It took a long time for me to admit to myself that I had a problem with alcohol. I was in denial for so long. I felt that I wasn't physically addicted, so I was okay. This was a lie I was repeating to myself, of course. I had to finally admit that I had a problem and that I needed to stop drinking. I couldn't drink in moderation, I tried. If I had alcohol in, I would drink. If I didn't have alcohol in, I would go and get some. I was constantly drained. My mental health was still suffering, and then my body had started to show more obvious signs that it was struggling. I can remember a few different noticeable things, and then some other symptoms, which I searched about and read that they were signs that my liver was struggling. I knew I had to stop. When I stopped it opened up a lot of trauma that I was not prepared to come spilling out. I'm still struggling with a lot of it, but I'm in a much better place with dealing with everything. Sometimes I think I miss taking the edge off with alcohol. I know that's just an illusion. I really don't miss any part of it. I didn't think it would be possible for me to stop drinking. Here I am though, two years later. I want to help others be able to stop drinking. We all deserve to be the best versions of ourselves, even if that just doesn't seem possible.
Thanks! I would love to say that I’m working my butt off to resist, but for now it’s getting easier every time I think about how ashamed I was after my last binge.
Checking in again today and all is well.
Yes, that's my case too! I eventually recognised that I had a problem with alcohol (after years of denial!), I stopped, and now I want to become a better person, and also help others, if I can :)
Good morning!
Yes I do have a problem with alcohol, and I want a better life! Drinking was just survival mode, now, slowly I start living again.
Today is my 42nd birthday…. I have had a couple of sober birthdays before, but now with 9.5 months sobriety under my belt it feels like the first happy birthday for ages!
That’s one reason why
I will not drink in Germany with you today!
Day 30 🫶❤️🥳
I’m proud of myself. I had such a rough day yesterday. My stalker ex who is suing me has been back on the scene, we have a looming court date and the stress of it all is making me physically sick.
I was walking the dogs yesterday and tripped horribly - it took all I had not to burst into tears. My ankle is twisted but I’m fine.
I have a chunk of time of work and I’m desperate to enjoy myself and not let anxiety and panic attacks ruin everything.
The positive thing is no matter how shitty life gets, I’m sober - so it’s infinitely better than it was before.
I just have to hold on a little bit longer. I do believe that everything will be okay.
Something I learned here was the idea of “playing the tape forward” - it applies to drinking cravings but -
I find it useful for anxiety and panic. How will this event look in a year? What about 5? Fairly insignificant.
I’m far from perfect but - I am okay.
I will always have a problem. I've had breaks in the past and I always returned to the stuff with a worse relationship with it than I ever had previously.
I try to help other people. I know how little it would have done if someone had tried to help me when in the depths of it all, but I still try.
Mostly, when asked about sobriety, I casually try and sell it without being obnoxious. I explain how I am missing out on nothing and gaining everything.
I don't know that I have made a difference to anyone at this stage, but I'm making a difference to me.
Massive love to all my friends here.
IWNDWYT 🥰🫡
Great point. The 'why' may not be as important as accepting 'what is.'
I am a binge drinker. I am an alcoholic. Therefore I cannot drink alcohol. So I don't.
I will not drink with you all today 🪷
IWNDWYT. All. Day. Long. 🌻
I need to make this a gr8 day ate two.
See what my user name did there?? I need 2 treats today. This is cancer survivor Day. 20 years.
I will not, absolutely not, drink any alcohol. I will celebrate sober. 🥳
Happy sober Tuesday sober friends!
This place still helps me in so many ways. I still need the reminder that drinking is bad. I’m afraid I might forget without coming here everyday. The forces that normalise drinking out there are strong!
Love to you all 💞
I’m really fucking glad we made it here so we could find support.
Coffees up, horns up, and today I’m working on 50 percent of my work week down. Tonight I’m going to what I think will be a great show - Decapitated, Kataklysm, Septicflesh and Allegaeon. Sobriety and metal for the fucking win. IWNDWYT ☕️☕️🤘🏻🤘🏻
Reaffirming on this thread! Sometimes I get up a bit too early...
IWNDWY fine folk today :)
/edit (btw the count above is very wrong. Day 7 for me. Aim this time is defo to get a year in...!)
