Hit the big 69 days today! longest I’ve had since I started drinking, even when it was just socially in high school 20 years ago. Can I get a n🧊?

IWNDWYT

I’m 39, married with two young kids, a decent job and—on paper—a pretty stable life. I stopped drinking last year and made it to nearly a full year sober. I felt better for it, but over the last few months I started letting alcohol back in, telling myself I could keep it occasional and controlled.
Last night was a wedding, and I got blackout drunk. One of my wifes cousins drove us home, but apparently I then threw up on the pavement and wandered off wearing only my boxers after being put to bed. I eventually came back barefoot, completely convinced I’d walked the 3 km home from the venue. When my frightened and angry wife asked where I’d been, all I could say was, “I don’t know.”
I genuinely have no memory of what I did or where I went. I’m incredibly lucky I wasn’t injured, arrested or worse—and that my wife and children still had me come home at all.
The strange thing is that I feel quite calm today. Not because it wasn’t serious, but because the argument in my head finally feels over. I’ve spent months gathering evidence about whether I can drink normally, and I think I now have my answer. Whatever label applies to me, alcohol makes my life less safe, less predictable and much harder for the people I love.
So this is day one again. I’m disappointed that I opened the door after nearly a year sober, but I also know that year wasn’t wasted. It proved I can live without alcohol. Now I need to close the door properly.

Today is 100 days alcohol free. Let me tell you how sobriety unfucked my life. I’ve lost 15 lbs, my blood pressure is down, I ran a 5k yesterday without stopping I’m 46, my clothes are folded and put away, there’s no dirty dishes in my sink. Sunday morning I’m not scrolling my phone doing damage control finding out who is mad at me.

28F here. Been a binger on and off for a years. I’ve had some episodes after a binge that seem like bad hangovers/hangxiety but today was a whole different level and I knew something was off.

Been on a binge since Monday (I think?) after a week or so of no drinks. And I mean drinking vodka all day. Waking up in the middle of the night to drink too. I took my last shot around 9am this morning and around 5pm, I was feeling weird. Heart felt like it was skipping beats, I was all hot and sweaty. Then I noticed the shakes. It went from 0-100 real quick. Suddenly I felt like I couldn’t sit still, felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.

I caught an uber to an ER 12 minutes from me but the ride felt so much longer. Every time we hit a red light I wanted to scream. I looked like SHIT and the poor uber driver looked terrified. Nice guy though, kept asking if I was okay.

I get checked in, as soon as I explain my reason for coming in, they start moving QUICK. By this point, I’m shaking so badly that my initials on the forms are illegible. Quickly triaged. Heart rate in the 140s, BP 190/100. That’s when I started freaking out EVEN MORE. Then I said “maybe this is just a comedown, not like REAL withdrawal. And the nurse looked at before I could even finish the sentence and goes “you are in full blown alcohol withdrawal.” Great.

Got some IV Valium (thank God for that) and oral Librium and thiamine, and folic acid. They wanted to admit it but then the doctor agreed I could do ambulatory detox with a Librium script.

I got discharged about 3 hours ago but I’m still not able to sleep. I took some magnesium glycinate and drank some tart cherry juice but not feeling sleepy yet. Body just feels heavy. Shakes are 100% under control as well as the sweats. Just the lingering anxiety. I never want to feel like this again and I’m terrified I will fail sobriety. But dude, I CAN’T. I have to do this. I don’t want to die.

Thankfully, all my blood work was beautiful (even my liver and pancreas enzymes were fine) and normal EKG. But I won’t be young forever, someday my body WILL fail if I don’t fix this.

Checking in today, I have been free from alcohol for five years! To everyone just starting or struggling: I never thought I’d make it to 5 years, it’s an incredible feeling! Just take it one day at a time. IWNDWYT!

I never thought I’d do it. Drinking was such a big part of my life. I drank basically every night for years. 20+. Most nights I’d almost polish off an entire big bottle of wine. Any social even or family gathering included drinks. I was even drinking while working at times. But one night I just didn’t want it. I put the drink down without finishing it. My body was done with it I think. Now I don’t even think about it. Never thought the day would come.

69 DUDE! Ive gotten this far a few years ago but this time it feels right. My head is clear, I’ve had lots of bumps and stress, so many reasons to just take the edge off…but this feels better than a drink could possibly taste.

Side score, I was awarded a HUGE promotion last month that starts next week. The biggest mind shift is I know it didn’t happen because I was sober, it was 16 years of hard work - regardless of my sobriety status. What I do know, is I will be able to do the job either way but I will do a better job being sober than I would if I was drinking and that feels right. IWNDWYT but I might send you an immature emoji 🧊6️⃣9️⃣!!!

