Mamie1977

I have been reading this forum for a while, and I'm finally very serious about quitting. Right now I'm down from 2 bottles of wine every night and bunch of beers and shots on weekends (always until passing out) to drinking some beers on Saturdays, which is a HUGE accomplishment for me. And it hasn't been easy..I have major cold sweats at night every night I don't drink and that hasn't gone away, along with really crazy vivid nightmares, leaving me exhausted during the day. It's been really hard at work due to the fatigue and fogginess - worse than being hungover!! What made me finally decide to quit/cut down is the effect on my appearance, which is sad, since I should be more concerned about my health. But to be honest the effect on my hair is the thing that bothers me the most. It is devastating to me, my hair used to be shiny and healthy, and I have watched it become wiry, dry and VERY thin. I also have rosacea and that has become pretty bad. I'm really hoping that with taking vitamins, eating well and reducing my drinking things will improve, I'm only 39 years old. I have had every test done and tried to insist to my doc that I had a thyroid issue. All the while I know it is the alcohol. Can you guys please give me some hope that I will start feeling better and my hair/appearance might improve...

Anna

I think when you stop drinking you will begin to feel better very soon. But, if you are still drinking on weekends, I don't know how much of a change you can expect. I think many of us who have stopped drinking for good notice an improvement in our appearance.

Bunny211

Hi there,

My appearance was AWFUL when I was drinking. My sponsor said that when she met me she thought I had alopecia (where your hair is thinning and falling out) because it was so thin and unhealthy. I was also bloated, had runny eyes, tired all the time etc. Now I look and FEEL (more importantly) so much better! I try to eat healthy, drink lots of water, take vitamins and get exercise.

If you put down the drink and do the right things like eat well, sleep, get out and move your body...you will start to look and feel better too!

Big hugs,
Bunny

CaseyW

Glad you've found us, Mamie1977, and I second or third the advice that cutting out the alcohol all together is the next best step toward feeling and looking better. Wishing you the best and hope you'll decide to fully embrace a sober lifestyle.

amyrose

Welcome and glad you posted here. I know all too well trying to convince myself and my doctor that my drinking is not the problem. Finally gave up and when she said "social drinker" I fessed up that there isn't much social about it, and how much I drink. I am going for brutal honesty with myself, so might as well be open with my doctor too.

Soberwolf

Welcome

ChloeRose63

Welcome to SR. If you can be honest with you dr. you should be able to get medical help detoxing. That is the first step and it could be painful and life-threatening if you decide to do it at home. Getting all that poison out of your body is the beginning of feeling 'healthy'. One day at a time...each day gets better and better. You have to choose to stop drinking and start living.

Coldfusion

Welcome! I hope this is the beginning of a permanent recovery.

Zufrieden

Welcome!
Your appearance is only one of the things that will improve when you quit drinking. Others: your moods, your energy, your self confidence, your world view, your relationships, your level of fitness......your longevity and quality of life.
It is so little to give up but for me it took actually leaping off the cliff into sobriety before I realized any of these things. They reveal themselves in spurts and then one day you are the person you wanted to be.
I really hope you continue your path by dumping the Saturday drinking and giving sobriety a chance. You won't be sorry.
Best wishes,
Jonathan

Hawkeye13

My red face totally cleared, and my eyes got bright and hair shiny and thick again when I quit.

I don't think "cutting down" will do that--at least it didn't for me.
I found I just had to stop all together because even "light" drinking on the weekend
would bring back the red flushed face almost immediately.

The nightmares and sweats went away after I stopped for good too, as did
the floating anxiety and digestive issues.

PurpleKnight

Welcome to the Forum Mamie!!

least

Welcome to the family. I hope the support here can help you get sober for good.

Dee74

Hi and welcome Mamie
I can reassure you, no worries - everything will improve when you stop drinking for good

D

Jtmlk

10 days sober and I already start to look better. I Agee that although you've done great by only drinking on Saturdays, the alcohol on that day is going to be a bit of a tease for you. I know I had to quit completely.

Buttonpusher

Hello! Your post is so familiar to me. I also tried to convince my doctor that i had thyroid problems. I knew this weight gain and my hair falling out could not be from alcohol alone! I have about 2.5 months sober (after spending most of last year trying to get moderation to work) and ive lost 10 pounds and with a couple good hair cuts my hair is thick, shiny and strong. You got this, you can do this!

Purplrks3647

Welcome, Mamie! I'm also a newbie; we're about the same age and I'm having those issues as well....just tired of feeling and looking like crap! This is a great site....awesome people and support here - you may want to check out the 24 hour forum if you haven't already