A question for sober people...

[iamatoythatpeopleenjoy]

What was your 'I need to stop drinking moment' ? Whether big or small.

I'm on day two and just feel so sad and lonely and tired and lost.

Same as a pp, my parents owned a pub, put me right off it did.
When I was about 29, I had so much vodka I threw up twice and my next day was wasted on feeling ill.

That was that, I have never drunk since.
Hang in there op, you'll feel better for it.

There seem to be a few alcohol threads at the moment and they always jump out to me as I grew up with an alcoholic mother. She did and does drink every day so different to yourself in that respect but like you her behaviour when drunk was very different from her normal personality. It truly brought out the worst in her. Often sexual behaviour with men but also aggressive and abusive behaviour towards family members, paranoia that seemed to come from nowhere etc. I think identifying you have a problem is a huge first step and as awful as it sounds having those negative associations with alcohol will really help you give up. If it is only bringing pain and shame to your life and you have no dependency on it then it will be a shift in mindset rather than actual withdrawal. AA meetings sound like a great start but I'd also confide in someone you know and trust. You'll be amazed by how supportive people can be. I wish you the best of luck. Alcohol and addiction can be ugly, ugly things.

Your username has struck a chord with me. I know that song and it's so, so sad.

You are on the right path. You are doing the right thing. Believe in yourself.

You're way more than a toy that people enjoy. You are your own woman❤️

I should add that I'm not sober myself but naturally have a wariness towards alcohol as I have seen first hand the destruction it can cause.

Alcohol (a depressant) makes Depression worse.

Honestly? There wasn't one. I wasn't even aware of how bad it had got. The drinking, the inappropriate messaging, the loss of ability to function well. I stopped one day when I was ill, part hangover, part virus. I wasn't able to drink. Then I got a couple of days in and realised I had done the hardest part without even realising it. Decided to try for a week, then a month. After that month i no longer has a fuzzy head and had a lot more energy, so decided never to drink again. It was at least 4/5 years last when it hit me how awful and problematic my drinking had been.

You are in a better starting position than I was, you recognise the problem. Go to that meeting. You deserve it, you can do it.

I have also been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, the alcohol was an absolute crutch. I just didn't know it.

Ive never been a heavy drinker so probably not relevant to this thread: but my mum died and I realised I could either continue down the path of comforting myself with food and booze or I could look after myself as best I could to keep my mind clear and stable as possible. It’s really helped me. I haven’t drink since the funeral and I didn’t realise how much alcohol clouds your clarity even if you’re just a two bottles of wine a week which I was.

it honestly makes such a difference to your mental functioning. I’m convinced I would have been in a terrible mental state if hasn’t quit.

I was teetotal until late 30s.
Slowly started to look forward to a drink to unwind to give my brain a rest from anxiety.
In lockdown I decided to do dry jan as I didn't drink much but wanted to be in control.
It was weird at first.But I did it through support on here.
Someone suggested getting to Easter and that was it.
Best thing ever as my skin is better.
I've only had a couple of drinks since 2021.

I got really pissed for the millionth time in my life. I went to bed at 6am and spent the day in bed, either still drunk or hungover. I was vomiting until night time and couldn't look after my kids. I was overcome with a huge, heavy sense of tiredness with the cycle of binge drinking and hangovers. I just felt so worn out. I was so sickened that I stopped drinking for a few months. Every time I would try to have a few drinks, I would get sick and be unwell the next day, even after 2 drinks. Eventually I cut it out completely and have never looked back. I love being teetotal and the freedom it brings. Toxic drinking is a ball and chain around your neck. Sobriety is freedom. I never, ever miss it!

Definitely go to some AA meetings - try different ones as they are all slightly different.
If you keep going regularly, you will make friends with the people there.

I think I was lucky in that I developed a severe distaste for alcohol very early on.

Op, please don't give up hope. It's early days but you're doing super well. Other people have mentioned counselling and the AA, please look into those. They will help you deal with the reasons why you drink and help you over come them. Good luck.

I read somewhere that stopping excessive drinking is primarily an act of self love. That puts a positive spin on it.

I have been AF a few times and this time 2 months and so head strong that this is the place for me!

There is so much available now to support you in knowing that you gain so much from an AF life rather than it being about what you are giving up!

Check out the teetotal trainer on Instagram - he is great x

A parent I knew drank very heavily and suffocated not one, but two of her babies while comatose.

It was horrific to watch, and she didn't stop drinking.

I was a drinker, but I genuinely lost all taste for it after that.

Have you read glorious rock bottom by Bryony Gordon? That might help.