SOBRIETY

[phony sock]

i put the bottle down in 2023. i was just about dead. a breathing corpse.

im slowly getting better. now im just hoping i can stick with the program and stay sober.

[Ankle_Lift]

I'll be thee months no booze in a few weeks. I've been craving sweets like a mother fucker though...chocolate bars and candy, even Pepsi and pop. I don't normally have a sweet tooth, and I never would drink pop. One of the dollar stores in my city has these weird Turkish chocolate bars, amd ones called 4fun and it's absolutely delicious and is only 60˘. I'm not proud , but I've been crushing those.

[radcunt]

Just reading through this thread and wanna give all you guys who have kicked, trying or thinking about kicking booze a shoutout for making sick life changing moves.  It's fucked how hard it is to quit as it's so available, encouraged and easy to self medicate with it.  Inspiring shit, love it.

[hmmoookay]

I'll be thee months no booze in a few weeks. I've been craving sweets like a mother fucker though...chocolate bars and candy, even Pepsi and pop. I don't normally have a sweet tooth, and I never would drink pop. One of the dollar stores in my city has these weird Turkish chocolate bars, amd ones called 4fun and it's absolutely delicious and is only 60˘. I'm not proud , but I've been crushing those.

I was never a big sweets guy until I quit drinking, you'll eventually phase out of it, enjoy it for now though haha. If you're lucky, you'll strike a nice balance. I did for a bit but now I can hardly get through a whole soda without just kinda being over it, which I guess is a healthy balance I suppose, but sometimes I find it hard to enjoy sweets now. I'm sure my body is happier for it though! Congrats on three months! 

[Sleazy]

Still here still sober. I have a craving for some whiskey every once in a while. I just do something else to try to forget. Do the cravings ever go away? Or am i gonna have that forever?

i'm in the 8-9 month range and cravings stopped for me probably 2-3 months in, maybe more. i then had more situational cravings, in restaurants, etc. but those went away for me around 6 month mark. these days when i see other people drinking it just reinforces me because it looks unhealthy to me now like smoking cigarettes or something like that.

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I'll be thee months no booze in a few weeks. I've been craving sweets like a mother fucker though...chocolate bars and candy, even Pepsi and pop. I don't normally have a sweet tooth, and I never would drink pop. One of the dollar stores in my city has these weird Turkish chocolate bars, amd ones called 4fun and it's absolutely delicious and is only 60˘. I'm not proud , but I've been crushing those.

[close]

I was never a big sweets guy until I quit drinking, you'll eventually phase out of it, enjoy it for now though haha. If you're lucky, you'll strike a nice balance. I did for a bit but now I can hardly get through a whole soda without just kinda being over it, which I guess is a healthy balance I suppose, but sometimes I find it hard to enjoy sweets now. I'm sure my body is happier for it though! Congrats on three months! 

i eat way more sweets but there was definitely a spike and then flattening of the curve. we are on our first night of spring break and i hung out playing video games and listening to music with my 13 and 16 year old and then we did a late night mission to get their first malt shakes at whataburger and candy at the corner store. blasted music the whole way. it was pretty much today's version of partying for me. up at 6:30 and feel great this morning.

[Ankle_Lift]

Good news that the sugar craving will subside. I've never been a big sugar guy, it's terrible for you. Plus my kid will eat candy at any possible chance so if I have candy I have to share it with her.

A guy at work had the whole work crew of dudes, about 10, over to his place two weeks ago after work on a Friday to hang out in his shop and he fed us and had snacks and stuff, big drinking session as well.

I stuck to the NA Coronas and left at 930, felt great when i woke at six to go to the ski hill and take the kid to ski lessons and ride while she was in her lessons.
When I heard about their hang overs on monday, It brought back that hangover anxiety feeling, on their part.
I don't miss that feeling, at all. You know the feeling, "hangxiety"? you wake up, and you don't know what happened, what you did, who you pissed of, or what you ended up breaking?

Pile that on with the daily anxiety and no wonder I was a mess.

[NoComply180]

Shout out to everyone who has updated in the thread recently. I have a really good support group of friends/family but I find that the anonymous group setting here is really nice too because there’s no pressure or anything personal really, we’re just internet strangers with similar goals.

