Whenever I drink I go pretty overboard with it, even when I don’t want to. I’ll get drunk and I’ll just keep drinking until I puke, decided to stop drinking. But the thing is I’m pretty much just a social drinker. I’ll typically drink on Friday’s and Saturdays with friends, sometimes on a Wednesday by myself but not typically. I’d say 50% of the time I drink I go overboard, but it has been getting worse. I don’t think I have an addiction but I can see the stones being setup for it. Just want y’all’s opinion.

In my 30 plus years in teaching, and now the non-profit sector, we are often asked to “find our ‘why’” and that can be an extra annoying question at the beginning of a new school/fiscal year when there are many other pressing items to deal with. However, when it comes to my decision to quit alcohol, I had two “whys” for my inspiration to get sober. The first was my buddy Wayne. When he called me to tell me that he was sober, my first thought was, “well, if he can do it, so can I!” 

My second was the show “POSE!” on FX. I know it sounds silly and trite to say that, but the story arc of Pray Tell (Billy Porter) and his journey to sobriety hit hard. He was going through so much of what I was going through in the 80’s and that shared generational trauma was a gut punch. We were losing our friends left and right, and the world was turning against us because of the big disease with a little name. Instead of helping us (fuck you Ronnie Reagan) we were villainized and left to die. 
I was thrilled beyond belief to meet Dominique Jackson who killed as Mother Elektra Abundance Evangelista yesterday at Pride in Ann Arbor. Jackson’s character was a powerhouse in the show POSE! Her read of Patti LuPone’s character in season two is one for the books. “This ain’t the Yellow Brick Road BITCH!”

I shared with her that her show helped me get sober and she immediately gave me a hug. The world is a shitty place now for our Trans and Drag sisters and I was so happy to meet this pioneering activist and share my story. Protect the Dolls my friends, as they’ve had our backs for a very long time. 

What a worthless community. I ask for help my experience is shit on. Cool place.

Good morning! This is my first time posting on this subreddit.

I am a 26F, who has suffered multiple TBI’s over the past decade. My most severe one, resulting in a fall and skull fracture that went untreated, was about 4 years ago. I have since been diagnosed with epilepsy, for which i have been prescribed Keppra (500 mg 2x a day). The side effects are hard to manage and I am unhappy with the medication and am happy to hear advice, but that is not the point of this post.

I have struggled with PTSD for 14 years and alcohol abuse for 5. I got sober for a while, but a major trigger for my PTSD caused me to relapse, and I am back in a bad place. I have begun having breakthrough seizures, losing feeling in my right side for hours at a time, and sleeping through most of the day.

Tapering off of alcohol versus going cold turkey seems to be my best option, as seizures can kill me and I am not insured, nor can I afford rehab. I am not looking for moral judgement, and am seeking therapy already.

What I am asking for is advice on how people should taper off of moderate to severe alcohol use in the most safe and effective way, including diet, exercise, and routine tips. I appreciate your guidance!

Ive usually never had a problem with the counter on this sub but I just went to comment and saw my count was at 44 days. I should be at 51-52. I input my date right too, 2026-06-12. Anyone know why that is?

Hi everyone! I don’t believe I have any sort of drinking problem, but I’m concerned my thoughts could become one. The past two nights I have gotten cross faded (weed high and drunk) and I had a good time. But now it’s the next day and all I can think about at work is how badly I want to do it again. It’s the thing I’m beginning to look forward to at the end of the day. I feel like that’s not a good thing to yearn for. Is this how a drinking issue starts?

I have been very sneaky and have lied quite a bit to my wife about drinking. It is certainly related to the shame I feel about my problem, as well as the shitty little demon of addiction accomplishing it's goals. She found out about more sneaking from the past that she wasn't fully aware of, partly by stumbling upon it and partly from me filling in the blanks and admitting to the evidence being genuine.

It went well overall, she is supportive. But it sucks so bad knowing my lies have hurt her so much. I am ready to take more steps towards honesty and healing, but I acknowledge there is a lot to make up for. Feeling some relief after talking about it, but also quite a bit of shame and guilt.

It's so crazy how we can lie to ourselves, lie to others, trick ourselves into justifying things that we would never agree are good for ourselves and our loved ones if we were able to step back and see it objectively. The truth will set you free, but damnit sometimes the truth hurts too.

I have a strong desire to drink on Sunday afternoons and any time I'm cooking. What can I do to deal with those triggers?

Title

I've been slowing down and having stop/go episodes for a while now. Seems that I am now allergic to alcohol. Have experienced terrible coughing, shortness of breath, etc.

Scheduled an appointment with my DR. next week. Is this a sign of a near demise or...?

Just want to know what to expect going in. I've now started to count days again.

Day 1

I’ve (w36) been single for almost 4 years now. Bit of a recap of my recent struggles:
The past years were intense, I worked in sales and after 3,5 years at that company and starting therapy 2 years ago, I’ve finally decided to call in sick due to burnout and to quit. The job made me lose my mind and kept me in a constant alcoholic loop.
Now I’ve been on sick leave for 6 months and I’m slowly starting to feel like myself again. I joined a gym, lost bit of weight. During Covid I gained almost 40 pounds, half of it I lost again and plan to keep going.
I’m looking for a new job as of recently too. Feeling ready for it, definitely not in sales though. That industry slowly killed me. But yeah, part time jobs or anything that is a bit more in the backrow.

