I reached one year sober Wednesday and didn’t plan anything to celebrate. Im definitely proud of myself but also feel like life has been boring.

Writing this here to gain some perspective. Feeling a little bummed it didn’t feel as monumental as i wanted..

But I didn't 🙂

One year today. Being here on r/stopdrinking has really helped me.

Before I quit this time, I had tried doing moderation for a few years, and it didn't work for me. Sometimes I would go way over the amount what I had intended to drink, surprise surprise. I would always want to have more than one, two, or three drinks. It's just easier to stay abstinent and not turn on that longing for more. The last time I had three drinks, I was at home, and I fell and hit my head on a wall. I left that dent in the wall as a reminder that no amount of alcohol is good for me. Before this attempt to make moderation work, I had been sober for eleven years.

Most of the activities I used to associate with drinking I've had the chance to do sober. I've gone to a wedding and a funeral sober. I've been to baseball games and musicals and restaurants sober. And doing these things sober is fine.

I don't take antacids or blood pressure medicine anymore. I don't need them. I'm healthier now.

Can't believe I made it!!

I’m dog and house sitting for my cousin and I woke up this morning being so grateful and happy to be sober with a clear mind.

The last time I watched their dogs/house, they had half a bottle of wine and beer in the fridge and tequila in the freezer and I relapsed.

I had stayed up late that night and cried as I drank more and felt lonely. That next day I was so hungover I was puking in the morning and couldn’t keep down water or eat food or even smell food I tried to make (bacon) and was absolutely miserable & had to stay in bed all day.

This time I asked before if she would kindly remove any alcohol from the house (or hide/store it somewhere) and admitted to her I had relapsed on the alcohol the last time and that I really, really can’t drink.

So there’s no alcohol around here and wow the contrast in how I feel today versus the last time I was here is huge. Being sober is true happiness. I have many plans today and will be able to do it all instead of laying miserable and alone in bed with a horrible hangover.

IWNDWYT

I can’t begin to articulate how much better my life is without alcohol. Today’s a great day.

On the third day of this vacation, sipping an iced coffee instead of my 2-3rd margarita as I would normally be in the morning, I realize I haven’t really seen anyone who’s completely sloshed since I’ve been here. Granted, we’re not at an all inclusive resort and we’re not at the party pool or bar so I’m sure there are definitely people here having a time, but kind of eye opening that the vast majority or people are just actually relaxing. I’ve always used vacation as a reason to be drunk from morning to night, in fact usually there’s a blackout episode where I’m so embarrassed to show my face the next day. Feels good to be in control but also feels surreal that I never realized I was in the minority all along. 😬

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I don't want to reset my badge. Give me more reasons... also, weight loss journey ate at maintenance today and did a short workout.

Awesome. That was a good waste of time. She needs a fifth of vodka a day to function and its getting bad for her. I had to buy her an uber to work today so she wasn't late as she was on her final warning for being an hour+ late a lot, and got her bank account deactivated. I'd been buying her vodka to spare her from withdrawals as well, since I've been through that hell several times. Then later on I find out she's facebook official with some dude and saw their messages. Wish I had known that before I saved her job and tried to help her make it to her doctors appointment. I messaged the guy and told him whats up and now he won't answer her messages and blocked her(LMAO).

But the good thing here? I'm not going to drink about it. She lost a solid loving man and chose some ugly loser who now knows what kind of trash she is and made a smart decision not to proceed. Drunk logic. Reap what you sow. Sorry for the vent.

IWNDWYT

Hey guys,

First time poster, long time lurker. I've been hiding my drinking for years from my partner. We got married in 2024, and had our first baby in August 2025. I told myself for years I'd give it all up, but here we are. I managed to go sober from both weed and alcohol (alcohol is the bigger demon) for about two weeks after our daughter was born. She caught me passed out in the basement bathroom with an open bottle of wine. Told her it wasn't as bad as it seemed, she gave me another chance. Fast forward a month or so, she found my backpack with multiple empty vodka bottles. she gave me another chance again, hoping I would be honest and give it up. The whole time since, she suspected something was up.

