I MISS ALCOHOL After 7 Months SOBER: How I’m Dealing With It

[@LouieMdeP]

No way, don't do. I went that route, "Oh I'll be okay with just one." Regretted it big-time. Don't throw away the wonderful, free, energetic life you've built!

[@sober-diary]

This seems to be the general consensus. It so easy to convince yourself that you’ll be different and break the trend. You don’t hear many people saying they’re a great moderator now.

[@phil6498]

Thanks mate 👍

[@mustafabaris9681]

In 2017 I took a 180 day break from alcohol thinking I was giving my body a break and addressing the issue of adopting a drink in moderation mindset. After 6 months, I had really missed drinking and had my first cold beer on an empty stomach that felt GREAT ..Then in the next 3 weeks, I often had drinks but kept telling myself I was going to limit my drinks , which I did for about three weeks..Then the 4th weeks rolls around, big celebration , it is the weekend, the band is playing , then after the third drink which was supposed to be the last for the night due to the moderation rule came the tequila shots then hell broke lose and found myself puking my guts out in my bathroom at 3 am in the morning...Alcohol is a drug and it destroys the brain slowly , moderation in alcohol is an illusion because alcohol itself is an illusion. Not matter how long anyone has not had any alcohol , the moment they start , sooner or later, the old patters are gonna show up and they are gonna end up at the exact same pit they they had once or twice fallen into ... Now in 2024, I have gone about 8 months without any drinks and never going back ..

[@sober-diary]

Thank you so much for sharing, it's these kind of real life detailed experiences that help people make more informed decisions. That was all part of your journey and helped you get to the point where you thought f**k you alcohol and stopped for good.

[@dg9015]

Good on you

[@jamesbyrne9312]

@@dg9015 I am repasting this bit as its so true:- Alcohol is a drug and it destroys the brain slowly , moderation in alcohol is an illusion because alcohol itself is an illusion. Not matter how long anyone has not had any alcohol , the moment they start , sooner or later, the old patters are gonna show up and they are gonna end up at the exact same pit they they had once or twice fallen into ... Now in 2024, I have gone about 8 months without any drinks and never going back ..

[@JazzyArtKL]

No, never again. Done for life. Discipline is key. Not giving into your mind chatter & emotions. Just do what you need to do. I swim, travel, research, read, do weight, focus on learning new skills, meditate and more. No more bars, no more drinking mates, no more out of control. No more.

[@CacD47]

I've said that before.

[@edgarscirulis1129]

Well said!

[@David-yy9ol]

16 days sober here. I’ve done the out patient stuff but in reality it’s your choice to change. Constant gym, walks, gaming, family, looking to go back to school, basketball. Key is to fill those voids

[@markg.4246]

@@David-yy9ol True sobriety is being ok when there is absolutely NOTHING going on. Your analysis is unsustainable!

[@markg.4246]

Just for the sake of discussion, what happens when you get a call at 3:18am and learn that a parent, sibling, spouse, or child has died? Or you've lost your job, or been dumped in a relationship, or your house burns to the ground? All the swimming, traveling, and weights in the world will not help, unless you've been developing your spiritual condition. None of us knows what's coming in the next fifteen minutes. True sobriety is being ok in the midst of chaos, or when there is absolutely nothing going on. You can't stay busy every second of every day. It's unsustainable!

[@BradParsons-n8s]

Thanks for sharing. I'm at the 7 month mark and yes I have been having cravings re surface and the calmer mind I acquired after quitting has become noisy. The craving for me really is an "Easy Button" to disconnect and chill. Alcohol and Weed was that button. You are clearly much younger than me. My years of daily consumption of both Booze and Weed lasted more than 25. The best part of my day is the morning as I feel great, energetic, and thankful for making it through the day before without consuming. The Toughest part is the evening as I am tired and sometimes bored, but my energy is too low to do anything about it. Having a daily purpose and working out really helps. Working out provides me with physical evidence that I am getting better and stronger. My job can provide me with purpose and energize me, however lately it has been routine with lack of progress. This might hold a clue into why my mind is restless again. Do yourself a big favor and really keep pushing to stay sober. I wish I really cared and worked towards sobriety when I was your age. The withdrawals after 25 years plus were tough. Months to be specific. Also I was a very functioning alcoholic and pot head. I kept my life in order, career, finances, etc. My family and friends always knew I drank too much, but said I never seemed drunk, and somehow had my stuff together. Just imagine how much more I could have done with my life if I got sober at your age. Keep it up and best of luck.

[@Mark-pp7jy]

"That is why most people have a drink, after a hard day, after a hard week". The truth is, for chronic drinkers, it doesn't matter if their day has been "hard", "easy", "hot", "cold", "sunny", "cloudy, "windy", "calm", or any day that ends in "Y"! Chronic drinkers, drink to change what they are feeling, even if it's good! Especially if it's good,. We want good to be better! Figuring out"why" we drink isn't really important. What IS important, is changing our behavior on a daily basis, until the mind can catch up.

