How long before I start feeling the benefits of quitting alcohol?

[BunniesBunniesBunnies]

I’ve been drinking far too much (maybe three bottles of wine and a bottle of spirits per week) for a while now. I hadn’t had an alcohol free day for the longest time and with lockdown I also started drinking earlier and earlier.

I never think of myself as an alcoholic (rarely get drunk, don’t get withdrawal if I don’t drink for a day or two) but many attempts at moderation have failed so perhaps I am...!

Anyway, I decided to stop for a while and I have now not had any alcohol for the last three days. I don’t feel any better though! I still feel quite lethargic, get headaches, sleep poorly, etc. I remember this from it last attempt at quitting probably did ten days without booze and felt no better for it🙁

When will I start to feel the benefits? Or do some people not experience any benefits from quitting? If I belong in the latter group I think I am doomed...🙁🙁🙁

Well done you try and stick with it, I was like drinking a lot as a teenager (19yo) not an alcoholic but would off turned out that way if I didn't stop now in the last 10years I can count on one hand I've had a drink, it takes time for the body to Adjust to not having the alcohol but definitely the best thing I ever did and it isn't until you stop you realise how much you was actually drinking

Good luck in your journey

I just wanted to update this thread! I guess no one will read this zombie update 🧟‍♀️😂

But if you clicked on this thread because you’re thinking of giving up booze - Tomorrow I will be three years sober!!! I stuck with it and oh my god I feel so so so much better now (this didn’t take three years though - promise😂). I am fitter, healthier, calmer, happier, smarter, funnier, prettier, richer and so much more😁😁😁

My only regret is I did not quit sooner!😁😁😁

Well done! You've done a great thing, you must really feel on top of the world! 👏👏👏

Thank you @ScottishLavender I feel really good about it! Life still isn’t a fairy tale but the tough bits are so much easier to deal with sober☺️☺️☺️ And the best bits are a million times better sober!🥳

Hello Bunnies! I was on one of the other alcohol free threads with you a fews back too - under a different user name - positively sober - I too am now over three years sober, also very glad I did it and feeling the benefits. 😃

Actually, no a different name, that's me further down, Jess😃

@Chocolateismyfavourite well done to you too!!!😁😁😁 I do remember your old username!😁

That’s brilliant. Well done. I’m sitting here after a long weekend and a full bottle bin and thinking, something has to change. You are inspiring. 👏

Thank you 😊

That's brilliant well done :)

Thank you @AllIeveknewonlyou!
@Els1e I know the feeling!
if you’re considering quitting, there’s a long running sober thread full of old and new people, I wouldn’t be sober today without all these lovely people! We’re a very friendly bunch☺️ See thread link below

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/alcohol_support/4777454-the-support-thread-continued-for-an-alcohol-free-life-all-welcome?page=5&reply=125365555

I stopped drinking last August for the same reasons @BunniesBunniesBunnies . It was getting ridiculous and expensive and I knew it was detrimental to my health. I've had two 'relapses' when I allowed myself to be pressured into drinking (Christmas and a family party) and although I didn't get drunk or have very much, I felt lousy for a few days afterwards. Both physically and emotionally. I haven't had a drink since January now and I would say it was a pit a fortnight when I started to sleep better and I've gradually just started to feel more 'well' if that makes sense.

I've lost a stone and saved a fortune. I downloaded an app, which gives me a reminded every day of how many days sober I've been and it's a nice nudge in the right direction. I didn't really like the use of the word sober as it made it sound like I was rolling around drunk half the time, which wasn't the case, but I was drinking far too much and I needed to do something about it.

Keep it up, it will get easier, really it will.

Oh I feel a bit of a dickhead now, I had no idea this was such an old thread!

Well done @BunniesBunniesBunnies , I hope to be where you are.

Thank you @WillowtreeHouse , don’t feel like a dickhead it’s my fault for reviving my zombie thread😂 And well done to you too!!!

Thanks @BunniesBunniesBunnies . I’ll go and have a look.

@BunniesBunniesBunnies well I remained sober for around 9 months. Just recently I'm thinking I need to give this another go. I still absolutely cannot moderate!