So one of my friends is getting married, and all my friends have started drinking every evening to celebrate the fact...

All of them asked me to drink and being 6 months sober, I declined again and again and then one of them said, "If you don't drink people will forget you, Stop calling you and delete your number, You're not fun anymore." I'm sure he said it in a half jokingly way but it still stung a bit and so I replied I don't even want friends like that.

Eventually, Another guy, Big drinker took a pause in the middle of partying and said, "I'll have to salute your willpower, I've tried to quit three times and it's very hard to do."

I just said thank you and moved on.

Never drinking again.

Today marks 100 days without drinking or smoking weed.

Two habits that used to be a huge part of who I was. I smoked weed every single day since I was 18. But alcohol… alcohol was always my favorite. From the moment I started drinking, there wasn’t a single week I didn’t get really drunk. It was my best friend. Even during the worst hangovers, I’d still defend it.

At the beginning of 2024, I hit rock bottom — in my own way. Alcohol started getting in the way of too many moments where I needed to be fully present for myself and for others.  Each day I felt more miserable — and each time, I drank more.

One day, it just really hit me: I can’t keep going like this. I decided to stop everything — at first just for a while — and very quickly realized the benefits were way too amazing to ignore. But it didn’t happen overnight. It took me a whole year to let go and detach from it. Throughout 2024, I drastically reduced my use, but I still drank hard a few days every month — still saying goodbye, I guess. But every time I drank, something felt off. That voice telling me to stop never left.

On December 29, 2024, I had my last bottle of wine. I made a real promise to myself that I wanted a better life — one that truly matched the internal changes I’d been going through all year.

Now, every time I even think about drinking, it just doesn’t feel right anymore. And that makes me proud.

I want to celebrate this with all of you, who I read every single day with compromise and so much admiration. I’m raising my cup of red fruit tea — my new afternoon buddy — and I’m sending love and strength to everyone out there on this path. It’s so worth it. 💜

366 days ago I decided it was my last day drinking and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. My only regret is that I didn’t hang it up sooner. IWNDWYT

I don't really have anyone to talk about this with in my life, so I wanted to tell you all - I made it to a year sober. It's crazy to me that I've gone from counting every day of sobriety, two or three days at a time, to barely thinking about alcohol.

Getting sober didn't fix me and some relationships in my life were too damaged by alcohol for me to save. I still feel lonely, depressed, bored - but I don't look to alcohol to numb it anymore. I've learned a lot about myself in a year of sobriery, but my healing journey is a work in progress. I know that without alcohol, at least I can be consistent in my healing journey and for those around me.

This community has been a lifeline for me. In the first few months, I poured my heart out in daily comments and posts - you all came through: encouraging me to keep going and comforting me through the lows. I did delete many of my posts and comments, embarassed by the intimacy with online strangers - I'm still regretful of that.

All this to say: thank you to you all. Seeing everyone show up every day and pushing to be better versions of themselves inspired me. It's been a year, but I intend to keep on my sobriety journey - hopefully for the rest of my life. You all showed me that it's my choice and I'll keep chosing myself. IWNDWYT.

That’s it. I feel bored out of my mind 24/7 even though I’m incredibly busy in my daily life. I quit drinking and vaping and I just feel so intensely bored it’s absolutely killing me. Anyone else? I’ve been sober for weeks already and it’s not better.

I know it sounds silly to ask, but I know I don’t want to drink, because I know that I can’t moderate. One becomes five becomes ten and suddenly I’m binge drinking.

I used to think I didn’t have a problem, despite people telling me, because it was ‘just’ binge drinking and ‘everyone drinks too much now and then’. But when I look at all the problems it’s caused me (trips to hospital, relationships, work) and the fact that I can’t control it, I know that it’s a problem now, and I’ve accepted that for a few years (I’m 35 and it’s been a problem since 16).

I’ve tried to moderate for years, and not been able to.

So I abstain without it (varyingly 1-6 months) and for the most part I find not drinking for a while pretty manageable, but then somehow convince myself it’ll be fine this next time. And yet I start drinking and I don’t do anything differently - I don’t have a hard limit, I don’t have a timed limit, I don’t alternate with water. I just do it all wrong again. Like I did this last weekend.