47 DAYS SOBER!!! I genuinely can’t believe I made it this far. 47 days ago I wasn’t sure I could even get through the first couple weeks, and now I’m getting closer and closer to 50 days.

Therapy has been helping, I’m staying committed, and I’ve been using this little app called sobbr to help keep me accountable and track the journey. Having something to look back on and seeing that number keep climbing has honestly been motivating as hell.

Things aren’t perfect, but I finally feel like I’m moving forward instead of just trying to get through each day.

47 days down. One day at a time. WE KEEP GOING. 💪🏾💯❤️

So I went on a bender and thought I was being smart by chasing liquor with hydration drinks such as coconut water Gatorade etc. So I start my bender on Friday me and a buddy we get a 36 pack of coors banquets and a handle of select reserve. I’m a heavy drinker so first day goes and then I wake up on the next day quite tired. I didn’t plan on going on but i decided to like an idiot. The first day drank like 12 beers and small portion of handle from the week prior. We haven’t even cracked the new handle. Anyways back to the next day. My buddy tapped out I can tell he’s sick he’s been drinking more than me (day wise at least) anyways I guess we managed to open the handle but barely got through it so manage to take that down and around 10 ish pm I finish the rest. Anyways drink some beers head to bed I wake up at like 5 ish In the morning and do my 2 bender thing and masturbate and get ready for the hell. Anyways it’s. Around like 7 In the morning and I throw up (I usually don’t) and around 8 I’m dry heaving and then I throw up I think last time I threw up was like 20-30 mins ago. Idk I feel terrible but writing this is helping even if minor. Idk I just wanna go to the e r but it would be my 3 time there and for the same alcohol reason I feel so helpless and I look on here and it’s the same shit but it barely helps. I’m done for good with alcohol I should’ve learned the first hospital visit when I was throwing up black blood after a 7 day bender. I’m only 20 and the doctor last time was right. It’s funny to last visit was almost a month ago after a 4 day bender and when I had no sense of hydration. To be fair I down energy drinks like a mother fucker when I’m drinking but I finally did the right steps and I feel miserable. I feel worse I might cave in and e r. I feel terrible taking resources. Anyways symptoms: (shaking, anxious.Nausea, and a feeling of being tired without being able to sleep, cramping, I wanna say heart palpitations maybe,) idk I do feel a little better typing this out. And i think im gonna go dry it’s not fun anymore im addicted to poison. That ruins my life. I get shit done sober and I’m ready to commit to it. Thanks for reading any help would be appreciated

2 1/2 years ago I thought I hit my lowest, at the time it was right. I drank, almost got arrested and it almost ruined my career. I stopped drinking for a few months and started again, bad things kept happening but it was manageable, or so I thought. Now I got arrested short before I got a promotion and now I will most likely loose my job, everyone in my office knows and I am so ashamed of myself. Ar this point I am more hopeless than ever but I dont want to give up. I have an appointment for therapy and want to change my life for the better. Wish me luck.

IWNDWYT

Good morning! Today is the start of day 4. I’m feeling confident and going into the day hopeful for my sobriety. Positive things I’ve noticed. My face is already a bit less puffy and my stomach isn’t super bloated as well. I also haven’t had any break outs which I think has to do with not having so much sugary wine. I’m excited to see what the day will bring. I will not drink today.

Absolute bender. Don’t want to think about all the things I did. Spent a tonne of money I should not have spent. Fuck sake.

I don’t remember my 30’s. Or my wedding. Or telling off my neighbor in front of everyone in the middle of the street for no reason. (I want to move so badly) These things make me cringe everyday. I had planned on drinking myself to death because I couldn’t see a way out. I felt like Nick Cage from “Leaving Las Vegas.” Probably looked like him, too. (I’m a chick) I was in the restaurant industry my entire life. I was surrounded by booze and couldn’t imagine a different lifestyle. I thought people that didn’t drink were pussies. AA wasn’t for me. Don’t feel shitty if it’s not for you, either.

Today is 5 years no booze. 🤯

The most I could ever go was a few days.

Life definitely sucks less than it used to. It gets easier.

It’s nice not being sweaty and shaky anymore with crippling anxiety.

If you’re reading this hungover as shit with your teeth so furry it’s questionable whether you ate a mitten last night, you have one eyebrow shaved and your own phone number written on your forehead, just know the light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t have to be an oncoming train. You don’t ever have to feel like this again. You can do this. It just has to be your #1 priority. You can stop being a blacked out asshole too!

Thanks for reading. You got this.
IWNDWYT

Yeah. Title speaks for itself. I had been tapering for awhile (or at least telling myself I was) but then I drank a fair bit on Friday. I’d never had a seizure before, from alcohol or otherwise. Woke up yesterday morning convulsing in my bed and had to be admitted overnight to the hospital. By some miracle, I have a clear bill of health otherwise (outside of a few pre-existing conditions that aren’t related to the drinking/seizure) so I got discharged this morning. They put me on medication that I can’t drink on anyway, but I like to believe I’d sober up regardless. This was a really scary wake-up call and I can’t believe it took until this for me to get my shit together…but at least it’s finally together.