[@Knightcommander69]

I quit for years, decided to have "just one" when lockdown hit. Turned into a 4 year relapse that cost me 3 jobs, hospitalised 3 times for detox and only just managed to quit again. There is no such thing as moderation, it is a lie.

[@RendelJr3Kluklinski-kb8tj]

Schucks

[@emilymccartney1593]

I actually started drinking more during lockdown. Working from home, no one sees you hungover and smelling of alcohol.

[@phillipwhite4741]

Yeah lock down really throw a spanner in the works

[@timothyslaughter476]

I had a different experience during covid. Actually, right before the pandemic hit, I was on my final months to death from alcohol. I was already as dead as one could be. Not eating for weeks. Lost my job. Living in a cheap motel room. Gallon of hard alcohol every day. Random strangers rummaging through. Then I was listening to the news right when the covid story was hitting and something I don't know what clicked and I called a detox center the next day. Fortunately they were still taking patients. Long story short I did detox then a 1 year in patient stay. Although I did get sober I had two relapses after. The relapses are extremely dangerous because we've given our bodies and minds a chance to heal but because of the insidious nature of the disease, it stays ruminating in our minds even sober. So basically just one sip can set off a very dangerous reaction. So bless you for sharing and getting back your sobriety. I know it's hard. I'm now sober 3 years which is my longest but I know everyday I'm one or two bad things happening away from a real problem. Been going through some stuff these past weeks and it's been a challenge big time. It's why I've been going through looking at videos and reading comments like yours. Good story. Peace to you and praying from here.

[@Knightcommander69]

@@timothyslaughter476 Wow, that is a seriously dark place to come back from. How is alcohol even legal...

[@FireRescue884]

Been sober 8 years, you just talking about makes me wanna go get some. Sorry to say, it never goes away.

[@jamesbyrne9312]

True we need to admit this and still choose to live happy

[@dipakrawal1509]

Been Sober 4 years now and the thing never focuses in my mind and is of insignifficience. So I have found I am free minded, liberated,Calm, self controlled and in this moment. I see the world differently now and I pick my friends wisely. It is a fantastic feeling.

[@sober-diary]

Inspiring and great to hear, thanks for sharing.

[@dg9015]

That's great to hear

[@CalvinMorris-cf8jk]

11 years sober and I still crave alcohol everyday its not just the alcohol but the lifestyle I loved so much.wishing you the best man.

[@dg9015]

You can't still crave it after 11 years surely

[@CalvinMorris-cf8jk]

@@dg9015 any alcoholic that tells you they don't is lying to you. I have seen many at the V.A liver word that was begging for one last drink right before they died it is a lifelong thing man. just because you gave it up don't mean you don't want it. trust me. it will be there till the day you die. never make the mistake of underestimating it.

[@emilymccartney1593]

It’s especially difficult during the summer. I always associate this weather with a cold beer.

[@kasperpetersen9204]

That and Christmas.

[@jamesbyrne9312]

Gotta do things like mountain biking and after a bike ride a iced water is just as refreshing :)

[@opencurtin]

Always remember when you’re sober alcohol is out in your backyard doing one armed push ups !

[@jamesbyrne9312]

Youre so lucky, you have a wife, a beautiful garden. Stay sober as a dedication to your blessings

[@BalcoraMcFly]

man as soon as you talked about that little voice in your head and your mind over analyzing it made me think of Michael Singer Lectures I've listened to.

[@eliassound]

Hang in there buddy. You will make it. 👊

[@sober-diary]

Thank you for your support. I hope it's helpful to let people know exactly what I'm thinking in case someone can benefit from my experience.

[@noahpulfer]

Been sober a year now. I know i won't go back. However, I have noticed mind chatter and negative self talk coming back in force. Suppose there is always a reminder of things I need to work on and improve, and without alcohol there are no temporary escapes.

[@mnn8xy]

Keep going mate. What I've noticed since going sober is that I used to resort to cigarettes and drinks for stress relief. Today, I still find myself procrastinating and avoiding what's causing me stress by wasting time on social media or video games. However, this time I'm aware. This time, I'm not numbing myself to gloss over or have an excuse for it. Now, I'm fully responsible for my actions, and it's on me whether I fix it or not. What I wanted to say is that going sober is not going to magically solve the problems but leads you to eventually face them.

[@sober-diary]

YES, so so true. You actually have to deal with it, but this is the only way to grow rather than mask it. Masking is what I've done for 15 years.

[@daggern00b]

I don't drink 1-2 drinks, that just makes me feel lousy and wanting more. If I drink it's to get drunk which is a problem and why I have to stay away. It will never be moderate for me.

[@sober-diary]

Sounds familiar... good to know.