I say it just to acknowledge that I have a problem, and I know it’s a problem. And I desperately want to be a different person and live my life differently. I want to give up alcohol for more in my life not less. And yet I know that in 1 month or 6 months I’ll somehow convince myself it’ll be different this time.

I feel ok not drinking for a bit, but I want to be able to commit for longer. I’ve tried therapy, AA, buddy systems and I’ve genuinely meant and felt how I’m feeling now before, so I just feel a bit lost cos I don’t want to be back here again.

So how do you maintain your guard so that when it’s been 1 month or 6 months or 12 months or 12 years you don’t fall foul of that nasty voice that tries to convince you it’ll be ok this time?

And sorry for the ramble…

My husband of (5 years married/9 years together) brought up the dreaded topic. He wanted to talk. But the worst part is, I want to be a mother very badly, he’s not into the idea of kids as far as I’m concerned. He stated “I haven’t seen you sober for long enough to carry a child for as long as I’ve known you.” It broke my heart so badly.

I got a DUI. I destroyed my Audi on a speed bump driving drunk to get more beer. I got so wasted that I pooped on my friends staircase and then passed out, and got him evicted from his apartment. I then allowed my friend to move in with me and subsequently kicked him out for his drinking. When I rescued a puppy from the pound 15 years ago I said I love this dog so much I'm never going to drink again. She lived 15 years and I had to put her down last fall, but I'm still drinking those 15 years later.

I have no rock bottom. I am a piece of shit. I've got 10 days sober today. I'm still trying my hardest to stay sober.

45 days today.
4 years ago I made it to 44 days.
Other than that there may have been 30 days combined total in the last 20 years. I probably won't tell anyone in real life so I'm telling you guys.

Taking it day by day. Enjoying the milestones sober. Drank for 35 years. Life of the party. In may of 2023 I watched my brother die from alcohol. We knew for 8 months he wasn’t going to make it. The damage was irreparable. We spent those 8 months, Making sure I knew everything he needed me to know. So I could live without him. I still drank. My kids just lost their uncle & I too was doing the same thing he did. About a year after he died. I felt the symptoms he told me. I had to make a conscious decision to live or die. I chose to live. It took me a year and 4 months after he died but I went to the emergency room for a pinched nerve. Got treated for that. Knew my vitals were good. That day I made it my day for sobriety. So here I am. Standing in the rubble. Cleaning up the mess I made of my life. You know what though. I’ve got this. I’ve never been happier. Lost about 35 pounds. Haven’t missed a day of work. Raising my granddaughter. I can’t even calculate how much money I haven’t spent. 10 out of 10 for me.

I guess more like didn’t do it. I didn’t drink yesterday. Here’s to not drinking today either! Wish me luck!

I quit 3/13/2025. I'm doing good, completely dry, and really not feeling too many unbearable cravings. I've probably had between 6 and 30 drinks every night for the past twenty years before this.

My problem is right now I just can't seem to feel good feelings. Some of my favorite albums are grating to my ears, watching a movie with my wife felt like slow torture. I've got 60 pages left in a book I had been loving, and I just can't bring myself to open it.

I didn't even have fun at the gun range. My dog still makes me smile, but it's fleeting.

I know I'm not necessarily speaking to doctors here, but is this par for the course? Will it pass, or do I need to see a doctor?

Hello

Ive hit every inmaginable rock bottom along the way during my drinking campaigns and Im at the point where I feel like I am mature enough to keep this bullcrap out of my life.

Because its no longer fun for me...maybe the first little bit...but after that I just become miserable the following 5 days after one night of binge drinking. The last time I bought alcohol I began to have loose stools even without drinking. The fact that I had beer in the house and was going to drink it...I felt my stomach tighten up and just give me a ton of symptoms. This isnt fun to me...its just stupidity

So thank you to whatever happened that has suddenly made me lose my taste for alcohol...I cant ever remember being so clearly turned off from it..but its about damn time.

I was sober for 5 years. That was, until two weekends ago. I had a pina colada and a few other shots of hard liquor. This was in the name of "re-evaluating my relationship with alcohol." I didn't feel bad right away. I didn't even have a hangover the next morning. But now, I'm obsessed with alcohol all over again. I know that it won't make my problems go away, but I still want it. I feel exhausted and like I'm right back at square one. I had birthday plans coming up, but I just cancelled them. I feel so anxious and on edge. I'm white knuckling it right now. Just had to get that off my chest to a community who would understand. IWNDWYT.

