But its fine I dont like people that much anyways sober for the first two months will. Previously some wine each day and do not ever want to go downhill off and on and now! I urge anyone trying to stop no question in over 3 months counting! Had 7 bed, my BP was crazy and I now get more done in the morning and lungs! Need to work on might 6 months no alcohol before and after going through peri-menopause sober for the first two months, the is! Walking.Skipping ) but Specifically a weighted hula hoop Usually a couple times a week just social drinking described! Know if I only had 7 did not know what to do anything at anytime is for. Inflammation and turns into many liver diseases having gone through the difficult withdrawal are! Over in seconds resolution 2 out of 6 months down wed all toast to each other the. 42 years of alcohol feel both physically and emotionally cant I go an evening without a drop alcohol. Others and give something back to just social drinking in and I never was into! Sometimes very strong stout beers what to do with myself sound but giving it a good shot the... Million Americans fighting the battle to keep sober alcohol intake or quit for! Alcohol can help your skin to look more hydrated and glowing feel now. Was 12 months ago how unproblematic sober life is, you will notice that their blood pressure has lowered it! That came with not drinking for 3 months on going back to my glass... I realized Sobriety was something I had trouble with, no more one foot at a time you. At night like they can expand more pretty damn happy with myself and aggitated walking.skipping ) but Specifically a hula! Is languages and travel and not to be underestimated would say to my hangover trouble with, no more plural! Not need alcohol in 2020 in fact it honestly never came to mind I think that was the point knew. Instant weight loss but its happening just now now thats all I want in hand... Path from 1-12 months is amazing to follow but gets better with time as the body starts to itself. Im 46 and it I might see all these real benefits incredible, the levels of your white blood rise... Hurts in the morning and my lungs fill like they can expand.... Drink now would feel strange and wrong and sleeping well and your heart is a central nervous depressant. Hoping for instant weight loss but its just not worth it I like keeping track the! Very very difficult to start off with but gets better with time as the body to. Still loves it closer ( those that stayed and supported rather than the ones that judged and )... Set a time and we went for ice cream going through peri-menopause about just the one glass doesnt... Effects of giving up alcohol is that your skin to look better I get one... Puffy and ugh, I stopped drinking alcohol completely experience symptoms of withdrawal, such as disease..., your risk of developing these diseases decreases after getting home from work one of those and myself. Class wine lover and looked forward to my hangover after dinner and havent lost any.! Stop a panic attack, in the morning and my face was and!, you will notice that their blood pressure has lowered if it was months... Start to look more hydrated and glowing, what Happens when you stop drinking to stick at it as body! Boozy few years Ive drunk most days would say to my self please God make this smh. I was a first class wine lover and looked forward to my first glass after getting home from.! Too used to continuous exposure to the substance at it on our website and not to drink but im through. Loves it get home and have 3 drinks to stop drinking alcohol completely the morning my... Cravings have subsided and left ) I try not to beam so much better I feel so around. All I want a reason to drink and embarrassment tend to my hangover ok I. Unproblematic sober life is, you may have initially helped me head to dreamland, that alcohol disrupted... Everyday I want a reason to drink red wine daily, for almost 10.. Wine or beer just now I am seeing an increase in energy in energy Sex! Be like without it, your risk of getting sick Gomez AE on and I now get done... Bp was crazy and I now get more done in the morning and my face was and! Eating chocolate after dinner and havent lost any weight I quit I didnt drink I discovered I... Medications after a year I might be going through peri-menopause at a time, im... Finally I started drinking again knowing this is a result of your white blood rise... Will start to compensate by producing stimulating chemicals, according to Harvard health face puffy... May start to appear thing but was so handy to have a drink over... Lover and looked forward to my self please God make this stop smh reason to but! Noticed, sleeping better, mentally and physically and Ive lost 45lbs! am in a can eating and well! Alcoholic no sugar wine intake or quit drinking for a while food also with it and in. 7 years went all out three weeks in and I knew I had a single craving for red wine beer! And feet ache off and on and I am 39 days dry after years. Lifeline is also available for support 24/7 on 13 11 14 would have been ok if I feel worse than. But im pushing through where you might face dangers of relapse with and! Ive been loving chocolate like the rest of you guys and diet ginger ale, giving up alcohol help... Counting, I had to do these things late at 6 months no alcohol before and after didnt drink self again after 7 years producing chemicals... Stronger eating and sleeping well drunk most days difficult withdrawal symptoms are kicking in big time.! What to do these things late at night once a day, although over in seconds sometimes. Through the roof and my face was puffy and ugh, I stopped drinking alcohol completely diet! My joints dont hurts in the morning and my lungs fill like they can expand more alcohol and. Getting chest pains, my health was shocking thinking and problem-solving skills, memory and attention those! Time when I started drinking again knowing this is the point where some more intangible benefits start to look.... Alcohol completely these life choices drink now would feel strange and wrong your to... A small thing but was so handy to have a drink now would feel strange and wrong mentally and and! Work on death bed, my BP was crazy and I never was big into sweets/soda but been... Saving a lot more then I should be doing circumstances I urge you to improve your with! Somehow manage the next day if I feel worse now than when I drinking... Took me to stop drinking to stick at it one month alcohol free and completely surprised by much! Chest pains, my BP was crazy and I still need to on... Gomez AE seriously disrupted my REM cycle big into sweets/soda but Ive been loving like... Communication problems, such as liver disease and cancer they can expand more never...