[@michellekrystaszek2442]

This really spoke to me; I feel the same.

[@KittyKat-jv8nq]

240 days with zero problems quitting and l find that even though l know l wont relapse or loose control because l don’t crave a drink that bad but l have no interest in doing some of the things l enjoyed while l drank. I used to love to lay outside and enjoy my surroundings, go on vacation and enjoy floating in the pool or having a romantic dinner in a nice restaurant. My world has lost it’s luster and l feel apathetic about almost everything and everyone and lay around and read and watch TV to pass the day. I don’t drink but nor do l want to but my life is sad.

[@richardwhittome7712]

I really relate to your comment. Alcohol for me does open up feelings of pleasure and appreciation of my surroundings that I cannot seem to access sober, due to an overall sense of futility that alcohol dampens, and intrusive sad thoughts. However, if I start drinking I cannot stop, which is the far greater of the two evils. Those pleasant moments tend to become less and less the deeper I get into a binge. Dunno, I have no answers....I am sober 52 days and bored.

[@KittyKat-jv8nq]

@@richardwhittome7712 well it’s been over a year now and still no desire to go back to the hell of to much alcohol and the misery it brings but l don’t have the joy that so many people describe when alcohol is out of their life. I feel like l live in an odd zone of better without but worse without. I have no monkey on my back but the shine has dulled from my life. I feel that this is not a common complaint for most so just my cross to bear l guess. I think that for some alcohol brings something special and irreplaceable to their life even as it kills you in the process.

[@pippaboyd88]

Im at nearly 5 months and keep considering it and then think how annoyed i would be if i broke my streak and i really dont want to go back there and let people down. And i love the not feeling hungover

[@dirkdiggler9147]

I'm on day 75 and a lot of days I just feel lost and bored. I have hobbies and I regularly exercise but nothing replaces that feeling of being buzzed. Life just feels like one big repetition and alcohol would break that up.

[@sober-diary]

I've had this, but then thought how exciting was my day to day before booze? I was probably just looking forward to the weekend / an evening when I could drink and that made the present seem more interesting. I still stand by that alcohol is the best thing to shut off my mind temporarily and then I can't be bored, but it comes back so much worse the next day, the trade off just isn't worth it anymore. Now I can fix why I actually get bored rather than mask it.

[@dougiemiller4206]

Dude, dont do it!! Unless you can keep control it, it’s to easy to fall into the trap, I was a binge drinker for years, I look back and see how bad things was, also your so called friends are not your friends, I’ve learned a lot through my life, one finale nail in my coffin was living with a drunk for a year, absolutely the worst experience, living with a violent drunk and setting about me, ie punched in the face, I left her, the worst woman I’ve ever met, not been drunk since 2019, one last thing, I spent working in health and social ie trained in dementia, this is a fact, heavy drinking will induce dementia, I’m now 58 and happy, I live alone, this is not a lecture!!! Good luck for your future,

[@johnscott3795]

Alcohol is a drug Our society talks about ‘alcohol and drug’ abuse and addiction like its (alcohol) is separate in some form .. if you drink alcohol daily, frequently then you’re addicted to a drug so you’re a drug addict. Tell someone who drinks everyday. Even one or two, that they’re a drug addict and frowns etc abound. I’m 58 I used alcohol since early teens till mid forties , stopped for seven years and became a qualified training nut, mostly serious and grumpy… I never realised how one can become almost a social outcast in our alcohol drenched society, after some personal downs I began drinking again for three years with gusto and watched my entire lifestyle fall apart… I’ve had 5 months off here and 2 months off there recently with the hope that I’ll be able to have a couple drinks in company over dinner etc.. but it never works like that for me , so I enjoyed your video it was like listening to myself , 5 weeks free at the mo, but my friend and I were very close to dropping into the bottle store on the way to band practice, but we didn’t, just remember alcohol is a poison and a drug if you don’t mind being a drug addict and can afford it , then go for it, it’s a free choice in our culture, no one’s going to judge you, no one really cares anyway what you do, because everyone is busy with their own Stuff, sobriety is a personal thing and being vigilant isn’t easy at any moment during abstinence… the more you think of alcohol the more you will think of alcohol., think of something else, 😊

[@yarly3180]

It will stay for life: I quit for 3.5 years 2017-2020, started again during Covid. Will quit again soon, but it will always be there. Quitting smoking was an absolute piece of cake compared to quitting drinking.

[@rarestpepe8835]

Can relate, quiting smoking was so easy... After some time i couldn't stand smell of cigaretes.

[@joydeepmoitra6521]

Exactly. Quitting smoking was so easy. But every time I have tried to quit Alcohol, It always came back to me. Seems a dead end.