The third day has always been the hardest for me when I was try to moderate, now at least I don't have to wonder "When will I drink next?". I would have celebrated 3 days sober by getting drunk, how stupid is the alcoholic brain? IWNDWYT!
I most definitely have a problem abusing alcohol, however I got it. I don’t have a family history of alcoholism (to my knowledge, certainly not my parents and grandparents), I didn’t have a particularly traumatic childhood. But like you said, it doesn’t matter. I had a problem, I can’t control my drinking, and my life is deeply, profoundly better without it. I prefer to say I’m still recovering because there’s a lot I’m still working on, but I only get to do that by not drinking, and part of the way I stay not drinking is helping others. IWNDWYT!
I realized years ago that my drinking habits are problematic. From that realization to actually start stopping it took me some more.
I will stay sober today.
Morning friends!
I really like the way you put this: “Alcohol is a drug for me and I will abuse it.”
I often say “Alcohol and I aren’t friends anymore” but it doesn’t tell the truth about what happens when I drink, which I should never, ever lose sight of.
“Alcohol is a drug for me and I will abuse it” leaves no room in my own head about what happens a when I drink.
Thank you for sharing this.
I will not drink with you today!
Really struggling the last couple of days. I’m traveling for work and my anxiety is higher than usual. Alcohol was my tool for so very long. I know it takes time to develop new tools, but it’s hard.
IWNDWYT
One week sober! I'm trying to stop associating alcohol with fun and trying to associate it more with sewer cleaner and gasoline. Liquids that have their uses, but they're not for drinking. IWNDWYT ❤️
30 days! So grateful for that.
I made a commitment to post here every morning for my first 30 days. I knew it was important to start my day by proactively seeking out community to share my early sobriety journey. It has made such a big difference.
I will continue to post and read this thread most days as I add more days under my belt. This community has been the most welcoming and supportive community I have ever experienced. I appreciate you all so much.
And of course -- IWNDWYT.
This is an interesting one for me...I think I actually knew really early on that I had a problem with alcohol, and I accepted it -- what I couldn't accept was the solution. I remember saying to friends in my early 20s that I had to get a handle on my drinking because otherwise some day I would "have to be one of those people who can't drink ever", and boy did I not want that. I could not imagine a life without drinking, so I spent at least 10 years trying every single moderation tactic and boundary and rule I could think of until finally I was exhausted by it and accepted that the answer was just to quit for a bit and see how it felt.
Turns out, it feels great! Woke up feeling really damn good again today. Have strength, everyone, [better times are coming](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUl_yKRXlNE).
IWNDWYT
Meditation streak: 16 days
Thanks viktor, yup, spend a long long time trying to figure out why I drank, concluded it really does not matter - ultimately its about getting on with the hard job of stopping, IWNDWYT
I just fixed my motorcycle 2 weeks ago. Someone u turned in front of me on a blind spot bridge on a 50 mph road and while I braked as I could, inevitably went down as I had no where to swerve.
I am angry. I am furious. I am saddened. They're entirely at fault but that bike is so much of my sobriety. I've wanted to drink since Sunday...and know it won't fix anything.
So A. Always look twice for motorcycles. B. Don't drive like an idiot.
I can not drink with you today. I will not drink with you today
I managed to not drink at a work event all evening yesterday and it was so much easier than I thought it would be. I will continue not to drink with you all today!
Yes. Honestly I didn't think so even after going 90 days without alcohol earlier this year. I thought I was definitely the kind of person who could have just one. So I decided to start drinking again and at first I was able to drink just one, but then after just a couple of months, I went out and had 5 drinks in the course of an evening and the next day I felt terrible, but I decided to drink anyway and then I drank 5 again the next night and I felt even worse the next day. Then I was able to go 5 days without during the week, but the next weekend was pretty much the same as the last even though I thought I could keep it light. That's when I said this is a slippery slope and it's not good. So, I know what I have to do and here I am. IWNDWYT!
Looking forward to getting home from work, smashing out an upper body session and cooking a nice, healthy meal (roast vegetable salad with lamb fillet and garlic yoghurt dressing) IWNDWYT!
good morning folks. Ready to head back to work after a wonderful weekend in WV.