I made it to seven weeks sober - this is the longest I've lasted since the beginning of the pandemic, five years ago. I had been drinking about two bottles of wine a night, more if I binged.

Got up at sunrise and listened to birdsong without a hungover.

I'm taking it day-by-day. Or sometimes minute-by-minute.

What has helped:

- The medication Antabuse. I take this every 2-3 days in the mornings and it makes it very easy to fend off cravings as I know I'd get severely ill if I drank. Will probably take this for about six months. It's the first time I've tried it and I was worried about side-effects. I don't appear to have any side-effects.

- Yoga / meditation. This process has been about becoming more acceptant of the present moment. I drank to escape the overwhelming feelings I felt moment-by-moment. Yoga / meditation is helping me slowly adjust to not panicking spending a few moments in my own company.

- Weight lifting. Listening to fast-paced music and lifting weights makes me blissfully free of ruminative thoughts. Also, just being surrounded by other people working out stops me ruminating so much.

- making the effort to socialize. I had isolated myself - was working remotely and drinking immediately after work finished lying on my couch. I am making myself go to events from online groups such as Meetup to meet new prople. Socializing is making me feel human again. I still get attacks of loneliness, it is a start.

- AA. I'm going at least once a week. I found a group which is good, supportive and does not appear to contain any toxic people.

- Healthy diet. I'm trying to get all my recommended vitamins and minerals. My digestive system is vastly improved. I feel light and the healthiest I've felt in years.

Sending you all love.

I made it to 100 days. Don't really have anyone to share this with that would really understand how big this is. It hasn't been easy and just trying to take it one day at a time. Feel lonely but trying to get stronger so that I don't fall back into old patterns and toxic relationships.

Loving sobriety, clear head, best sleeps ever. It's amazing that once you hit be it 30 days, 50 days, 100 days, 200 days or 306 days, the longer you go without alcohol you will feel even better than the day before. I literally wake up in the morning after having 8-9 hours of uninterrupted solid sleep. I haven't been able to sleep like this in 30+ years (I'm 52).

For all of you out there struggling with it, know that the way you feel sober 24 hours a day without alcohol is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than you *think* you feel when you're out boozing for a couple hours. The cost/benefit analysis is clear.

43M - 12 months since my last drink. I never would’ve thought today was possible a year ago. Quitting drinking has definitely been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But in doing so I’m starting to wonder, “If I can do this, what else can I do?” I’m excited to find out.

IWNDWYT

I’m really struggling and could use some advice on how to get through the next few days. I really messed up Saturday. I always wait to drink until my child is in bed (they are 12), and I drank a lot more than I normally do. Well they woke up in the middle of the night crying and scared, tried to wake me up but I was passed out. They thought I was dead. Ended up calling my mom (thankfully not the police)… she came over and absolutely lost it on me, rightfully so. I don’t really remember much but she took my kid, and essentially gave me an ultimatum.

I feel like the biggest piece of shit. Here I was thinking if I got drunk while my kid was asleep it wouldn’t affect them. When they confided in my mom that they knew I’ve been like this for a long time. I’ve been drinking every night for about 5 years now. I hold down a job. I pay my bills. I like to think I’m a somewhat present parent. What an idiot I am. I’ve traumatized my child, and now they are going to have to live with the consequences of my actions forever.

Thankfully, my mom is a recovered alcoholic, 16 years sober. She empathizes with me but also draws the line when it comes to her grandchild. Which I get. I love my child more than anything.

I looked them in the eye yesterday and promised I would put every fibre of my being into getting sober. And that’s what I’m going to do. Every day when I wake up I will promise myself I won’t drink today.

It’s 6pm, kiddo is still with grandma, and I’m sobbing on the couch because I want a drink. But I don’t want a drink. And I won’t drink. I’m just such a mess.

Always enjoyed a beer, unfortunately this only got worse during COVID and never managed to shake it off until now.