[@michaeldalsky1209]

No beer in the house helps

[@panda59043]

You’re only remembering the good things not the bad😢

[@HeyTurdFerguson]

Well said. That's how I put things into perspective when I reminisce about all the "good times"

[@sober-diary]

So true! I’m definitely not getting bored of no hangovers.

[@Ark-nova1]

I’ve been off and on for about a year now. I used to drink all the time. A lot of alcohol. This year I started off 60 days no alcohol. Then one night I decided to drink (just one night). That lasted for 2 months. Now I’m 41 days in without. I can’t just have one or two. I always go back like I’ve never stopped and it wreaks havoc on me. I am 100% happier without it.

[@lachutequimarche8074]

Keep it up! You don’t know the impact you can have on people going through the same thing. Stay strong, brother. Talking is healing.

[@sober-diary]

That’s exactly the kind of thing I need to hear to keep going! It’s hard not knowing if this helps people. Thanks so much!

[@Knightcommander69]

One way I found to clear the mind is to go on a long walk. I'm talking at least 1 hr. You can listen to a podcast, or just let your mind go crazy and after that walk you will be calm and your mind silent for hours or sometimes a full day. I wake up 1 hr early to take a long walk rain or shine. I focus on my breath and it is almost an active meditation. Drinking 'one drink' will last 20 minutes, and you will have reawaken the monster than wants another and another and another.

[@pacmanmum]

I’ve done a week sober ,last time was 54 days, I keep thinking about drinking but I know I will just end up hungover and feeling terrible again,it’s been one thing after another lately ,but I don’t need a hangover on top of it all ,I hope u don’t get tempted again

[@sober-diary]

Thank you. Appreciate the words of support. Not being hungover makes it worth it!

[@pacmanmum]

@@sober-diary it sure does ,I have back pain now but last Saturday was hungover so in a way that was worse,good luck with not drinking and saying goodbye to hangovers

[@jmarietv]

almost 5 months here...stay the course...I just focus on the horrible feeling I have after I have only one or two drinks...once that euphoria wears off in the first 25 minutes it is all downhill from there and then the next day or two I am wrecked and I don't see gains in the gym...just feel how great your body feels and you won;t wanna destroy that

[@sober-diary]

Gains at the gym, now you're talking my language ;)

[@jmarietv]

@@sober-diary 🙂its so true...if I worked out and i was tired and hungover....i wondered why i never saw changes...now i focus on the muscles instead of how bad my head feels!!

[@Batrobot81]

A few years ago when I decided to quit drinking and I was one year without drinking I started meditating almost immediately. In retrospect, it was clearly a substitute for alcohol. Now I'm back to not drinking and I find that I feel like meditating more. I don't really want to meditate often because it feels more like a substitute than something that could broaden my understanding.On the other hand, I guess there are different ways of meditating. Now I've actually taken on the role of observer of my thoughts when my mind just won't stay silent. It's been interesting and somewhat relaxing.At least I find myself dozing off quite often when I meditate.

[@sober-diary]

I like that mentality and from what I understand it's what meditation is about, not trying to stop the thoughts, just observe them and shift focus to present. Thanks for sharing.

[@punk77787]

I'm nearly a year sober and I'm so bored. I feel like I'm missing a part of me. I know the alcohol always ended up making me feel like I wanted to die, doing things I'd never normally do and embarrassing myself etc but I miss socialising, I miss feeling close to people, I miss having a laugh. My life feels so grey at the moment and I've been meaning to join the gym (I do work.out but at home) but I just kinda feel like I'd rather risk the madness than deal with this boredom 😖

[@sober-diary]

I feel you. It's actually a challenge I'm facing right now. Let's not kid ourselves and pretend we didn't have fun with alcohol. That fun needs to be replaced and that's what I'm focusing on at the moment. However, the realisation I had was that alcohol was only making shit things feel more fun. Imagine how superhuman you will feel when discover what you genuinely enjoy!

[@punk77787]

Thank you for replying. Yea I think because I'm generally on bit of a downer at the moment everything feels pretty bleak but if I was drinking at the moment ( which I would always do in excess when I feel these lows) I'd be on an absolute mission to ruin my life... so at least I'm not doing that right now 😆 I just need to get down the gym, maybe join a running club and meet new people with a good mindset, as pretty much everyone I know only finds fun in drinking and I'm feeling pretty lonely at the moment. You do speak sense though and your videos really help me realise things and think about things that I wouldn't necessarily have pieced together myself, so thank you

[@emmac7880]

2 years into sobriety i still have cravings sometimes but i know i'll never do it. All i have to do is remind myself of the problems it brings and they 100% outweigh any romanticizing about it. Its just not worth the risk anymore.

[@sober-diary]

I think that's the way to look at it and hopefully you can hear deep down I agree.

[@emmac7880]

@@sober-diary Knowing in my mind it's just not an option for me is easier (not sure if thats the right word) than moderation. I think that would be far more difficult, in the past when i tried to it was on my mind far too much. Also it would always start with "just the odd drink now and again" but old ways always crept up. I feel much safer knowing its not an option if that makes sence?