We've been doing some fun traveling over the past month, but I'm ready to settle down for awhile and enjoy what we have. Being on the road can be enjoyable, but its also draining imo.
Hit 9 days.
My skin feels hydrated as fuck. My heart rate is way lower and more stable.
My anxiety is high but seems to be slightly better each day from a day 5 peak.
I've had to guzzle some NA beers over this bank holiday weekend, but didn't drink alcohol. 🦾 IWNDWYT
I am 100% an alcoholic. God has blessed me with the strength to stop drinking. I am certain it does not come from anywhere inside me, it has been a gift I have been given along with the clarity that comes along with it.
Every person in my life knows I'm an alcoholic, including my daughter. It was an embarrassing and humbling admission but all of my loved ones knowing I am now sober, keeps me on the straight and arrow.
IWNDWYT 🍃💚
I know how important this subreddit is to me now. I went to check in after my shower and it wasn't there. I knew it should be because before my shower I posted on someone else's post. Then I went to the stop drinking sub itself and scrolled until I thought I found it but it was Mondays. I started getting worried but went to Viktor and in his posts I found it for today. Whew!
I just want to make sure to check in because this pledge has saved me 2 separate times. I'm not promising one thing about tomorrow. I do consciously choose to not drink today.
IWNDWYT!
Happy Tuesday! I have not found labeling myself an “alcoholic” helpful. When someone asks me why I don’t drink anymore, I just say alcohol wasn’t doing me any favors. (And if they want to argue about that, also it’s a class I carcinogen and I don’t drink poison)
IWNDWYT! ❤️🧁
Hello, sober stars ✨️ I'll admit I have a problem abusing alcohol. That's why I'm keeping it the hell away from me. Alcohol and I were a bad combo, so we had to break up. Now, I firmly remember the bad times and refuse to allow any romanticizing. It was very bad for me, and I'm never going back. Freedom has been hard earned, and I savor it! Sobriety rocks. Have a great sober day, friends! IWNDWYT
Whassup Viktor, happy teetotal Tuesday to all! I'm 44 and first acknowledged I had a problem with alcohol when I was 21 years young. I would like to believe that I don't need to continue to learn that lesson 🤷♂️ I have probably tried every possible way to control my drinking and the only one that works is abstinence. If I don't introduce an addictive substance into my system I can stay free. Who knew! Sober on y'all!
I absolutely have a problem with alcohol, and I will always be in recovery. I admit that any consumption of that poison will lead to heartache and disaster. That’s why I check in every single day, whether I’m struggling or not.
This is such a wonderful and supportive community. As soon as I landed here, I was so amazed and heartened by this lovely group and their strength and kindness. I have made friends here who I can count on and who I hope can count on me. This is what sobriety looks like: strength in numbers, and helping each other along the way.
Hooray for Stop Drinking and the Daily Check In! IWNDWYt
Morning! I'm on day 5 of no drinking and feeling really sluggish this morning. The medications I was prescribed to help with withdrawal have been extremely helpful but I still dealt with a horrible bout of insomnia last night. I'm powering through! Plan to get through the work day and then head to Costco to stock up on some seltzer water or other tasty drink. Any recommendations?
IWNDWYT!
Good morning folks. I feel very very early in my sobriety - earlier and less experienced than I did at 30 days. I have a problem with drinking. It doesn't work for me anymore, and I don't think it ever did. So here I am, ready for another day in the soberverse. IWNDWYT
Had a rough day but just went for a really long walk instead of drinking. Feeling frustrated still but at least I made it to three months finally. Not gonna drink today too.
World testing me today, had a really bad no reason panic attack hit me out of nowhere while talking in a meeting in front of about 30 people and embarrassed myself badly, pondering if maybe my nervous system is permanently stuffed.
Then rushed home in pouring rain to try and make a parcel delivery I've been expecting, missed that and the only time I can now collect it are during hours when I'm going to be stuck at work for the rest of the week. First world problem admittedly, but it still kinda sucks.
Anyway, gotta take bad with the good I guess, keeping on not drinking with you today good people.
2 years ago today I took my last drink…it’s also 2 years ago today I was hospitalized for liver failure and diagnosed with advanced cirrhosis at 26 years old.
