I would never - ever - ever - recommend drinking to anybody. But weirdly enough there is some support out there that beer and wine drinkers get less kidney stones. Probably from constantly chugging water to offset the hangover and diuretic properties of alcohol.
Made a Pros and Cons list of drinking lol -
Pros: Maybe less kidney stones? Sort of?
Cons: Literally everything else.
You're kidding right ? Advil is rough on the stomach but it's Tylenol that destroys your liver with alcohol ... Just saying this to avoid confusion for other people ...and it goes for the initial comment also ;)
I’m just at the beginning of this journey and yes, not waking up with a parched mouth and thumping chest at 3 AM is wonderful. Thank you for your inspiring post. IWNDWYT
This is truly the worst feeling... It would feel like I was going to die in bed. I couldnt get comfortable, I felt unwell, my head had a throb if I moved the wrong way. Terrible.
Totally. Or when you wake up at 3 AM knowing you were stuck there. You weren't going to fall asleep again, nothing is open, it's too strange to get up and start the day so you're just stuck there in that feeling. Horrible.
This was me every night for 6 years. I can confirm it is the worst hell imaginable. I’m still waiting for the dark circles under my eyes to clear up now that I can actually sleep at night.
It's the typical hangover headache- If I don't move at all, I am fine, but if I even would roll over in bed, I would get a horrible pounding ache behind my eyes on one side of my head.
The added bonus to the 3am panic: beginning the apology rounds and damage control. I’d sent off a series of “I’m so sorry” texts and lay in bed knowing that I wouldn’t get a single response within 4-5 hours minimum
The other day I was thinking about how I used to spend entire days without getting anything done. More often than not - drink, watch tv, maybe get some food. A huge day might include laundry. The amount of stuff I get done before 10am on a Wednesday now is incredible.
This is the number one thing for me. So much done!!! I had the same To Do list for months!!! I now know that it was depression but I was too busy drinking to analyze or address it.
The random bruises is probably my #1 reason for deciding to quit alcohol and I didn’t know other people had this issue! I never remembered falling or whatever happened, and it scared me I’d have a more serious accident while drunk.
I've been reading this since I was a kid and alcohol still got me:
"Show me someone who drinks too much, who has to try out some new drink, and I will show you someone miserable and sorry for himself, always causing trouble and always complaining. His eyes are bloodshot, and he has bruises that could have been avoided. Don't let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, though it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly. The next morning you will feel as if you had been bitten by a poisonous snake. Weird sights will appear before your eyes, and you will not be able to think or speak clearly. You will feel as if you were out on the ocean, sea-sick, swinging high up in the rigging of a tossing ship. “I must have been hit,” you will say; “I must have been beaten up, but I don't remember it. Why can't I wake up? I need another drink.” - Proverbs 23:29-35
At the lowest, I identified with this a bit too much. Alcohol is still the same as it was 2600 years ago when Solomon wrote that. I am grateful to be done with it. I hope it sticks for me like it did you! Congrats on 5 years! That's amazing!
I woke up with a cut on my head once and it hurt for over a week and I have no idea how/where it came from. It's a bit terrifying to injure yourself and have no idea how or any recollection of it.
I wandered out of bed in a drunken sleepwalk once, fell down the stairs and landed directly on my head. How my family didn’t find me there dead the next day, I don’t know.
Congrats! Just wanted to echo how great this place is. Like you, this place was my lifeline those first six months. I spent at least half an hour here everyday just reading posts. You guys taught me so much, I honestly couldn't have done it without everyone here. We represent the best of humanity.
Same. I always tell people about r/stopdrinking. It's this slice of the internet with the kindest people. Whenever I feel tempted I return here and just read people's posts. The tips, inspiration, encouragement, strategies are endless. It's just so great.
It really surprised me! I hate social media and limit my news time. I googled quitting drinking enough that it led me here and found a place on the internet where people are nice to each other. It’s amazing and has helped me a lot.
Seriously! It took me \~6 years of lurking this subreddit, starting periods of sobriety and then caving before I made it for this streak. The advice on this subreddit is absolute gold and can be accessed at any time of the day/night. Helped me so, so much.
