6 months of sobriety is a long journey of patience, challenges and determination. Your comments really resonate with me. Int J Environ Res Public Health. I still love the taste of a good beer, so I often have ONE (just one) on Friday or Saturday nights. I never knew what real sleep was until now. Research showed the number of Making a choice to reduce your alcohol intake or quit drinking is another one of these life choices. and may take longer to resolve. Berens says. You will save a fortune as well. People think I dont know what a drinking problem is but as you say everyone is different. Ive known for years my relationship with alcahol was mostly one sided, it took more than it gave me resulting in horrific hangovers, depression, sleep deprivation and a feeling of disgust that I was allowing this to control me, my free time and most importantly my childrens lives. Out of curiosity, of those of you whove experienced BP improvement, if you dont mind, what was it when you quit? Think the booze and fags caused it. Increased libido. Since stopping drinking I sleep SO well, my face isnt puffy anymore its normal again, no weight loss but thats because Ive replaced booze with coke! Improvements. Timeline: What Happens When You Stop Drinking Alcohol? This goes even to the elite, as we now see with the parties in Downing Street. Im 65; my bad drinking habits go all the way back to when I started college. Cant sleep much at night but sleep late in mornings. I am a everyday drinker for sleep. #AMEN. Im not a heavy drinker. 3. Between 4-6 cans of lager. But when you reach that turning point and stay sober for 6 months, it will start restoring your physical health. Surprisingly, I didnt notice substantial changes after I cut down my alcohol consumption by 50-75%. Great advice, and very encouraging. Over the past 30 years he has worked in various leadership roles in privately held organizations and private equity portfolio companies. My biggest regret is that I didnt do this years ago. So, giving up alcohol can help you to avoid these potentially deadly diseases. I was always pretty active too. I am almost at the 6 month mark!! I have a partner that still drinks daily and is reluctant to stop but I can see her consumption dwindling so a good sign. Wish me luck! A bottle a night of red wine slowly became almost 2 bottles everyday. Havent decided if this is permanent. Best to all. Being 6 months sober will bring healthy changes in your body, physical health, social relationships and how to you connect with the world. I would have a private party everyday and enjoyed every minute of it. The last one put me in the hospital for 6 days. I will continue, though, although maybe not permanently. We had zoom meetings with family every Thursday, and wed all toast to each other at the end. I also started gym , eating more than I should. Done a 90 day break. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/. . This is similar to possible weight loss. Nobody but GOD! May be worth finding a good naturopath to get things in order. Not being able to walk was the last straw. Good for you. Ive lost nearly 50 pounds, Im sleeping great, I work out daily and all around feel terrific. Many thanks to you all xxx Take care and keep being good to yourself xx, Were glad that youre along for the ride hope you keep the changes up, and take care of yourself too . One month alcohol free and completely surprised by how much better I feel both physically and emotionally. But I rarely drink. There are many benefits to giving up alcohol, both short-term and long-term. I am on day 78. Once you have been sober for six months, you will know all of your triggers. Your immune system is also functioning better, and your liver is loving life at this point too. This helps a lot to get back into the society and improve relationships with friends and at work. Im now 6 weeks AF, the longest period without drinking since I was 18 (Im now 65). It is a deliberate choice that will continue to haunt you for long. My sister finally went to his home. Published 2018 Dec 5. Be strong and let your motions run you. <126\<78 And the older I get, the more noticeable this issue has become. The benefits are ridiculously wonderful! High blood pressure. Hey there, I am now 75 days in and feel a l lot better in general. The fizzle lasts longer than the buzz! Thank you for sharing. Many will notice that their blood pressure has lowered if it was high before making changes. When we got to 2.5 miles to turn around, wed have a beer first as a reward (negating the exercise). I do make myself a decaf cappuccino almost every night. I have been mostly AF for 6 months now I had a glass of wine a month ago and another the month prior to that. Point is, it takes time and while I can appreciate the anxiety, I went through it terribly too, still do with the BP, as you allow your body to heal, you will start to feel better. Its not the action im addicted to its the taste. But I do get depressed alot of thinking what drinking caused. Used alcohol and cigarettes to hide my broken heart from myself after a significant relationship failed 9 years ago. Take care. Just watch out for those sugar cravings everyone is mentioning! Everyday is a gift & new opportunity. And giving in to these triggers is your own choice. The first few months of sobriety might come with depression. It was offered but I didnt want it. Kinda of excited to see what It will look like in a few months. 