If you stopped drinking

[Anonymous]

kolmac intensive outpatient program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I stopped when I was diagnosed breast cancer. I wish I had a better answer for you. I read all the book listed above and listened to the podcasts. I was a social drinker for most of my life, then during covid increased drinking from weekends to nightly and then started wading into dangerous territory (my father and sister are/ were both alcoholics) that I could not believe I had entered after a lifetime of health, wellness and awareness. So when the doctor said "No alcohol" after BC diagnosis and treatment, I took it as as an opportunity to start a new chapter. I do like NA beer and occasionally find it satisfying when I have a 5 pm urge, but I also have created new rituals to replace the glass of wine, like going for a walk and/ or taking a yoga class at the time, that feels indulgent and relaxing.

OP here and yes, this is my goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And were previously a binge and/or daily drinker, can you post what you did to stop?

I am trying to quit. Currently in therapy. Want to stop, but drinking is very much a habitual thing for me. Daily wine. Sometimes just two glasses. Sometimes more.

This was me over a year ago and I didn't succeed on my own and didn't stop in time before it got really bad for me. If you can stop now, please do it. I wound up going to inpatient treatment and though it was super hard, in the end it was worth it. I'm 97 days alcohol free today and I've never felt better. It's amazing....Cravings are still there every once in a while not gonna lie, but with a little time under my belt, changes in habits and regular meetings/a sponsor/therapy I don't really want alcohol anymore.

I’m glad you are doing better now, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And were previously a binge and/or daily drinker, can you post what you did to stop?

I am trying to quit. Currently in therapy. Want to stop, but drinking is very much a habitual thing for me. Daily wine. Sometimes just two glasses. Sometimes more.

I posted in the ultimatum thread that I am using the Reframe App.

I read Naked Mind and tried that challenge. I probably wasn't ready for it and honestly it didn't really hit for me.

Here's my post from the other thread:

"I am happy to share. Reframe is set up for you to use it every day, and multiple times a day if you want to. You have daily tasks - not mandatory, but they are there to help you with your mindset. It's four things: 1) a short reading about alcohol use, cravings, coping strategies, etc.; 2) a motivational quote; 3) a mindset exercise - might be logging your mood, a meditation, etc.; and 4) usually a type of journaling exercise to help you build skills to confront cravings, relapse, setting goals, etc.

There's a sections of tools if you are experiencing a craving to help you work through it. There's a forum that's open 24/7 for support. There are challenges, workshops, and classes (all virtual). AND there are meetings. A daily meeting for either quit track or cut back track. And then there's over 50, Women's meeting, LGBTQ meeting, a meeting for your loved ones, morning meetings, etc. The meetings I have been to are what I would call open share format. Sometimes the facilitator will introduce a topic but generally it's just open. It's on Zoom. You can lurk with your camera on or be onscreen, share if you want, etc. I have found the meetings to be hugely helpful and while I mentioned above that I was terrified of AA, this let me ease in and I have now showed my face and shared like once a week (I didn't start 15 days ago, I am just at 15 days continuous sobriety now).

We have informal Instagram groups too -separate from the app.

I also found a coach through the app that I am working with once a week in a CBT type format.

I think you can try it free for a week or so and then it's $25/month."

Thank you, yes, I saw this in the other thread after I posted here. I will think about it. So far I’ve downloaded alcohol explained and I’m going to start there. And slowly try other things as time goes by. I don’t want to get overwhelmed with options. I’m glad this is working for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love this post! Just decided this very second that tonight is the night I'm stopping! Cold turkey. It's time. I'm ready! Sparkling water in a wine glass here I come.

Let’s do it! So far I’ve had three cans of sparkling water.

[Anonymous]

The only thing that made me truly stop was that I was SICK of feeling sick in the mornings and having my day/weekend ruined as I got older. Life is too short for that. Now the feeling is almost pavlovian. I can barely finish a drink thinking about how I will feel the next day(s).

[Anonymous]

^ pp above - I also now drink hot tea, go for walks and take baths to chill out. So cliche but healthier and effective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And were previously a binge and/or daily drinker, can you post what you did to stop?

I am trying to quit. Currently in therapy. Want to stop, but drinking is very much a habitual thing for me. Daily wine. Sometimes just two glasses. Sometimes more.