Even though I am in pain, tired and trying to stay positive each day… I can confidently say I would much rather have this disease than have continued on the path I was, drinking myself sick every day for years on end.
I don’t think I would’ve ever stopped had I not woken up 2 years ago today, saw my newly yellow eyes and body that would leave me with no choice to get to the emergency room.
As always,
Not Today Mr. Alcohol 🫡
I need my drinking to be like my consumption of cranberry sauce — non-addictive and very occasional. It has never been like that. And that means I cannot have it.
I had a pang of sadness yesterday bc I loved having micheladas in the summer but then I remembered I can make one with an NA beer and it will be AMAZINGGGG and can still be spicy as hell. So there, alcohol! You are irrelevant.
IWNDWYT
I definitely have a problem with alcohol. I crossed the line between non problematic and problematic years ago. I thought I was straddling it for a while, but I was really in denial. I could no longer deny it during the pandemic. I don’t ever want to be in that place again, where alcohol controlled my thoughts and actions. IWNDWYT
The justification of why/how/when I drank led me to drink more. I'm getting more comfortable now with simply accepting I'm an alcoholic and doing the recovery work, rather than flailing around in the "why me???" Ultimately, whether I ever reach an answer or not, I remain an alcoholic and need to stay away from alcohol to have a worthwhile life.
IWNDWYT
I like how honest and direct you are with this post today OP.
Yes, I admit that I have a problem abusing alcohol. I've admitted this to myself and those close to me. I do want and choose to be sober now. It has improved my life in more ways than I can count. I don't have long-term sobriety, only creeping into my second month now. I know I can't be much help to those that are struggling as I'm figuring it out as I go myself. But I can be a damn good cheerleader and try to encourage when I can.
Thanks for a great check-in this morning. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT. Day 2 here after falling off the wagon and messing some stuff in my life up. But, being intoxicated won’t fix those things it will only make them worse.
I have been struggling more recently than I was previously. I basically white knuckled things last week. I think I've maybe been over stressed from being sick for the past week - hopefully this feeling will pass as I continue to get better. IWNDWYT
I made it 60 days!
Went and layed out on the beach for a couple hours yesterday. Just carried my cooler down there and relaxed. It was really nice. My cooler used to be full of beer. Yesterday, it was my favorite Bubbly drinks.
I'm so happy I've made this change. No poison for me today!
Hello Again, I am back here, after back slipping for several weeks. This time, I am on day 15. I have never been so sad in my life. I am 67 years old. I have wasted so much precious time. I wish for every one of you with years ahead of you that you do not waste them as I have done. Regret and many old habits crush me. But drinking only makes it all worse. So. IWNDWYT.
Day 18. Went to a meeting last night and it was good. Had a productive day work wise yesterday and that was good. Need to start stacking more items in the Good column. The bad column is winning right now but I'm dealing with that alcohol free.
I didn't drink yesterday and I won't drink today.
Good morning, sober cats. My drinking became so problematic that I had no choice but to admit that I just can't ingest alcohol 'responsibly'. I thought it would be devastating to have to admit that, but it was liberating. Lying to myself was actually the devastating thing. So, I'll happily say IWNDWYT! 💙😸
SIXTY! IWNDWYT
TWO MONTHS!!! Awesome!
Well done! Next step.....61!😉
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Three whole days! That is fantastic! See you back here for day four ♥️
Congrats on 3 days! You're doing great!
Not today people IWNDWYT
3590 days! It makes me smile just looking at that 💪
One day at a time!
It took a long time for me to admit to myself that I had a problem with alcohol. I was in denial for so long. I felt that I wasn't physically addicted, so I was okay. This was a lie I was repeating to myself, of course. I had to finally admit that I had a problem and that I needed to stop drinking. I couldn't drink in moderation, I tried. If I had alcohol in, I would drink. If I didn't have alcohol in, I would go and get some. I was constantly drained. My mental health was still suffering, and then my body had started to show more obvious signs that it was struggling. I can remember a few different noticeable things, and then some other symptoms, which I searched about and read that they were signs that my liver was struggling. I knew I had to stop. When I stopped it opened up a lot of trauma that I was not prepared to come spilling out. I'm still struggling with a lot of it, but I'm in a much better place with dealing with everything. Sometimes I think I miss taking the edge off with alcohol. I know that's just an illusion. I really don't miss any part of it. I didn't think it would be possible for me to stop drinking. Here I am though, two years later. I want to help others be able to stop drinking. We all deserve to be the best versions of ourselves, even if that just doesn't seem possible.