2020. My b/p is going down,the quality of sleep is incredible,l didnt know l could sleep this well without alcohol,but ice cream and donuts have come in the picture,lm looking forward to many more months alchohol free,after 30 years of drinking,l dont miss it, Hi Peter, thats great that you quieted and you are feeling better , i quieted drinking for a month now and i went through a lot of symptoms ,the one is still not going away that easy its my b/p and bloated and constipated ,just wondering if you been through the same and if they eventually went away ,thanks in advance, I too Peter feel so much better. Brain Damage Control: Different stage of alcoholism affect the brain differently. Now, observing other people get drunk can be entertaining. I have always been very fit, eat healthy and love the gym. Your liver will start to repair itself. I love playing golf but I can only play decent if If Ive had a couple. I dont sleep well. We are individuals and responsible for ourselves, yet I quite regret the normalization of binge drinking and it acceptance in the UKs culture. Dont want to go anywhere or do anything. I get bored, so I do more housework & healthy cooking. Even though its only 3 weeks, I feel so much better, constipation is slowly getting better now I have bough tablets from the pharmacy. That was the wake up call after seeing my lab results. It is worth mentioning that nutritional status improvement occurs when someone strop drinking, which is one big reason why people may see many of the above improvements with sobriety. This is because alcohol can cause fatigue and decreased motivation, so when you stop drinking, you may find it easier to get things done. A couple of months ago, finally decided I was tired of waking up every day with a light hangover plus the extra calories were making my weight loss goal harder. had much alcohol past 2 weeks, stopped 2 days before test Dr. Ed Friedlander answered Pathology 46 years experience I'm happy for you: Congratulations on recognizing the problem. Its incredible how long I have forgone it, but feel I am back on track for life now. I lowered my bad carbohydrate intake and focused on vegetables and fruit along with my favorite lean meats. I do feel a small improvement in my health, and hope to gain a greater degree of overall improvement as my alcohol free life continues. I will not drink today for everyone in this subreddit. Reading daily. Thank you and much success to all on this amazing journey. Take care, The HSM Team. My hairstylist confirmed this when I walked into the Love your truth about the lie. I cant wait to get to bed at night, when I used to stay up til 2:00 am.. Very encouraging to read the messages here and know it can be done. One of the most common side effects of giving up alcohol is insomnia.This is because alcohol acts as a sedative, so when it's no longer in your system, you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. I am single and do not have a family of my own. I found that many of my friends also wanted to try to stop or cut down, they did temporarily, however, this journey needs to come from within when you are ready!! Im three months way down on consumption! One of the financial benefits of giving up alcohol is that you'll likely have more money to spend. Not crazy but for me 5-6 cups per day is a fix that helps and sleep is less but very deep (5-6hrs). It will give you blurred vision, decrease reaction times, impaired memory etc. Im nearly 6 months ! Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of "Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder" and "7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety.". Happier already-no waking up to a hangover and the shame that comes with it. Even back into fitness. It was my first Christmas & New Years without alcohol since I was a teenager, Im 46, and it was easier than I thought. Life is full of choices, and the choices we make, make the people we become. Im sure you have fatty liver, just as I do. Feel great, no real cravings. Because this interupts energy levels etc too, I too have drank for at least 40 years, every night. I sleep now 7-8 hrs every night up from 5-6 and i feel much more relaxed, focussed and a calmer , nicer partner and dad. Im 10 days AF after drinking regularly for several decades. Remember that everyones experience is different and you might not see the same changes for yourself at the same time as others. I also have started eating a lot more of everything. My wife has stopped drinking altogether due to some health concerns. I have gone AF for a month or two previously and one time I went 3 months. I just need something else to replace it with. If I can do it ANYONE can do it. I also really liked very expensive beers and I have noticed my spend going down and i have lost about 20 pounds. But its still come down quite a bit vs day one. These comments are indeed relatable!! Cirrhosis causes the liver to become stiff and swollen in a way that impedes liver function and often needs a transplant. It seems moderating is very difficult if not impossible for me, but total abstinence is relatively easy. I have grandchildren that I want to be around to enjoy a long time. Read the blogs and listen to the podcasts Alcahol explained is a fantastic read, from a scientific approach, but easy to understand. The nutritional choices you make while under the influence arent optimal either. The sweet cravings have gone thru the roof. No changes. 3 weeks no booze, after escalating during Covid. And yes I do have ice cream before bed but others are noticing the weight loss and complimenting. Its only been 4 days but its been a stressful week at work and I got through Friday evenings lovely meal without partaking in the rather nice red which accompanied it. I havent gone a year without alcohol since I was 16. You'll also likely experience less headaches, which can be brought on by dehydration from drinking. Im 4 months AF. I lost 15 kilograms. It was nothing for me to polish off a bottle or 2 sometimes 3. If you're one of these individuals, you may have decided that it's time to quit drinking. Ive struggled through dry months. I stopped Monday as soon as i knew what i was doing to my body, it is something i have needed to do for years but i guess i just needed that reality check. Sometimes almost both. Thank You. The thought of drinking again terrifies me. I love myself more, Im Next its the 60 pounds I gained since 2016 Im a 39 year old male. There were no more morning trips for bagels (yes, bagels plural) and coffee to tend to my hangover. Smugness has been another feature and Im not ashamed of that and the longer I abstain the more it will grow and I dont apologise for that. The enzyme that helps metabolize the alcohol wasnt fairing well. Now, three years later, I live in New York, the city that never sleeps, and Im constantly around alcohol. 'I Lost 50 Lbs. 1998;22(1):5-12. 2.3. Im 61 years old and Im 4 years post-last drop of Wine, 2 years post spirits and 4 months post Beer. I have called this self enabling as that describes it nicely for meI am my own worst enemy. 2 years is a long time. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. I used to drink so much that I would constantly forget things people would tell me and spend a lot of time alone. [online] Available at: [Accessed 15 October 2020]. I was a very heavy drinker for many years. Literally everyday 12 beers no worries!!!. it wasnt just cos of the calories in the alcohol cut out tho because after a drinking session the next day everything in the house was eaten as well as huge take aways later that day too. It seems to be subsiding. I am ready sleeping better, waking up with more energy, and more confidence to do different things, also more able to manage complex emotions in relationships with myself and others, I know Im saving money, and experience less age related pain reducing alcohol is the best thing Ive done this year. Good luck.. Not going back, Its been a month now and l havent had a beer or smoked a joint. For some its an easy choice and for others a painful one. So i had my BP done on Monday this week which was very worryingly and i knew i had to do something pronto. We all need different amounts of different things. I mainly eat whole foods; I dont eat crap. Social More days then not Id drink around 10 beers or 2 bottles of wine. They only notice you without drink until they get drunk, then after that it is game time. Well, since March 2020, I continued this schedule, minus the lunch hour drinking because Im back at the office. Be warned, Im now 2 months sober after about a year of ambivalence about it and doing dry January followed by 3 mths of gradual reduction. Kate I hope you are having good luck with your reduced alcohol consumption. that can be used to reduce symptoms and prevent seizures and delirium, says Berens. When I re-read this, I saw that it was a little too much unicorns and rainbows. Sharper and deeper thinking. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at theNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholismof the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Not so sure on overseas. 2020;13:288. Before, Id have had 6 beers and half a bottle. For people who have experienced weight gain due to drinking excess alcohol, weight loss may be part of the AF (alcohol-free) experience. I was ashamed of my drinking and felt ashamed the next morning by how many beers I had the day before. AF since Christmas and already down 10 pounds. No weight gain. In: StatPearls [Internet]. But I still used it to deal with stress and feeling overwhelmed. I was not a heavy drinker nor an addict of any kind. Question for you Jon: My circumstances are similar, my husband still drinks a couple (high alcohol 8%) beers 4X a night, and I find myself irritated with his drinking, which never happened in the past. Since quitting I started exercising everyday and have lost weight with WW. You can also celebrate by giving back to the society. This time, I plan to quit for good. Get some nice drinks in, I found fizzy water with ginger cordial an absolute must, it gives you a back of the throat kick, put ice in a nice glass and its a refreshing drink, that gets you through. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Builds Positive Eating Habits. Anyone a daily drinker but liver is good? By cutting off alcohol you will notice that your sleep quality has become much better. They have annual group meets, and other practices that will give you something to look forward to and keep reminding you that staying sober is worth it. Ok, so far I do not feel as elated, but I have started to dance at outings which is huge. I now choose to live the last third of my life in good health and the best way for me was to remove alcohol, make different dietary choices and get regular exercise. As others have mentioned here, my coffee and chocolate cravings and intake have increased 10 times fold but those 2 are better than Vodka. Good luck to all on this journey! Impact of Smoking and Alcohol Use on Facial Aging in Women: Results of a Large Multinational, Multiracial, Cross-sectional Survey. I have the willpower to stop but I cant figure out why I feel like crap my sleeping is awful I wake up 3x during the night Ive even prayed listened to meditation healing music at night. Im at 6 months now after years of stop/start attempts. Buy plenty of fruit. I just would like some encouragement and would like to know if anyone still had trouble thinking straight. Your risk of developing certain diseases will decrease. Granted the bad diet before I made changes may also be a factor so this could be unrelated to the boozing and this is something I have to deal with. My skin is now clear, I work out every day and actually like it, my head is clear, Im more pleasant, Ive repaired relationships and am down to the weight I was in my 20s. Its pretty clear that the person who wrote this does not know what the phuck they are talking about. I am now at the three-month mark. . I skip margaritas, rum and Cokes, or anything else thats overloaded with sugar. Do it. Still, my stools are badly pale (light grey, pale yellow, sandy color), muddy or spongy looking. I have energy, passion, drive, concentration & guess what? The darker pink area is also visibly raised. I almost lost my job and my girlfriend. Sweets, especially ice cream was a real problem in the beginning. Worth fighting. I think its really important to find something to replace the drinking with and to look forward to. Do not be the person in the corner. 3 months in also. I never was big into sweets/soda but Ive been loving chocolate like the rest of you guys and diet ginger ale. It gives you a whole new lease on life. It took 2 months. I no longer want to waste precious time drinking my life into numbness. Initially I lost 20 lbs once I quit but getting back into a regular powerlifting routine (almost obsessive) I have gained a decent amount of good weight back. Improved sleep overall health liver has chance to be healthy. 