Newly Sober and...
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 133
Newly Sober and...
...it feels great!
I quit on Veteran's Day, so this is day #7 for me, alcohol-free. I've been lurking in the shadows all week on this forum, and I must say that I've read some truly inspiring stories and experiences, with a sprinkling of good humor thrown in here and there.
Here is something that I've noticed so far. Maybe some of you can identify with me on this:
I used to drink every day. If I didn't fall into a binge and have a huge hangover which lasted a few days (about once every two weeks), I'd just wake up feeling foggy-headed, unmotivated, and mildly depressed. It would take me a while to rise from the sack, and even then I'd shamble like a member of the undead over to my computer desk, and it would take me ages to get started on things.
If I ate anything it would be very little, and my whole day would revolve around when I planned to go on my beer run.
Now, when I wake up, I feel rejuvenated and refreshed, and feel as though my body is thanking me for not poisoning it the previous day. I usually smile, have a few good stretches, and ponder how great it is to have another sober day. I begin to think about what I'm going to do for the day, and feel massively creative. I'll hop out of bed, check my emails, etc., then start making a nice, healthy breakfast. Green tea is my new best friend.
One note on becoming sober is that I'm uncovering things about myself, such as likes/dislikes, that had been previously muffled since I wasn't being my authentic self. For instance, I've always loved green tea, but I didn't know I actually liked drinking it every day. Plus, it's a good substitute for the poison.
Well, just thought I'd share my experiences so far, and am looking forward to contributing to this great forum as much as I can.
I quit on Veteran's Day, so this is day #7 for me, alcohol-free. I've been lurking in the shadows all week on this forum, and I must say that I've read some truly inspiring stories and experiences, with a sprinkling of good humor thrown in here and there.
Here is something that I've noticed so far. Maybe some of you can identify with me on this:
I used to drink every day. If I didn't fall into a binge and have a huge hangover which lasted a few days (about once every two weeks), I'd just wake up feeling foggy-headed, unmotivated, and mildly depressed. It would take me a while to rise from the sack, and even then I'd shamble like a member of the undead over to my computer desk, and it would take me ages to get started on things.
If I ate anything it would be very little, and my whole day would revolve around when I planned to go on my beer run.
Now, when I wake up, I feel rejuvenated and refreshed, and feel as though my body is thanking me for not poisoning it the previous day. I usually smile, have a few good stretches, and ponder how great it is to have another sober day. I begin to think about what I'm going to do for the day, and feel massively creative. I'll hop out of bed, check my emails, etc., then start making a nice, healthy breakfast. Green tea is my new best friend.
One note on becoming sober is that I'm uncovering things about myself, such as likes/dislikes, that had been previously muffled since I wasn't being my authentic self. For instance, I've always loved green tea, but I didn't know I actually liked drinking it every day. Plus, it's a good substitute for the poison.
Well, just thought I'd share my experiences so far, and am looking forward to contributing to this great forum as much as I can.
Living Sober
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 555
Hey OceanGuy- Congrats on the seven days & welcome!
It's great that you're already feeling some of the benefits of not drinking. I can identify with what you're describing as far as feeling foggy headed. I never really had the typical hangovers myself, but I could feel that I had been drinking, come the next morning.
I also have much more energy when I awake as well. I'm sort of thinking a big part of that is the better (deeper) sleep, along with my body not being as abused. Whatever it is, I'll take it.
I wish you the best with your continued progress and I hope to see you around in here!
Lusher
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 133
Thanks to everyone who wishes me well. On day 12 now. Feel really energized and am getting stuff done like it's nobody's business.
I did think back to a few times that I did have fun drinking and didn't get totally messed up, but then I identified that thought pattern as one of addiction, as if my brain was trying to seduce me back to the old wicked ways. Those thoughts were quickly snuffed out.
I made a list of the benefits and negatives associated with both sobriety and being blasted and hung it up on the fridge. It reinforces everything. The list is rather lopsided...
I did think back to a few times that I did have fun drinking and didn't get totally messed up, but then I identified that thought pattern as one of addiction, as if my brain was trying to seduce me back to the old wicked ways. Those thoughts were quickly snuffed out.
I made a list of the benefits and negatives associated with both sobriety and being blasted and hung it up on the fridge. It reinforces everything. The list is rather lopsided...
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 133
Yeah Lusher, my doctor told me that I have around 60% of my kidney and liver function, so that played into stopping cold turkey.
Was out of it for a few days, and I still am recovering in smaller ways. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me.
Was out of it for a few days, and I still am recovering in smaller ways. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,355
Cool man. Looking forward to my day 12. Hopefully your quitting can give you some more function with those organs. They are pretty resilient. Goodluck on your journey to soberness. I am getting back to it after stumbling or falling.
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