11 days no alco! This is my first stint towards sobriety, in the past i did 30 days as dry January type of thing. I dont like myself when under influence, my character has changed, i dont have a thirst for life, just a thirst for wine… I want more in life and I’m willing to give it a go… One thing on my mind… I don’t have any physical cravings, just a passing temptation… Which plays on my mind- maybe I’m not that bad? Maybe i can control my intake if I tried harder? My question is- have any of you guys admittedly have an issue with alco but havent experienced any physical withdrawal through detox? Thank you in advance
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I have nearly every attribute of a stage 4 alcoholic. I chose to quit because I will kill myself and leave behind a beautiful family if I don’t. When I quit I didn’t experience detox or the shakes. All I dealt with was about 4 days of my body adjusting to not having that pain killer alcohol in my system. I could tell some of my internal organs were complaining a bit. Had some discomfort in my kidney, liver, and pancreas areas for the first few days.
So after 34 days of sobriety I am like you. I have no cravings or much desire to drink at all. There have been a few fleeting moments, but were here and then gone in a minute.
But trust this. If I made that choice to drink or to tell myself I could handle it better now that I’ve quit for awhile, I’d be screwed… I’d be back to drinking everyday in excess and wasting away.
I know people are different, but if you were unhappy with alcohol before, don’t trick or convince yourself things will be different this go around. Take care of yourself!
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I’m in your boat. Day 13. I’ve done 30 days before for a detox challenge things like that, but never addressed why I was drinking. I’ve been reading a lot about dry alcoholics and that totally describes me during those 30 days. I wasn’t physically depend, but drank every day, was constantly worried about if there would be enough to drink at social gatherings, when I would drink, if anyone noticed how much I drank, and all of that. Even without having physical withdrawals, alcohol took up way too much of my headspace.
I’m finding myself doing the same justifying right now- this isn’t so bad, maybe I don’t need it, maybe I can drink normally one day. It’s no good. I need to just leave it alone.
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Thank you so much guys! You’re right, my mind is playing tricks, maybe I’m into deeper than i thought?? My drinking got worse in the last 4 years, drinking approximately 4 times per week, at least a bottle of wine if i was working next day., more if i was off… Greasy night sweats, anxiety, horrible disrupted sleep, cloudy head and sickness most days, bloated, ashamed, tired, horrible skin…i could go on… Gosh, maybe i should make a list as a reminder why I’m doing this?! Im so angry for even doubting i havent got a problem 
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Your story seems so familiar! My mind would justify my nightly bottle of wine - oh, I am fine, I never miss work, I never “embarrass myself”, I never get sick, I NEVER drink during the day, etc. But, I also could never stop at 1 or 2 glasses, I would plan trips to the store to make sure I had enough for the evening. It became unusual to wake up and remember when I went to bed, or what shows I was watching. Then, Christmas Eve. Exchanging gifts with my husband and adult boys after a LONG evening of drinking. I didn’t remember the gifts. Haven’t had a drink since. Hopeful my resolve remains.
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Today makes 14 days sober for me. For the past 20 years or so I’ve been drinking, maybe even longer. I never looked at myself as having a drinking problem. I used to bartend in an Irish pub. Did that for about 6 years and that’s when my drinking became more and more. Still didn’t see myself as having a drinking problem. I moved back home to New England in 2007 and my drinking continued.
I know now that I kept drinking all these years to numb myself. I was in abusive relationships and drinking made it all better. Or so I thought it did. This is my first true attempt to quit. My first few days of sobriety I felt extremely agitated. My moods were all over the place. Probably due to the fact that I was, for the first time, actually feeling emotions and not numbing myself. I feel like all of my senses are hightened.
My poison of choice was red wine. I was easily drinking 1 to 2 bottles an evening, more on the weekends. How I went to work some days is beyond my comprehension.
My boyfriend and I are getting sober together. At first thought I believed, " I don’t really have that big of a drinking problem. I can do this no problem" ha! Joke was on me. This is much more difficult than I first anticipated. I’ve definitely come to the realization that I DO in fact have a drinking problem. I’m glad I’ve started this journey into a life of sobriety!
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I would quit while i was ahead, so to spreak. You do not want to wait for physical withdrall symltoms to pop up. I would go through shakes, hallucinations, sweats and all that nasty shit that goes with it. I finally realized i had to quit because the dr told me i had alcoholic hepatitis, step before cirossis, and i knew the next step was seizures then death. After my years heavy drinking it took me couple weeks to be able to feel a bit normal and 30 days to have my brain start to function properly again. This is just my story of wishing I had stopped when it was not as serious. I have many many more terrible things to say about booze but all I can say is if you can quit and want to quit I would say why not quit while your ahead😆
Forgot to mention, i was 78 days sober and I relapsed 3 days ago. So tomorrow I will be back to 4 days sober and ready for another day!
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@Gibb, 4 days and beyond! 
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I thought the same thing. So like a idiot decided to try just a couple. Was clean from 7/14 that 6 pack led to a 30 pack.Woke up kicking myself in the ass,disappointing my kids & family 
My new clean date started AGAIN on 10/4 on 102 days of waking not feeling guilty or ashamed of myself!! Stay strong,have to do it 1 day at a time!!!
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Alcohol plays tricks thats for sure… I did 80 sober days up until this December, just to clean my system out , with a hope to stop binging and have more control… I thought i was in control as in those 80 days i had 2 half bottles of beer on two separate occasions and i didn’t want more (complimentary drinks with my food). After my 80 days i got myself red wine and back to square one- i drank more than ever, more or less every evening!!! Im happy this happened as it demonstrates I am powerless over alcohol! Im not sure im fully envisioning my life without alcohol atm so I’m sure I’ll go back to day 1 soon… Its a journey right?
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Yes it’s a journey. Hoping for a home detox this month, my 4th. This time I will do it and will be the person I want to be. I need to do a year and then I will know I have dealt with every annual holiday and obstacle alcohol can throw at me. Not going to be beaten this time x
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Wishing you all the best @wannabe!! I’m sure to keep an eye out on your posts from now on, just to check on your progress x
How long has it been @Elle? X
@wannabe I was thinking the same thing about a year. If I can do a year I will be able to anticipate all the seasons! I’m really worried about Spring and Summer. One day at a time …
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My biggest worry this year will be our Summer holiday, going to a place we have been many times before and has broken me twice. Booked it before I realised I was back there again. Will need to have some plans in place, going with my sister and Hubbie who know so that should help x
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