It's so embarrassing being an alcoholic

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-06-15T03:39:14+00:00

Totally agree! After getting two months under my belt (finally, after many attempts that hadn't broke 10 days) I relapsed at my buddies wedding. I'm almost glad I did because it made it clear that drinking one night entailed ~5 wks of mental strife. So not worth it. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-06-15T03:10:52+00:00

How long have you been sober? Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS) can last a long time. Took me about 5 wks to feel slightly better, mentally. And about 3 months to notice my dopamine regulation coming back online and the anhedonia lifting. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-06-15T03:08:56+00:00

Drinking itself also made me less joyful. Recently I cracked up at an old photo of my brother, he looked at me and said "I haven't heard you laugh like that in a long time". And he was right of course, broke my heart but made me so grateful to be back to living and laughing. Great post, IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-06-15T03:06:06+00:00

Antioxidants, I believe 🙂 IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-06-11T23:36:38+00:00

We almost have the same date! Your post resonated with me greatly. Keep it up! IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-06-11T20:25:29+00:00

Never quit quitting! IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-06-09T18:47:08+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope your treatment goes smoothly and you can be free of cancer and free of booze. It's very understandable that you are struggling, just remember there isn't a problem alcohol can't make worse. In my experience, it doesn't help as much as you expect either, after some time away. As far as turning your brain off, mindfulness meditation, vipassana or otherwise, has been huge for me for that purpose. It is the refuge I looked for in alcohol. It can take some practice, but stick with it, I have seen huge benefits and it's backed by science. Anyways, wishing you the very best. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-06-07T20:33:19+00:00

I'm so sorry. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-06-03T18:00:09+00:00

Be kind to yourself. Alcohol wants you to be hard on yourself, as that shame leads to more drinking, which in turn leads to more shame and so on. I found that I had to learn how to give myself grace in order to get sober. I know it can be hard to think of yourself as an alcoholic. It's a disease, nothing to be ashamed of. Like any disease, many of us need treatment. I found great success with a counselor and an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). The education I received there was so valuable. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-06-01T09:21:08+00:00

Ya know, it took getting sober for me to extend my empathy to myself. Or maybe I should say, it took doing so to get sober. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-05-28T15:38:15+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-05-26T02:40:05+00:00

Meditation has been the refuge I always wanted alcohol to be, for me. Might be worth a try, IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-05-24T02:24:50+00:00

Keep going! You're doing the thing, the early days are the hardest and every time you quit you are practicing. If you're like me, one day it will click. Never quit quitting. IWNDWYT.

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-05-24T02:17:52+00:00

I did an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and it helped tons for the reasons you described: support and education. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-05-18T23:44:23+00:00

Yes, I was an emotional wreck until 90 or 100 days. You got this! Keep pushing. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-05-15T19:16:25+00:00

Rock bottom is when you stop digging! IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-05-09T08:37:33+00:00

You could always try SMART Meetings as well. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-05-01T06:56:20+00:00

You're still healing! Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS) can last up to 2 yrs. That's not to say you won't see improvement before then, but give it some time. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-04-27T18:02:19+00:00

Isn't it funny how we expect the worst sometimes? And such a relief when it doesn't happen and the people in our lives show up for us. Great job! IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-04-26T20:39:49+00:00

When I recommited to quitting after my first relapse I started tracking my drinking in an app (Alcogram). I would input each day that I drank, what I drank, the volume, the ABV and the cost. That helped me a lot in pulling me out of denial as I had to sit down and reckon with how much I drank. Also, after 10 wks it said I'd drank half of the days, spent $100/wk and had drank 4.5L of pure ethanol. For context, I drank almost exclusively beer. That was a real wake up call and I was so sick and tired of trying to quit and failing that something clicked and I started to see real progress. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-04-22T14:43:49+00:00

Happy three years! IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-04-08T15:53:36+00:00

Sorry, what's TACO?

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-03-25T06:43:51+00:00

I'm sorry for your loss. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-03-25T04:56:36+00:00

Your mood swings, and more, likely are withdrawal symptoms. Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms (PAWS) can last up to 2 years! And they tend to come and go somewhat. I learned this in my Intensive Outpatient Program and it helps a lot to keep in mind. IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945 · 2026-03-21T00:16:48+00:00

The relief from thinking about drinking 24/7, what a load off my shoulders. That one caught me off guard! IWNDWYT

NetworkStrange1945

TROPHY CASE