Yeah, it sucks. I've found these help the most for me. Top to bottom of requires most to least energy!
1. Hard gym work out
2. Write 3 pages of dribble, stream of consciousness
3. Headphones on and listen to music realllllllly loudly
4. Sleep
5. Eat sugar in whatever format
My bad! I didn't realise I couldn't link my video. I thought it would be okay because I've seen others post how they mark their milestone with jewellery, tattoos or other creative things!
Hell yeah! Keep going. It may not be the case for everyone but, I found the first part the hardest - those first days and weeks. You're right in it so just keep chipping along!
I relate to almost all of this. You'll notice this account was created yesterday. I've been on reddit over 10 years. Thanks for sharing. Posts like this are why I'm here.
Yeah! I lurked on here for 6 years making accounts, starting my counts over from scratch and then deleting the accounts. But, lurking here helped me put a game plan in place. I owe this community everything!
That's awesome, you're definitely inspirational, well done!
I love the video too by the way, I really like your editing style, but most importantly; you look genuinely happy, no fake smiles. Well done on your journey!
Thanks! It really did take quite some time for the worst of the "fog" to lift. Still sifting through a bit, but It's been a slog to feel emotionally and mentally better.
At 5 years, what did that trajectory look like for you?
Great stuff! There’s loads to love about sobriety even if some days it’s doesn’t feel that way 😂 and I agree that while it’s me who has put the work in to get here I would not have done it without this community. We normalise the journey and focus on the success of sobriety not the pitfalls of addiction. IWNDWYT
Congrats! I had a major slip up this past weekend and fuck do I not miss this feeling.
I had been sober for a while and the thought of 'partying one night is not a big deal you should do it you deserve it' started to creep in.
I have learned my lesson.
Proud of you, I will come back to this post for motivation.
IWNDWYT
Same happened to me around the 4.5 year mark. I was like -- well, I've done sobriety, check. Let me just go back occassionally. It's why I made that video. While I started working on it, it gave me accountability to the promise I'd made. It's wild how our brains just forget mental and physical pain. Wishing you a good week. And please don't be hard on yourself
Congrats man, hard not to be. I did a lot of shameful stuff when I was drunk/high and fuck I almost did it again this past weekend. Got blacked out did cocaine and I guess I had the presence of mind to just get home but I’m nervous that it’ll somehow come out what I did?
I know it’s unlikely I just feel ashamed and so stupid. I knew this lesson I was so happy sober.
Thanks for responding I’m working on giving myself some grace.
What is it about 3 AM? How do we all wake up with anxiety at the same time worldwide? Thanks to all of you I haven't had that experience in 466 nights.
I seriously just thought my heartburn was cause I was getting older.
turns out a bottle of 11-14 bottles of wine per week do a number on your body.
now it’s completely gone.
Congrats! Your experience is inspiring. Question...do people still ask you why you're not drinking or does that go away. I'm about tired of having to explain myself.
Nah it doesn't go away. I have the good (funny? weird?) fortune where people just assume I'm pregnant or am trying to get pregnant so I let them run with it. The pushiest people are those trying to justify their own drinking, for the most part people don't care.
"Do you remember what you did last night?"
PANIK!
What a horrible feeling. Because usually all I can remember is acting normal, but the ending of the night is a complete blank.
This sub has been the training wheels I needed at my lowest points. When I was too scared to talk to people in person about what was going on with me. It’s so cool how many of us have found help here.
HUGE congratulations!!!! This subreddit was the crucial piece for sobriety clicking for me, as well. The compassion and patient encouragement as I tried and tried was a balm for my soul. And it worked. IWNDWYT
Im so grateful for so many things living a sober life and one of them is not having to figure out how to get rid of the empties. My personal embarrassments have been greatly reduced without the booze. IWNDWYT!!
Sick today. Don’t get sick too often anymore. But when I do, it reminds me that I used to voluntarily feel like this all the time. It’s just crazy. So much nicer just being nicer to myself.
