Day 12 newbie needs advice
 

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and 12 days sober. I have 3 of questions for those further along in recovery.

1.) How long til you felt physically better?

I feel worse now than before I stopped! I would have thought I'd be feeling good by now but I've had bad headaches, tiredness and lightheadedness for nearly 2 weeks now. The last couple of days I've had ear and nose congestion and a sore throat, I'm not sure if that's withdrawal or just a cold? Plus I feel permenantly dehydrated, despite drinking tons of water (3.5 litres yesterday!) Sleeping is really bad too, waking up every couple of hours and generally not feeling rested.

2.) Has anyone noticed their body become more sensitive to other 'poisons' since they stopped?

I ask because I'm thinking my symptoms above might be related to having to much sugar and smoking, maybe even caffeine. I really want to quit smoking and added sugars/processed foods as I'm sick of feeling bad, but don't want to jump in to fast and jeopardise my sobriety.

3.) Finally, what do you guys do with free time alone?

I've got a lot of time on my hands at the moment, and trying to keep busy. I go to meetings, exercise, walk my dog, socialise etc but towards late afternoon and evening when I'm physically tired (so don't want to go for a walk) I've run out of things to do. Reading and TV/movies don't seem as engaging without a drink. Any advice would be great.


Hope you're all doing well and thanks in advance!
Chloë xxx

Lots of threads on this.
It's different for everyone.
The congestion definitely sounds like a cold or allergies.
Since alcohol suppresses the central nervous system, it tends to be sensitive after you've discontinued drinking. It levels off, but go easy on the caffeine and nicotine.
You eventually start to sleep better, again different for everyone.
Great ideas of things to do, there is a sticky thread in the newcomers forum. :)

Night time is the worst for me.. I ghost here a lot. Read stuff. Also I do art- no Da-V, but what I write/draw/paint helps me understand my emotions better. There are also a LOT of interactive groups- good ones on f-b. For recovery, like this- but well it's f-b.
The physical? If you are concerned see a doc. No one here is an expert, but generally like the brain rewiring- it takes a while for the bod to get healthy. Of course all the usual HALTS stuff. I get regular blood work (about 6 monthly) done to make sure all okay.

This all sounds about right to me. After so long of punishing your system, it fights you back a little while getting healthy again. I would suggest getting a multi-vitamin, and considering the amount of water you're drinking, some sports drinks as well to replenish electrolytes. Long, hot, epsom salts baths can help pull toxins out of the system and soothe muscles to help relax and sleep.

12 days is great... ride it out and the cobwebs will clear, and you'll be feeling physically much better soon :)

Thanks for all the advice so far, really appreciate it. Multivitamins are a good shout 😊

Good job on day 12

Keep going and don't drink. You will feel better. Takes time.

Congrats on 12 days sober!! Not to scare you but I had your symptoms well into 5 months. I probably delayed my physical recovery because of poor diet and lack of exercise. I would suggest eat a clean diet, lots of water, minimal caffeine/nicotine and learn to meditate to help sleep. As long as you don't drink you will get where you are supposed to be. Good luck

Hang in there.
 

I have been,sober for eight days,my neck hurts. But im hanging in there I drink lots of water this is not my first time I tried before the more I start over the worst it gets so im going to try to,stay sober any suggestions?

Hi. I just left the hospital last week (detoxing) with 1mg folic acid and 100 mg B12 (thiamine). B vitamins are robbed by alcohol. Caffeine is dehydrating. I drink Gatorade or Pedialyte if especially dehydrated. I eat some whole fruit, low sugar ice pops or frozen blueberries and drink tons of icy water. Some how frozen things make me feel better. Unsure why.
Feel better and Congratulations!

I was given these in the hospital as well, but I think you mean vitamin B1 (thiamine)?

Puddlejumper
 

You're right!! Thank you! It's B-1. I also take a B complex and drink Yogi brand detox tea or dandelion tea for liver.

I´m self-employed, I work on computer only and in my free time, I enjoy reading books, movies, tv shows and pc gaming, but still no exercise, I´m really lazy regarding sports, that´s my next challenge, lose some weight.