This was me over a year ago and I didn't succeed on my own and didn't stop in time before it got really bad for me. If you can stop now, please do it. I wound up going to inpatient treatment and though it was super hard, in the end it was worth it. I'm 97 days alcohol free today and I've never felt better. It's amazing....Cravings are still there every once in a while not gonna lie, but with a little time under my belt, changes in habits and regular meetings/a sponsor/therapy I don't really want alcohol anymore.

I’m glad you are doing better now, PP.

Thank you. It hasn't been easy but definitely worth it and I can see the rewards even this early on . Sleeping so much better, naturally wanting to eat healthier, mind much clearer and I'm so much more motivated to do things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only thing that made me truly stop was that I was SICK of feeling sick in the mornings and having my day/weekend ruined as I got older. Life is too short for that. Now the feeling is almost pavlovian. I can barely finish a drink thinking about how I will feel the next day(s).

Same. I never had a problem with my relationship with alcohol however I have migraines and when I hit my forties even one or two glasses of wine would give me a horrible headache the next morning. Not worth it so here I am… I just don’t drink anymore. I feel a lot better and I even lost a few pounds

[Anonymous]

Op checking in. On day 5. Weirdly felt sobby on and off yesterday. Scale hasn’t changed but I’ve worked out 4/5 days and eaten healthier than I have in years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op checking in. On day 5. Weirdly felt sobby on and off yesterday. Scale hasn’t changed but I’ve worked out 4/5 days and eaten healthier than I have in years.

Well done, OP! I’m one of the PP who quit drinking, it honestly took me over a month to see any weight loss. Keep up the good habits!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op checking in. On day 5. Weirdly felt sobby on and off yesterday. Scale hasn’t changed but I’ve worked out 4/5 days and eaten healthier than I have in years.

Congrats on sticking with it!

I don't know if you're reading any "quit lit" or listening to any podcasts, but alcohol increases anxiety and has an effect on your normal functioning of neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, so your emotions being out of whack while you withdraw the substance your brain has been getting in excess over a period of time will have effects like this.

My understanding is that it takes your body about two weeks to fully withdraw/detox.

I'm on day 20 and I am just feeling so good about the whole thing. Here's to an alcohol free weekend!

[Anonymous]

What worked for me a year and a half ago was Annie Grace’s 30 day experiment. During the first few months I also listened to a lot of quit lit like Quit Like a Woman, This Naked Mind, The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, Mrs D is Going Without, and the Sober Diaries. Most of our friends drink so I’d bring a couple non alcoholic drinks like De Soi and Kin Spritz to dinner parties and book club to have a fancy treat for myself. I feel so much healthier and haven’t looked back, steady on OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op checking in. On day 5. Weirdly felt sobby on and off yesterday. Scale hasn’t changed but I’ve worked out 4/5 days and eaten healthier than I have in years.

Congrats on sticking with it!

I don't know if you're reading any "quit lit" or listening to any podcasts, but alcohol increases anxiety and has an effect on your normal functioning of neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, so your emotions being out of whack while you withdraw the substance your brain has been getting in excess over a period of time will have effects like this.

My understanding is that it takes your body about two weeks to fully withdraw/detox.

I'm on day 20 and I am just feeling so good about the whole thing. Here's to an alcohol free weekend!

I have so many quit lit books, listened to a number of Annie Grace podcasts (although never completed TAE), and even downloaded reframe. I have all the knowledge at the tips of my fingers.

But I have to want it, and that's been my challenge. I feel like I want it this time. Relearning new reward systems is one thing that really resonates with me - a hard workout if I'm feeling anxious. A long hot bath if I'm feeling tired and stressed. These are things I need to focus on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What worked for me a year and a half ago was Annie Grace’s 30 day experiment. During the first few months I also listened to a lot of quit lit like Quit Like a Woman, This Naked Mind, The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, Mrs D is Going Without, and the Sober Diaries. Most of our friends drink so I’d bring a couple non alcoholic drinks like De Soi and Kin Spritz to dinner parties and book club to have a fancy treat for myself. I feel so much healthier and haven’t looked back, steady on OP!

I will look into those NA drinks. Thanks! Yes, almost all of my friends drink as well.