I used to hide my phone in the night to save myself the next morning. So I had the double problem of finding my phone and then dealing with who'd received texts. Lulz
I just joined this subreddit, and this is the first post I opened. Thank you for this, I relate all too much to it all and look forward to when i too can say the same <3
It's the MOST special place on the internet. Honestly I believe that. And sometimes I think the world should know how special it is and then I think NO!! that might ruin it. So we can all just feel very lucky and grateful to be here together. And shhh.
So true, so many benefits. I too went through a phase of drinking green smoothies in the morning, thinking this will sort my body out after smashing it with beer the night before- so stupid of me!!!
Thankful that time has passed and here I am in a hotel room tonight about to go downstairs for a wedding reception- where there will so much free booze.
I used to dread these moments at the start of my sober journey and it still is tricky at times but I have already got plans to wake up and go for a run and swim in the morning!!!
The benefits of being sober are amazing and I so wish I could go back to my past drunk self and explain this as he used to read these posts by others and wish sooo much that he could be that sober person...
To all those people reading this and thinking the same thing, hang in there it does get better over time.
And thank God for this magical sub, it has always been there for me and always will be.
Peace out sober buddies!!!!
Haha. Yea … green juices will save the damage from drinking bottle of vodka daily. Also the logic of “I’m not taking Advil. It’s bad for my liver”
Tylenol is the one that's hard on your liver. Advil is the kidneys. But we had to pee so much it must have offset the damage. /s
I would never - ever - ever - recommend drinking to anybody. But weirdly enough there is some support out there that beer and wine drinkers get less kidney stones. Probably from constantly chugging water to offset the hangover and diuretic properties of alcohol. Made a Pros and Cons list of drinking lol - Pros: Maybe less kidney stones? Sort of? Cons: Literally everything else.
haha so much yes on the Advil is bad for my liver!
You're kidding right ? Advil is rough on the stomach but it's Tylenol that destroys your liver with alcohol ... Just saying this to avoid confusion for other people ...and it goes for the initial comment also ;)
Oh lord that unlocked a memory! "All this pulverized kale is sure to undo any damage my drinking has caused."
Dont forget extra low alcohol kombucha- kill two birds with one hangover cure!
Hahah yes! oh my gosh, hard relate.
Wellness focused, right? 😂
Let's not forget the milk thistle tincture. Yep. That stuff is going to save the day 🙄
I’m just at the beginning of this journey and yes, not waking up with a parched mouth and thumping chest at 3 AM is wonderful. Thank you for your inspiring post. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT too. Keep on going, you got this!
what's that acronym mean
This is truly the worst feeling... It would feel like I was going to die in bed. I couldnt get comfortable, I felt unwell, my head had a throb if I moved the wrong way. Terrible.
Totally. Or when you wake up at 3 AM knowing you were stuck there. You weren't going to fall asleep again, nothing is open, it's too strange to get up and start the day so you're just stuck there in that feeling. Horrible.
This was me every night for 6 years. I can confirm it is the worst hell imaginable. I’m still waiting for the dark circles under my eyes to clear up now that I can actually sleep at night.
> my head had a throb if I moved the wrong way Please elaborate?
It's the typical hangover headache- If I don't move at all, I am fine, but if I even would roll over in bed, I would get a horrible pounding ache behind my eyes on one side of my head.
Ok, I understand
The added bonus to the 3am panic: beginning the apology rounds and damage control. I’d sent off a series of “I’m so sorry” texts and lay in bed knowing that I wouldn’t get a single response within 4-5 hours minimum
The other day I was thinking about how I used to spend entire days without getting anything done. More often than not - drink, watch tv, maybe get some food. A huge day might include laundry. The amount of stuff I get done before 10am on a Wednesday now is incredible.
RIGHT?! I spent so much time drinking. Now, with more time and a clear head it's amazing what you can get done!
This is the number one thing for me. So much done!!! I had the same To Do list for months!!! I now know that it was depression but I was too busy drinking to analyze or address it.
uggh, the random bruises... so happy for this amazing milestone for you! ✨✨✨
The random bruises is probably my #1 reason for deciding to quit alcohol and I didn’t know other people had this issue! I never remembered falling or whatever happened, and it scared me I’d have a more serious accident while drunk.
