Brand new life
 

Today is 2 weeks without a drink. I am new here, and essentially new to life. I began drinking at 18, and began drinking every day by age 22. I can remember only 2 days that I didn't drink in the 19 years since then. For me, this is not about getting my life back, it is about discovering my life for the first time.

I used to go out & socialize, at bars. After 3 different arrests (2 were DWIs), I thought I had solved all of my problems by not drinking and driving. I stopped going out, content to drink myself to sleep at home, alone.

I never had any intention of quitting, I had it in my head that I deserved that cold beer after a hard day at work, to celebrate, to deal with stress, etc... There was always a good reason for drinking. I didn't need to drink at work and a neurologist diagnosed my shaking as a tremor. On days off, I usually waited until late afternoon to start drinking.

In December, I lost my job & things started to change. The time I allowed myself to start drinking became noon, and some days as early as 8AM. I started feeling the change in my body...my heart always racing and having trouble breathing. On Valentine's Day, I was shaking so bad that I was afraid to walk, so of course I had to drink to stop shaking. By Tuesday I was certain that I was going to die. I saw my shrink on Wednesday and I couldn't argue with his insistence that I check myself in for detox. Spending your first day of detox in the cardiac ward is quite the wake up call.

I am excited about a chance to finally be normal :)

Sorry for being so long winded....
I am happy to have found this site and look forward to meeting like-minded friends here.

Welcome! You will get alot of support here so you came to the right place! I am nearly four weeks into sobriety.. and its feeling good, though has not been an easy ride and yes I had the same feelings of reality check! Well done on your two weeks, that's great! :You_Rock_
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Hi Brattitude..
 

..I'm excited,as well..:c031:..welcome to SR..OZ..

Welcome to SR! And congrats on your two weeks! It's a great start to a better sober life. :scoregood

Welcome and congratulations on your 2 weeks sober!

I'm so glad that you went to the hospital and that you are now recovering.

Welcome and thanks for sharing how you sought medical help when you were having withdrawal symptoms.

Life is so much better sober :)

Welcome friend. I've been through similar experiences as you, started drinking when I was 18 and never looked back. i'm 26 now and finally going sober for good. I'm going through a similar re-discovery; I don't remember who I was or what I enjoyed doing before I found drinking.

In one sense it is fun to do this rediscovery but on the other hand, it is terrifying.

So, hang in there. You're not alone.

Welcome!

Welcome and congrats for finding your path! stay on it :)

Welcome!

Glad you are heading into a healthy sober future.
Welcome to our recovery community ...:wave: