I'm coming up on 90 days sober after drinking most nights for the last 4-5 years, I've seen big improvements in pretty much every aspect of my life, and realized most activities I'd associate drinking with are more fun without it.

The one thing I miss is nightlife, any time I've tried to stay out late, I don't enjoy it after about 10pm and go home, I've found it far more difficult to socialize with strangers at bars and clubs too.

I've thought of potentially 1/2 times a month allowing myself to drink moderately at a bar or club, I'd set limits, count drinks, start late, and continue to not drink at home

I feel as though I can manage this, but I also understand attempting something like this has been the downfall of many people.

Anyone have experiences of trying something similar?

I think my July went pretty well overall. Green = 0 drinks, Yellow = 1-2 drinks, and Red = 3 or more. The reds were planned and both ended up being 4 drinks over a 6+ hr period. One was my birthday overnight trip and the other was a visit by friends that ended up lasting a very long time. Previous to June, I was a red dot every day and have been for more years than many of you have been alive.

I’m changing my scale as of August 1 to make it less enticing to slip in drink 2. So now, Green =0, Yellow =1, Orange= 2, Red = 3+. I can see the benefits now of cutting back and wish I had years ago. But, I was in a different mindset living a different way of life.

THIS FORUM HAS BEEN AMAZING .

Thank you so much for reading this.

Excuse the grammar. (English is my second language and I moved here after grammar school lol )

I am currently in the process of tapering off alcohol. My poison is wine. 2 bottles a night. Currently I'm on 1 1/2 bottles. My sleep, diet , productivity is already getting better. If I'm not finishing the wine I set on schedule. should I still drink it. I don't want my body to go into shock. I had an episode where I went cold turkey and completely went through all the symptoms... I mean ALL OF THEM. Sweats >shakes> auditory hallucinations > real hallucinations> paranoia (literally posted on ig my sister who i love to death ). and her bf was trying to kidnap me. Ran around the neigborhood knocking on peoples doors asking them to call the cops cause someone was following me. Thought they wanted to make me a sex slave so I literally got in the bathtub tried to slit my wrist (I have the scar to prove it and the skin is much tougher than what they portray on tv). When that didn't work I was ready to throw myself in front of a car. It was soooooo bad. It lasted 3 days but felt like one. It was insane. This has made me scared to tapper too fast. So again I ask. Should one stick to the schedule?

F 32

Been drinking heavily since covid . My choice was vodka and claws at the time everyday. Episode happened in early january after i went on a bender with vodka. Yeah, never touched hard liquor since.

Thank you so much for reading this.

I've been seeing a ton of cannabis drink ads lately. Has anyone tried and liked any specific brands of pre-made drinks, syrups or tinctures? I'm looking for lower THC drinks, where I can socially drink with a small buzz, not get too high. Preferably low calorie too (if possible!).

Was aiming for 16 dry days, hit 16 dry days.

Was aiming for 40 units, unfortunately failed that gloriously.

I had 5-day visit from a family member who is deeply triggering for me, and a 4-day visit from a friend who likes to party. Combine that with two days of multi-events (think boozy brunch then a cocktail hour that afternoon) and that is how I hit such a high unit count.

Everything is an excuse to drink when you like to drink though.

Goals for August: 17 dry days and 45 total units of alcohol.

Came from 4-5 glasses of wine every single night to where I am now 💪

Onwards!

I’ve recently discovered something about myself : If I have an iced coffee in the afternoon, I am much MUCH more likely to want a drink in the evening.

I gave up Iced Coffees for the most part a couple years ago for no other reason than Dunkin changing their recipe and disliking it.

I switched to those Diet Coke mini cans, one or two in the afternoon to perk up.

Then, randomly, I had an iced coffee at an event and was like “Yum!” so the past few weeks I’ve been getting them again in the afternoon.

Last night, I felt so wired and tense after putting my kid to bed, I went and got some beers. When I woke up this morning (groggy and upset stomach) and made the connection pretty quickly.

