Hi everyone, I am eight months sober today. Just wondered what everyones experiences are of this amount of sober time. I came out of residential rehab after a month and felt like I managed the first six months pretty well. Unfortunately the last two months, I feel like I am going backwards. Still having the same dark thoughts I had whilst drinking. Now I am questioning my sobriety as I honestly thought quitting drinking would solve the mental health issues. How stupid am I!!!
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Being only 5 days in this scares me. Has the battle even started? If I make it through giving into the urges, and this is taking every ounce of strength I have, will I ever be truly better? Mentally…
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You’re not stupid. And look you are at 8 months. That’s amazing. I’m envious of that. You saying that makes me realize I need to buckle up and be ready. Praying for you!!
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Substitute “overly optimistic” for “stupidity”…
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Deadman ???
Hi, yeah everybody’s journey is different so please don’t think you will be like this. Suppose I was just wondering if other people felt anything like I do. Only advice I would give is never get complacent as my addictive voice is always in the background and it is definitely one day at a time. Congrats on the 5 days and stay strong.
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Congrats on 8 months that is solid work. My mental health struggles did not go away when I quit drinking but they did get less severe. In drinking days hangover and depression would keep me in bed for weekends. Now my episodes are shorter and more manageable.
Sobriety didn’t cure my mental health but it did make the battles easier to see. Alcohol is often used to cope with mental health but its a shit med for depression and only keeps you down. Maybe its time for therapy or some digging into self help groups or books?
Sobriety didn’t clear all my obstacles to greatness but it did make them possible to see. Don’t give up fighting for better days. I’m 633 days off alcohol and my life gets better every month, maybe not every day, but collectively better by the month. Keep up the good work and congrats on your 5 days (6 now?) @Mar86.
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Yes I know deep down that if I was drinking, these dark days would be even worse. It’s hard as I have tried lots of things over the years to help with my mental health. Lost 25kg in weight, started walking most days. Seems like the doctor’s just want to get me on different medication or even add to the ones I am already taking!! Just finished 14 sessions of high intensity CBT and the therapist sent a letter to my doctor saying I should be referred to a psychiatrist due to the issues I am having but they just want to talk about medication for depression rather than refer me to someone that might actually be able to diagnose and treat whatever is going on in my head. Sorry for long reply but it gets so frustrating and sometimes i feel like there is no point trying to get help. On a positive note, still sober!!
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This is the only place you can start from, so well done there. Mental health is definitely frustrating and more frustrating because it is always in flux. Add the stigma involved with seeking help and it can feel impossible. I’ve taken meds in the past when I needed them and will do it again when and if the need arises. Your brain and your path are unique and you don’t fail until you stop trying.
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Without alcohol you are one step closer to alleviating your mental health through other remedies. Going backwards isnt the answer, the fight continues. Hope you the best.
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Your mental health issues or thoughts do not mean who you actually are, they don’t define your values. And nor even any objectives you set for yourself (being sober e. g.). If you still struggle mentally somehow, try a therapist or psychologist. And what worked for me too was doing sports, be active - being physically active is a strong supportive element towards wellbeing. Take care and remember - alcohol only fucks up your mind. 5mins cool, x hours bad with no great outlook
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Hi Matt,
Thank you for your post. I can relate. 2 months sober and got home from resedential treatment 2 weeks ago. I feel like my anxiety and mental health has gotten worse at times as well. Yet I know that this is a symptom and part of my recovery and healing journey. So I keep going one day sometimes one hour at a time.
Being of service and helping others helps me get out of myself/thoughts.
What others suggested as well is what helps me is starting with the basics, healthy food, exercise, spending time in nature, talking to.a sober friend. Working with a psychologist, sponsor, attending a meeting. As well as simply coming on this forum and sharing where you are. Being honest and naming what you are feeling is healing in itself because you are working on the solution. Keep going you are doing great 8 months is a amazing.
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Your drinking isn’t what caused the dark thoughts and thus isn’t the source of your dark thoughts, if you’ve been sober 8 months without alcohol that should tell you alcohol had and has nothing to do with your dark thoughts. You must figure, you out.
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The fact you thought the thoughts would go, is a really good thing. You have HOPE. That hope is real, this is just a bit of a reality check that it is going to take more time than you had expected to reap the benefits of recovery. Getting sober isn’t where things change. It lays a solid foundation to start changing the other things that using was covering up. Now you are able to start feeling. Unfortunately that is really hard, but it is also really important to feel to figure out what it is that you need to work on and change in your life. Whether that’s work, the people around you, adding more fun, finding a hobby, etc, the hard work is only just about to begin. This realisation is an important one and it’s up to you to take the next steps on your journey, rather than go back to doing the thing that comforted you but never solved the problem. X
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really good job on 8 months of sobriety! Let me tell you something about our brain tricks, at some point it will tell you that your mental problems were “under control” while consuming and that you were a much cooler character and that there is no change happened when you decided to go sober. I’m here to tell you that is a big fat lie coming from the brain - not your soul - so it can get that dopamine fix again. Maybe just sit down with a pen and paper, write down what went better when you became sober, your social life, mental state, how do you feel about yourself and your general success in life as a human. I’m sure you will figure eventually that the sober you is much better! Stay strong my friend, I’m in day 3 and I’m looking up to YOU 
cheers
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I think life is just a rollercoaster anyway there are always hardships drinking or not drinking i am a boomer when we talk mental health that is someone that cannot function in society. I think these days i always here people talk about mental health these days we always have life hammering at us from all directions its how we choose to deal with it. There are no participation rewards here and we are playing against a very tough opponent. I dont wish you the best. Be strong​:+1:
