Just decided to go coldturkey 10 minutes ago. Will keep this updated for myself.
18 Likes
Welcome! This is a great first step into a sober…into a better life. Lots of info here.
Thank you. I certainly hope so. Been an addict for a decade now, curious to see how this goes.
Depends on you! Fight like no tomorrow! In any program?
1 Like
Nope. Just my choice.
2 Likes
Well…at 90 days i threw in the towel and started a program…AA…spoke to me. Atleast keep some sort of program as an option…in my opinion
1 Like
You relapsed at day 90 ? I’d think urges would be gone by 90 days…
No…didnt relapse…but i was struggling. My 90 day hit on a really horrible anniversary…decided to go to AA, wasnt sure if i would make it
2 Likes
I’ll see how it goes.
1 Like
Glad you made the decision to quit. Those first few weeks for me were rough. Make sure to rest when you can, eat what you want, come here before you pick up, take vitamins and drink lots of water. I found a replacement drink of bubbly water helped. Be sure to ask for help. I couldn’t stay sober alone.
5 Likes
I’m going to have to do it alone. I should still be fine.
1 Like
The urges stemming from withdrawal effects will definitely be done by 90 days, but you’re almost certainly going to have urges long past that. Your brain will baffle you with the excuses and justifications it can come up with in order to get you to pick up alcohol again. Stress, relationship problems, wanting to celebrate or reward yourself, fear of missing out, the list is practically endless.
Generally if you have reached the stage of being an addict, you will need to work some sort of program like AA, SMART, etc. in order to sustain your sobriety long term. Not everyone does, but I recommend doing some sort of program because your chances of making it stick go way up. And boy I thought I was special and didn’t need it. But I have been doing much better since trying rehab and starting AA.
Anyways yeah it might be rough for the next few days. Like @Zoesgram1 said, take care of your body during this time, and talk to someone for help when you need it. Someone in your life or by posting here if that’s better. Common nutrient deficiencies that tend to occur with heavy or prolonged alcohol use are B vitamins (especially B1/thiamine!) and magnesium. Keeping your body and mind active with work, social activities that don’t involve any alcohol, exercise, hobbies, distractions, etc. will help take your mind off some withdrawal symptoms.
Self detox cold turkey is usually the way to go. If it gets really bad, like into seizure/psychosis territory, then it might be time for ER to take over and help you detox.
6 Likes
I don’t work a program. My program is self-discipline. However I am not doing it alone. I have the community here on Talking Sober. It’s like having a meeting in your pocket, a sponsor or accountability partner right there when you need it.
If you aren’t working a formal, traditional program, and are going to white-knuckle it, I strongly encourage you to engage here, often.
Welcome to the community. I hope you stay.
21 Likes
It’s not just alcohol. I don’t want to criminalize myself, but it’s a lot more and arguably worse.
@Yoda-Stevie has a decent point. It’s a good program if it keeps you sober. The “official” programs I listed are programs that work to keep many people sober. My self discipline+Talking Sober alone is too weak at the moment to support my sobriety by myself, and I can’t wait until I have stronger discipline to start sobriety. That is one of the reasons that is his program and not mine.
I also wanted to design my own program around resources I had, but I had to abandon that and pick a traditional program because I didn’t know enough about sobriety to form my own program.
3 Likes
Unfortunately I don’t have experience with addictions other than alcohol, self harm, and the eating disorder I went through that still tempts me. I don’t know where you live and if discussing past substance use is something that could get you in trouble in that jurisdiction, but people here generally feel free talking openly about their struggles with illegal drugs too. But no one is going to force you to talk about anything you don’t want to. But if you do choose to, you can find help here for it. Alternatively you can just read about it - using the search function, you can find lots of advice and read people’s stories.
1 Like
Hey, welcome. Do you want advice or are you just looking to keep this thread for yourself to keep yourself accountable? Just wondering, it doesn’t sound like you’re looking to interact, which is cool, but since it’s a thread people will be likely to respond.
4 Likes
I appreciate being able to talk to people when I get the chance. Which is quite often not the case. No family, no nothing. Live on my own in a country I wasn’t born in.
1 Like
There are people who relapse years into sobriety. Certain members on this forum can speak to this personally. What are you currently detoxing from? Just making sure you can detox safely 
1 Like
Bro, each minute matters. Keep me posted…i dont care if you relapse 1, 2, or 50 drinks. I hope you dont, but if you do check in and lets restart. Pound some waters brother.
5 Likes