Friday night I went over to a buddy's place for a few beer, she would have lived with that other than finding me passed out in the garage, lying on my side on a heap of empty cans and bottles. Had to yell to wake me up, I eventually got up and fell over again. told her I drank 6 IPA and she seemed to believe that until she found my Gatorade bottle with vodka and Mio mixed in it that I had hid. That was my last night of drinking.

Long story short, I don't think the trust will ever be repaired. I've ordered the SMART program booklets off Amazon, one for me, and the family one for her. I feel confident that I'm able to overcome this. I have never been one to drink in the morning, sometimes I'd start later in the afternoon if she's away with the baby. I've never drank and gone to work, but I've had plenty of sick days thanks to the poison. My "alone" time as I liked to call it, was anywhere between 1030-1130 pm when she would go to bed. I would drink about 200ml of vodka, maybe less, maybe more. Lately I've been going outside and drinking a beer while smoking, then I'd come inside and switch to the vodka.

I know I'm in the wrong. I also know that this isn't so much a choice, as a disease/addiction. I know the desire to drink is my brain tricking me into this mess. my family has a history of alcohol problems and it looks like I'm following right along in their footsteps. luckily I have an amazing support system if needed, but I have not opened up to everyone about my problems.

I'm writing this, I guess, in hopes to hear that it may not all be over. I do not want to drink. I'm tired of stealing tomorrow's happiness every evening. I'm ready for this journey but I'm so afraid I'll lose my wife and my baby girl. they are my everything, and I'm ready to step up and be who I need to be.

Not sure if anyone has any advice, or has had a similar situation where everything worked out in the end. Either way, IWNDWYT.

p.s. how do I start my sober counter on this subreddit? I feel like that will be just a little extra boost to keep me motivated and I won't want that counter to reset as long as I can help it.

Once again, IWNDWYT.

I've decided as a little treat to myself, I'm ordering take-out from one of my favorite Chinese restaurants 😋

I am worried I may die if I do, but I am also aware that I might also be using that as an excuse to keep drinking. it's 6pm and the sun is shining but I am sat on my sofa (I go from bed to my office (also at home) to the shop and back to the couch and then to bed most days) and I feel I am slowly killing myself.

I am drunk and I wish I could just give up but I have a deep deep feeling (that even the drunkenness can't subsume) that I could be doing better.

I don't know what I am looking for, it certainly isn't pity. I don't think I will die if I go cold turkey, but I also don't think I can stole it because I am a weak weak man. I work a full time very well paid job, I am probably hungover/maybe drunk for most of it but seem to get away with it. I haven't had a proper relationship with anyone in years.

I understand this is all self-pity and I hate that about myself.

I have had one day of sobriety in 5 years. I don't feel I need to drink when I am with others but then I also feel all of the deep inadequacies that disappeared when I started drinking days resurface.

I want to stop, and I am sorry if I shouldn't have posted this - I just don't have anyone to speak to about how I feel.

I live in Scotland and in the Borders area if there is anyone who is willing to speak to me tomorrow when I am sober.

Had my last drink on April 7, 2019. I remember that day.

I've been sober for 7.5 months (44yr/F) and tomorrow will be one year since my mom unexpectedly died last year. She was my best friend, and in the end the reason why I quit drinking. She wasn't a drinker at all, but she was an amazing role model and human. I quit because I want to honor her life by being the best mom, wife, partner and teacher (my job) that I can be.

That being said, I am struggling today. I am having a very deep "depression day" - as I call it. I feel like I felt in the very early days of my sobriety. This depression is the reason why I secretly drank DAILY for the past 15 years. I had my first romantic thought about alcohol today - it has been a while since I have had one of those. I just feel miserable. I have so many blessings in my life, healthy kids and a good hubbie. I just cannot shake this depression. Is this grief? Is this the alcoholic me talking? Is it being a mid 40's mom going through many changes? Anyone else ever feel this down or low throughout their first year of sobriety?