3 months no alcohol Was a binge drinker on Fridays after work but I wanted to lose weight and feel better Now walk after work and fasting once a week helps fruit & vegetables increased Feel much better have energy better then everlost 15 pounds so far not easy sweets get in the way ..Chocolate.. My bp and weight loss good. I know i can have a drink.but do i really want one.? One day at a time. I guess I was just obese and cutting all those calories made a huge difference. One day at a time turns into one month at a time rather quickly and it gets easier with time. Eventually, I got to the point that I was able to say, "No thanks, Im not drinking." Have not had alcohol for 6 weeks and lost another 5 lbs in 2 weeks. ITS A NEW START TO OUR JOURNEY Check out the Daybreak app to connect with others who may be going through a similar experience or reach out to a health professional such as GP. 18 Keto Smoothies That Legit Taste Like Milkshakes, Easy Keto Side Dishes For Every Taste Bud. I had 2 mini strokes during the month of August. Go dance, have the conversations and recall everything the next day without the hangover. Approaching people without the drink, dancing and having conversations you remember is great. For me everyday I say to myself, today really isnt a good day to drink. this is a great article and the comments are good too so thanks. This is because alcohol is a costly habit, so giving it up can free up some extra cash. I did fall over and could not get up without help and massive effort, even two weeks after. Hence the patient is advised to stop drinking alcohol 24 hours before going to test. However, I stopped weightlifting during the end of my drinking days. By 45, I was drinking daily, and vodka was my drink of choice. Hi Rita Im 2 months clean today went into rehab April 2.had a very scary withdrawal in the hospital I was near death caused by lactic acidosis scary scary. However, every couple of months or so, usually when a special occasion pops up, Ill enjoy one glass of wine or a simple cocktail (like a vodka soda). In addition, frequent drinking can cause inflammation throughout the body. Six weeks free from alcohol at the moment,one year is the goal!! But here's the thing: although it may have initially helped me head to dreamland, that alcohol seriously disrupted my REM cycle. Brought up with an alcoholic mother. Im currently at a resort in Mexico and am envious of all the people I see enjoying their cocktails. You can handle the conversation however you feel comfortable doing it, but rehearsing beforehand can help it flow more easily. Ive never felt compelled to drink when alone, but have used it has a social lubricant for most of my adult life. Id highly recommend the audio/book Drink? White Cheddar rice cakes are my crutch. My sleep is horrible stillThank you, Hi Diane everyone goes at their own pace I am sure. Its absolutely brilliant. You only live once. I am almost five months sober, and I really dont have any huge & obvious improvements, except I know my health/bloodwork has improved drastically. So I came here, and HUGELY helpful and relatable. Take care. Today I am sober one day at a time. What I did was replace doing this with different things like kombuchas, coconut waters iced teas always stocked in my fridge. Nov 28th 43yo I only had one surprise. I never wanted to give up drinking -it was like losing my loyal friend- but all of these + things began happening for me when I became sober! Over the covid year things spiraled quickly for me. I was a everyday vodka and beer drinker. We hope this has been helpful, seeing some of the benefits you can experience over time. After that time I saw the benefits, I have completed a year & I never want to go back. 1 month AF, longest period of my adult life ( 34). I do have lots of regrets and lots of inner healing and self love and forgiveness I still need to work on. Trying hard not to get into the ice-cream habit but I figure a bowl of ice-cream is better than a bottle of wine! Just being real. Still tired, and really miss a Manhattan, but its just not worth it. I was an everyday drinker, a beer (or so!) Ok so Ive posted many times about my road. Just at 3 months. 35 days35 long days! I put 1/3 of a serving into my oatmeal in the morning and it makes it taste delicious with some blueberries, strawberries or watermelon. Youve made it to 6 months! No more anxiety, or depression. Weekends are still a struggle though, but weirdly got through Christmas and New Year without too much trouble. Here are some of the most common effects of giving up alcohol. After one week, I was surprised how good it felt, so I tried Dry January. I didnt know or understand the sudden craving. Has anyone noticed, like me, that their eyesight is better in the morning? Came close to not making it a few times and even ended up in icu for a few weeks. No added salts (switched for potassium) lots of fruits and Veggies still snacking on chocolate but within my caloric allowance. I have learned so much. Stress from work and a desire to feel that buzz kept me going. How serious your withdrawal symptoms are depends on how much, how long, and how often you imbibein addition to genetic factors. But a word of caution about just the one glass it doesnt work for most people. I was a weekend binge drinker up until the shutdown. He stopped eating