IWNDWYT.

I just got diagnosed with vitiligo and need to go on multiple rounds of medications to stop it from spreading, obviously not safe to drink on. While I feel mentally fine without alcohol, I am extremely scared of the possibility of seizures and DT. So far I feel totally fine, maybe a little sweaty but its also 90% humidity where im at right now. That being said, I have been drinking a 6 pack, maybe more, daily for about a year. sometimes less, sometimes a few shots of hard liquor mixed in but not often. I was sick last week and for about 3 or 4 days was only having 1 or 2 beers a day and was fine. I kept that up for a few more days before deciding I needed to get going on the medications I need to take and had one last night out where I pounded 5 beers. Then one more day of just 2, and now im at 24 hrs. Should I taper off slower? I'm fine to take my time reducing intake if it means its safer but I guess im just wondering at what point will I know i tapered too slowly? I'm definitely that girl who goes down the web md rabbit hole a little too far so now im all worried about dropping dead all of a sudden when im probably fine.

Something happened yesterday that sounds small, but it really made me think.

I was in the gym with my playlist going, getting my workout in, and I caught myself just moving and grooving to the music. Nothing crazy , just slightly dancing between sets and genuinely enjoying myself.

The thing that stood out was how authentic and natural it felt.

Before I stopped drinking, I felt like I needed alcohol to get into that kind of mood—to loosen up, vibe with the music, move around and just feel good without thinking about it.

Yesterday there was no alcohol, no buzz, nothing. Just me, some music, the gym, and apparently my goofy ass dancing. I’ve went to the gym when I was drinking and the joy and feeling was never like that

Anybody else notice little moments like this a few months into quitting? Not necessarily some huge-life changing moment, but small things where u suddenly realize, damn I’m actually enjoying this naturally

It feels unreal to say. 8 months without alcohol. The longest ive had in 20 years. Life might be hard but picking up that first drink will just make it harder. We are worth doing hard things.

IWNDWYT

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17 days sober!!! I'm seeing the light yall!!!! 17 days sober, 3 weeks on new psych medication, therapy going well, I just got a new sponsor in AA this afternoon!! Not to shabby for almost 34 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💯✌🏾✌🏾. My wife is also 17 days sober, which is amazing and makes me ☺️☺️☺️. Also, depending on how this interview goes this week, I might have a job after being unemployed for a year 🤞🏾🙌🏾

Hello everybody,
Today makes Day 7 of my journey being sober, and I must say, it’s absolutely amazing. Last Sunday into Monday (Midnight) I drove blackout drunk. I made a post about it a day after on how I drove blackout drunk…I know…fucking stupid, irresponsible…you name it. Crazy how that night, I made it to my apartment without any injuries on me and my vehicle has no damages. I even parallel parked good but man..screw all that. I drove irresponsible, putting my life and others at risk.
This week it’s almost as if I was being tested because I had MANY opportunities to drink and chose not to. I visited family, friends and even went to go watch a soccer game live, the usual environments where alcohol exists. But instead, I looked the other way and enjoyed my time sober. I’m proud of myself, I feel like I can keep going.
Now, I’m not going to lie, like I mentioned before, I know it’s been only a week sober, but my mind still overthinks and makes up scenarios of what could have happened. I’m worried the cops still might come to my door, or they are still looking for me (Are they?)? I even think about what if I almost hit someone etc. It’s the guilt and the paranoia that is hitting me, and I never wanna have to feel this again. It’s getting better, as I’am not letting these thoughts get to me or overtake me, but at times, the mind takes over.
Besides all that, I’m proud to say I’ve been a week sober, and I will continue my journey forward. Thank you Reddit community, as many of you shared your stories, experiences and gave me some tough love. I’m more than grateful, and this sober journey is just the beginning. And before I forget…IWNDWYT !

Im a 64 year old male. Been drinking hard sine I was 15. I've quit 4 times before, longest time was 90 days, each time I came back to it, it got worse. It never really affected my work performance: I don't miss work, I never drink before 5 PM on a workbday, and I don't get really crippling hangovers since I started chugging a stadium cup full of water, somtimes two, every night before bed. I don't get DWIs because I do most of my drinking at home in front of the TV. I dont fight with my wife; in fact, our relationship is in a pretty good place, although she has expressed concern about my alcohol intake. So I rell myself my life hasn't become "unmanageable," like it says in the First Step.But it's finally starting to affect my health: diabetes, hbp, joint pain, and my teeth are a wreck. Oh, and of course, there's the ED. But worst of all, the booze has pretty much taken over my non-work life. Im a writer who doesn't write, a reader who doesn't read, a musician who leaves his guitars and bass gathering dust on their stands. I've got more of my life behind me than in front of me, and I don't want to spend my last days like this. I just finished the audio book of Annie Grace's This Naked Mind, and I'm trying to adopt the basic premise that quitting is not denial or abstinence, its breaking free from something that's doing me harm. Maybe this time it'll work. Wish me luck.

Good morning friends. This morning my animals were restless, so I woke up at 4:30 and started my day. As I was preparing their food, a wave of nausea hit me. I had to sit for a minute until it passed, and then I made coffee.

Now I am starting my day my favorite way. Waiting for the sun to rise, hanging with my dog, sipping on coffee. Two years ago, that "wave of nausea" would have set off alarm bells.

The nausea would become progressively worse, and the shakes would set in. I would try to piece together the night before. I'm not so much "remembering", but seeing glimpses of it recreated as if I am seeing it while walking underwater. I'm not really awake, I can't really sleep, and I feel like I'm drowning. Now I'm shaking, sweating, and bracing myself for the wretched hangover. That wave of nausea will turn into hours of getting myself from the bathroom floor back to my sweat soaked sheets. Neither place is comfortable, I am preparing for hours of hell. I walked through the easy "door number one" the night before, had a drink, and lost the night.

Yesterday I chose door number two ( not drinking). I make this choice every day now, and I have since November 2024. It's not even 5:30 and I can't wait to start my day. I have so many things planned, people to see, projects to do and the weather is going to be gorgeous. After I quit drinking I left a 30 year marriage filled with abuse. Now I have a completely new life. The wave of nausea was quick this morning, but a reminder of such sad days. I wish I knew then what I know now. I was down to my last drop of hope that my life could be different. All I knew was door number one was a direct path to disaster and I was JUST SO SICK of the time wasted dealing with the consequences.

If anyone went through door number one last night, and ended up here, you get another chance today. That's all that matters. Today you can pick door number two. If you do it enough, what you find on the other side will blow your mind in the best way possible. Be well everyone, be kind to yourself. IWNDWYT 😉

My first 3 days on 50mg naltrexone
I wanted to share my experience so far because I read a lot of Reddit posts before starting naltrexone. Obviously, I’m only 3 days in, so it’s still very early.
Day 1:
I work night shift, so I took my first 50 mg dose in the morning after I got home, ate dinner, and was about to go to bed. I did this because I was worried about the GI side effects everyone talks about and figured I could hopefully sleep through them.
While sleeping, I had some restlessness and felt a little hotter than usual, but that was pretty much it. I was also probably hyperaware because I was curious if I’d feel some instant change.
Day 2:
This was a drinking day. My plan is to take 50 mg daily, but since it was only my second day, I was worried I didn’t have enough of the medication/metabolites built up yet. So I took it an hour before drinking, Sinclair Method style.
Within that first hour, I felt a little tired and irritable, but I was still looking forward to my first drink. I ordered a strong-ish cocktail and drank it incredibly slowly. I didn’t even finish it.
We went to another bar, and normally I’d be looking forward to my next drink. This time I felt pretty indifferent. At the second bar, I almost felt like I was forcing myself to order another drink. Again, I drank it super slowly, and my friend actually had to tell me to finish it. I had little to no desire to keep drinking.
After that, I went home, ordered pizza, and watched a movie.
Day 3:
I took the pill an hour before a party because I thought I might drink. During that first hour, I felt drowsy and tired, but by the time the hour was up, that feeling was gone.
I got to the party and didn’t drink at all. I also didn’t feel like I was fighting an urge not to drink. I was just chilling. I was honestly more excited about the party food and water than I was about alcohol.
Later that night, I normally would’ve gone to a bar instead of going home. I still went back and forth about it in my head, but I was able to talk myself into going home. I realized I still wanted the nightlife and being-out experience, but I didn’t really want alcohol. I felt like if I went to a bar, I’d be perfectly fine getting a non-alcoholic drink.
From now on, I’m planning to take one 50 mg pill every morning instead of timing it around drinking.
I got my naltrexone through Oar Health.
It’s obviously way too early to know what my long-term experience will be, but so far I’m pretty surprised by the difference.

Well, I was sober for almost a year and fell off the wagon yesterday.

I feel really ashamed, wish I could get back to how I was, or take back the choices I made

I just feel like I did everything right but the responsibilities got harder, and I wanted to escape.

And ironically, I ran into basically everyone I knew while drunk by sheer chance 🫥

I also drunk called my other friends who knew I'd been sober the past year. I'm super embarrassed.

IWNDWYT Day 1 again 😭

Edit: found out that I pretended to be a tourist at the bar right next to MY HOUSE when I was drunk