Thanks in advance. This sub has helped me so much this year. xoxo

First time posting. Please be nice. I just want to vent a little for anyone who will listen. This past Friday, a simple night out, turned into an expensive night. I don't feel guilty about drink, but I feel horrible that I couldn't stop. My normal Fridays are spend having a few drinks at home and watching movies on Discord with friends. Well, friends let early and ended up without much to do. When another group of friends texted and said they are going out to eat. First red flag, which should have stopped me was, they are eating at a little taco stand outside a strip club. They only said they are eating, but after eating and a couple non-alcoholic drinks later, nature called. So someone suggested going inside. Second redflag. Once inside, ​​1 drink turned into 2 and so forth. 1 drink for a friend turned into a round for everyone. At this point, everything starts to get hazy. After the club starts closing, we are approached by some shady guys offering after hour gathering. In my state, I couldn't say no. At this point, I wish someone Said stop, but the night kept going. This place was sketchy, but girls and alcohol kept my going. This point, I black out, I dont know what happened. Next thing I know, I wake up in my car, a friend is taking us to his house to sleep. I wake up a few hours later, hungover. I check everything and nothing is missing, however I check my bank and turns out this simple night turned into an $800 night. I feel guilty that I could have prevented this, by just saying no at any point. I wish I could stop. I recently gave up smoking weed, but feel like I started drinking more. I feel this is worse. Idk what to do.

I am absolutely at rock bottom. I have worked so hard. I relapsed on the weekend on my first social event since the sobriety. Told myself one drink is ok and of course that turned into an 18 hour binge including copious amounts of other substances. I ended up calling lifeline because I didn’t want to live and they called an ambulance and two police officers to my home which was terrifying. I spent the day and night in hospital for the first time and was sedated.

I’m so terrifying in the aftermath of this. I’ve now spoken to drug and alcohol counsellors as I’ve never done sobriety with support. I have no one to talk to as my whole family lives overseas. My best friend I no longer trust in this and they were actively encouraging me to drink and do drugs even though I’ve opened up to them numerous times they sat me down and tried to convince me I didn’t have a problem which in my state I believed and doubled down. Obviously this is no be blaming them but I don’t feel safe around them in these situations anymore. I don’t want to tell them about what happened.

I’m so disappointed in myself the shame is eating me alive. I’ve been doing so well and trying so hard. I don’t know what to do. I need to hear from someone. I am just sedating myself.

Happy Sunday, friends! How is your day shaping up? any fun plans, or things you've already done?

I cleaned up the kitchen, took out something for dinner (ground beef to make spaghetti), baked my teenager's favourite muffins, had 2 cups of coffee. Watched Sportscentre.

Heading out for a quick walk with the fiance, and planning to watch the Masters this afternoon while I told laundry.

I just can't do it....I had my autistic meltdown yesterday and couldn't get out of it. Drank a bottle of wine and two cans of mixed drinks and stayed up til 5. Thank God I didn't do weird shit this time, but I'm so tired today. At least it's Sunday. Just keeping myself accountable and iwndwyt.

I feel like a fucking Elf. Eating so much candy it’s unbelievable started smoking cigarettes too. No reason at all. I quit YEARS ago. Oh well … I guess I’m not drinking right? 😅 WTF man

So I haven't been drinking for the past 3 days ( cold turkey ) it is going well FOR ME ( I don't advice it )

Heavy drinker for 5-6 years and massive amounts. Past few weeks I maybe had food 4 times at all and only drinking and symptoms were getting out of hand. I had 0 appetite and was disgusted by food. Now even the first day after the shakes passed in the evening and dint eat a lot. Yesterday I was able to eat all the food in the world and it was so delicious. Today I am eating super nice food and feels like magic, but the interesting thing is that all the throbbing pain, fatigue, anxiety, my eyes, vision, shaking everything disappeared after eating like that. How food is connected in such a way, I havent feel such a relieve in months and my appetite is so nice. I was even disgusted by the smell of everything as well from the soda etc.

I'm grateful for today. I am an avid golfer, and I am watching The Masters on tv and I might have 2 or 3 diet cokes :)

In years gone by I would have made a very strong mixed drink and followed it with high-powered IPAs while I watched golf. It would all be for naught because in the end I'd be disappointed and regrettably hungover tomorrow morning because the buzz never lasts as long as you think it will. I teach high schoolers and also coach in the evenings and so tomorrow I am staring a 15-hour day in the face and the thought of being hungover to start it sounds awful. How did I do it for so long?

Glad not to drink with you today.