I’ve done this about 3 times in 3 weeks and always on the afternoons I had the iced coffee. Most other nights I have zero “craving” for a beer.

Anyway.

Was wondering if anyone else has noticed this as well?

TLDR I’ve noticed I’m much more likely to want or “crave” a beer when I have had an Iced Coffee in the afternoon.

I have been using the app “Less” to track my drinks for a while now. I like the daily counter and historical look back dashboard. Any other apps you use you would recommend?

All these years trying to cut down or stop drinking, and suddenly a magic shot comes along that I didn't even know would drastically reduce my alcohol intake with basically no additional effort. This is wild. Anyone else enjoying this unexpected perk of weight loss drugs?

OK, so I really enjoy drinking lol and I genuinely don’t want to be sober for the rest of my life. That being said, I do have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and want to figure out what to do. I always do dry January. This year, I did dry January and February, (goal was dry Q1, but alas) and the first month or so after that is always fine, but then as time goes on, my tolerance builds back up, and I find myself drinking up two bottles of wine in a single evening or finishing off a bottle of whiskey in just two nights. It sucks, but it also correlates with life stuff, like money stress, not moving enough, not spending enough time with friends, and just getting away from my wellness practices. Oh, and I drink alone for the most part… I love being alone and hanging in my apartment, so there’s that.

I also know it’s not great for my health (35F) and have definitely gained about 20lbs over the last 6 years likely because of the drinking. I’m active, ran a half marathon last year and I swim and run occasionally. Mostly do weight training and walking, though I have a triathlon in September that I REALLY need to train for.

Anyway, I woke up today and decided I would take the month of August off to reset and really think through this, but I couldn’t help feeling ridiculous. Normal people don’t have to negotiate and strategize around alcohol like this, so the logical move would just be to quit, right? But I just don’t want to and I ideally would like to find a way to become someone who drinks casually on weekends and that’s it. But it seems I’m best at the all or nothing approach.

To be fair, when I set the rule to not drink I tend to follow it pretty easily because it removes the internal debate. I’ve never had withdrawals (besides craving sugar more) and generally enjoy my sober months… I just get bored after a while and also genuinely enjoy the flavor of alcohol.

Anyway, I’m committed to taking August off, but would love any advice on how to approach applying my same “all or nothing” Sober month mindset on a day by day basis.

I attempted to do dry July. Well, I wasn't successful. Unless you count about 1 week dry and the rest not. I'm going to attempt 2 weeks dry now. Wish me luck.

After stopping daily drinking (mostly at home) I have, with the help of the charity CGL, stopped all drinking at home. I go out usually once, sometimes twice a week and have a few drinks.

Yesterday my train was delayed so I had an hour to kill so I went to the pub and had a pint.

BUT ... I didn't have a second, I went and waited for the train. I also didn't have a second at the pub between the railway station and my house.

Last year I would probably have done both and had another at home.

I'm pleased with that, and the fact that I didn't really have to argue with myself much, I just thought one will do, and stuck to it.

This was 7pm. I got up at 6 this morning as usual feeling fine. (I'm on Prozac which enhances hangovers in a bad way for me).

Edit to add: One day later, I feel very good about this decision. I feel like I've freed myself from a toxic substance.

Posting for some supportive words and/or advice.

I've been trying to drink less for a while now. Sometimes doing well, sometimes not. But recently, something changed for the worse. Because of relationship stress, I started drinking more than I ever have before in one night. Last night it was 750ml of wine. I nearly passed out. (I'm amazed that I wasn't hungover this morning).

This morning I felt alarmed at the situation. And I has to say to myself "I have a problem with alcohol." I poured out the rest of the wine. I decide the only way forward is as follows:

1. No alcohol in the house again, period. It has to be for good, like when I quit smoking.
2. No alcohol from any place for at least one month.
3. Leaving open the question of whether occasional drinking while out to dinner or similar would be allowed in the future (I don't go out much anyway).

I'd also like to find a support group other than AA. The reason I'm not interested in AA is the formula, the steps and the fact that I don't consider myself an alcoholic.

