BeachyBoy

I have a great job but I am a functioning alcoholic according to my daughter. We both spent all last week in AA which helped (she a recovering opiate addict). The past weekend was tough. I bought a bottle of wine but never drank it. I somehow feel I need to SEE the bottle to be even stronger (maybe a mistake).

For some reason today was even tougher. I keep trying to convince myself that one glass wont hurt. I have to say I feel a little better after reading some post on this site. Thanks for the support!!!

I thought this was supposed to get easier as the days go by?

Coldfusion

It might be easier if there wasn't a bottle of wine to think about! Why not pour it down the drain as a symbolic gesture of your commitment to sobriety?

BeachyBoy

I think I will give it away to a responsible drinker and reflect on the $30 bottle of Vodka I poured down the sink for that very reason...you are right. I need to get the stuff out of the house. Thanks!

advbike

Welcome BeachyBoy, we're glad to have you. I don't know how much you drank, but the detoxing period and withdrawal effects vary by person. The actual physical withdrawal should be over after a week, but your body will still crave it, depending on how much you drank. Basically the body of an alcoholic adjusts to process the ethanol so when you take it away it wants it back. Most of us start to feel generally better after 7-10 days.

The harder part for many, myself included, is the mental part. Alcohol has all sorts of long term effects on the brain chemistry - numbing and calming, etc. So when you take it away you will feel a sense of hyper sensitivity, anxiety, poor sleep, etc. Basically a bad case of the nerves. This can go on for awhile but generally does improve a little each day.

I'm not trying to discourage you here. I started to feel better after 7-10 days, a lot better after 30 days, and it slowly got better after that. After almost three months now I feel great, sleep well, my emotions have stabilized and I'm getting more done. I rarely even think about a drink any more, but am still avoiding known triggers.

Speaking of which, most of us believe it's better not to keep any around. I know I couldn't have a bottle of wine sitting there. Please, throw it out or give it away so you're not tempted It also really helps to join the class for the month you quit so you have support from a bunch of peers.

Best of luck and keep coming on here and posting!

BeachyBoy

Thanks advbike!

I was a pretty heavy drinker. Mostly vodka and wine. I definitly experienced withdrawls the first two days. Now experiencing disturbed sleep and cravings but only mild anxiety. I really appreciate the support and logic.

BeachyBoy

Feeling more confident at day 8. However, sometimes I feel sharp as a tac and other times forgetfull. Is this normal at my stage of sobriety?

hellhammer

welcome im on th same boat, except it took me 6 mores dys to realis than you haha

hellhammer

dont worry it will go easier, your inner swelf is trying to win over you, once you will accept the fact that you are stronger than IT, it will go fast and easy!

Croissant

Not sure how long you've been drinking for, Beachy, but after massively bombarding our bodies with alcohol for years, it needs time to recover. Are you seeing a doctor through this?

Things take time to reset. I definitely had fuzzy moments all through my first few months.

chaili05

I agree. Not only do I still have my fuzzy moments at 3 weeks clean, but for SURE had them when I was drinking. I forgot stuff all of the time- I at least feel sharper now than I did then.

BeachyBoy

My nights are very sleepless now as well, making me tired throughout the day (I guess part of the withdrawls). I hope that goes away!