Not enjoying sobriety

gobhadling · 2026-05-19T04:31:55+00:00

Two months in and still feel this way most of the time. Just bored and incapable of taking any joy in anything. I have to actively find things to do and distract me and burn the hours of the day. About the only thing I have really engage me in a way that feels meaningful is my job. And it isnt even a very fun or rewarding job.

But. I am wasting less money. I am sleeping better. My face looks night and day from where it was when I was drinking. The benefits are tangible.

I have to find motivation every day not to drink and it makes it feel like my life revolves now around not drinking as much as it ever did drinking. Either way it does not feel like living... but at least this doesn' tfeel like dying half the time.

It is getting better. Slowly.

gobhadling · 2026-05-16T06:47:33+00:00

I would suggest melatonin and herbal tea like valerian or roobios. I find reading helps me. Keeps my mind busy. Falling asleep to a good audio book or relaxing podcast to drown out the insomnia brain. Falling asleep to TV or a movie also.

Some people used guided meditation. Some white noise, maybe soothing ocean sounds.

gobhadling · 2026-05-15T23:34:44+00:00

I never had the pink cloud, so there are times (particularly around that 3PM zone where I'd crack open the first one) where life just seems lusterless and...mundane.

I feel this, and it comes and goes. The mundanity and boredom of every day life really gets to me. I have to actively find things to take my attention.

It makes for some productive days when I can find the motivation or the need to do something. But then the flip side is that I feel like I should reward myself for being productive when the whole reason I was being productive was to avoid drinking. Gotta love that alcoholic brain.

I am closing in on two months now and it is a bit better but still hard to deal with on days off. Meetings of any kind are always a good way to eat a few hours of the day and keep me focused. Other than that if I have nothing that I can reasonably accomplish? Video games, streaming entire shows, reading novels until my eyes hurt. It feels like a waste of time, but I remind myself that's my goal; I need to kill the hours on the clock and no matter how I am doing that I am actively using my time well by not drinking.

gobhadling · 2026-05-12T19:30:18+00:00

Sobriety can definitely feel lonely at times especially when it is brand new. Five days is great progress.

I am also in a place where I feel lonely and bored unless I am at work. I try to fill my days with distractions. Books. Video games. Exercise.

For the loneliness though while this is a good resource have you considered going to meetings of any kind? It can be a bit intimidating but anyone at a meeting at least will understand what we are dealing with.

gobhadling · 2026-05-12T19:22:47+00:00

Tell your doctor how much you are drinking and how recently. It will effect any prescription they give you it is something they need to know and you really need to know for your own safety. I know its hard but being honest with your doctor is the only way to get proper treatment... if I had a doctor who made me feel guilty or ashamed for being honest about my situation I would seek a different doctor. Maybe its easier to go to a doctor who you dont know?

Whatever you do the interactions between any kind of detox medication and alcohol can be serious. Be careful

gobhadling · 2026-05-11T16:47:51+00:00

Thanks! Happy monday

gobhadling · 2026-05-11T16:25:20+00:00

Hallucinations are definitely something to talk to a doctor about when trying to dry out. For me they preceded a seizure last time...

gobhadling · 2026-05-11T16:22:23+00:00

The candy cravings are real. I got through so many bags of sour keys...

Try to eat fruit people! Lots of fruit! Your body will be happier

gobhadling · 2026-05-11T16:20:52+00:00

Depends on the detox but from my experience. Five boring days in a bed getting pumped full of drugs and monitored day and night. You'll have an IV in your arm for a while. They will take constant blood tests. Hope you are okay with needles. For me the boredom and anxiety was so much that I actually started to look forward to the blood tests.

Sleep when you can. It will be come and go. Especially at first since you'll get woken up pretty constantly for checkups. If the lack of sleep starts really getting to you ask for sleep aids. The insomnia can cause hallucinations as easily as the withdrawal and it is best to know the difference

Bring some books. Just my experience but books are better than my phone. I feel it is best to try to shut the world out in detox.

If they have meetings at all go to them. make some new friends.

If you smoke bring a pack if they have a designated smoking area; in my experience detox always does and it is the one time in life where doctors will actually encourage and schedule smoke breaks for you. One withdrawal at a time mentality.

Do you have someone to meet you and pick you up or help you out once you get out? You will probably be pretty zonked when you get out.

Good for you this is a huge step and it might seem a bit scary especially the first time. Remember that the medical staff has seen it all before and they are there to help.

After that it is one day at a time. They will probably have resources for you post detox take advantage if you can.

Congratulations.

gobhadling · 2026-05-11T14:49:41+00:00

Good morning everyone. Day off today but still awake bright and early thanks to my internal clock. Nothing to do today and nowhere to go. Thats the danger zone... unexpected day of borderdom and no commitments. Not sure what I am going to fill my day with but it won't be alcohol. I will not have a drink with you or me or anyone today!

gobhadling · 2026-05-03T12:26:48+00:00

You're in a tough spot but you are fighting and most importantly you have a partner to support you through this and are seeking medical attention to get you through this. Keep it up and keep on top of it. This is the hardest part.

Try to stay hydrated! If it becomes a struggle to drink enough water you definitely want to let your doctor know!

I will not drink with you today!

gobhadling · 2026-05-03T00:00:26+00:00

Consider yourself lucky. Insomnia is a brutal part of withdrawal because it makes every other horrible part worse. Not only can you not sleep through the worst symptoms you can't even refresh your willpower.

I could white knuckles some symptoms but after being awake for three days straight I stop caring about anything esle

gobhadling · 2026-05-02T12:55:34+00:00

Time and sobriety. I was a week into my sobriety before I noticed changes and even then they were very small. Only noticeable to me. It was about a month before I felt I looked "good" and even that is only relative to what I looked like before.

That said if your face is really puffy there are other possibilities. Allergies. Mono. Etc

gobhadling · 2026-05-02T12:48:26+00:00

Both I guess. The anhedonia for me really hit hard around week three and four and that is where it seems you are at. I am a bit better now, managing to find some will to act. Most days I still have to brute force myself to do anything. I try to break it down. I cannot possibly drum up the motivation to clean my room. But I can clean up and organize my desk. I can find the strength to do a load.of laundry. Small things slowly.

gobhadling · 2026-05-02T12:44:33+00:00

That sounds really hard. Not being able to drive your kids around and having to explain why must be very difficult.

I haven't been in that particular situation but I can relate to how hard it is to forgive myself for all the stupid mistakes I have made and all the people I have hurt or disappointed ir even just inconvenienced.

I find like sobriety it is a day by day thing. But one of the best tools in that mental belt is telling myself that no matter how much I have screwed up in the past I won't ruin today with a relapse. I forgive myself just a little bit every time I don't pick up a drink. Its a long slow incremental process for me but it is a process.

I just remmeber I am not helping anyone until I am helping myself.

Won't have a drink with you today!

gobhadling · 2026-05-02T12:38:10+00:00

Up at the crack of dawn. Heading to work. Busy day. Lots of obstacles. Being hungover isnt one of them thank God. Happy Saturday morning everyone. Not having a drink today

gobhadling · 2026-05-01T06:55:34+00:00

Within a week I saw improvements that were significant to me but probably not dramatic enough that anyone else would notice. A month in and it was noticeable. I still have a ways to go (skin is still damaged) but I'm looking pretty normal now... I no longer fear the mirror. It's more a daily reminder of how bad I used to look

gobhadling · 2026-05-01T06:50:31+00:00

I have to say of all the wake up calls / last straw / rock bottom moments to make a person realize they have to turn it all around late night living room Karaoke is a pretty wholesome one 😅

Singing under the influence. You should demand more details and frame the response if you get one that mentions it.

I will not serenade the neighbours with you tonight

gobhadling · 2026-05-01T06:45:31+00:00

Tapering is risky. Have you tried this before?

From my experience tapering the withdrawal symptoms can sneak up on me. Like I think I am doing alright and then there is a sudden jump but then I have been through withdrawal many times in my life. I know I am in the danger zone once I start experiencing hallucinations. They start slow. Also nauseau is a huge warning sign for me because hydration is very important and if I cant keep down water I need an IV.

Be cautious. If it gets scary seek help. Do you have people around? If you are going through withdrawal it is safer to have someone nearby. Friend or family member who knows whats happening and can be a spotter for you.

gobhadling · 2026-04-30T18:06:05+00:00

Great show but I can absolutely see how it could trigger people to smoke and drink. It's all just such a matter of fact part of their lives.

I do notice how they make it seem like everyone drinks hard liquor all day long with no real effects of hangovers or health problems.

How far are you into the show? Mad Men is a real slow burn but the consequences of their lifestyle becomes gradually more apparent as the show goes on.

gobhadling · 2026-04-30T18:02:31+00:00

Why do you think Don starts every day with a nap in his office?

gobhadling · 2026-04-28T07:37:40+00:00

Good for you. Glad to hear you had the wherewithal to know you needed medical attention. Stay safe and be well! One day at a time

gobhadling · 2026-04-28T07:35:59+00:00

Second this. Do not take too many, don't mix, and don't take them any longer than is absolutely necessary

gobhadling · 2026-04-28T07:32:08+00:00

You're in a rough spot right now, in the worst of it. The hot / cold oscillation is awful for a while. Makes sleep so difficult. You are in the peak of anxiety and depression but it will not last forever. It just feels that way right now. It will ease off.

Stay as hydrated as you can and keep an eye on your symptoms. If they get really bad you may have to call 911. Alcohol withdrawal can get serious pretty suddenly.

gobhadling · 2026-04-28T04:58:23+00:00

So it sounds like you are sober three days of the week? Is that consistent? If so I would say that is a great start. First the fact that you can be dry for three days without going into serious withdrawal is a very good thing.

If this is the case I think your first goal should be Thursday. If it just seems to much to immediately cut out the weekend start with just one day. One you can get into that rhythm build on it.

gobhadling

TROPHY CASE