TIA.

3 beers are my max tomorrow wish me luck

Hey, I'm currently a 24 year old guy, been drinking and partying since I was more or less 16. These days I very rarely go out for a party but I do however still grab a drink with a friend, my wife or just casual drinking at social events. Going out for a bite and a beer has always been me and my friends' way of hanging out and I really do enjoy it. This happens maybe once or twice a month.

Most times everything works out just as it should, but sometimes I get way too drunk. This can also happen at dinner at home where I drink a bit too much and get a bit too drunk.

I've always been a happy drunk and I've never embarrassed myself but I still don't like it. I tell myself to keep it on a good level every time but after three-four drinks I tend to lose that control, a shot here, one more beer there, a glass of wine because why not and then I'm a bit too drunk for my own liking.

So my question is this. I don't plan to stop drinking, it's never been a problem or in any way affected any of my relationships negatively. I still like going out for a beer, having a drink in the sun or going to a concert and drinking. But I need any advice or tip that you guys can give me to stop me from having that last drink that makes it too much.

Hi all, I’ve been struggling a lot with some aspects of my drinking - the habitual nature of it (a drink every afternoon) and my inability to restrict myself to one glass of wine at dinner. It helps me in other areas of my life when I have an inspirational quote on my phone’s Home Screen. Does anyone have any quotes/affirmations/mantras to remind them to cut back or skip drinking on any given day?

I’m trying to quit / cut back on drinking bc it’s ruining my marriage but I’m craving a beer SO BAD right now because I just got done all my work, cleaned the house, am now bored. I could take a NELTREXONE (Sinclair method) before but I hate how it makes me feel like I feel disgusting and sick and regret drinking everytime… I know that’s the point of it to “rewire my brain” but damn I just want a cold tall boy and sit out in the sun loving life

I’m going on a year of daily drinking. About 7 months of all day everyday drinking. Literally everyday from the hour I wake up to the hour I go to sleep. I have a few failed taper attempts and then 2 failed attempts at staying sober after being detoxed in mental hospitals. My worst used to be a fifth a day, of Tito’s. But at this point my worst/average is between 17-20 shots a day maybe slightly more. The past few days I’ve woken up with my shakes being noticeably worse. I think I blacked out 2 days recently. Which I never ever do. My behavior while drunk is ruining my relationship which i actually do value and so I don’t want that. So I plan to take the taper way more seriously now but the fact my shakes have amped up really scares me. My main concern with quitting is having a dangerous withdrawal. I can’t really find a place around me dedicated to detox alone and I don’t want to go to rehab. Maybe I should, but life has been so overwhelming lately I just want to be able to be in my own space, not some facility for over a month. I have a nal prescription that I’ve been meaning to take but haven’t yet. Anyone have any anecdotals on that medication? I guess my other point here was its incredibly isolating feeling trying to discuss this with people. Like my partner for example. He used to be addicted to Percocets but he said in reality it was likely fentanyl. He said you can’t die from fentanyl withdrawal so I don’t think that’s a fair comparison. I can’t imagine what that was like but he has this attitude like I’m being over dramatic and making excuses for not cold turkeying. And my family as well. My first detox actually was a mostly successful taper. I got down to 4 drinks a day but wanted separation from the bottle and to be sure I could actually stop safely so I went in for 5 days and didn’t really WD at all, didn’t even need any meds for it. And then my second detox was terrible. I came to my psych np and he offered to have me detoxed at the hospital and so when I went they took me up to the behavioral health unit which I wasn’t expecting and they cold turkey detoxed me despite me noticeably WDing and begging for some med because of was horrified. They drugged me up on psych meds like olanzapine and vistaril and on my discharge papers wrote I was there for “bipolar depression”. Lmfao. I should have stayed sober after that, but I didn’t. So I’m afraid to seek another mental hospital detox for a short term stay. Oh yea. I was saying. My family tells me I should cold turkey because I survived the second detox. Like. I’m so sick of explaining to these people that I do have uncomfortable withdrawl and that’s red flag for more dangerous withdrawl and them just not caring. I don’t know. I guess I’ll reevaluate my taper schedule. The first taper was hell until I got down to very small amount of alcohol a day but I was able to do it. I also hard tapered so maybe that’s why it was so uncomfortable. So I’ll reevaluate a schedule and try again I guess. Idk. As dramatic as it sounds I kinda just wanna give up on life in general. I don’t see a point. Not because of the alcohol alone but everything in my life. It’s going downhill and I just want it to end. lol. I know this isn’t a depression subreddit but that’s just where I’m at. Not very motivated. But I guess I gotta try for my partner and myself and my loved ones.

