Originally Posted by
triumphguy 
Hello all, I stumbled upon this site 4 days ago while "searching" recovery and alcoholism on the net. I have known for many years I needed to quit (for good). It felt comforting seeing all the members on this forum, I can see myself here alot. I have quit for 9 months at a time, 6 months at a time, and then back at it. My last drink was 10-22-10, dry, with no aa meetings.......yet. I feel better today after not drinking for 3 and a half months and i think more clearly and life is better than when I was drinking. Have any of you noticed a better quality of life after quiting drinking? I look forward to digging in here on the forums.
When I first quit drinking, I started to feel physically better (after detox). But I also noticed that my mental state-- the restlessness, anxiety, anger, frustration, hostility, impatience, rage-- got worse than ever. It was explained to me that I was simply dry, that those characteristics were my true alcoholism, and that now that I no longer had my medicine, the underlying causes were flaring up.
So I needed to work the program of AA to alleviate the underlying symptoms.
Welcome!