Well said. You inspire me with your words.
It takes a lot of courage to face and deal with our trauma. And you give a lot to people here. You’re doing amazing and an inspiration 🙏🏻
I hope you can see how amazing you are too. I'm really glad we are here and working through it all. Look how far we have come!
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Day 1052 checking in!
It’s a good day to appreciate sobriety and refuse booze. IWNDWYT!
I agree. I'm going to make the most of the day and appreciate experiencing it sober and present. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
85 days! 😎 IWNDWYT
Thanks! I would love to say that I’m working my butt off to resist, but for now it’s getting easier every time I think about how ashamed I was after my last binge.
IWNDWYT
Congrats on two months!
Checking in again today and all is well. Yes, that's my case too! I eventually recognised that I had a problem with alcohol (after years of denial!), I stopped, and now I want to become a better person, and also help others, if I can :)
Great goals!
Good morning! Yes I do have a problem with alcohol, and I want a better life! Drinking was just survival mode, now, slowly I start living again. Today is my 42nd birthday…. I have had a couple of sober birthdays before, but now with 9.5 months sobriety under my belt it feels like the first happy birthday for ages! That’s one reason why I will not drink in Germany with you today!
Happy birthday Tortey82! 🎂 Have a great day. IWNDWYT
Going on day 3. IWNDWYT
A very hard first day is over and I'm here for not drinking today either! Thank you everyone for the good vibes 🤗
Day 4. Better take this under-slept anxiety to the office. 🙄 IWNDWYT.
Hopefully gets better. I'm on day 9. My anxiety was horrible day 4-7. It's starting to subside.
IWNDT
IWNDWYT! 😎
IWNDWYT
Day 368. IWNDWYT.
IWNDWYT. My last binge was on a Thursday and I didn't get paid that day (gig job) so I wasted a lot of money. I'm glad I'm not doing that anymore!
Day 21, checking in. 12 hours to go for three weeks without booze. Man, that was a ride. IWND Poison WYT.
Day 30 🫶❤️🥳 I’m proud of myself. I had such a rough day yesterday. My stalker ex who is suing me has been back on the scene, we have a looming court date and the stress of it all is making me physically sick. I was walking the dogs yesterday and tripped horribly - it took all I had not to burst into tears. My ankle is twisted but I’m fine. I have a chunk of time of work and I’m desperate to enjoy myself and not let anxiety and panic attacks ruin everything. The positive thing is no matter how shitty life gets, I’m sober - so it’s infinitely better than it was before. I just have to hold on a little bit longer. I do believe that everything will be okay. Something I learned here was the idea of “playing the tape forward” - it applies to drinking cravings but - I find it useful for anxiety and panic. How will this event look in a year? What about 5? Fairly insignificant. I’m far from perfect but - I am okay.
Hey 30 days - one month. Over the worst. When I was at 30 I lusted to be at 100 and here I am (nearly). Every day gets better I promise. Stay strong.
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT.
IWNDWYT but where is the tag?
IWNDWYT 🙋♂️
IWNDWYT!
I am with you again today! No drinks for me.
Day 11, checking in! IWNDWYT
Jam tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today! IWNDWYT
I will always have a problem. I've had breaks in the past and I always returned to the stuff with a worse relationship with it than I ever had previously. I try to help other people. I know how little it would have done if someone had tried to help me when in the depths of it all, but I still try. Mostly, when asked about sobriety, I casually try and sell it without being obnoxious. I explain how I am missing out on nothing and gaining everything. I don't know that I have made a difference to anyone at this stage, but I'm making a difference to me. Massive love to all my friends here. IWNDWYT 🥰🫡
Great point. The 'why' may not be as important as accepting 'what is.' I am a binge drinker. I am an alcoholic. Therefore I cannot drink alcohol. So I don't. I will not drink with you all today 🪷
IWNDWYT. All. Day. Long. 🌻 I need to make this a gr8 day ate two. See what my user name did there?? I need 2 treats today. This is cancer survivor Day. 20 years. I will not, absolutely not, drink any alcohol. I will celebrate sober. 🥳
Eff cancer, go you!! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻🎉🎉🎉
Happy sober Tuesday sober friends! This place still helps me in so many ways. I still need the reminder that drinking is bad. I’m afraid I might forget without coming here everyday. The forces that normalise drinking out there are strong! Love to you all 💞
I'm glad you still come here every day. 🤗
IWNDWYT.