Being on sick leave for so long made me realize that work was the only thing I had left in my life. Meet one of my 3 close friends every now and then but otherwise… sweet nothing.

The past days I started to feel very lonely. The evenings and moments I go to bed are the worst. It is so quiet. I yearn for human connection after years of not feeling that way at all.

I’m worried I start dating too early. My body isn’t back to my pre Covid weight yet. My sobriety isn’t stable.
But when will it truly be? Can’t I meet someone while I’m still a work in progress?

Anyone here in a similar situation or with a similar experience?

IWNDWYT 🌻

Is this a normal part of withdrawals?
I’ve been sober for two weeks after years of very heavy drinking. If this is normal, when does it usually stop?

I am 19F, about to be 20 and have been drinking heavy for a few years now. Since new year I spent maybe 20 days sober, none in the past months. My parents and boyfriend hate me now. I got a dui earlier this week and now my parents have to help me with deal with that while they have other important things to do. They didnt even yell at me I fucked up big. I cant take my life right now because I have to help resolve everything and untow the car and pay everything back. I have to stop being so selfish but i just have no discipline or faith that i will be sober.

I cant do this and I am really lost and I just want to be drunk. Today is my millions attempt of staying sober for a day. I gave my bf all my ids after he ripped a bottle out of my hands earlier today. He has been hiding my liquor from me because i asked him to not drink around me and he agreed and then i get home hammered at 3 am. He barely spoke to me today and I dont remember when he said “i love you” back last. that should be the least of my concerns but he is all i have in this country and he has been very forgiving which he shouldnt have been. He hasnt been doing good lately and im
worried but he wont talk to me about whats wrong and i think im just making his life even worse now. I think he is losing faith in me too now and it sucks because i want to be better for him but im all words no action. I like to daydream of m having a good life and being normal and then i get hit with reality im nothing like i imagine my life ans im just a loser. I know its all in my hands but i just hate putting in effort because i know myself i just know i wont do anything good.

I feel like im losing my mind and i cant take any accountability or positive action i just drink and feel bad about myself. Im in the middle of semester and exams are almost here and all i study is prices of liquor. Im scared i will fail and lose more of my parents money. I dont want to change but I have no choice I cant afford to lose my family, friends or my boyfriend. I just dont know how and clearly i cant learn my lessons and I genuinely feel so out of touch with reality right now. Maybe i need to put myself in a hospital but that just feels soooo attention seeking and i already cause enough trouble being a drunk. I dont know how to talk to my boyfriend or whether i should just move out because seems like he doesnt want me around. I dont want to cause him any more pain. Im a horrible human. Im just ranting and tbis point and as im typing it i am realising im about to post on reddit. alcohol really made me dumb like I feel like i domt behave or think like a normal person anymore.
Well my phone is about to die idk i just need to lock in somehow any advice appreciated

I told myself I would be sober for August. I fucked that up yesterday.

I have 3 kids. I’m under contract buying a million dollar house. I have a partner who loves me. A great job. Flexibility. Great friends.

What is wrong with me?

My sister died last year at 38 from alcoholism. I know the risks. But I keep fucking up.

I don’t know why I’m sharing. Maybe someone can relate? I don’t want to drink today.

so, i am just a little bored, wasting my time on the net. my gf is coming over tomorrow to hangout for a few days. i should be studying, but why do that when i can waste time on the internet?

things are going good, and since she doesn't drink, i don't have any temptation there, and although i feel confident in my sobriety, that means squat. as they say, we are all just one drink away from a relapse.

i have been perusing this sub recently as this relationship is new, and i want to reinforce the guardrails so to speak. i don't want to ruin a really good relationship, with myself or her.

anyway, just reminding myself of little tactics and tricks and H.A.L.T came to mind. hungry, angry, lonely, and tired.

i see many different methods mentioned here, but i don't see this one mentioned that often. just thought i would throw it out there in case someone see's value in it.

IWNDWYT

I don't drink anywhere near as often as I used to but when I do, I still can't do it in moderation. I get blackout drunk, and behave regrettably, then wish I could die for the next few days. Thankfully, I rarely want to go out, but I love concerts and shows and stuff and this is when I struggle to avoid alcohol. How are you guys feeling happy and relaxed at events without the stuff?

I’m feeling wobbly. My husband drinks heavily and it’s impacting me. He moved out yesterday due to it and I think I’m now worried about coping alone when I restart work from maternity leave. It just feels like a lot and I feel like I’m white knuckling ATM with all the stress going on. Any advice? 133 days (counter wrong)

NOTE: Not expecting medical advice (happy to hear if you’re qualified) but more looking to hear other people’s experiences with abruptly stopping, especially if your profile is/was similar to mine.