I also noticed the sweets craving/food cravings in general. I didn’t give them much thought because my main focus is kicking booze and whatever I gotta do to get there (within reason) I’m ok with. I’ve been eating more and eating more treats and I’m still down 12 lbs since January.


I’m getting absolutely crushed at work right now - I’m in tech and pretty sure my company is gearing up for more layoffs. The good news is even though my anxiety is through the roof, I’m not sleeping, etc - drinking hasn’t been an appealing thought. I think I’m slowly getting better at dealing with emotions and life’s ups and downs instead of trying to push them away or temporarily blunt them with 12 old fashioneds

Hope everybody has a great week ahead of them

[ralf_]

Shout out to everyone who has updated in the thread recently. I have a really good support group of friends/family but I find that the anonymous group setting here is really nice too because there’s no pressure or anything personal really, we’re just internet strangers with similar goals.

I also noticed the sweets craving/food cravings in general. I didn’t give them much thought because my main focus is kicking booze and whatever I gotta do to get there (within reason) I’m ok with. I’ve been eating more and eating more treats and I’m still down 12 lbs since January.


I’m getting absolutely crushed at work right now - I’m in tech and pretty sure my company is gearing up for more layoffs. The good news is even though my anxiety is through the roof, I’m not sleeping, etc - drinking hasn’t been an appealing thought. I think I’m slowly getting better at dealing with emotions and life’s ups and downs instead of trying to push them away or temporarily blunt them with 12 old fashioneds

Hope everybody has a great week ahead of them

and if you're loosing the job you'll get another one eventually my g!

[meg]

I'll be sober a year on the tenth, I also visited my doctor today who knows nothing of my past drug use and she suggested temazepam for my sleep. Benzos were my drug of choice and I did ten years on em. I'll be honest I really jumped we she suggested temazepam, it's a free clinic that is state funded and I thought they don't prescribe controlled drugs. Well they do you just have to take a drug test, so I gotta wait a few weeks to get the hhc outta my system.

I'll be honest I'm really excited about it, temazepam is one of the few benzos I never tried and a lot of people say it's the best one (can't be better than injected clonazolam though). So basically it was nice to be sober for a year but I'm bouta jump off the wagon next month. I don't really care about the idea of being a sober person I just needed to get my shit straight. Hopefully it doesn't turn into a massive drug binge but I think I'm over that part of my life. Excited I get some life relief happy pills but kinda sucks I'm ending my sober streak, at least I did a year.

[meg]

Yea I've been through benzo withdrawal like 20 times including psychosis, it doesn't really bother me now I know I'll have to pay the piper when I stop. I don't think I will get out of control with 30 pills a month but I kinda worry it will change my mindset to not giving a fuck and ordering more drugs.

But I guess I'll find out

[NoComply180]

I never struggled with benzos but I know plenty who have and that shit sounds awful.

I’ve had good luck with ambien/zolpidem for sleep.

It is frustrating all the shit that actually fucking works well and works instantly is also habit forming lol

[Sleazy]

Shout out to everyone who has updated in the thread recently. I have a really good support group of friends/family but I find that the anonymous group setting here is really nice too because there’s no pressure or anything personal really, we’re just internet strangers with similar goals.

I also noticed the sweets craving/food cravings in general. I didn’t give them much thought because my main focus is kicking booze and whatever I gotta do to get there (within reason) I’m ok with. I’ve been eating more and eating more treats and I’m still down 12 lbs since January.


I’m getting absolutely crushed at work right now - I’m in tech and pretty sure my company is gearing up for more layoffs. The good news is even though my anxiety is through the roof, I’m not sleeping, etc - drinking hasn’t been an appealing thought. I think I’m slowly getting better at dealing with emotions and life’s ups and downs instead of trying to push them away or temporarily blunt them with 12 old fashioneds

Hope everybody has a great week ahead of them

i'm also in tech and had a absolutely shit year last year. spent nearly a decade building my company and have been really having a hard time keeping the lights on. sobering up was critical for me to have the best chance possible of keeping this thing going and we are fortunately finally on an upswing. through the whole thing i found comfort in "at least i'm not drinking" and knowing my health was good, relationships great and that my productivity was redlined.

i've seen a lot of people get laid off, it's a shit time in tech but you'll definitely navigate it better with a clear head and lots of energy. if the shit does hit the fan feel free to DM me. i've got a huge network of founder, CTO and executives that i'd be happy to share your resume in.

