I have noticed I can drink more and more. It started when I began suffering from insomnia but I know it is becoming a problem. I hate myself for it but I am in a routine of drinking in the evening and I have decided it needs to stop!
Today is day 1
I have been very angry, unmotivated, snappy and irritated and constantly hungry. The feeling past and I studied for a few hours and watched TV.
I am normally asleep by now but I feel anxious and my chest feels heavy I know I am overthinking the not been able to sleep without a drink 
What have others done to distract their mind from drink? What can I do to fill the void or not drinking?
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Thank you I really appreciate your help
Hello, insomnia is very common when you give up alcohol mainly because alcohol is a CNS Depressant. It literally coaxes us to sleep. Things that helped me during my sirst sober attempt when my sleep schedule was super irregular were;
- Get a melatonine and magnesium supplement to help slow the mond down naturally, GABA helps too. Sometimes you can find some that has all three. Research them first so you know what they are and are fully informed of your choice. Imo its natural and a healthier alternative to alcohol. Melatonine can be weened out though eventually.
- Do sleepy/relaxing things near bedtime. Read, bathe, hot shower etc. A routine will help overtime even if it feels useless at first, its all about the healthy habit. Stay off your phone if you can.
- Sometimes anxiety music, podcasts helped to calm my mind if i started spiralling. Or alternatively, if I was having a panic attack I would write it all down and cry if I had to, just get it out of you however you can.
- When you wake up, go outside immediately and get natural light into your eyes. This helps reset your itnernal clock. The earlier the better, so I think it might be helpful to wake up early and get the light and then go back to sleep of you have to.
- Exercise during the day, get lots of sun and fresh air to clear your mind and exhaust your body.
- Nutrition.
Good luck.
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Hello and welcome.
Day 1 is tough and congrats for making the tough decision to give up alcohol.
You are allowed to do just about anything except pick up a drink.
Feel like baking and eating a cake, go for it.
Need to watch 8 hours of silly TV, its allowed.
Your only goal is to put a sober head on your pillow tonight and if that is all you accomplish you have accomplished quite a bit today. It does get easier. Read around on the site to distract yourself and to learn how others have done it. The magnifying glass in the top right corner can lead you to threads about pets, crafts, cars, travel or just about anything you need to distract your mind.
I was in your shoes 834 days ago and have not touched a drop of alcohol since then with the help of lots of soul searching, books about alcoholism, a million new hobbies and the kind and caring folks on this site.
Again, welcome. There is always room here.
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I was on and off all night, I did notice old memories were coming back to me that I would rather not remember. Not sure how I will deal with that one just yet.
Thank you for the advice
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Thank you, Day one down, feeling optimistic at the moment. The weekend is the real test, if I can overcome this then I am off to a flying start.
Thank you for the advice and support
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Maybe try ameeting they are in the evening they helped me stay sober wish you well and exercise is good aswell
Good morning @Misstt85 like others have mentioned the first few days are tough. I quit after getting a DUI and losing my licence. I remember being stuck in this cycle of needing drink every night, needing one to relax or fall asleep. It consumed my thoughts. There are some great sober podcats to listen to, and many a support on this app. Another tool that really helped me (cause inwas hanging on for dear life) was AA zoom meetings. Apart from the religious aspect I found that hearing newcomers speak or sharing myself about my experince helped realize I was not alone, i did 30 meetins in 30 days, some days i did several. It helped just sitting and listening and “seeing” people from all walk of life striving for the same thing … sobriety, life…Its the same with this app, its saved me several time. Keep showing up here! And keep reaching out my friend 
we got you!
That happens to me too. Im a painter, and it even happens to me when Im mindlessly working. Flashbacks of trauma and then obsessing about everyones opinions of the situation, or just replaying the etrayal and pain of something. Its hard when we have experiences that have hurt and embarrassed us. Something that helps me when that happens is to first notice that youre spiralling into those thoughts, and then counter the argument in a way where you are soothing yourself. Talk yourself through it as your friend or parent. I think this helps to disrupt the narrative in your mind, so you can see another perspective apart from the worst one that we keep replaying.
Anyways, I hope you get some relief. Remember that you are a good person in your heart. You have plenty of time to live a great life, full of new great memories. Let the crap go and forgive them and yourself.
Take care, friend.