Hi, I’ve never done anything like this before so i hope its ok, and i hope taking about stuff might make me feel better. So I’ve been a heavy drinker for about the last 13 years, up until around 18 months ago when my partner of 10 years left me, although i was a heavy drinker it was always under control. However in the last 18 months it has definitely gotten out of control. I’m typically a shy person and i would find myself needing a drink to over come this, however this soon became to the point where I’d feel i need a drink to do anything. Anyways ive been sober now for 2 days. The day before that i went on a massive bender and ended up doing something which i massively regret and will never forgive myself for, hence me needing to quit. So i spent the 1st day between my bed and lying on the bathroom floor. I have managed to get up today, but am feeling so ill and low, i have trouble in seeing what the point is. Like i have nothing to live for, and i know a drink would fix it short term. However i am determined to stay strong, i hate the person that i had become, it wasnt me, and i never want to be that person again. So I’m interested in how long it took people to even begin to feel normal again, I can handle the being sick and the pain, but its the paranoia and my head being such a mess that im struggling with.
That’s when I joined this forum and did my first meeting - 3 days. They kept telling me it’ll get easier and it really does, that’s not just some bs they tell you so you keep coming back.
For me that’s when it started getting easier. Maybe that’s because I was going to meetings, sometimes more than once a day. It helps to have cheerleaders. I started feeling more like my old self around day 10. Sleep is getting easier and cravings are no longer constant.
Day 4 for me when it got easier…I was coming off alcohol, drugs, and nicotine so the withdrawals were really uncomfortable. I went to recovery meetings from day one and everyday since even when I was grouchy and didn’t feel like it (because that’s when I needed it the most). Has it been easy? No. Has it been worth it? Absolutely. I refuse to give up and go back to the miserable person I was. A bad day in recovery is 100% better than being in my addiction. I wasn’t living, I was existing. Today I have hope. Whatever you do @Ripstar, don’t do this alone. Be open-minded and willing to give yourself a chance. Seek out recovery and knowledge about your addiction (solution) and most importantly…be patient and kind to yourself. Welcome!
Thanks guys, your kind words mean alot
You have YOU to live for. And that is enough of a reason to fight.
Honestly, I am only 12 days in and there are still some minor physical symptoms every day (headaches, grumpiness). But, the idea that I won’t drink any more is becoming so much easier to stick with. Plus the amazing ‘consequences’ of being sober are coming thick and fast. A clear head, a sharper memory, getting my laugh back, a little weight loss, ENERGY to burn, less procrastination, less self loathing, clear eyes just to name a few…
You have an amazing opportunity to be your best self. Grab it!!
It took me 10 days before ‘the fog’ began to lift.
Once I was over that, things started fitting back together again thankfully.
It’s still not easy, but at a month it’s definitely easier.
Keep going!