zoso

I've been a heavy drinker for about 20 years (my excuse: depression & anxiety), almost always drinking at night only but I had weekends where I started drinking at 11 am. I used to have 2-3 sober nights a week but for the last year or two I've been drinking about 500-1000 ml of scotch every night. Tried to quit/slow down tens of times but I could only last a day or two. Every time I tried, on the 2nd/3rd day on my way home from work, I spend 10-20 minutes walking up and down the street where the bottle shops are, debating whether I should buy a new bottle, always ending up buying one. I go to a different shop every time so they can't tell how much I'm drinking but I think they knew, there're only 3 of them nearby so they all saw me every few days. Going home I would tell myself I wasn't going to drink much that night (only 3 glasses) and go to bed early, only to wake up the next day with 6-7 hours of sleep and a massive hangover and an almost empty bottle, repeat. I can't remember much from those nights, so the next day I go through my browser history, my phone messages, trying to figure out what I might've been up to. Last Sunday I thought I'd give it another try and I haven't had a drink since. This is the longest time I've been sober in about 8 years. Not sure why but I haven't really been tempted this time. I can only get 1-2 hours of sleep a night since sunday, really very tired but still feeling much better than the last 8 years despite the headache I get every night. Most of the pain I had on my chest, my stomach, my sides, my back have disappeared. I still have a little shake too but I'm sure these will go away if I can stick with it.

tldr; Been drinking for 20 years, last break 8 years ago, now sober for 5 days, feeling good Just wanted to share.

dru1085

Hey Zoso welcome.. I am 29 and I drank away a good 8- 10 years as well.. Just recently went sober and now on day 19. I am feeling hella better, sleeping well.. Pretty much went through what you did as well.. Keep it up mate Im right there with ya through the tempations and struggle.

**** aint easy.

Dru -

happybeingme

Well done! That is an awesome achievement. Be proud of yourself.

drivingrain

Same boat as me bud, your post is exactly what i was looking for, i wish you best of luck, your not alone and thank you for your honesty as it has helped me realise I aint the only one doing this stuff to myself. I wish you the best of luck. and thanks again

zoso

Thanks dru, good luck to you too mate. Been lurking here for a couple of days and saw couple of your posts and just let me know if you need any support.

zoso

Thanks man, I think I am proud. I don't know that feeling too well but feeling good right now.

zoso

How similar is your situation? We're not alone, I think we all have very similar lives/issues. Let me know if you need any support man. And thanks for replying as well, I was kinda scared I wouldn't get any replies

Fly N Buy

Glad you're here with us, welcome!

Breaking the cycle of insidious insanity is how we all started. 5 days is a good start - well done!

Keep posting, friend

bullmas

Great new start zoso!
It takes time for you body to reprogram its self from all that drinking , once begun, sleeplessness, headaches , anxious feeling, etc will occur, its just your system recalibrating and adjusting (healing) , a process sometimes painful, but the payoff is worth it!

Dee74

Welcome Zoso - I drank for 20 years too - change really is possible
Congratulations on your sober time

D

zoso

It's not any more painful than all those hangovers man 750 ml of scotch, 6 hours of sleep makes a pretty painful day at work.

ScottFromWI

Welcome zoso. I also drank for the better part of 2 decades and on a similar schedule to you - as soon as I left work every night and all day long on any day I wasn't working.

The insomnia stinks but it's temporary like many of the other immediate withdrawal symptoms. You'll be amazed at all the changes ( for the better ) once you start getting more time under your belt. Stick around here too...you'll find lots of support and tools to keep you sober long term.

zoso

Thanks a lot man. I've been lurking for a couple of days and decided to sign up today to share my 5 days. It's not something you can share with a lot of people you know. I guess it all depends but how long does the insomnia last?

zoso

Thanks man. Full time sober now or you still drink every now and then?

Soberwolf

Welcome Zoso congrats on day 5

SoberLeigh

Welcome to SR, zoso; glad you found us.

Great job on 5 sober days. Keep on.

Venecia

Welcome, Zoso, and congrats on choosing sobriety.

It's all within our reach. (And, yes, I think a lot of us did the ol' alternating stores routine. Sigh ... )

There are a lot of nice people here. Many of us have been sober a while now and stick around both to help others and reap the benefit of helping others. The insomnia gets better.

A Led Zeppelin fan, I take it?

escapist

I have been where you are. The memory of it is still fresh. The beginning of the end of being loaded every day. It is worth it. Stay on it . You won't be sorry .

Dropsie

Zoso,

Welcome -- 20 years is nothing, I hope for you you won't get to my 40ish!!

The good news is that after the first days I have never slept better in my life -- try a cup of Camomile tea before bed, and magnesium pills. Magic.

Hang in there.

Hopeful143

Hi! Thank you for posting!