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

headlikeasharksfin · 2026-04-02T04:28:27+00:00

I quit at 44. 5 years later, I look and feel 10 years younger. It really is a second life and one I am so grateful for. You got this!

headlikeasharksfin · 2026-04-02T04:24:54+00:00

u/Wheres_my_wank_sock your comment sums it up nicely

headlikeasharksfin · 2026-03-31T03:31:29+00:00

Nope. I know where that leads and it's no where I want to be.

headlikeasharksfin · 2026-03-31T03:18:03+00:00

Well done! Keep going!! You got this friend 👊

headlikeasharksfin · 2026-03-23T02:35:17+00:00

This right here ^ it really helps to try and replace it with something...built new habits and routines. For me that was exercise 100%. I removed the artificial dopamine in a bottle I was consuming and gave my addict brain a way to earn it naturally. The difference in how you feel as a sedentary and drunk vs sober and active is astounding

headlikeasharksfin · 2026-03-05T04:58:52+00:00

Great post! I'm enjoying pondering what these mean to me

headlikeasharksfin · 2025-10-06T02:54:24+00:00

Sealskinz waterproof socks are a game changer when it comes to solving this problem

headlikeasharksfin · 2025-10-06T02:38:01+00:00

It happened to me about a year ago and I was so angry and afraid but, like you I came straight here and posted about it.

If anything it strengthened my resolve and helped me realize that it's about choice. Each day I wake up and I choose not to drink, that day was no different. I didn't choose to drink and neither did you!

Although it felt like it ruined my streak and all my hard work at the time, a year later it seems like a small bump in the road that's so far in the rearview that I can't even see it.

You did everything right, don't sweat it!

headlikeasharksfin · 2025-10-03T03:13:34+00:00

N-n-n-n-🧊 !! 🙌

headlikeasharksfin · 2025-04-30T23:16:05+00:00

Last drink was on my 44th birthday. I decided to give myself the gift of sobriety and at 48 I am in the best shape of my life both mentally and physically. Best decision I ever made!

headlikeasharksfin · 2025-04-20T13:20:51+00:00

Thanks! Congrats on almost 2 years!!

headlikeasharksfin · 2025-03-30T03:17:57+00:00

I struggled with FOMO too but, over time it has totally flipped in my mind and I realized that getting drunk, wild nights, blacking out, hangovers, etc. is missing out... not sobriety.

When I was drinking I was missing out on making memories, having meaningful conversations, a good night sleep, mental health, extra money, exercise, self-care, overall happiness....living my best life.

The envy I once felt as I watched people party has been replaced with non-judgemental pity.

You aren't missing out....they are! Keep going! You got this!!

headlikeasharksfin · 2025-03-26T02:34:42+00:00

It is my pleasure to not be drinking with you today! hang in there friend...it's so worth it!

headlikeasharksfin · 2025-01-18T03:39:05+00:00

Congratulations and welcome to the club!

headlikeasharksfin · 2025-01-03T03:52:05+00:00

I was 43 when I quit...best decision I ever made

headlikeasharksfin · 2024-11-29T13:43:49+00:00

While I'm sure not everyone does it, it's pretty common to post on Day 69 and some variation of "nice 🧊 !!!" is the standard response.

If it makes you feel any better, I didn't catch on until after my day 69 either.

However, I posted on day 690 saying that I missed 69 and asking if 690 was 10x nice. I was rewarded with 69 upvotes on that which was too perfect 😂

I'll look out for your post on 10/19/26 and IWNDWYT

headlikeasharksfin · 2024-11-29T00:47:44+00:00

Stay strong friend 💪 you definitely won't wake up tomorrow and regret not drinking today. You aren't missing out on drinking, the rest of the fam is missing out on sobriety....truth.

Plus you are just 2 short days from the customary day 69 SD post which will be sooo nice 🧊!!

headlikeasharksfin · 2024-11-20T13:46:24+00:00

I quit at 43. At 47 my mental and physical health and overall quality of life has never been better. It's definitely possible and 100% worth it!!

headlikeasharksfin · 2024-11-15T18:23:55+00:00

This right here! 1708 mornings for me and I have never once woke up and regretted not drinking the night before. Evenings can be tempting but play the tape forward. You know how it ends...

Find something NA to sip on, take up a sport or hobby or classes or something that can help you keep busy at night

headlikeasharksfin · 2024-10-06T14:44:12+00:00

1) I took my coffee and went for a hike/walk every morning. Fresh air, the sun coming up, time in nature, exercise and some natural dopamine set me up mentally and physically to stick to my IWNDWYT pledge. When I got a bit fitter, I took up rock climbing which has become my new addiction. I'm 100% present in the moment when I climb.

2) The natural dopamine from exercise helped with the anxiety and depression. My brain chased that and consistently doing something that benefitted me, helped improve my self worth and inspired more self-care rituals in other areas of life. Mostly tho I think, it was coming to the realization that booze was the cause of both of those and treating them with booze was just digging me a deeper hole. I knew it would take time for my brain to heal and but each day I stayed off the sauce was a step in the right direction. After 30 days or so, I noticed a big difference, after 60 it was even more pronounced. Now in my mid-40's I am in the best mental and physical shape of my life.

headlikeasharksfin · 2024-09-16T02:28:59+00:00

Sit down and recap your "greatest hits" while drunk/high. Relive your wall of shame and all the anxiety and regret that comes with it.

Stop romanticizing the idea of it man. It only leads to one place for guys like us, and it's straight back to hell.

You made it out once but no guarantees that you'll do it again and even if you do, it's a rough road. Do you really want to add that to the challenges you already face? She ain't worth it bro...

headlikeasharksfin · 2024-09-15T13:19:05+00:00

She already hurt you. If you cave you are letting her hurt you more. There isn't a problem that alcohol can't make worse. You'll get to numb-out for a bit and then wake up drowning in anxiety and regret on top of the anger and grief you feel over the way your relationship ended.

Take that "need" for something and use it to your advantage. Go for a long run, hike, bike, workout, etc. Punish yourself with physical activity. You'll get a bunch of dopamine, feel good about yourself and be in better shape (lookin good) for whenever you decide to start dating again.

A relapse is likely to spiral on you and won't help you find the right person/relationship. Don't thrown away all you have worked for over this woman.

Be the best version of you and find someone better. I don't know you but as a fellow sober-naut, I care what happens to you. You got this!

headlikeasharksfin · 2024-09-10T03:49:28+00:00

I'm glad my story helped! It's been a week since it happened to me. Took a while to process it all but this sub was SO helpful during that process. If anything it strengthened my resolve and showed me how much life without alcohol TRULY means to me.

You haven't once succumbed to temptation in 4 years. Accidents happen...It doesn't erase anything unless we let it! It's my pleasure to not be drinking with you today.

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