Hello! OP here. I'm still alcohol free! I've been doing Annie Grace and have found her daily videos very helpful in staying on track. It's nice to have a daily reminder, it's like a pep talk for me. I did great over the weekend, although I have been having cravings. I had some cravings when I was listening to a podcast and the host was talking about his favorite bourbon, and I got sad thinking about how I can't do that anymore. I can't bond with anyone over our favorite bourbon, or favorite wine. It was fleeting, but I felt it. I also had some cravings Sunday evening when I was stressing about something work related - but I got through that. I reminded myself how much more difficult dealing with the situation would be if I was hungover.

I thought I was going to get through it without needing any support, and that I wouldn't have cravings since I was so determined to do this. I was wrong about that. I've definitely had thoughts of going back to drinking, so thank you for recommending Annie Grace and for the support you've shown in this thread. I do not want to go back. I don't think I can be that person who just has one or two. If I go back I'm certain I'll go back to overdoing it on a regular basis.

I'm starting to feel so much better, too! I'm not jumping out of the bed in the morning, but I am slowly gaining energy. I spent time this weekend organizing closets and weeding junk out. I've been wanting to do that for so long but haven't because I'm always hungover on the weekends.

Congrats OP! I quit about 1.5 years ago. Annie Grace was a big help for me too. At the beginning I did not have the kinds of problems you wrote but I experienced lots of moments of wanting a drink. What helped for me was stocking up on non-alcoholic drinks (sparkling water, coke, lemonade) and ice cream. When I wanted a glass of wine, I ate ice cream. For me this was a nice treat since I usually don't eat ice cream. I figured I am saving calories that I would have consumed from wine. So, why not some ice cream as a replacement. This helped me. I remember Annie Grace also saying something like don't try to do too many things at once, e.g., quit alcohol, quit sugary things, exercise more. One thing at a time! Good luck!!

Drink coconut water. There are lots of flavors now. It's my daily treat, like wine used to be.

Anonymous wrote:What would you do if you spouse was drinking really heavy almost to the point of me coming home and they being passed out with kids in the house (10 and 12) and they quit and has been dry for 2 months and now wants to start having one or two again when we go out or something?

Spouse of an alcoholic here. In my experience, this never works, they are kidding themselves, but they might need to experiment to learn it for themselves. There isn’t much you can do other than register an opinion.

What would you do if you spouse was drinking really heavy almost to the point of me coming home and they being passed out with kids in the house (10 and 12) and they quit and has been dry for 2 months and now wants to start having one or two again when we go out or something?

Op I was just like you. Stopped drinking Oct 8. I’ve lost weight and look and feel much better. Hang in there!

OP: Would love to know how you did over the weekend. I've added "headspace" to my annie grace.

Awesome work on making it to 1 week OP! CBD has really helped me lessen my use of alcohol (weed works well too). It's a huge accomplishment to make it this far, and I'm sure you will start to feel better day by day - that was true in my case. Best of luck!

Anonymous wrote:You are inspiring me OP. Someone on DCUM pointed out Annie Grace and I've been amazed at how much I learned from the free podcasts.

Go for it! I've thought I needed to do this for a while now, and am so glad to be finally doing it. Granted it's only been a little over a week, but I feel very good about this decision.

I think the hardest thing is going to be social situations, which I haven't had to deal with yet, but will have to soon.

Anonymous wrote:Annie Grace looks good. I signed up.

I'm also going to move the amount of money I would have spent on alcohol to savings each week. I think that will help reinforce the desire not to start up again.

I'm still not feeling super, but today was much better. This week I realized I haven't gone without alcohol my entire adult life for more than 5 days at a time, except when I was pregnant and then nursing.

I've also been reading it could take up to 3 months to truly realize all the health benefits, like better focus, better sleep, and more energy. I don't know how long it will take for me to get there, but I'm looking forward to it.

Cool idea!

You are inspiring me OP. Someone on DCUM pointed out Annie Grace and I've been amazed at how much I learned from the free podcasts.

Annie Grace looks good. I signed up.

I'm also going to move the amount of money I would have spent on alcohol to savings each week. I think that will help reinforce the desire not to start up again.

I'm still not feeling super, but today was much better. This week I realized I haven't gone without alcohol my entire adult life for more than 5 days at a time, except when I was pregnant and then nursing.

I've also been reading it could take up to 3 months to truly realize all the health benefits, like better focus, better sleep, and more energy. I don't know how long it will take for me to get there, but I'm looking forward to it.

I think it’s normal. I am doing Dry January and before this did drink 3 (sometimes 4) x week 1-3 drinks. After a week I feel great today but headaches bloated blah til yesterday and I didn’t think we drank that much. So I think it is all the toxins purging from the body. I haven’t felt this “awake/energetic” in a long time. Keep at it!!

And you are ahead of me in progress op.

Annie grace has a free 30 day alcohol free challenge. I think it might help you understand what’s going on with your body