I've been reading this since I was a kid and alcohol still got me: "Show me someone who drinks too much, who has to try out some new drink, and I will show you someone miserable and sorry for himself, always causing trouble and always complaining. His eyes are bloodshot, and he has bruises that could have been avoided. Don't let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, though it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly. The next morning you will feel as if you had been bitten by a poisonous snake. Weird sights will appear before your eyes, and you will not be able to think or speak clearly. You will feel as if you were out on the ocean, sea-sick, swinging high up in the rigging of a tossing ship. “I must have been hit,” you will say; “I must have been beaten up, but I don't remember it. Why can't I wake up? I need another drink.” - Proverbs 23:29-35 At the lowest, I identified with this a bit too much. Alcohol is still the same as it was 2600 years ago when Solomon wrote that. I am grateful to be done with it. I hope it sticks for me like it did you! Congrats on 5 years! That's amazing!
How did I not know such words exist in the Bible??! I've just looked it up, wow.
I thought the same thing too. That and getting home having no idea how I got there was really scary as a girl nightclubbing :/
I woke up with a cut on my head once and it hurt for over a week and I have no idea how/where it came from. It's a bit terrifying to injure yourself and have no idea how or any recollection of it.
I wandered out of bed in a drunken sleepwalk once, fell down the stairs and landed directly on my head. How my family didn’t find me there dead the next day, I don’t know.
Oooof that one would've hurt!!
Right?
Right!
Congrats! Just wanted to echo how great this place is. Like you, this place was my lifeline those first six months. I spent at least half an hour here everyday just reading posts. You guys taught me so much, I honestly couldn't have done it without everyone here. We represent the best of humanity.
Same. I always tell people about r/stopdrinking. It's this slice of the internet with the kindest people. Whenever I feel tempted I return here and just read people's posts. The tips, inspiration, encouragement, strategies are endless. It's just so great.
It really surprised me! I hate social media and limit my news time. I googled quitting drinking enough that it led me here and found a place on the internet where people are nice to each other. It’s amazing and has helped me a lot.
I need to start following your advice. Maybe I'll start reading here when I get an urge to have a beer.
Seriously! It took me \~6 years of lurking this subreddit, starting periods of sobriety and then caving before I made it for this streak. The advice on this subreddit is absolute gold and can be accessed at any time of the day/night. Helped me so, so much.
For sure. Checking in here and reading people’s posts truly helps keep me on the right path.
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That was so good! Brought me to tears to be honest. Love the Sober Jacket! 😎 You are an inspiration! ❤️
awww thank you, that legit makes my day
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Yeah, it sucks. I've found these help the most for me. Top to bottom of requires most to least energy! 1. Hard gym work out 2. Write 3 pages of dribble, stream of consciousness 3. Headphones on and listen to music realllllllly loudly 4. Sleep 5. Eat sugar in whatever format
So much ice cream! I have a serious problem
I love the video!! Thanks for sharing, and happy 5 years! ❤️❤️
My pleasure, thank you so much <3
that was so cool, congrats on your journey!
Epic!! Nice work!
Fucking brilliant! I aim to be like you ❤️🧡
We do not allow YouTube links, and this comment has been removed.
All the comments about how good the link was! Never been more intrigued by a removed post! 😂
My bad! I didn't realise I couldn't link my video. I thought it would be okay because I've seen others post how they mark their milestone with jewellery, tattoos or other creative things!
You can definitely link a picture (Imgur) we just don’t allow links to other sites.
That was just awesome. And you are just beautiful inside and out.
Thank you kind stranger.
way to go. ❤️ I have 16 days. This inspires me!
Hell yeah! Keep going. It may not be the case for everyone but, I found the first part the hardest - those first days and weeks. You're right in it so just keep chipping along!
How’d you get your days sober to show up under your name??
I think there is an explanation of how to do it in the sub info section.
I relate to almost all of this. You'll notice this account was created yesterday. I've been on reddit over 10 years. Thanks for sharing. Posts like this are why I'm here.