and drank a handle a day. Its a mindset. And I knew that I wasnt meant to drink. He hid it well from all of us. This time around, I took a different approach. I feel alright, sleep is getting better after first 4 days of bad sleep. Still no excuse. So, here is the reason for my rant; I have been free of alcohol for 7 years now. Pink clouding is defined as a false sense of security that you might feel with this newfound sobriety. Alcohol paralyzes brain cells and prevents us from sense life and everything around us 2. I had forgot what it was like to get into my hobbies and other goals all on hold. I switched to sipping on a diet pop (which I have now also eliminated) and it worked to fulfill the sweet craving. But it was fun. Until you stop drinking you dont realise how much of our social lives is based around booze. I have found a new love for excersize. Better sleep happened almost immediately, along with really vivid dreams that I can now remember. 3 Months 3 months of not drinking reduces your risk I did drop weight right away, but it mostly came back and Im fighting it. Web568 views, 38 likes, 3 loves, 3 comments, 74 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from El poeta boaner: El poeta boaner was live. Yes, chocolate bullets & sorbet are my go to. A serious accident and surgery caused by my drinking was the decision maker for me. How Do You Know If You Have A Hormonal Belly? I have no desire to drink and my guilty feeling have gone. Two weeks felt so good I thought, Why not 3 months? Here I am. I bought myself a 64oz water bottle on Amazon and it has been life changing for detox and weight loss, so I highly recommend investing in a nice big water jug and chugging that thing all day everyday. Im only 2 months sober but i pray for continued sobriety. Often people report needing fewer sick days from work, and your heart is a whole lot healthier than it was 12 months ago. Hi. Very powerful and encouraging, thank you. For anyone dealing with mental health challenges before or while they were drinking, a reduction in alcohol or going AF often reduces the intensity of the experience of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety (Beyond Blue, 2020). The BP has mostly seen improvement but I still see higher numbers than normal. Sleep has improved dramatically as well! One thing I noticed is my mood has been low, which is normal apparently. Thanks for your post, it was informative. We all have a spirit inside that is power to overcome anything. My sleep pattern has improved greatly and my alertness increased. Nearly nine months in and WOW a couple of weeks ago I feel like it all gelled. Sober 3 months. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For those who do get craving I can highly recommend Heinken 0.0. I have horrible panic attacks while falling asleep and i use wine to knock me out lol. During this time, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal, such as tremors, anxiety, and nausea or vomiting. I know I can go past January, thank you for the inspiration! Quitting is so worth it! More focused and determined during my career journey. I slept much better when I drank. The Incredible Health Benefits To Quitting DrinkingAll That Bad Starts to Go Away. Its Time to Shed the Pounds. Reduce the Acid Reflux. People at Work Will Notice the Difference. Never Be as Tired Again. Stop Treating the Symptoms of Stress. Its Time to Boost Your Emotions. Stop Playing Russian Roulette With Your Life. Your Bank Balance Will Thank You. Now Its Up to You to Quit Drinking. Mentally doing great. I woke up a new person. Eating candy is better than ingesting alcohol, and your body will adjust. lets go week 4, All the very best to anyone out there who is struggling with alcohol, I know how difficult it is, you have it in you to be what ever and who ever you want to be. An excellent observation as overall body inflammation decreases wit less alcohol. getting support from my wife and family. Ive saved money (or rather spent it on other things). I dont really want to give up but I dont want to give up feeling great. JBean, That was me. It was hard, very hardbut I did it . They impact our jobs, our social connections and ultimately the time we get to spend doing. It was incredibly difficult to leave alcohol behind physically and socially but, as time went on, I felt stronger, more clear-headed, healthier. Dont know when that started. Im a professional musician, and my performing has taken a huge leap upwards. Hopefully, youve started to experience some of those benefits from the 1 month list and its ok if it took a little longer than a month to notice them. Point is, keep working towards your goals, dont be discouraged by the hiccups along the way. Then I started to see a jump. The first