Newcomer to the site. 66 days sober from alcohol
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 129
Newcomer to the site. 66 days sober from alcohol
I am a woman in my early 40s, now 66 days sober from alcohol -- the longest I've been without drinking since I was last pregnant and nursing -- and pretty taken aback lately at how physically challenging it has been not to drink. During the last week in particular, I have been very tired, plagued by migraine and stuck deep in what I think is often called brain fog; there has also been some aphasia, although as this is commonly an adjunct to migraine, it's hard to work out whether it's the headache causing it or the lack of alcohol. Either way, I'm assuming it will pass in the end given the body's extraordinary capacity for healing, but it's been quite the eye-opener even so. While I knew I had become a problem drinker in recent years -- drinking nigh-on a bottle of wine most nights isn't normal, and neither is thinking continually about whether you need to stop or stopping for a couple of weeks and then having a celebratory drink-up to mark your great success -- I don't think I'd fully recognized even so just how affected I'd become by drinking. I'm pretty horrified, to be perfectly honest! And it's only now, after a couple of months, that I'm beginning to see just how much my life had contracted around a wine glass.
I've lurked for a while on these forums, and I've found reading the experiences of others and the advice given by other members to be very helpful. Thanks to all, and I hope to be able to give a bit of help myself going forwards.
I've lurked for a while on these forums, and I've found reading the experiences of others and the advice given by other members to be very helpful. Thanks to all, and I hope to be able to give a bit of help myself going forwards.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PRINCETON, TX
Posts: 113
Great on 66 abstinent days! Your comment about your attitude towards drinking, not drinking, etc. seem slightly insane, right? Most "normal" folks don't think like we did/do. So as the second step of AA says that we need to be "restored" to sanity, indicating that as far as alcohol is concerned we have become strangely insane. Point being, that what you are going thru is to be expected, we've all had that mental obsession, even as we don't consume alcohol. The next thing is to work on being restored to sanity. I used the program of the 12-steps along with support from a group and a sponsor, and I was restored to sanity. My wish is for you to move forward with recovery, as in order to stay abstinent we need to grow in recovery. A bright future is there, if we would only work the recovery program in earnest. Osmosis doesn't work for us alcoholics, but work will work. Best always,
Reggie
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: US
Posts: 5,095
Welcome!
I also have migraines and they are always much worse when I quit drinking. Usually from week one to about 6 months they are pretty frequent. Then they taper off. And I think they are getting worse for some reason postmenopausal.
Anyway, I have to make sure I am SUPER hydrated. And that I keep my blood sugar stable (by NOT eating sugar). That seems to help.
I also have migraines and they are always much worse when I quit drinking. Usually from week one to about 6 months they are pretty frequent. Then they taper off. And I think they are getting worse for some reason postmenopausal.
Anyway, I have to make sure I am SUPER hydrated. And that I keep my blood sugar stable (by NOT eating sugar). That seems to help.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Lakeside, Arizona
Posts: 1,138
Congratulations! 66 days is quite some time.
I had brain fog really really bad for 6 months and pretty bad but I could tell it was easing for the next 6+ months after that. I still get it here and there at 14 months but it's not so distressing anymore.
I had brain fog really really bad for 6 months and pretty bad but I could tell it was easing for the next 6+ months after that. I still get it here and there at 14 months but it's not so distressing anymore.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,536
It's wonderful to have you join us, wynwrights. My friends here helped me turn my life around. Posting & exchanging thoughts really helps with the anxiety we feel. Congrats on your 66 days - that's fabulous. 
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,760
Welcome to the family WW. Glad you joined us. 
It took me a few months sober to start feeling normal again. The one thing I was advised to do to strengthen my recovery was practice gratitude every day. Gratitude is a real game-changer.
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/o...pier.html?_r=0
Glad you joined us. It took me a few months sober to start feeling normal again. The one thing I was advised to do to strengthen my recovery was practice gratitude every day.
Gratitude is a real game-changer. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/o...pier.html?_r=0
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Welcome! Great going on your sobriety- I certainly went through a lot of physical (and mental and...) healing when I quit. I personally noticed a significant "jump forward" in health and what I could do etc, around 100 days. I have kept healing during my now 25 mo and change of recovery - it took time, and staying sober most importantly!
Glad you are here.
Glad you are here.
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