harder than I thought
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 51
TheLayers! Six days is an amazing accomplishment - you are doing great! I am on day 20 so my first week wasn't that long ago and I remember what it was like. And I remember having days when I thought "this isn't so bad" and then suddenly being hit sideways by a series of cravings, one after the other, all day long. I read somewhere in these forums to eat ice cream, so I went out and bought the biggest bucket I could find, laid on my couch with my pillow and blanket, watched movies and ate. My motto was "anything I want as long as it's not alcohol."
I just want to tell you that it gets better and better. Tonight I was just sitting and relaxing before I had to go to work, and I had wave after wave of something I can only describe as physical joy. I just felt good. What I think it might be, is that I am so used to feeling anxious, that normal feels joyous. OK that's just a guess, but I want you to hang in there, TheLayers. I want you to know it's worth it. I want you to know you are going to be fine. Keep it up!
I just want to tell you that it gets better and better. Tonight I was just sitting and relaxing before I had to go to work, and I had wave after wave of something I can only describe as physical joy. I just felt good. What I think it might be, is that I am so used to feeling anxious, that normal feels joyous. OK that's just a guess, but I want you to hang in there, TheLayers. I want you to know it's worth it. I want you to know you are going to be fine. Keep it up!
instant
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 5,711
welcome to SR. You are in withdrawal and it will get better in time- you will be over the worst of it soon, this is the rough and raw part. Hang in there- remember it is an addiction and the addictive part of yourself wants a drink.
I am so glad I was able to overcome the pull back to drinking- it is worth it to stay sober
I am so glad I was able to overcome the pull back to drinking- it is worth it to stay sober
Life is an unlikely miracle.
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: England
Posts: 1,859
Welcome,Thelayers, I'm 9 days sober and so far have felt a mixture of tears, panic, anxiety, euphoria, aches and pains, insomnia, sitting with the curtains closed in the day, running away from everything, irritability and cravings. You're brain and body are re-adjusting, chemicals rebalancing. We are coming off a poison- there's bound to be some ups and downs.
You're doing great, six days is amazing.
I found it helpful to look at some of the "what to expect when giving up alcohol" stuff on the net-they explain the chemical imbalances in your brain and body. I've got to say I am shocked by my withdrawals, never thought it was that bad, same as you. But things are looking better, slowly, and I know I've made the right choice. Stick around, it's great here !
You're doing great, six days is amazing.
I found it helpful to look at some of the "what to expect when giving up alcohol" stuff on the net-they explain the chemical imbalances in your brain and body. I've got to say I am shocked by my withdrawals, never thought it was that bad, same as you. But things are looking better, slowly, and I know I've made the right choice. Stick around, it's great here !
misanthrope
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BC
Posts: 52
Originally Posted by TheLayers 
First post. First time joining something like this. Going on six days sober. First desire to drink came yesterday and has been on an off every couple hours since then. Fighting with the SO isn't really helping. I am sweating and shivering and shaky intermittently all day. I've had what I can only imagine are panic attacks. Twice today I grabbed my keys thinking screw it. I'm worse now than I was six days ago. But I didn't go anywhere. Feeling overwhelmed by the emotions and physical symptoms. Though I wasn't expecting this yo be easy I certainly didn't think there would be this many side effects. Can anybody relate ?
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: CapeCod, MA
Posts: 842
Hang in there, TheLayers. I had a problem with alcohol (a nice way to minimize it) for more than 25 years. Today is Day 66 of sobriety for me; the first two weeks or so were tough. I used ice cream and chocolate bars to combat my urges, and I babied myself. I had massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Take care.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,536
Lots of self care, Layers. Lots of self care. Feed you body what it needs with healthy foods and water. I drank super healthy green smoothies to support my body. Be very kind to yourself especially in early recovery. Once you can sleep well again, that helps a lot. I'm so glad you joined us. SR is a really fun and helpful place to be. Congrats on your decision to live a healthy life.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,066
Welcome, Layers, and OWN your six days! That's great.
I'm on day four (again) and still feeling shaky and irritable and fighting (or surfing - look up urge surfing) urges to drink. From past experience I know I'll feel this way for a while. Decades of heavy drinking are going to take a while to heal - physically, emotionally, etc.
As others have said, everyone here understands what you're going through. Hope you stick around. It really helps.
I'm on day four (again) and still feeling shaky and irritable and fighting (or surfing - look up urge surfing) urges to drink. From past experience I know I'll feel this way for a while. Decades of heavy drinking are going to take a while to heal - physically, emotionally, etc.
As others have said, everyone here understands what you're going through. Hope you stick around. It really helps.
Hillbilly Girl
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: In my Garden
Posts: 3,953
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