Hey there, new to this, I decided to go sober the day after Christmas. I pumped myself full of YouTube videos about the stages and timeline of withdrawal and watched many peoples stories. Ive been a heavy drinker for a good 17 years. My drink of choice is Vodka on the rocks with a splash of lemonade. Typically when i got home from work I would pound down 5-6 of them and go to bed. My days off work it was always 5 o’clock somewhere. What brought me to making a change was the past couple months i found myself saying I prefer drinking on an empty stomach. A few before dinner. My anxiety in the morning when i woke up was off the charts, heart was racing before I even got out of bed. Couldn’t remember anything from the night before. My face was flushing at work throughout the day, blood pressure was off the chart and I believe to have caused myself Alcohol Nuropathy. Bottom line is i think it was killing me. All that said im about 10 days in now, withdrawal was horrible the first 4 days, I still flush in the face when my anxiety is up but that seems to be a bit less. Heart seems to have calmed down and im sleeping a bit better, i still get dull headaches a few times a day. What’s nuts is the voice im my head is telling me its ok to have just one. Every night i hear it, im realizing its the triggers. I hope i can stick with this. I have to. Thanks for listening.
I am right there with you Marek. I decided to quit a couple days before Christmas. Today makes two weeks, but my last hangover sounded exactly like yours and that was terrifying. When i get triggered, I use this app to help push me through. Additionally, i replay the whole scenario of drinking, not just the highlights. I think about the aftermath that i do not want to feel in the morning. We all struggle at times, but just make it through one day at a time
Good job not listening to that voice
White knuckling the dt’s is tough(me too)
But you did it
Feel pride in that
I have highs and lows and it feels like the lows last longer
It’s ok to feel down
we all go through it
AA has helped me
You have to want it
Hang in there! Your whole brain is rewiring itself. Not a small job and it takes time. We can help by taking care of ourselves. High protein, water, deep breathing. Cravings are information that your body needs help. It is not something you want any more so its not desire, its just a misfire! Watch it as it disappears!
Congratulations on the first steps and your progress so far! I decided to quit alcohol last Christmas and I can’t tell you how much better I feel. The first months are tough. Exercise and mindfulness activities helped considerably. Keep up the good fight. It’s so worth it.