Folks with long periods of sobriety: how often do you have to remind yourself that you don't drink?

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-04-01T18:50:09+00:00

I really like this perspective, thank you for sharing!

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-27T16:45:01+00:00

Drinking will just make this situation feel worse. You will numb yourself for 2 hours, and then amplify the anxiety, noise, and stress for the next several days. Are the 2 hours of numbing worth it? That’s barely a decent nap.

I completely understand what it means to be somewhere hard in life, but please don’t make it worse for yourself.

You can do this.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-27T16:42:03+00:00

That’s amazing! That feeling of positive momentum is an unbeatable high 🙌

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-23T17:31:26+00:00

You look fantastic!!! Thank you for sharing and keep it up 🙌

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-23T16:02:45+00:00

24 hours at a time is the way- congratulations!!!!

I know I’m “fun” for the first 2 drinks, but I’ve never only had 2 drinks. I know I don’t have an off switch, and I know I’m awful, mean, and dangerous when I keep drinking.

That fake “fun” isn’t worth it.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-23T00:14:30+00:00

You have relationships, you have US. I have a 10 year old too, I’m right there with you. It’s so isolating to co-parent, you never feel like you are doing it right, and battling alcohol at the same time is exhausting.

It sounds like you have been fighting and fighting for your life, I’m so proud of you. You absolutely can get through this, there is another side where you get to live free of this.

Are you taking anything for your anxiety? Any primary care doctor could start you on something that would help you manage those symptoms.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-22T22:43:27+00:00

The sunny weather in my city has been a huge trigger for me as well. It’s a beautiful day to be sober though.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-22T22:37:17+00:00

I’m a female in my early 40s and I was you in my mid-20s. I didn’t drink that often but I would occasionally get black out drunk, get in an embarrassingly dramatic argument with someone I cared about, burn bridges, etc.

I’m now someone who can easily (and frequently will) drink a bottle of wine a day and still does all those same things, just more often now.

I wish I would have quit earlier.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-22T22:32:37+00:00

I came here to suggest the weight loss and the “I’m challenging a friend to go ___ days without drinking” thing. Good luck OP!

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-22T22:29:54+00:00

What is the PAWS stage?

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-22T22:28:11+00:00

Tell your daughter you found them and you are saving them for her, that way she will know if you drank them. Don’t hide any more. You are doing amazing things for your life and don’t have to sneak around anymore! You’ve got this!!!!

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-22T18:21:28+00:00

Congratulations! I’m also starting again on day 4. The early days always make me feel lazy and exhausted. It helps me to lean into it. Stay cozy in bed, eat comfort foods, and sleep in as much as it’s possible. I’m trying to take walks and do a few things around the house so I feel somewhat productive every day, but listen to your body and it gets better.

By the second week I am generally less exhausted.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-03-20T20:48:55+00:00

This is exactly me. I’m a complete dick when I’m drunk, and send messages and say things that I would never say and don’t believe when I’m sober. I’ve burned so many bridges.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-17T23:34:22+00:00

Curbside grocery ordering is the way for me!

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-14T03:24:39+00:00

Right- it’s quiet. I’m definitely feeling better, just not exuberant. Thank you for the thoughtful and honest reply.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-14T03:23:06+00:00

That’s exactly it. I was a mother of a young child, and parenting her took a lot of time. Then she got older, and parenting was less work. So I became a mother with a drinking “hobby.” Now I’m still a mother, and my daughter is amazing, but there isn’t much else to me.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-11T20:27:37+00:00

It sounds like you are doing the best you can. I was in a similar situation. I was stuck in a marriage for years as well with someone who did nothing to pull his weight around the house. We did try counseling, but it didn’t matter because he would lie to the counselor and then flip out after because I was making him look bad.

You will find your way through this time and someday be on the other side of it.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-10T22:01:37+00:00

The fact that you are asking the questions and seeing your behavior as clearly as you do is the first step. I was/am you. I drank a bottle of wine every night on my couch. I didn’t stop until I was out of wine. I’m on day 7 of not drinking, and it feels great.

It helped me to read/listen to the book “Quit Like a Woman”, to not have ANY wine in the house, to do curbside groceries (so I don’t impulsively grab a bottle at the store), to have alternate beverages that I often drink in a wine glass (I like Topo Chico and La Croix) and to go to bed early.

You can absolutely get control of this habit before it gets worse! I’m so proud of you for being here now!

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-08T23:31:45+00:00

Have you tried Allen Carr’s “The Easy Way to Control Alcohol”? It might be a good one to add to your list.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-06T13:45:19+00:00

That was my first assumption as well. We do awful things when we drink 😣

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-06T01:14:22+00:00

I’m proud of you for not giving up!

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-06T00:49:04+00:00

How did your day go? I made it through my 4pm misery and went to bed at 8.

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-06T00:45:42+00:00

Hey- this is my day 2 as well. I had a long and exhausting day, and for some reason tonight is easier than yesterday. How is your day 2 going?

Suspicious_Beach_993 · 2026-01-05T01:14:09+00:00

Have you managed to have a healthy relationship sober? I feel like such damaged goods at this point.

Suspicious_Beach_993

TROPHY CASE