[EdLawndale]

Just passed 10 months no alcohol here.

I guess the bar I frequent stopped carrying the beer brand I used to drink because I was the main demand they were supplying.

[Velcro Wallet]

3 weeks ago I was yellow. This putrid colour yellow and yellow eyes.

In rehab for the second time. Gonna make it work even though it’s fuxking boot camp with extremely unstable people. My bunky has 1% on one side of his neck and 187 on the other side. Super nice dude though. I try to never judge.

 99% of people here are from a court order straight from jail. Definitely not like the rehabs on the movies. But hey, at least I’m not drinking.

[Coastal Fever]

Proud of you g.  You’ve got what it takes to make it out the other side.

Today is 1 year for me.  Fucking crazy lol.  From 16-36 I never would considered that a possibility.  Full steam ahead.

[hmmoookay]

3 weeks ago I was yellow. This putrid colour yellow and yellow eyes.

In rehab for the second time. Gonna make it work even though it’s fuxking boot camp with extremely unstable people. My bunky has 1% on one side of his neck and 187 on the other side. Super nice dude though. I try to never judge.

 99% of people here are from a court order straight from jail. Definitely not like the rehabs on the movies. But hey, at least I’m not drinking.

Glad you're here VW, rooting for you.

Proud of you g.  You’ve got what it takes to make it out the other side.

Today is 1 year for me.  Fucking crazy lol.  From 16-36 I never would considered that a possibility.  Full steam ahead.

Congrats!!! Big 1 year, that's awesome. I agree it's kind of interesting to think back on other stages of our lives and go "yeah 24 year old me would have never"...and yet here we are.

[Sleazy]

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3 weeks ago I was yellow. This putrid colour yellow and yellow eyes.

In rehab for the second time. Gonna make it work even though it’s fuxking boot camp with extremely unstable people. My bunky has 1% on one side of his neck and 187 on the other side. Super nice dude though. I try to never judge.

 99% of people here are from a court order straight from jail. Definitely not like the rehabs on the movies. But hey, at least I’m not drinking.

[close]

Glad you're here VW, rooting for you.

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Proud of you g.  You’ve got what it takes to make it out the other side.

Today is 1 year for me.  Fucking crazy lol.  From 16-36 I never would considered that a possibility.  Full steam ahead.

[close]

Congrats!!! Big 1 year, that's awesome. I agree it's kind of interesting to think back on other stages of our lives and go "yeah 24 year old me would have never"...and yet here we are.

way to go all! definitely suprised that i'm not drinking. 2 years ago i couldn't have imagined it.

[Coastal Fever]

Any cost savings were immediately spent elsewhere so I’m broker than when I started tbh.   No complaints here though.

[NoComply180]

Thanks @Sleazy and others for the support and encouragement on the job front! Means a lot.


Always stoked when I see this thread get bumped back up.

Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[Huell Howser]

@Coastal Fever congrats mane!



and hats off to everyone else keepin it goin

[Ankle_Lift]

.

Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

[Coastal Fever]

Good job man.  Those are actually the biggest victories.  The moments where it makes so much sense, and is so tempting to have a drink, but talking yourself out of it.  Huge W.

[Easy Slider]

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.

Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

This is a huge achievement dude. But pulled pork pineapple pizza? Come on dude that‘s an abomination :-)

[Ticallion Stallion]

I was the worst drunk/druggy. Always getting into stupid shit. My former best got into some serious shit and ended up in prison 25/life. I was literally supposed to be there with him when it happened but decided not to go kick it.

But that didn’t stop me from continuing on my trajectory. Ended up leaving Cali to start anew in ATX but I did the same shit. Not until I met my future wife did I start changing and then I got married and had my son.

At this point I was only drinking but not for long, the guilt of leaving my wife to watch a newborn by herself because I was hungover pushed me to make the best decision of my life. Got back on the board and haven’t missed a moment with my son since that day! 493 days sober🤟

[Sleazy]

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.

Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

way to go man. actually that's about as big as they get victory wise. for me there was the temptation for a while in restaurant which got replaced by boredom and now i can go out to a restaurant and it feels normal. took like 8 months though. temptation for me was probably at around 4-5 month mark though.

how did the morning after go for you? i bet it was epic

[Ankle_Lift]

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.

Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

[close]

way to go man. actually that's about as big as they get victory wise. for me there was the temptation for a while in restaurant which got replaced by boredom and now i can go out to a restaurant and it feels normal. took like 8 months though. temptation for me was probably at around 4-5 month mark though.

how did the morning after go for you? i bet it was epic

The morning after I felt great, besides all the salt I ate the night before.

It was good because I had a side job to do to make some extra cash, and I didn't wake up all shitty and stuffed up from the beer and hops. Felt great!

[Abyss1]

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.

Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

I noticed the financial literacy increase with sobriety as well and usually end up treating myself (more on the food end than anything)

Not sure if it counts but I usually cook with my beer for my deep oil fried fish and chicken recipes...I dont drink any of it. I read the alcohol is completely burned off in the oil but others say it does not, I taste it but there is no buzzes from eating meals cooked with them...thoughts from the pals on cooking with alcohol.

[JoseCansnake0]

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.

Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

[close]

I noticed the financial literacy increase with sobriety as well and usually end up treating myself (more on the food end than anything)

Not sure if it counts but I usually cook with my beer for my deep oil fried fish and chicken recipes...I dont drink any of it. I read the alcohol is completely burned off in the oil but others say it does not, I taste it but there is no buzzes from eating meals cooked with them...thoughts from the pals on cooking with alcohol.

I don't let a proper beer batter, or red/white wine pan deglaze stop me from my sobriety.

[LUGR]

Yeah, that stuff burns off and definitely adds a dpleoth of richness to the flavor of cooking.

My mom cooks like crazy with wine. She used to use that as a way to sneak drinks when she was supposed to have quit. She did a 60 day inpatient rehab a few years ago and I don’t think she has had a drink since. She still cooks with wine like crazy so kinda worry about it occasionally. Ugggh that was such a difficult time dealing with her alcoholism. I stopped and my dad around the same time as she was in the inpatient treatment. Shit just caused so many problems for everyone it wasn’t worth it anymore. My bro still drinks everyday though unfortunately. Called him the other night on a Tuesday and was just thinking “dang dude, you sound wasted”.

[hmmoookay]

Yeah, that stuff burns off and definitely adds a dpleoth of richness to the flavor of cooking.

My mom cooks like crazy with wine. She used to use that as a way to sneak drinks when she was supposed to have quit. She did a 60 day inpatient rehab a few years ago and I don’t think she has had a drink since. She still cooks with wine like crazy so kinda worry about it occasionally. Ugggh that was such a difficult time dealing with her alcoholism. I stopped and my dad around the same time as she was in the inpatient treatment. Shit just caused so many problems for everyone it wasn’t worth it anymore. My bro still drinks everyday though unfortunately. Called him the other night on a Tuesday and was just thinking “dang dude, you sound wasted”.

I was never one to cook with booze, just drink it alongside cooking, but I agree I wouldn't let it stop me from enjoying some good beer batter fried fish these days. I did toss a whole pint of some kind of icecream last summer though because it was a tiramisu flavor and as soon as I took a spoonful I could taste whatever coffee liquor they used. Like it was real on the nose. Not fun, mostly bummed I wasted $7. Better that than it triggering me back off the wagon.

____

I've had drinking dreams two nights in a row this week and it's really kind of fucked me up in the morning. I've had them in the past, but two nights in a row is kinda weird. It's usually the same scenario most times too; sneaking drinks or trying to hide my drinking (doing a piss poor job at that), just like I did in real life. The exception being in the dreams when my bottle gets discovered or someone recognizes I'm drinking they're really accepting of it, almost excited? It's really weird. I've been having a rough time at work and spend a lot of free time lately applying for new jobs so maybe my subconscious is recognizing I'm seeking approval or something idk.

I have absolutely no desire to drink, I just want to make that clear. But, I do want to point out these things on the off chance someone else is going through something similar. It can definitely be a strange thing to assess when you wake up.