[@sober-diary]

Well said. I expect moderation isn’t even enjoyable when you always holding back and then it opens up the opportunity for drinking in excess every time you do it. Old ways vs not at all, I choose not all everytime.

[@vectorhold6489]

I'm a month and a half sober after 23 years of hardcore binge drinking.. It's not easy. Then again, I didn't have a choice. My doctor said I would be dead in 2-5 years if I kept it up the way I was going. Ain't worth it. I'd rather live. Keep on rockin dude!

[@sober-diary]

I had doctors advice even when I lied about the weekly consumption to bring it down :'). Keep it going, the good stuff starts happening in the coming months.

[@dg9015]

I did 14 weeks last year due to a health scare with my throat and 12 weeks the year before during covid. Then stupid me got the all clear and decided to have three cans thinking I was in control and that was that hooked again. Started again this week 7 days so far.

[@sober-diary]

Keep it going! I found the true benefits started after 3 months. It was only then that being sober felt normal.

[@dg9015]

@sober-diary well, well, well really, bloody hell I never knew that I thought everyone was different and would experiencechanges at different times.. I'm feeling benefits already, energy, mood changes. My sleep pattern is a bit altered, though waking up early and heavy eyed, which means I'm having deeper sleeps.

[@dg9015]

​@@sober-diaryhow do you mean after 3 months true benefits please?

[@lawrencesword5183]

ive been there there was times that i had the urge so bad but it passes for after about 30 mins

[@bernardfield8110]

See the amount of time and thought whether negative or positive that gets sucked out of life by this relationship we have with alcohol! It's incredible really. Our endless obsessing over it. It's this whole package we need to free ourselves from because whether we are celebrating our sobriety or working out whether to go back to "just the odd one" or blogging about how good we feel without it or whatever it is an indication that we are still in thrall to alcohol and we are still feeding the psychological and cultural obsession with it. Like Donald Trump who doesn't care whether his press is good or bad so long as he's sucking on people's attention he's happy. That's alcohol. See that fact and then its grip slips away because seeing how it works ends our interest in it and it dies a natural death.

[@sober-diary]

That's an interesting perspective and I actually agree with you. I only realised my mental dependence on it when I stopped. The first 3 months it was pretty much all I thought about. This has become less and less as time has gone on and that's a positive trend I'm sure will continue.

[@rarestpepe8835]

Overthinking got way better just after 2 weeks of stopping friday wine drinking for me, before sometimes i couldn't sleep becouse of intensifing thoughts at bed time.

[@hristov71]

When I have cravings I have one or two non alcoholic beers and it helps

[@Raywyne]

Hi, I just came across your video and had a wee grin to myself. You are so articulate and I felt if you just keep talking you wijll talk yourself into it. Would you really want to go through the hell of giving up again? Seems to me you are quite a character, have strength and will cope one day at a time. R J

[@sober-diary]

That’s a word I’ve not had used to describe me before but I like it 😅. It’s good to get the thoughts out of my head and this is a great platform to do it on with supportive people.

[@tonybarnes4096]

I gave up drinking a month ago and I feel so much better.

[@lawrencesword5183]

go for a run then a bath or a walk then a bath when u have done this u say to u self if a drink i would not feel as good as i do now after this bath or a cicle

[@larryyoder4861]

Drank 47 years and have quit since 3-7-22 and have never felt better in my life and never want to go back to that lifestyle

[@sober-diary]

Congrats on this, it's inspirational to hear. I'm now at over a year and hear that things can keep getting better and better. Is this what you found?

[@michaellinden-p4d]

9+ years sober here....sometimes one has to just shut up and sit and just look out into the air. Feelings are feelings, nothing more, nothing less. One does not need to address every single thought that crosses your mind. I don't know what your deal is, i just saw you here- but if your only goal is to quit for a year- you are wasting your time and mine. The first year without alcohol is hard, just like the 8th, 12th and so on. Take the cotton iut of your ears and put it in your mouth. Find a support group and listen to those who have actual sobriety. Guess what, alcohol is a drug, you are an addict. 200+ days.....whatever- When you are done, you're Done. If you're not, drink 'til you are . Grow up.

[@buddyjones6429]

Keep it up. Dont get into my position. Doctors "think" I dodged a bullet. Too soon to tell. They told me no more alcohol otherwise try to get on a transplant list! I need my liver more than a drink.

[@concrete981]

if your an alcoholic and you drink, it's only a matter of time that you'll be right back where you started. stop for a year and see how you feel.

[@RinoSchiavoCampo]

I've witnessed alcoholic death more than once. I am terrified of relapsing. There is no room in my life for alcohol, unless it's to clean my bong.

[@sober-diary]

Sorry to hear that, thank you for commenting and sharing.

