DIYman

Hi, I'm Steve, 40, and I live in the UK. I stopped drinking on the 22nd of December 2012, with one nights slip up on the 12th of Jan. So I guess this is Day 8.

I wasn't really drinking that much; 2 or 3 beers (or a half bottle of wine) on Wednesday/Thursday evenings, 5 or 6 beers on Friday and Saturday evenings, then a break until Wednesday again.

The initial trigger to stop was my hangovers - they've never been great but recently they've been accompanied by horrible anxiety attacks and I thought it would be a good idea to stop for a while.

Going sober has been harder then I thought. I've realised now that my whole social life has been geared around drinking for over 20 years. I've worked out that most of my drinking wasn't enjoyment, it was to self medicate and to numb out. So now I find myself very worried that what was going to be a short break might actually have to be permanent. I didn't think I was drinking nearly enough to be even considered alcoholic.

Thanks for reading,

Steve

goingtoquit

congrats on day 8...stick with it good luck, today is day 7 for me, I was drinking everynight before bed for about 3 years straight...keep up the good work

Hevyn

Pleased to meet you, DIY. I'm so glad you found us. Good job on your 8 sober days.

goingtoquit - and on your 7 days. Proud of you.

tomndallas

Yes great work and good job on your commitment! I am 38, and though I have cut back quite a bit since I got married..nearly 3 years now to my wonderful wife, I found that I too was having issues with anxiety, mood swings, and anger. I was a very hard drinker before hand, the years have taken their toll.

Hope to see more posts on your progress.

vegibean

Hey DIY, nice to meet you and welcome to SR.

Coldfusion

Good going on the first week!

This is a great place to learn about ways to keep from drinking again. Is DIY your vocation or your recovery plan?

Dee74

welcome to SR Steve

D

Anna

I'm glad you found us.

It's normal to have been in denial while you were drinking. Denial is a huge component of the disease of alcoholism. Good for you for seeing things clearly now.

least

to our newcomers! Staying sober is so rewarding to me. Never having to feel like sh!t in the mornings, never waking up hating myself and wishing I were dead. Now I wake up feeling good and ready for whatever the day brings.

DIYman

I've always enjoyed DIY and it has suffered in recent years but it will be part of my recovery plan. Whenever I'm looking around for something to do (which is a lot now I'm not drinking) thoughts turn to this or that that needs doing!

DIYman

Thanks, and you too.

kizzy40

Hi fellow brit! well done on day 8
I hear you on that one, I have noticed 101 things that need sorting now i'm sober haha!