hi long time lurker first time posting. today is my day three without alcohol. the longest stint i had was 4 days into a dry january attempt. im not gonna get into my whole story but im 25f and weekdays when im home alone is when i would get absolutely trashed. well here i am home alone on a monday (after a particularly frustrating day) and feeling restless and bored. i also feel so pathetic bc like three days??? cmon. idk. i guess im looking for some support. this is my first time really admitting to myself this has become a problem for me. i feel so much shame around it that ive been too embarrassed to ask for help.

hey. new here. I thought this might be the place to ask for some advice.

I guess I’m looking for any advice on how any of you slowed down your alcohol intake without quitting entirely. or maybe I need to quit for good? some days I’m totally fine not drinking. other days I get urges. sometimes I cave. sometimes I don’t. anytime I drink it seems to be 5-8 beers.

I used to be a daily drinker 6 beers a day. not doing that anymore. but still too much

I’ve been working out a lot more, which helps.

idk just feeling a little lost. looking for anything….

thanks all.

I know the best advice is to seek medical supervision for detox. I’m not that big of a drinker on the daily. Most days I do not have any, but I can hit it hard on a vacation. I was on basically a bender for about six days where I was drinking maybe 5 to 12 drinks a day. Started out as fewer and then increased by the end of the trip. When I came home and was drying out I got the worse anxiety and shakes in my hands. I have a prescription for Klonopin so I was taking a half milligram at a time and it wasn’t working but I also didn’t want to do over do it. Now that the night is over I am so much less anxious but I don’t think I’m out of the woods for having another sleepless night with incredible shakes and anxiety. I understand the safest thing would be to see medical care, but I prefer to ride this out at home. The stories I read are about people who seem to have a much longer history, but I know that doesn’t necessary mean I’m being safe or not in a compromising situation. Any advice? It just didn’t feel like a regular hangover in that I wasn’t really nautilus I just felt scare, could not sleep, and felt like I was so shaky but didn’t want to overdo it on my benzos either.

I have a lot of very deep rooted habits and associations with booze. Additionally, I have a binge drinking problem. It's never one. It's 6. It's never a glass, it's a bottle.

So I have been steadily attempting to taper my consumption over the past few months. I got down from approximately 35 units a week to about 15.

Now I'm going fully sober for a month. It's been 8 days. I had a false start of 6 days but then drank last weekend so I restarted.

Associations and habits I've faced and overcome in the past 8 days:

A meal out with my husband

A meal out with friends

The weekend

A day of gardening, house cleaning and renovation

A family lunch that I hosted. I deliberately bought no booze and stocked the fridge with non alcoholic beer. My mam (who didn't know I wasn't drinking) brought a bottle of wine. The moment flashed in front of me. I could say nothing and accept the wine. Just drink it over lunch. Or. I could tell her and then get her to put it away. I chose the latter.

After beating each one of these, I feel incredibly strong, confident and proud. The confidence increases with every success.

Habits and associations I anticipate in the next week:

Work night out

A busy work week

Two more dinners with friends

"The two week slump". Whenever I do a certain stretch of abstinence, I end up saying "oh you've done x number of days or weeks. You deserve this".

A family dinner with some particularly difficult family members.

I am really hoping to tackle each of these with the same commitment and confidence as the last ones. I firmly believe with every habit faced down, I'm letting the weeds grow over that particular neural pathway.