[@third7715]

Unfortunately the reality is that a sober life is a boring life. Not a bad life or necessarily a better one but duller for sure.

[@sober-diary]

I feel like you can find more satisfaction in the boring parts of life though, would you agree?

[@gwilliamwallace]

Day 3,467 here and no advice other than don't do it.

[@lesharris9560]

Thats neat!

[@nosferatu488]

i'm 215 days sober and i also think about it more than 3 months ago.i think thats because we have passed the half year mark and we have convinced our mind that we can control it now.i read about it that 6 to 12 months phase is the hardest.

[@sober-diary]

We might well have stopped on the same day! I’d be really interested to read about that if you could share? It’s always helpful to know I’m not alone in the mental battles.

[@janarleth9811]

Something happens in the mind when you quit alcohol for a good period of time. Or maybe it's in the body or both? I've tried drinking after a year and now into two years and my body will not allow me to drink. It's so hard to describe especially through a KZbin video. I can tell you my body responds as if I never quit. I have withdrawal symptoms after one day of drinking. I couldn't binge if I wanted to and I don't want to! In AA they say "once a pickle, always a pickle." I would look for fun things to do that replaces alcohol. Alcohol is a tricky b*tch.

[@sober-diary]

You may have given me the title for the next video :')

[@tripledoublegainz3612]

The irony is that alcohol is the worst DRUG there is. 44 days sober here. I know that one will lead to one thousand. Not worth it.

[@sober-diary]

Keep it going! Big benefits are round the corner.

[@brendangallagher5336]

Thats why I go to AA meetings.. Its a daily reminder its a bad idea to go back. Plus it has spoiled my drinking for the rest of my life

[@michaeldalsky1209]

My biggest problem is giving up drinking at sporting events that I attend

[@stefanprohl2548]

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8.36)

[@dg9015]

Im on 60 days today still hard but getting easier

[@andrewp5180]

Your brain never forgets unfortunately if you start again you quickly have to ramp up to the levels you were previously to get any effect

[@janarleth9811]

I hope it helps at least one person from drinking again. Let it be you, dear viewer.

[@mikecoglione1308]

Sober for years I just quit and pilled it off like a dirty band aid. My life was pretty good before or so I thought but I felt so much better in that alcohol dulled my shine that I don't miss it. You couldn't pay me to have a drink. Well maybe if you gave me like 100k for a glass of wine I'd do it but you know what I mean, not going back as life is far better without it. More energy, more clarity and it took a while for the full benefits of feeling so well to kick in I wouldn't want to sabotage it. Also remember there is no safe dose of alcohol but from what you are saying you're a pretty bad alcoholic worse than you think. Your head is full of irrational rationalizations in that you think that if you had a problem before you can just get stronger and get back to it at a later point. Here's a news flash its a depressant with long term bad effects on your body, mind and soul. It takes a long time of sobriety to reap the full benefits and all you need is a slip up to get back to square one in terms of how it sets you back and then you have to climb out of it again. Plus like I said there is no safe dose the harm starts from the first sip. If you can't "just quit" and you want go back to this known deadly poison and class 1 carcinogen which has been proven to be as bad as tobacco, asbestos and radiation suggest you go to AA/12 step, see your doctor/counselor etc. Run for your life (from booze)!

[@trentonparrish1136]

I am 8 months sober from alcohol and I don’t miss alcohol at all! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@sober-diary]

Encouraging to hear! Il be at 8 months at the end of June. Hoping for the same 😀

[@raymondlin8728]

No thought. No cravings. Watching video to distract, to cope, now im ok. Was i like that? All those wasted year, ruined relationships, with family, friends, jobs,

[@kayr4751]

if it's to feel better try adaptogens but rotate them to keep from addiction or having a withdrawal if you run out, they work wonders. Don't trade other addictive behavior or you will have to go through withdrawal with those to stop habits. Water can be addictive and toxic in the wrong amount. Alcohol is called spirits for a reason, it's an addiction with a spiritual hold on a person.

[@damian-795]

bro, i promise you will regret it. You feel you have to start again and it's never as good as you think

[@charitylee1767]

Uughh my body is definitely destroyed from my binge drinking. I did this rotation where I couldn't go more than 2 weeks sometimes 30 days and drank myself till I passed out. The worst. I don't want it anymore.

[@sober-diary]

Binging is the enemy, especially as you get older. Where are you at now my friend? Still in the cycle or managed to stay away from it?

[@lawrencesword5183]

been sober since 1987 but took about another 8 months to stop because i was 21 and pier presure i had to drink at stag parties and wedings but i knew i had no problem now so i new it would not control my life and as i grew up i relize how fucking silly it is to drink its for old men and stupid wee teenagers that dont know better

[@jamesbyrne9312]

If you need to relax, take a paracetamol and get a bath, kind of calms the nerves. I agree alcohol does switch off the mind, but us binge drinkers are too sensitive to that effect, and we need to be wise and choose not to partake.

