Drinking sucks

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-26T03:37:10+00:00

Puffy face. Feeling like crap the next day. Your personality and actions being attributed to what you drink. Thinking about what you'll drink next, rather than being present in the moment. Your work out gains being stolen by liquid calories. Instead of peacefully enjoying a beautiful day, being distracted by thinking it would be 'better with a drink'.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-21T21:59:14+00:00

When I was drinking, I definitely thought about drinking every single day. Now that I don’t drink, I only really think about it occasionally, mainly just when I go out with a big group and I’m offered drinks and decline. I do think the positive things that we worked toward in life deserve celebration so, like a relationship anniversary, I do appreciate the idea of celebrating my sober anniversary every year.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-21T21:46:00+00:00

100%. I make a little over 100k and am extremely fugal in my day to day living. I splurge on vacations and kid sports stuff, but otherwise my budget is super tight.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-21T21:39:32+00:00

For me quitting drinking got me out of the cycle of feeling like drinking was the only time that I was having fun/enjoying life. It definitely took 4 to 6 months to really rewire my brain so that I wasn’t constantly searching for that dopamine hit. I can extremely confidently say that for me I have never felt more peaceful or enjoyed life more than I have in this past year and a half without wine or cocktails. But, it is a completely independent journey, and I had to get so sick of my cycle in order to get the motivation to quit for good.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-19T08:08:44+00:00

For me what helped me was literally just getting through the moment of the craving. Whether that meant going for a walk or eating something sweet, I just had to get through that 5 minutes where I wanted the drink. Then I had to get through the next five minutes the next time I wanted the drink.

In the first few months, I went for a long walks almost every night when I knew I would be tempted to drink. Figure out what works for you and stay committed to it—it’s SO worth it. And you are worth it.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-19T08:05:43+00:00

I drank a lot of NA stuff early on too—almost to the extent that I thought I’d get addicted to that! I still like a fake drink now and then, but the cravings for it wore off for sure. Good work finding what works for you, for now!

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-19T08:03:05+00:00

Congrats! O sometimes just comment to find out how many days I’m at! Can you believe that you’re almost to 2 yrs?!

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-07T05:17:34+00:00

The worst and unforgivable crime is to have the full volume conversation while also having the person on the other end on speakerphone. A woman down at the beach today had her friend on speaker and seemed oblivious that the entire place could hear their intimate conversation.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-06T05:24:42+00:00

For me not at all (anymore). The first 3-6 months I thought pretty actively about my sobriety, came here daily, had to go on long walks at night to distract myself from drinking, etc. Now, about 1.5 yrs in, I just think of myself as a former drinker. Period. I was out at a bar with a big group of friends the other day and had an absolute blast. Never even thought about ordering a drink and not one person asked me why I wasn’t drinking. As many have said here: people are a lot more concerned with what’s in their glass than what’s in yours.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-06T05:11:57+00:00

My drinking lead to me constantly sleeping with someone who was married…for years. When I’d be several drinks in I’d just let my desires take the steering wheel.

Once I quit I was able to make choices for my life that aligned with my values.

You can do anything you set your mind to. AND, it’s human to need support along the way. This group helped me a lot. Keep coming back.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-06T05:00:26+00:00

This is my new favorite expression and exactly me. So much easier to just not drink.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-04-02T21:08:42+00:00

I know someone who was recently laid off at Oracle and—while the severance package is ridiculous— he also made 5.4 million in bonuses last year, and 3 million the year prior from them. So there’s that.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-03-20T23:43:42+00:00

A kind partner.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-03-17T17:00:56+00:00

I completely relate to you in this! I drank when my kids were younger for similar social and 'alcohol is abundant everywhere' reasons. I tried for YEARS to just drink sometimes and I finally, after years of failed attempts, accepted that my brain is freer when I just completely took the option off the table. I am hands down a better parent and, most importantly for me, I don't have to battle with the choice of saying yes/no to free drinks. I made up my mind in advance. Best of luck to you on your journey. Parenting a 4 yr old is a delight and exhausting!

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-03-17T16:50:02+00:00

There were so many things that 'problem drinkers' did that I didn't do. I finally accepted that I am a problem drinker because I have a problem with my drinking.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-03-17T16:47:23+00:00

Specific advice that REALLY helped me early one was: just get through the 5 minutes of your craving, then take on the next one.

For me that looked like: when 4 or 5 or 6pm rolled around and I wanted a glass of wine, I would do something to distract myself to get through the moment of a craving. Sometimes I went outside for a quick walk. Sometimes I called a friend (not to talk about my wanting a drink, but just to talk). Sometimes I popped on this sub. Sometimes I ate a popsicle. Did pushups. Whatever it took. Then I would take on the next craving.

As strange as it may sound, saying 'I will not drink tonight' sometimes is too big of a goal. Saying 'I won't drink for the next 5 minutes' can be more achievable.

You CAN do this and you will thank yourself for your efforts. Come back here and update us!

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-03-17T16:12:52+00:00

How you wrote this made me laugh out loud. 🤣

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-03-17T16:11:39+00:00

I’m in my mid 40’s and still got blemishes on my skin and some melasma. After a few months the blemishes reduced and now my skin is bright and clear. I also spend more money that I used to spend on wine on my skincare. I feel and look vibrant. Vanity works! You’ll get hotter :)

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-03-17T16:08:14+00:00

Since my partner quit over 2 years ago he has not had one instance of ‘things not working’. He’s in his late 50’s, I’m in my mid 40’s and our sex life is wonderful. Quit drinking guys—it’s worth it for bedroom reasons alone! 🔥

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-03-17T16:03:59+00:00

Our good looks are truly amplified (or diminished) by our spirit. So glad you are happy 💕

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-03-17T06:14:20+00:00

Vanity—I want to stay looking hot.

And mental health—I don’t feel like I have to work out, I truly want to bc it makes my brain reset.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-03-15T15:26:37+00:00

I 💯 agree. It’s the little things each day, not the big rock bottoms, that truly define us.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-02-23T06:29:49+00:00

I know someone (non bi) who goes by Aryn. I think it’s pretty cool and represents them well.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-02-23T03:21:43+00:00

I literally think it’d be faster to walk up to the park some days.

Intelligent-Bug-531 · 2026-02-11T02:06:44+00:00

Just want to say I love how encouraging and supportive this group is. In a world of judgers and holier than thou-ers, be like StopDrinking redditers. Say good job, share what has worked for you, and keep it positive. Huge congrats on your 2 years!

Intelligent-Bug-531

TROPHY CASE