Yeah! I lurked on here for 6 years making accounts, starting my counts over from scratch and then deleting the accounts. But, lurking here helped me put a game plan in place. I owe this community everything!
That's awesome, you're definitely inspirational, well done! I love the video too by the way, I really like your editing style, but most importantly; you look genuinely happy, no fake smiles. Well done on your journey!
Thank you so, so much <3
Sorry, where's the video??
Oh hell yeah @5 years! Almost to the 1 year mark myself. Excited to at least hit that milestone!
HECK YEAH! Well done. Cheering you on for the 1 year :)
Thanks! It really did take quite some time for the worst of the "fog" to lift. Still sifting through a bit, but It's been a slog to feel emotionally and mentally better. At 5 years, what did that trajectory look like for you?
congratulations on 5 years!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for this!!! I needed an inspirational post this morning, and I got one! Congrats on 5 years!!
YEW! Have a fabulous day. IWNDWYT
Well done. I admit I still take an occasional piss outside; after 5 years but I'm old with weak kidneys. lol And I drink tons of water.
hahaha I actually laughed out loud at this.
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Totally!
Congrats on your success 👍
Thank you :) :)
Happy fifth!
Thank you so much!
Holy Moly Chicken Pot Pie! Congrats. LEGEND STATUS Baby! *Not One. Not Ever.* *N.O.N.E.*
Great stuff! There’s loads to love about sobriety even if some days it’s doesn’t feel that way 😂 and I agree that while it’s me who has put the work in to get here I would not have done it without this community. We normalise the journey and focus on the success of sobriety not the pitfalls of addiction. IWNDWYT
>We normalise the journey and focus on the success of sobriety not the pitfalls of addiction. Well said!
We love you!! Thank you for being here!
Awww thank you!!
So happy for you!!!
What does iwndwyt mean? I’m new here :)
I Will Not Drink With You Today. 🙂
Congrats! I had a major slip up this past weekend and fuck do I not miss this feeling. I had been sober for a while and the thought of 'partying one night is not a big deal you should do it you deserve it' started to creep in. I have learned my lesson. Proud of you, I will come back to this post for motivation. IWNDWYT
Same happened to me around the 4.5 year mark. I was like -- well, I've done sobriety, check. Let me just go back occassionally. It's why I made that video. While I started working on it, it gave me accountability to the promise I'd made. It's wild how our brains just forget mental and physical pain. Wishing you a good week. And please don't be hard on yourself
Congrats man, hard not to be. I did a lot of shameful stuff when I was drunk/high and fuck I almost did it again this past weekend. Got blacked out did cocaine and I guess I had the presence of mind to just get home but I’m nervous that it’ll somehow come out what I did? I know it’s unlikely I just feel ashamed and so stupid. I knew this lesson I was so happy sober. Thanks for responding I’m working on giving myself some grace.
What is it about 3 AM? How do we all wake up with anxiety at the same time worldwide? Thanks to all of you I haven't had that experience in 466 nights.
Congratulations on 466!! Here's to another restful night sleep to you tonight :)
yes the rationalizations are insane.. i would drop 20 for 2 tall boys and not blink an eye.. but protein drink for 4 OMG....
I seriously just thought my heartburn was cause I was getting older. turns out a bottle of 11-14 bottles of wine per week do a number on your body. now it’s completely gone.
Amazing!
Congratulations!
Congrats OP!! IWNDWYT
Thank you so much! !
Big congratulations to you. This is huge!
Thank you!!
I love these reflections! Congrats and IWNDWYT!
:) :) :)
Congratulations! 5 years is a big deal!
Bless you, thank you!
That's an awesome story! Truly an inspiration 💪 IWNDWYT
Thank you so much!
🫵💯🙏🐂😆👍🔥🤌👊☕😃🤙
Congrats and thanks for the encouragement!
That's so great! Congratulations and here is to one more day. IWNDWYT
I needed this. Thank you.
Congrats!
Woohoo!!!!
Congrats to you! Very inspirational!
IWNDWYT, what an inspiration.