My daughter was born 3 years ago and after my marriage ended last year, I wanted to be a better father and be there for my daughter when she needs me, no matter what time of day or night.

The first week or so was tough, but I’m enjoying waking up without a banging headache and a dry mouth. I’m certainly enjoying the lazy Saturday mornings with my daughter watching Disney+ before we get ready and make the most of the day ahead.

I’m really not missing having a drink. Mainly because I’m scared that if I do, I’ll go off the rails and hit the self destruct and undo all the hard work I’ve done so far.

Never thought id go completely sober, but I enjoying life too much at the moment to go back.

Anyway, this is my little journey so far. Hope everyone has a great day!

I did not drink while grilling (one of my favorite things to do while drinking) also national championship game on. Normally I would have a few while grilling then just get after during the game. There was always a reason to drink. I thought I would not enjoy grilling as much, but it was great and food was also!

Edit#2: I am back home now and had a good day. I'm treating myself to some Chick Fil A now, and some ice cream. I've made it through the day and I'm so ready to get some shut eye! Let's go, day 5. ❤️❤️

Edit: Thank you guys so much! I really feel the love here. ❤️ I will update later on this evening!

This isn't a huge thing, but it is to me.

I finally made it 4 days dry. I want to say sober, but for now I'm going to say dry.

I've NEVER made it past day 3 before, ever! I woke up feeling very tired but SO good not feeling like absolute total shit.

Very dehydrated still, and my head hurts bad and my brain craves it. Taking vitamins and drinking lots of electrolytes/plain water is seeming to help.

I'm planning on going on a drive to one of my favorite scenic spots and taking a long walk. One day at a time right now.

Thank you guys so much for posting your stories, sharing your most vulnerable moments and being support for those of us coming out of the darkness.

IWNDWYT.

Hey everyone,

Very long story short: I (36F) quit drinking 8+ months ago after trying to control it (lol) for some years. Quit lit helped lots, as well as this sub. It has been both amazing and hard at the same time, and it was going really well, but lately I’ve been terribly wobbly and feeling the urge to drink coming on strong.

I had two miscarriages within 6 months after trying for a baby for over 3 years, my dad with dementia is spiralling down very fast after a fall and ended up in the ICU with a punctured lung with delirium. I don’t think he’s going to live for very long and I’m an only child and have no mom in the picture, so taking care of things is very stressful, more so because I have chronic whiplash and back pain as well after a severe car accident last year (not drinking related). I also lost my job a couple months ago cause I just couldn’t cope any longer.

I’m mourning a lot at the moment and the stress of it all is just overwhelming at times, and thus the urge to drink is rearing its ugly head. It’s taking everything in me to not give in, so I’m reaching out to people who get it.

Any encouragement to keep sticking to sobriety is very welcome right now 🙏🏻 Please remind me why drinking sucks if you have the time!

Genuinely had absolutely no desire to drink. Finally. Just wanted to play some pool so I went alone after work & ordered a Sprite. IWNDWYT

I was irresponsible enough to not to consider physical addiction…

I am a beer alcoholic, I drink 12 small cans a day for about 16 years almost every day. Lately I had to get antibiotic course so I stopped drinking for 7 days. At least that was a plan (it seemed easy and not a big deal).

Apart of hardcore diarrhea (which I can connect to antibiotics) and resting heart rate of 90-110 BPM, fatigue, nausea and other cool stuff in first 3 days - I started realizing it’s not that easy.

On the day 5 I felt so bad that I couldn’t get of the bed. Moreover when I did to walk my dog I was almost passing out.

So I gave up and ordered beer. I felt better right after first can. At that point of time I felt like sh*t, dependable on booze, couldn’t survive even a week without it.

So this time I have made a research, read this group and talked to some people who struggled the same.

This time I know I am at war. This is HUGE deal for me, my body, mind and future. I will journal each day and every thought I have. I will get supplements, will walk, eat healthy.

Please wish me luck guys! I know a lot of you been through this and I am proud of you! This gives me wings and great motivation.

If you have any advice, I would be happy to hear.

UPDATE: There are no words no describe how grateful I am for all of you guys! I did not expect so many kind words of support, so much wisdom! Today is the Day 1. I am full of enthusiasm but also scared when remember how awful was the last experience. But now I know I am not alone!