does it ever get easier?
Giving up is NOT an option.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 7,809
Don't think about 6 months. Just think about right now, an hour from now, today. It was hard for me to imagine NEVER drinking again at first. So don't use that word. Just keep plugging away. Every day sober it will get a little easier.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
It's a tough one to answer, to be honest.
You'll hear many, if not most of us, say "It gets better." In fact, there's a thread with that title created by Venecia not too long ago. Good thread, too.
Easier? Hmm. Dealing with urges and cravings does get easier. They happen less frequently and seem to lose power over time.
Life keeps happening, though. And not everyone has an easy life.
I think it's more accurate or more realistic to state that things get 'real.' And hopefully, as you grow in your sobriety, you develop your coping skills so that you can handle the ups and downs of life. I became aware over time that I was able to handle more and more stressors. And I was learning patience and perhaps, best of all, I was learning resilience and adaptability.
You'll hear many, if not most of us, say "It gets better." In fact, there's a thread with that title created by Venecia not too long ago. Good thread, too.
Easier? Hmm. Dealing with urges and cravings does get easier. They happen less frequently and seem to lose power over time.
Life keeps happening, though. And not everyone has an easy life.
I think it's more accurate or more realistic to state that things get 'real.' And hopefully, as you grow in your sobriety, you develop your coping skills so that you can handle the ups and downs of life. I became aware over time that I was able to handle more and more stressors. And I was learning patience and perhaps, best of all, I was learning resilience and adaptability.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 123
Originally Posted by tambdy 
Every night seems to be this hard process of will I get one, will I not.
Its only night 3 but not getting any easier!
Its only night 3 but not getting any easier!
Worry about eating healthy next week. You're in a very vulnerable spot in the day 3-4 range - that's your priority and it's plenty.
saoutchik
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 16,203
Hi tambdy,
As others have said it does get easier but unfortunately it does take time. It did ease for me after a month - the cravings I got night after night finally eased up somewhat and reduced still further after 3 months
With the healthy eating - obviously it is important in the long run but in the early days I found eating sweet food like ice cream or chocolate helped with the cravings. IMO quitting the alcohol is more important than diet in the beginning and is hard enough on its own without changing diet.
6 months is a long way but just quit 1 day at a time and you will get you there
I have attached a link to an article that is about getting to like healthy food - it is not trying to sell anything (other than a healthy lifestyle) so I don't think it breaches any guidelines
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...urself-like-it
As others have said it does get easier but unfortunately it does take time. It did ease for me after a month - the cravings I got night after night finally eased up somewhat and reduced still further after 3 months
With the healthy eating - obviously it is important in the long run but in the early days I found eating sweet food like ice cream or chocolate helped with the cravings. IMO quitting the alcohol is more important than diet in the beginning and is hard enough on its own without changing diet.
6 months is a long way but just quit 1 day at a time and you will get you there
I have attached a link to an article that is about getting to like healthy food - it is not trying to sell anything (other than a healthy lifestyle) so I don't think it breaches any guidelines
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...urself-like-it
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 4,860
The first week is hard, but oh so worth it.
Hope this helps, Tambdy:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ts-better.html
Hope this helps, Tambdy:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ts-better.html
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 937
YES YES YES it gets better - I was a bottle of wine a night girl too - that sounds like absolute misery to me now, at four months in - just wake up each day and commit to "today, I will not drink" - say that, and follow through. Don't "future trip" and worry about fooooorrrrrevvverrrrr - 
You will start to change - your thinking changes - I promise!!
You will start to change - your thinking changes - I promise!!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Georgia
Posts: 471
I don't know anyone who has gone through six months of feeling the way we feel the first week. Most people say, after only a few days, that the relief they feel from not being sick outweighs the moments of thinking of a drink by far. And I've hear many people say that they were totally relieved of the desire for alcohol, usually through a spiritual approach.
Just get through today and see what happens for you. It may be that right around the corner, even tomorrow!, you will begin becoming very happy with not drinking. The thought may come, but if you make a plan to get through it, it will pass and you will be filled with gratitude that you made it through. Then, the next time will be easier.
Just get through today and see what happens for you. It may be that right around the corner, even tomorrow!, you will begin becoming very happy with not drinking. The thought may come, but if you make a plan to get through it, it will pass and you will be filled with gratitude that you made it through. Then, the next time will be easier.
recoverystarter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 273
Originally Posted by saoutchik
Hi tambdy,
As others have said it does get easier but unfortunately it does take time. It did ease for me after a month - the cravings I got night after night finally eased up somewhat and reduced still further after 3 months
With the healthy eating - obviously it is important in the long run but in the early days I found eating sweet food like ice cream or chocolate helped with the cravings. IMO quitting the alcohol is more important than diet in the beginning and is hard enough on its own without changing diet.
6 months is a long way but just quit 1 day at a time and you will get you there
I have attached a link to an article that is about getting to like healthy food - it is not trying to sell anything (other than a healthy lifestyle) so I don't think it breaches any guidelines
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...urself-like-it
As others have said it does get easier but unfortunately it does take time. It did ease for me after a month - the cravings I got night after night finally eased up somewhat and reduced still further after 3 months
With the healthy eating - obviously it is important in the long run but in the early days I found eating sweet food like ice cream or chocolate helped with the cravings. IMO quitting the alcohol is more important than diet in the beginning and is hard enough on its own without changing diet.
6 months is a long way but just quit 1 day at a time and you will get you there
I have attached a link to an article that is about getting to like healthy food - it is not trying to sell anything (other than a healthy lifestyle) so I don't think it breaches any guidelines
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeands...urself-like-it
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 6,902
Originally Posted by tambdy
Thanks am trying, 11 years and a bottle of wine per night it is a struggle to quit. Especially quitting full stop, no medication and no cutting it back.
Rather than just sitting with those feelings, could you go check out some local meetings? Surrounding myself with people who had walked this road before me and who could offer me their experience, strength and hope really did make things easier for me, and for countless others.
Have you had a look at the links about making a plan yet? If not, then there is no time like the present... http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...y-plans-2.html
There is no need to white-knuckle this thing. For one, it just makes it more painful. And two, it doesn't make for happy or healthy sobriety in the long term. Not picking up the first drink is vitally important, but so it the process of recovery.
Wishing you all the best for your recovery.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: London
Posts: 1,384
Day 1652 and yes it does get easier
Grind it out , stare at a wall its gets easier .
Moderation cutting back is fools gold , just another form of torturing yourself .
Google AVRT bullets and read them . Your giving up nothing .
Grind it out , stare at a wall its gets easier .
Moderation cutting back is fools gold , just another form of torturing yourself .
Google AVRT bullets and read them . Your giving up nothing .
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,044
It definitely gets easier. The first week is the hardest. I kept myself really busy the first few weeks, I planned out the time I normally would have been drinking wine, I am almost at the seven month mark, and I feel better than I have in years. Stick with it, I promise it is worth it!!!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: northern michigan. not the U.P.
Posts: 15,281
Originally Posted by tambdy
6 months seems such a long time away.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 425
Well don't be so afraid of days 4,5,6 . For me Day 1 and 3 were always the worst. Day 1 was a miserable hangover and the beginning of withdrawal. Day 3 was always the peak of the withdrawal. There is no hard and fast rule, but generally withdrawal peaks around 72 hours
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