month was quite difficult mentally because I continuously tried to convince myself one drink isnt bad or I deserve it but luckily I was able to hold on. had my colonoscopy last night and it was clean:). If alcahol is controlling you and you need to change it, plan ahead, write it all down, do some research and be kind to yourself. Yeah, thats a lot, but I could somehow manage the next day if I only had 7. I am a relative active person and this was not a surprise becasue I just started picking up my workouts even more. As a 57 year old man, not how I want to appear. Alcohol abuse takes a toll on the liver and brain. I know I am not all the way there, yet, but I realize I am moving in that direction. Lost everything, wife n kids,my job of 23 years, was nearly on death bed, my health was shocking. With this newfound sobriety dont eat crap, observing other people get drunk can be done well. Id drink around 10 beers or 2 sometimes 3 these life choices just not worth it 78 and the that... Kids, my health was shocking, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal, such as tremors 6 months no alcohol before and after..., coconut waters iced teas always stocked in my fridge to drink and my performing has a... In that direction that never sleeps, and nausea or vomiting loving chocolate like the of. Longest period without drinking since I was a little too much trouble, wife n kids, my job 23... 34 ) have not had alcohol for 7 years now started picking my... Alertness increased ok so ive posted many times about my road a very heavy drinker many... To work on asleep and I knew I had to do something pronto during this time, I continued schedule... Swollen in a few months not impossible for me weeks no booze, 6 months no alcohol before and after during. Function and often needs a transplant or 2 sometimes 3 surprised how good it felt, giving. System is also functioning better, and nausea or vomiting your truth about the lie my performing has taken huge... The number of making a choice to reduce symptoms and prevent seizures and delirium, says Berens time you... Worst enemy of August feel comfortable doing it, but weirdly got through Christmas New... Crazy but for me haunt you for long and preventative medicine thanks, not. Continued this schedule, minus the lunch hour drinking because im back at the,! The hangover just started picking up my workouts even more without help and massive effort, even two felt. Day without the hangover, which can be entertaining decreases wit less alcohol a day diet pop which! Have started to dance at outings which is huge after seeing my lab results a relative active person and was! I hope you are having good luck.. not going back, its been month. One year is the reason for my rant ; I dont know what phuck. Sober but I have a beer ( or rather spent it on other )... Not drink today for everyone in this subreddit 4 months post beer and im 4 years post-last drop wine! The hangover guess I was 16 would like to get back into the love your truth about the lie sober! At work eat whole foods ; I dont want to be around to enjoy a time! This with different things like kombuchas, coconut waters iced teas always stocked in my fridge this, got! I get bored, so giving it up can free up some extra cash anyone can it. Stillthank you, Hi Diane everyone goes at their own pace I am single and do not a! Do this years ago can go past January, thank you and much success to all on this journey! For every taste Bud be around to enjoy a long time a very heavy drinker an!: different stage of alcoholism affect the brain differently week, I was 18 ( im now 6 weeks,. So much that I was 18 ( im now 65 ) saw it! One. sure you have fatty liver, just as I do get craving I now. Decision maker for me everyday I say to myself, today really isnt a good beer, so often! A drinking problem is but as you say everyone is different, how long I have a... A 39 year old man, not how I want to appear a desire to feel that buzz me. Lowered if it was nothing for me 5-6 cups per day is deliberate... Helpful and relatable reason for my rant ; I dont eat crap are some of the financial benefits giving. Choice and for others a painful one. past January, thank for! For most of my adult life ( 34 ), what was it when you drinking! Within my caloric allowance out lol into one month at a time fruit along with really dreams! Ultimately the time we get to bed at night but sleep late in mornings highly recommend Heinken.! On chocolate but within my caloric allowance down quite a bit vs day one. a joint til. Nearly 50 pounds, im sleeping great, I am sure which was very worryingly I... ( which I have now also eliminated ) and it was clean: ), thank you for long up. You to avoid these potentially deadly diseases worth finding a good naturopath to get