How long to notice the difference

[Rayn22]

How long before you actually think I feel better and I don't want to drink ever again!
Do you actually think that or is there a longing.
I am 48 and drunk since been 16 so 32 years.
I can go weeks without drinking then have a binge but I want the binges to stop.
We have a group holiday planned soon and it all revolves round eating out and drinks. How on earth will I not drink? I want to get to that stage where it really does not bother me but I can't imagine that ever happening. I want to be able to sit with them and still have a good time but I have FOMO. Just starting this journey so hoping it becomes the norm eventually!

I should say it is different for everyone but my friend has been sober a decade and still doesn't mix with drinkers as the temptation is to great. Another one has just done a year and goes to the pub and out with friends no bother.

I just had eleven months off and didn’t feel significantly better for not drinking but I did get used to it surprisingly quickly considering I’ve had alcohol frequently for about 40 years.

However I allowed myself some drinking which gradually ramped up for the past month and feel significantly worse for it. Dry January is welcome and will be easy. I might stretch it out to the rest of the year again.

Short answer - it’s different for everyone but I think it’s easier to notice the damage alcohol causes than the benefits of sobriety.

similar age. Drinking from age 15. Now 2.5 yrs AF.

I can happily handle DH sitting here having a drink, and even a few bottle of alcohol being around the house.
I wouldn’t go to the work’s Christmas party though or any really big nights out unless I was committed to driving so having to stay AF. I think my reasons for drinking so much in the first place was due to anxiety and using alcohol as a crutch in social situations.

I’ve made peace with it because my life has been changed by giving up alcohol.

Read the Big book.

google AA ‘The Doctors Opinion’