[@brettmuller9556]

I was a binge drinker for years with breaks of up to 2 years. I am abstaining successfully with 20 hours plus of exercise a week. Walking, biking, lifting on alternative days. I’m too spent to want to booze it up. Without exercise i would have a void of 2-4 hours in the evening of nothing to do or boring stuff to do that always went by easier and more fun with drinking. Try exercising 3-4 hours a day if you have cravings. Works for me so may work for you?

[@sober-diary]

Nice one Brett. I’ve got marathon running and golf as my hobbies. Luckily they both take about 3-4 hours 😊.

[@miniharez]

People think they can “have one or two”. but be honest with yourself. Did you EVER drink one beer just to be “buzzed” and done? Probably not! Most alcoholics including myself love to get drunk! So why lie to yourself about “having control” over your drinking? Once you get rolling then one turns into 10. And remember how bad a hangover is and how nice its been that you haven’t felt a hang over in so long. Check out people who talk about relapsing on youtube and they will tell you. stay strong!

[@sober-diary]

Needed to hear this, thanks you legend. Keep inspiring.

[@user-hz4je6hd8t]

Gave up for 6 months. Jesus, drinkers are boring. Started again on my birthday. Friday tea times and Saturday arvo, with the wife. No more midweek 6 pints. Weed is the key!!!! Have a Smoke and then you can't be assed to go out! Simple.😂

[@lesharris9560]

A run? After 1 and a half years i ran to the pub.time is nòthing to alcohol.

[@adabsurdum3314]

Took about a year and half before I never thought about alcohol at all. But I went back... On day 3 sobriety...hang in

[@sober-diary]

Thank you for sharing. Do you mind saying what it was like when you went back? Did you return to old ways, or worse...?

[@adabsurdum3314]

@@sober-diary hmm, well it started slowish but before long I was back to my usual 25 standard drinks a day. Tolerance builds so damn quickly.. within a few weeks if you don't deliberately keep usage down - back to old days. Don't do it man. You'll kick yourself and probably won't enjoy it. Good luck

[@sober-diary]

Really appreciate you sharing this. Deliberately keeping usage down doesn’t sound very fun does it.

[@johnCjr4671]

Work = Stress , Stress = Wanting to Drink Therefore Work = wanting to Drink ?

[@ridervfr2798]

The small group of alcoholics that actually can stay with a limited amount of a drink, ruin it for all the real people that really have drinking problems. I have been doing TM for over 50 years btw, it is like brushing my teeth, I do it in the AM, and PM. Peace

[@sober-diary]

I appreciate your comment. Can you expand on what you mean by 'ruin it'?

[@ridervfr2798]

@@sober-diary well they ruin it for the vast majority of that subset of people that should totally abstain from liquor of any sort. The, "i can have one drink" mentalty wotks for a very select few. Thats my two cents, I do have a BA in psycholgy but work with my hands. Peace

[@sober-diary]

Ok, I understand, definitly value your insights. Agree that there are some people that can easily stop and from experience struggle to understand those who find that difficult.

[@johnblyth9787]

I dont know if you believe you are alcoholic or not. I know i am. I cannot drink alcohol. It will get me in trouble and likely die. Toss the year off alcohol away. Just do it for today. That breaks stopping into a small window of time. If i said you have to work 12 hours a day for a year, you would say no way. If i said you have to work 12 hour today, you would say yes i can do that. Also what will you do if and when you get to a year. Listening to you video i am going to say, you will say yes i done a year, lets celebrate. You will be back drinking. If you are struggling to stay stopped chances are you may be alcoholic. If when you start drinking you have more drinks than you planed you may be alcoholic. However i will leave that up to you. Maybe go to AA for a short while. See if you hear people talk about things you do. Look for similarities not the differances. I wish you well John alcoholic 34 years sober and happy.

[@sober-diary]

Funny you say this John, had a massive realisation since posting this video and it relates to the year challenge ;). My definition of an alcoholic has definitely changed and although I was never physically dependent, stopping has helped me realise I was mentally dependent. The fact that it takes up so much mental space to stop says it all.

[@NoOne-go6tc]

We never got this man. Around 3 years sober and not one day goes by when I think k I have this. I suggest you don’t either

[@dasdguy7606]

reach out to AA or some other support group. Better than the alternative.

[@sober-diary]

Thank you, I’ve done this and it’s really helpful to share experiences. Part of the reason I blog and record 😊

[@personaleme]

DONT DO IT. OUR ENEMY IS DECEPTIVE AS FUCK. IM SUBSCRIBING NOW, THANKS FOR YOUR STORY. I NEEDED THIS.