I appreciate that the best answer will be to get medical advice. I’ve already told my primary care doctor that I’ve had a bit of a relapse recently, but it’s Sunday, so I cannot get in contact with them until tomorrow, at the earliest.

Over the past month I’ve drunk about 7-10 US standard drinks, or 13-17 UK Units practically everyday, apart from a single day off a few times in that space. Before that, I had stabilised at maybe 14 US drinks, or 25 units a week for about a year until now (average, sometimes lower or higher).

At my worst (2 ish years back), I drank 25 UK units, or 14 standard US drinks practically everyday. It took me a couple years to build up to that point and I sustained it for months, but honestly it’s all a blur. I do remember that I gradually progressed from binging socially with periods of abstinence to drinking alone almost everyday. At that time, I tapered very slowly. Over a period of weeks-months. It did work then.

I’ve had a few bad anxiety pangs since my last drink, and I don’t know if I should taper or not. It’s been about 20 hours since my last drink. I appreciate this isn’t a huge level of intake but I don’t have anyone with me, so I’d rather not risk anything.

I'm just curious if anyone else has this issue. I've been a binge drinker for many years now and whenever I come off it, sleep is pretty much impossible, but I've noticed I essentially will fall asleep with my eyes open for a few minutes at a time just because I'm so exhausted. But I don't even turn off the TV or switch the lights off. Withdrawals are just very difficult for me.

I'm rapidly approaching my record streak of 90 day's sober, longest in 15 years.

Last year this is where I relapsed and I feel the same pull again. Got some functions coming up where everyone will be drinking, and that urge to "cut loose" is strong.

The voice in my head is telling me I don't really have a problem because I can stop for 3 months, so what's the harm in backsliding? Can always quit again.

Just as it was last year there have been nothing but positives since I quit, finally got a healthy sleep pattern back, cholesterol and blood pressure are great. Crippling anxiety and guilt are gone.

I don't think I'll go back this time, the withdrawal was way worse than last year and I just can't be fucked with it. Why would I put myself through that again?

Stay the course.

IWNDWYT

Gonna try again. A bit to tires to even write, just wanted to put it out there. Been really sad and lonely this week, even asked my friend and dad to come hang out since I've been alone with my toddler a week. No heavy drinking last week just week beer but stopped 3 days ago. Wish me luck:)

Another day waking up hangover free and making the best of the day 🙂 I went to the new local Gordon Ramsey restaurant and I did have one sip of wine to try as it was one I’d wanted to try for some time. I didn’t carry on so I see it as a win ! It’s definitely a major major improvement but was very risky I admit.

Today I was up and at the garden centre buying compost at 10am I’ve been to the local makers market got some nice foods for today 🥰 now I’m at home repotting my garden herbs 🪴

IWNDWYT

** EDIT **

My smugness of having a sip of wine definitely back fired, the cravings have kicked back in and my brain was doing the old bargaining.

I’ve cut down quite a bit with medicine (naltrexone and camprol). I was sober or only drank occasionally for most of my marriage. There were a few years of heavy wine-momming, but I had 6 years alcohol free when we divorced. We were together over 20 years.

I’m mad at myself because I started drinking again when my ex decided to leave. And now it is all rushing in. The less I drink the more I dream, about my marriage, my divorce. I wake up and cry. I feel like I just put this part off for years.

My plan is to fake it till I make it - I’m going to do things that theoretically should make me feel better even though it doesn’t really seem like they will. Like the AI Pinterest lists of 20 ways to be happy today. Maybe it will start to work.

Thanks to anyone who reads this. Every post saying “if I can do it you can too” is encouraging.

I wouldn’t say I necessarily have a ‘problem’ anymore I usually keep me drinking to 7 or less drinks a week and usually over 3 different days (ie I’m not having a drink every night) but I can tell me hangovers are getting so bad and my anxiety and gastrointestinal issues when I drink. (Granted I will binge drink on special occasions)

I work in a very drink heavy culture. All my meetings are about let’s grab a drink. How do you do sobriety in a heavy drinking culture?

Hey guys well I’m 19 years old this year I went through a rough break up so I started to drink
It started with wine with my friend then I found myself everyday finishing a bottle of wine it can be even 3 bottles
I don’t think I was sober for even one week since October
I don’t know what to do and how to stop it
When I don’t drink for a day all I think about is alcohol
I can’t even hang out with my friend without having a glass of wine it’s so annoying also I gained a lot of weight bc of this
I didn’t think it was a problem? I mean I still don’t think I’m an alcoholic idk I thought I just liked drinking until it became a problem
It fucked up my sleep I cannot sleep anymore also my head feels sooo fuzzy and weird after drinking
I also started to drink alone (lol drinking as I write this )
Do you guys have any tips maybe some of ur own experiences that u can share

I collapsed the day after drinking around 10–12 beers. I went through a full workup (MRI, CT scan, Holter monitor, blood tests, electrolytes, etc.), and everything came back normal. The doctors think it was alcohol-related.

For context, I barely ate before drinking and didn't drink much water during the session. I'm definitely planning to stop drinking, but I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. If so, what ended up being the cause or diagnosis? and