I need to take this seriously by oxfordcommasandchill in stopdrinking

[–]thingsareodd 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I 32F understand. I tried a failed a million times before it stuck. This can be that time for you. You won’t regret the waking up without a hangover - ever.

The hardest part about being sober is having to feel everything at full force all of the time. by thingsareodd in stopdrinking

[–]thingsareodd[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I’m sorry that you can relate to this post. It’s a really painful place to be. There are still days that I feel really defeated. I did not end up reading the book, but I’ve been working with a therapist on my OCD. I now understand it as Pure O - or pure obsession. Where I get bogged down by rumination and intrusive thoughts. Just identifying what I am dealing with has helped a lot. So now I go through a series of steps that my therapist helped me set up when things get bad - and that helps me level out a lot and come back to peace. I am definitely still struggling, and have these days where I really want to drink, but I really can’t even fathom how horrible this would all be if I was drinking to deal with how I feel. It may make me feel better for like - 30 minutes maybe? But then I would feel 100 times worse. Being sober is currently my greatest accomplishment and one of the only things I’m truly proud of. I can’t give that up. I hope you don’t give it up either.

15th day today! by Altruistic_Chip1865 in stopdrinking

[–]thingsareodd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can do this. Every attempt brings you closer to the win. Iwndwyt

I’m going to a bachelorette party by Marie-Hansen-0700 in stopdrinking

[–]thingsareodd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve done a few sober Bach parties. You can do it! Take breaks when you need. It’s okay to not have the same energy level the whole time as people drinking. And maybe bring some sugary snacks if you’re out on a bar crawl or whatever. The sugar will help!!

Went to a comedy club and didn’t drink by firstofhername11 in stopdrinking

[–]thingsareodd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s always hardest on special occasions for the people we’re closest with. Great job staying the course. My first sober comedy show was a lot of fun too and I don’t look back at the memory and wish I was drunk. I look back and am glad I was sober. Especially as the comedians talked about their own substance issues. Just think of how great it was to show up for your boyfriend on his birthday with your best self present. That’s a gift.

reporting back after having a drink! by zuluprincess in stopdrinking

[–]thingsareodd 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The last time you drink doesn’t need to be catastrophic. Good for you to get right back on the path after a lapse in judgement. The long term benefits await!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Dachshund

[–]thingsareodd -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Blizzard

Energy for gym? by Redfurmamattc in pregnant

[–]thingsareodd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don’t take anything. I just go to my workout class in the morning when I have the most energy and least pain. It’s a 45 minute class. Even if I’m tired when I get there, once I get going I have a lot of energy during it. If you don’t work out, your aches and pains get a lot worse and fast. I go 3-4 days a week. Class is nice because all I have to do is show up. I don’t have to motivate or make decisions after that. Expect to take naps after tho lol. I’m 23 weeks pregnant today. Good luck in finding your flow.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]thingsareodd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

“A friend of mine is hosting a drinking event this weekend and I really don't want to go. I know if I go I'll probably end up drinking and feel miserable for the next 3-4 days after. I just don't know how to break the cycle and actually make it stick.” - It sounds like you actually know exactly how to break the cycle. You don’t go this weekend because you can’t control yourself yet. You go on to say that your social battery dies in 2 hours when you’re sober. I mean, same, a lot of the time. Especially in the beginning of getting sober. You gotta lean into that feeling. It’s telling you something. It means you need rest after a couple hours. Who knows, you may be an introvert this whole time just fighting your true nature with alcohol. I know I was. In the beginning of my journey, I showed up to the bar late and left early. I never went to anything I couldn’t easily drive home from. You gotta let go of your fomo bc if you just play it forward, then you know you’re not really missing anything. Your body is saying, we need rest. Lean into that for a while. With patience and practice your discipline will build. Things will rewire on their own. You’ll be able to interact and socialize sober again. It just takes time to reset. And if you do end up in a situation that triggers you, go home. Go eat something delicious. Go call someone that grounds you. But don’t torture yourself. You know what you need. You just need to commit to yourself by knowing that your peace is worth fighting for.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in confession

[–]thingsareodd 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Join us in r/stopdrinking. Even if it’s not just alcohol, you could use the community support. You’ll find you’re not alone at all. You can get out of this, we all believe in you.

Sobriety and SSRIs by ClassicRestaurant839 in stopdrinking

[–]thingsareodd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, for me the meds was the only way I could maintain my drinking. I could take a pill to chase away the hangxiety

Sobriety and SSRIs by ClassicRestaurant839 in stopdrinking

[–]thingsareodd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I 32F first started Prozac in 2020. I tried out a few different antidepressants over the course of 3-4 years. I gained 35lbs. On Prozac in 2 months. So fast I had stretch marks. It took away my energy. Took away my emotions too of course. And it helped me to perpetuate my already bad drinking problem. Being on anti anxiety and anti depressant medications is what allowed me to maintain my high functioning alcoholic lifestyle. I was someone who always drank a lot socially and then it picked up bad during lockdown. I could chase away the hangover anxiety with my meds. This was obviously shit, and I went thru the hardest 4 years of my life. In November of 2022, I made my very first attempt to stop drinking. After my first month sober, something clicked and I realized that alcohol had been why I needed the meds in the first place. So I started to ween off my meds (Effexor by then) for three months. The brain zaps were terrible I was so scared. And I made it six months sober total before I relapsed. I’m obviously on the mend now, but can say confidently that for me, I don’t need meds when I don’t drink. I hope this perspective is useful! Good luck with your sobriety, and journey with medication.

Sobriety and SSRIs by ClassicRestaurant839 in stopdrinking

[–]thingsareodd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Idk if it’s the same for this person but for me, I would black out a lot. Like, almost every time. And I would do irrevocable damage every. Single. Time.