[@sober-diary]

You’re making me fight that deceptive voice! Check out my blog if you want more detailed accounts. Should be on channel page. Thanks so much for subscribing, next update at 240 days, I’ve got a stag do this weekend ha!!

[@Alwpiano]

You may enjoy it but you won't enjoy the hangover. I wouldn't. In this current UK heatwave, I can't bear to even look at alcohol. Winter usually makes me want to go back. Somehow, I imagine you won't go back.

[@sober-diary]

Funny you say that, big update coming up ;)

[@johnblyth9787]

I listend to your Why I Quit video. You are doing and sounding exactly like i was when i drank. I ended up unemployed and unemployable. I was close enough to a parkbench drunk. Yes i had a home, but more often than not i would not make it home. Come to in the gutter literaly or in a watch house. I would have hangovers you dont want to know about, trying to get a drink down and puke it up. There never was fun in alcohol for me. My last drunk i missed 2 days at work and did not make it home. I was married only 3 months and my wife was devistated and angry. I could not blame her. The sizures are bad bews. End stage drinking. If you keep going you may end up with a wet brain. It is a lack of vitamin B12, you are a vegitable in a bed. Mind is totaly gone, No i am not trying to scare you, as fear wont make you stop. Just give you facts. I am happy to help in any way i can. I will sugest AA to you, go to a few meetings, see if it is for you. Take care.

[@kennithminnich]

I hope you don't relapse, but many need to do a little more R&D. Always ends poorly...

[@brjm1604]

You fixed your liver thats a positive

[@steveconnolly7129]

Dont need alc anymore

[@Peter-z3b6t]

You have wait 2 years to be mentally over an addiction. Took me 2 years to quit, smoking, drinking, and smoking pot.

[@sober-diary]

That’s the kind of thing I need to be told. What difference did you feel after around the 2 year point?

[@jennymann3704]

But nothing ❤

[@markczarny7088]

Takes a while for the head to clear lots of people been were your at f,ew say I made the right decision drinking again.choice is yours

[@sober-diary]

This is the overwhelming consensus, so glad I didn't cave in to them. Thanks for sharing.

[@CacD47]

Yall talking about quitting drinking and not one mention of AA. You cant think yourself out of a problem with the mind that created it. Get help or get more hell your choice.

[@cherylreiter2107]

Stop thinking about yourself, become service oriented and you won’t have this problem!

[@christerstefansson3249]

Its a drug.

[@Justanotherguy5]

only quitters quit man

[@RendelJr3Kluklinski-kb8tj]

Alcohol is good

[@declankelly9829]

Yes, its good for killing bugs. Thats why we put it on our hands during the pandemic. But guess what... we are bugs too... just LARGE ones... and alcohol will kill us too if we persevere with it. Dont give up.

[@johnscott3795]

Alcohol is a drug Our society talks about ‘alcohol and drug’ abuse and addiction like its (alcohol) is separate in some form .. if you drink alcohol daily, frequently then you’re addicted to a drug so you’re a drug addict. Tell someone who drinks everyday. Even one or two, that they’re a drug addict and frowns etc abound. I’m 58 I used alcohol since early teens till mid forties , stopped for seven years and became a qualified training nut, mostly serious and grumpy… I never realised how one can become almost a social outcast in our alcohol drenched society, after some personal downs I began drinking again for three years with gusto and watched my entire lifestyle fall apart… I’ve had 5 months off here and 2 months off there recently with the hope that I’ll be able to have a couple drinks in company over dinner etc.. but it never works like that for me , so I enjoyed your video it was like listening to myself , 5 weeks free at the mo, but my friend and I were very close to dropping into the bottle store on the way to band practice, but we didn’t, just remember alcohol is a poison and a drug if you don’t mind being a drug addict and can afford it , then go for it, it’s a free choice in our culture, no one’s going to judge you, no one really cares anyway what you do, because everyone is busy with their own Stuff, sobriety is a personal thing and being vigilant isn’t easy at any moment during abstinence… the more you think of alcohol the more you will think of alcohol., think of something else, 😊

[@sober-diary]

Thanks so much for sharing. I fully agree, alcohol takes up so much mental capacity even when you've quit. Glad you enjoyed the video, I don't aim to give straight advice because everyone is different. It's more a journal of experience that I'm sure people will be able to relate to. It's exactly what I would have wanted to watch in those first 3 months.

[@johnscott3795]

@@sober-diary hope you’re doing okay. Thanks for the reply, like I mentioned it was like listening to myself haha, 6 weeks for me atm, ..and coming into winter here in NZ, had the thoughts of nestling in tonight with a few hot toddies, but went and got some yogurts instead lol’.all the best. And have a great day.

[@sober-diary]

@@johnscott3795 I was in NZ in October / November, it was my first couple of months being sober. Absolutely love the country, it's the best place we've ever been.

[@johnscott3795]

@@sober-diary churrr bro xx cheers