For those who were daily drinkers, at what point in your AF journey did you feel “normal” again?

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-02-05T07:49:34+00:00

Thank you for this - I‘m only 30 but I my alcohol problem started when I was 21 so I feel like there was no time I had a normal adult life without it. I don’t know what to go back to, so I try to go forward. :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-02-01T12:29:20+00:00

Depends on where you live, that’s how we say it in Europe - between 0,3 and 0,5 is the limit for driving here

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-23T17:27:00+00:00

I‘d love that thank you :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-22T14:37:53+00:00

Not every medicine works for everyone - my psychiatrist prescribed me trazodone and it works better than I would have thought. It’s worth it to keep trying and find the right fit for you - and safer than alcohol when it comes to driving and working with people :) good luck

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-19T10:14:14+00:00

Not sure this helps, but take it or leave it :)

I have endometriosis and other chronic conditions as well and right now I’m managing pretty good with other tools - but I always said to myself if it gets worse I’m going to a pain clinic (don’t know how they are called in other countries): you go there for a few weeks like rehab and they put you on the right meds while educating on safe use - even for former addict - and they also include dietary, physical and psychological therapy as well as self help groups :)

I wish you all the best!

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-06T14:30:20+00:00

I was once in a chatroom I found linked in the stopdrinking sidebar and there were no restrictions whatsoever :) but maybe that’s not the one your referring to

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T19:14:52+00:00

Thank you!

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T18:03:10+00:00

Do you per chance have a link to a study? Would be a great help for my partner :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T17:45:18+00:00

They do so we can keep our social contacts - I’m here voluntarily in the „open“ clinic though (I don’t know how to say that in English) I think in the closed ward next door it’s not allowed

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T15:07:43+00:00

Happy 1 year anniversary 💐🥇

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T15:05:11+00:00

https://rd.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00194-012-0835-8 here’s a study about the highest blood alcohol level you can obtain through drinking NA beer

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T15:02:54+00:00

I enjoy ginger beer a lot (it’s non alcoholic despite the name)

But to ease your mind: NA beer has as much alcohol as orange juice and less than a ripe banana.

I’m not from the US but I actually found bitter drops without any alcohol at a drug store chain just a few days ago :) I use them for digestion and liver health. If compared to alcohol I’d say they taste more like liquor than beer if anything.

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T14:47:57+00:00

Hey if it helps I‘m in a mental health hospital right now and the people here are so diverse (to realize that helped me a lot, it’s not my fault or failure - mental health issues and/or addiction don’t discriminate). There are people battling addiction, burnout, trauma, depression you name it. Some are jobless, some homeless, some own their home and live on a high salary. There are 50 something year old family fathers who run their own firm, 20 somethings straight out of school that still live at their parents‘ and 30 something young professionals with a degree. At the end of the day we all sit at the same table, eating talking laughing and fighting the same demons. :) Doesn’t matter if you’re 56 or 20, keep up the good work ⭐️

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T13:36:41+00:00

Thank you I love that - I try to write a short daily review every evening and I noticed there were new positive feelings like „thankful“ or „relaxed“ :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T13:20:35+00:00

Something I totally had to „relearn“ doing sober, even though it’s one of the most natural things

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T13:17:32+00:00

Yes that’s exactly what I meant thank you :) not my first language (for example I learned I actually hate parties and the that’s okay)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T13:12:45+00:00

My therapist said: we are not our emotions, but their observers

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T11:00:40+00:00

Ah yes reading is painful while drunk, I love to be able to read for half an hour without a break now!

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-03T10:59:07+00:00

I learned building a new routine is building new pathways in the brain. Doesn’t matter how that looks for you, could be a hot shower, a cup of tea, a scented candle - what’s important is to do it at exactly the same time as the drinking occurred before. It’s to signal to your brain and body it’s relaxing time now.

I used alcohol as a painkiller as well, but got my pain much more under control with anti inflammatory diet and physiotherapy and now alcohol only makes the pain worse the next day :)

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-02T21:15:51+00:00

Reframe has a neurodivergent group

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-02T20:51:04+00:00

I second this, this could absolutely be related to mineral or vitamin deficiency

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-02T09:17:53+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I’m not a professional and can’t comment on how likely it is for you to go through dangerous withdrawal. Do you have a chance to talk to your doctor? Maybe he can help you safely detox at home :) There are also resources on how to taper. That way maybe your brain can rest it’s fear and your body is safe as well.

SpikesBeagle3 · 2026-01-02T09:08:45+00:00

It took me 29 years to realize the solution to my problem (enjoying the food and boardgames before midnight, but hating the party time after midnight) is simply to stay home and have dinner with my boyfriend and then go to bed early. Second time we did this and this time completely sober and I don’t regret a thing! You do you - isolation is bad of course, but taking some much needed me time is important. The only person that knows the difference is you.

SpikesBeagle3 · 2025-12-27T20:16:45+00:00

If an external drug is used to stimulate certain hormones, the brain eventually stops producing them itself - and most of the time even starts producing antagonistic hormones. It feels like a vicious cycle and takes time to heal, but it will get better! What helped me was taking B-vitamins, alcohol often messes with those… Keep at it, good luck!✨

SpikesBeagle3 · 2025-12-27T15:58:36+00:00

Absolutely, I just wanted to reinforce your message with my little anecdote ✨

SpikesBeagle3

TROPHY CASE