I used to drink socially but the pandemic has ruined that. I got up to 15 days then have boozed in the last week. Tired of passing out, tired of feeling like shit. It’s getting through the anger and anxiety and brain fog. The biggest benefit so far was better sleep. How did you get past the emotional early phase? I want to do this. I want to be ME again. I don’t recognize myself anymore.
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Welcome to TS and this wonderful community. The early days can indeed be hard as well physically as emotionally. Do you have the possibility to attend meetings f2f or online? Read around here, you will find a lot of support and perspectives.
Take it one day at a time. And if this is too long: one hour, one minute. Going out for a walk, riding my bike, listening to sober podcasts, reading quit lit are things I did.
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You need to work on and seek outside support for your sobriety on a daily basis…
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I was like many others & needed a trip to a safe place to begin healing full of others like myself… rehab is how my journey began. 3 months inpatient after detox.
But, not everyone needs that approach I feel. AA can help to show you how to live again. Working on today, with others who share my desire to stay sober is what gets me out of me, as my thoughts on doing shit my way always got me fucked up.
Glad you’re here.
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Good morning, @fruityblergs 
You came to the right place, and I am happy to be here with you.
Some of the things that helped me most early on were listening to music, reading, getting outside, walking outside, showering made a difference for me (yeah, sometimes I couldn’t even do that), writing things out…have you ever tried tapping, EFT? You can find vids online specific to alcohol cravings, anxiety …What Is EFT Tapping? 5-Step Technique for Anxiety Relief
I love Cinnamon Fire Jolly Ranchers. May sound silly, but those helped me too. Still do. Along with lemon water, many varieties of tea, essential oils, candles… whatever comforts you most, create your mornings, days, evening routines around those things. Try to treat yourself like you would an injured bird, a sick baby. We are both.
Have a good day today. I believe in you!
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Just curious how that went. Were you able to leave if you wanted, use a cell phone, what was your daily routine like in rehab? Did you share a room? Not to derail the thread but some may be curious what rehab is like if they feel they need inpatient.
Good luck with everything OP. I’m on my second time after a relapse and it’s worse than the first. I’m just telling myself this will be the last time. Drinking seems to affect your life more negatively as years pass. Not just physically, but emotionally and socially. If you pick up another drink, look at it and realize it won’t be satisfied until you’re completely destroyed. Then dump it down the sink.
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14 fellas in a building, 2 to a room. Sure we could walk if we wanted and a few did… they weren’t done. Smoking was authorized, use of phones after class & meetings. Took most insurances.
Daily groups, therapy and for some individual therapy with counselors for specific traumas. A 12 step based rehab in good ol’ Warrior, Alabama. Attended AA mtngs in the community in the evenings most days.
Most important thing I absorbed there- if I ever wanna give drinking a try again, and if I live through it, they’d love to help me again but the message won’t change and they’ll take my fucking $ again, no problem.
2050 days today, thinking I will stick to this simple approach. I’m a simple drunk.
Best wishes to you & a simple life too.
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Therapy helped but meetings are so much powerful. To hear about people and they Say words that you really feel. That only us can really understand. It’s really helped not feeling alone anymore and give me so much Hope.
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You just do. You say “no” to the drink that matters…the first drink, and you do so for as long as it takes. You spend some time thinking, and dreaming and planning all the great and wonderful things you can do, now that you are sober, and then you get after it. Most of all, you never forget that this will pass, if you don’t give in…so don’t give in.
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Heyyy 
I’m happy to see you here @fruityblergs
I have 9 days sober after a 6month run with my streak.
There’s lots of things I regret doing while drinking
I’ve been in the jail sober tank for a night to sober up, I’ve lost amazing people through addiction.
I was even letting go of myself and letting alcohol just take me.
What I do is keep coming back, keep trying and take sobriety very serious. It’s a tricky thing but quitting is possible. I’ve met people with 38 years of sobriety.
Before 9 days ago, actually a few days be4 that because I was binging for a few days, I had a solid 6 amazing months of sobriety. When I’m drinking that’s all I’m doing. When I’m sober I actually live life
Try to find just 1 good reason to quit and stay quit. get a good long streak of days and who knows, maybe you’ll get a amazing streak and with that, life changing opportunities
We are here for ya
Keep reading and posting
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Glad you are here and giving yourself a chance to live a new life.
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The first step is wanting to quit. You have that and hold onto the desire to being YOU again. Welcome to this fantastic community. Do read around as you will find many great stories, supportive advice and all around a sense of “brotherhood”. We are all in the sam boat and fighting similar demons.
We can not do this alone. Try to get help through local meetings. If needed, try the online meetings - they have them going on 24 hours a day. This community is a great distraction and support system.
Try to find ways to help you when the urges strike - If nice weather, a walk outdoors is super relaxing. So many other ways too - do you have hobbies that you can turn to at home (ie. knitting, games, puzzles, journaling…)
Just start with today - you don’t need to tell yourself that you will never drink again. I’m not sure but the word “never” freaks out our subconscious and the addict brain starts to fight back. You will not drink for this moment and not the next moment and so on and so forth. At the beginning it is truly one moment at a time and then it becomes days… You are strong and your will to quit is alive – You can do this!!!
We are here with you on this journey - reach out when you need to.
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Thank you all for your posts, the advice and the support. For today, I’m taking it one minute at a time. Love to you all.
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Welcome to the community. Coming here is a great first step. Get really active here it will help