8 hours? One day? Five thousand? Lets start this off by sharing a bit of our stories.
Diciember 31 2021. The pandemic was pretty shit
Since 2nd April this year. Never every day, but never had that switch to say “time to stop now” once I’d started. Decided to prioritise my mental wellbeing and jump on the wagon. Not looking back.
Wow, 72 days is great. How are you feeling now?
Feeling so much better, thanks! It hasn’t been a big bang of “oh wow, I feel great now!” but an accumulation of smaller things - being more present at the weekend, especially in the mornings - taking better care of myself (small things like brushing my teeth before bed rather than thinking “feck it, I can’t be bothered”) - losing some of the beer belly… and so on. But mostly just being far more steady and sharper mentally.
Since January 2nd this year
1.5 years very glad for it. sometimes the cravings turn up, sometimes they’re gone entirely. used to be that even dumb internet bullshit like this would trigger something, but i’ve gotten way better about that
I’ve been mostly sober for about six months. I was never a heavy drinker, but I got into a habit of drinking three or four beers a day – every day. (sometimes six or eight) It became a reflex for me to have a few beers after work. Then, when I said to myself, “This isn’t healthy” and tried to stop, it was not easy. I kept having beers even when I knew didn’t really want to, I was just acting out of habit. That woke me up to the reality that if I went much further down that path, the alcohol would take over more than just my down time. Now I go two or three weeks without any alcohol, an no desire for it; but I do occasionally have a beer with my wife or with freinds. On those occasions only one or two. It’s not a habit for me any more. Stop Drinking helped me navigate that. Hearing stories from others, and reading their experiences gives me a feeling of solidarity and helps me continue on a (mostly) sober path.
Three or four a day is a lot for most most people. Good for you for recognizing that habbit forming.
Some people can moderate and be an occasional drinker and that works for them. Some people can’t. It,'s great that we can learn from each other what may help and what is possible.
That’s part of the danger, really. You build up a tolerance. If you don’t normally drink the beers every day, then you’ll be feeling a bit wobbly after the third. After a year or two of 3 beers a night i didn’t really feel buzzed, tipsy, or relaxed. I was drinking just so I wouldn’t miss it.
I last drank on September 10th, 2022. That’s 276 days ago. I tried many many times to quit, but this is the longest I haven’t drank since I quit for a year in the 90’s.
Congrats! That’s amazing.
I have stopped drinking something like nine years ago now, but except for the initial year or so i haven’t been completely dry. But i drink one drink in the span of months for a while now and really most of those times just literally one. Does that count as sober?
Sober is a personal thing. I dont believe in absolutes, so if you are no longer abusing alcohol, then that is what matters. That sounds like sober to me.
Totally sober for 263 days.
Got serious about it just before July 2020. I might’ve drank four or five times after I committed to a sober life.
Started experimenting with it in August 2017.
Kind of wild to consider how long and complex and fulfilling and challenging and ultimately wonderful my transition to sobriety has been.
It’s great to be here with you folks!
Great job. You should feel proud of yourself.
Thanks so much.
Closer to 5000 than one.
Quit drinking just under 7 years ago! Haven’t looked back
That’s awesome
About 2100 days, 5 years.
Would be great to have badges here as well with the day counter. Does Lemmy support that?
Not yet. They’re working on lots of stuff, but it’s going to take time.