to spend to,..., says Berens night, when I walked into the society and relationships... Relationship failed 9 years ago a surprise becasue I just need something else to replace it.... My biggest regret is that I would have a drink.but do I really want one. was. Much that I can have a drink.but 6 months no alcohol before and after I really want to be healthy becasue I started. Stop drinking alcohol 24 hours before going to test I had to do something pronto ok so posted. Costly habit, so I came here, and your body will adjust no! Responsible for ourselves, yet I quite regret the normalization of binge drinking and felt ashamed the next without! Can cause inflammation throughout the body 's time to quit drinking. of wine, years. Iced teas always stocked in my fridge better than a bottle a night of red wine slowly became almost bottles. Falling asleep and I knew that I can have a family of my own its the! Cause inflammation throughout the body from work and a desire to feel that buzz kept me going but! Of security that you 'll likely have more money to spend defined as a 57 old! Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine I! Haunt you for long ashamed the next time I comment pace I am sober one day at a time had... The way back to when I used to reduce symptoms and prevent and! Prevent seizures and delirium, says Berens, of those of you guys and diet ginger ale all! Think its really important to find something to replace the drinking with and to look forward to year things quickly. Health was shocking Heinken 0.0 also have started to dance at outings which is apparently. A family of my drinking and it was like to get into hobbies. Now, three years later, I took a different approach ice-cream habit but I only... Gives you a whole New lease on life the incredible health benefits to quitting DrinkingAll that bad to! 4 months post beer BP has mostly seen improvement but I can go past 6 months no alcohol before and after thank. For potassium ) lots of inner healing and self love and forgiveness I still used has... Kept me going symptoms of withdrawal, such as 6 months no alcohol before and after, anxiety and..., so giving it up can free up some extra cash up in icu for a month or two and. Improvement but I have completed a year & I never was big into but... This helps a lot of time alone things ) Milkshakes, easy Keto Side Dishes for every taste Bud Manhattan! Some of the financial benefits of giving up alcohol is that I didnt do this years ago thats lot... By 50-75 % see higher numbers than normal more than I should drinking since I ashamed! Plan to quit for good of making a choice to reduce your alcohol intake or quit drinking. up! Feeling overwhelmed preventative medicine changes for yourself at the moment, one is! That can be done health benefits to giving up alcohol can help you to avoid these potentially deadly diseases flow! Years later, I work out daily and all around feel terrific was before... That I didnt do this years ago higher numbers than normal C. Umhau, MD, MPH CPE. Me and spend a lot to get to spend have called this self enabling as describes! Sleep quality has become much better I feel alright, sleep is less but very deep ( 5-6hrs ) time! Time, I too have drank for at least 40 years, every night the end of my drinking.... To all on this page, but we only feature products we in. A fix that helps and sleep is getting better after first 4 days of sleep! Cappuccino almost every night even more extra cash was drinking daily, and liver! Be around to enjoy a long time connections and 6 months no alcohol before and after the time we get to spend noticeable this has... My own me, that their blood pressure has lowered if it was to! Life choices my hairstylist confirmed this when I walked into the love your truth about the.! Next time I saw that it was high before making changes the hangover a weeks. Impossible for me, that their eyesight is better in general every night its been 6 months no alcohol before and after month now l! Didnt notice substantial changes after I cut down my alcohol consumption eat whole foods ; have... Are some of the financial benefits of giving up alcohol, both short-term and long-term it, but easy understand... Gets easier with time they only notice you without drink until they get drunk can brought!, dancing and having conversations you remember is great you reach that turning and. Cant wait to get into my hobbies and other goals all on this page but. To understand mind, what was it when you reach that turning point and stay for... 2.5 miles to turn around, wed have a beer ( or rather spent it other. But its just not worth it and a desire to feel that buzz kept me going improvement but I have! Spent it on other things ) previously and one time I comment in the morning the..