Congratulations, friend You’ve done a great job Please keep it up
Thank you so much :)
Still socializing tho lol.
Normalcy is way underrated!
Congrats!
Wow
Congrats!!!
Congratulations. An amazing milestone!
Congrats :) wanna get like you haha
Congratulations!
Congrats! Your experience is inspiring. Question...do people still ask you why you're not drinking or does that go away. I'm about tired of having to explain myself.
Nah it doesn't go away. I have the good (funny? weird?) fortune where people just assume I'm pregnant or am trying to get pregnant so I let them run with it. The pushiest people are those trying to justify their own drinking, for the most part people don't care.
Grats!
congratz
Thank you too.
Wooooo wooooo!!!!!!!
"Do you remember what you did last night?" PANIK! What a horrible feeling. Because usually all I can remember is acting normal, but the ending of the night is a complete blank.
Congratulations!!!
IWNDWYT
Congratulations!!! I love to see these. Word on the random bruises and the bloat. Gone gone gone!
This sub has been the training wheels I needed at my lowest points. When I was too scared to talk to people in person about what was going on with me. It’s so cool how many of us have found help here.
and five years later, you have become the inspiration! Congratulations on 5 years 🎉
Thanks for sharing: goals! This place IS amazing :)
Congrats! IWNDWYT
So, make a bunch of chili, get different tp for each bathroom and do the Pepsi challenge on which one is best for your shitz
This is so awesome and I’m very proud of you. Love the video, what a great way to inspire others. Keep up the hard work and IWNDWYT! 🤘😎🤘
Backatcha, IWNDWYT!
HUGE congratulations!!!! This subreddit was the crucial piece for sobriety clicking for me, as well. The compassion and patient encouragement as I tried and tried was a balm for my soul. And it worked. IWNDWYT
Fantastic! Congratulations :)
Im so grateful for so many things living a sober life and one of them is not having to figure out how to get rid of the empties. My personal embarrassments have been greatly reduced without the booze. IWNDWYT!!
Same here. While reduced, still very much embarrass myself on the regular. At least now i remember it, ha!
Congratulations! 3 years for me. IWNDWYT
Congratulations on your 3 years!
Thank you! Happy to be here!
Sick today. Don’t get sick too often anymore. But when I do, it reminds me that I used to voluntarily feel like this all the time. It’s just crazy. So much nicer just being nicer to myself.
It's much nicer being able to blame snotty nosed kids or a grungy restaurant when you get sick than knowing you'd done it to yourself, ey?!
Way to go! Thanks for posting to inspire the rest of us!
You're so welcome, thank for the warm words :)
Love stories like this, I really resonate with the shame of finding out who I talked to or what I said the day after. IWNDWYT
I used to hide my phone in the night to save myself the next morning. So I had the double problem of finding my phone and then dealing with who'd received texts. Lulz
Oh my goshhh for a few months I would put my phone in my freezer to hide it from sober me, it was so bad
Drowning
I just joined this subreddit, and this is the first post I opened. Thank you for this, I relate all too much to it all and look forward to when i too can say the same <3
Welcome! It's great to have you here :) IWNDWYT
It's the MOST special place on the internet. Honestly I believe that. And sometimes I think the world should know how special it is and then I think NO!! that might ruin it. So we can all just feel very lucky and grateful to be here together. And shhh.
Hahah yes, mum's the word.
So true, so many benefits. I too went through a phase of drinking green smoothies in the morning, thinking this will sort my body out after smashing it with beer the night before- so stupid of me!!! Thankful that time has passed and here I am in a hotel room tonight about to go downstairs for a wedding reception- where there will so much free booze. I used to dread these moments at the start of my sober journey and it still is tricky at times but I have already got plans to wake up and go for a run and swim in the morning!!! The benefits of being sober are amazing and I so wish I could go back to my past drunk self and explain this as he used to read these posts by others and wish sooo much that he could be that sober person... To all those people reading this and thinking the same thing, hang in there it does get better over time. And thank God for this magical sub, it has always been there for me and always will be. Peace out sober buddies!!!!