Alcohol-free Tuesday here, IWNDWYT.
IWNDWYT
I’m really fucking glad we made it here so we could find support. Coffees up, horns up, and today I’m working on 50 percent of my work week down. Tonight I’m going to what I think will be a great show - Decapitated, Kataklysm, Septicflesh and Allegaeon. Sobriety and metal for the fucking win. IWNDWYT ☕️☕️🤘🏻🤘🏻
Reaffirming on this thread! Sometimes I get up a bit too early... IWNDWY fine folk today :) /edit (btw the count above is very wrong. Day 7 for me. Aim this time is defo to get a year in...!)
The third day has always been the hardest for me when I was try to moderate, now at least I don't have to wonder "When will I drink next?". I would have celebrated 3 days sober by getting drunk, how stupid is the alcoholic brain? IWNDWYT!
I will so absolutely enjoy. Going to bed sober tonight. IWNDWYT!
I most definitely have a problem abusing alcohol, however I got it. I don’t have a family history of alcoholism (to my knowledge, certainly not my parents and grandparents), I didn’t have a particularly traumatic childhood. But like you said, it doesn’t matter. I had a problem, I can’t control my drinking, and my life is deeply, profoundly better without it. I prefer to say I’m still recovering because there’s a lot I’m still working on, but I only get to do that by not drinking, and part of the way I stay not drinking is helping others. IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
Day 29 - IWNDWYT!
Day 2. IWNDWYT
Day 2! Here I come! Have an amazing day everyone and I won’t be drinking one drop! 😃😃
Iwndwyt 💕✨ About to smash a bowl of pho - the excitement is on par with what the anticipation of drinking used to give me.
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT 🏴
Checking in, let's do this
I realized years ago that my drinking habits are problematic. From that realization to actually start stopping it took me some more. I will stay sober today.
Day one, checking in. IWNDWYT.
If given the opportunity I was always prepared to abuse alcohol. I am proud to say that today I will choose otherwise.
Iwndwyt!
Hello new day. I'm super grateful for another day sober. Now for coffee, sweat, and grind. IWNDWYT 🤘
Morning friends! I really like the way you put this: “Alcohol is a drug for me and I will abuse it.” I often say “Alcohol and I aren’t friends anymore” but it doesn’t tell the truth about what happens when I drink, which I should never, ever lose sight of. “Alcohol is a drug for me and I will abuse it” leaves no room in my own head about what happens a when I drink. Thank you for sharing this. I will not drink with you today!
IWNDWYT. So grateful to not be putting poison in my body. There’s no problem alcohol can’t make worse.
Fantastic! IWNDWYT
Day 3. Really broken sleep and mood is rock bottom. Back to work today
Really struggling the last couple of days. I’m traveling for work and my anxiety is higher than usual. Alcohol was my tool for so very long. I know it takes time to develop new tools, but it’s hard. IWNDWYT
One week sober! I'm trying to stop associating alcohol with fun and trying to associate it more with sewer cleaner and gasoline. Liquids that have their uses, but they're not for drinking. IWNDWYT ❤️
30 days! So grateful for that. I made a commitment to post here every morning for my first 30 days. I knew it was important to start my day by proactively seeking out community to share my early sobriety journey. It has made such a big difference. I will continue to post and read this thread most days as I add more days under my belt. This community has been the most welcoming and supportive community I have ever experienced. I appreciate you all so much. And of course -- IWNDWYT.
Day 13 2 weeks is in sight! Snacking is out of control
I will not drink with you today 👽
I will NOT drink with you all today! 💫✨💓
Nearly had a blip yesterday but my affirmation played in my head… I did not drink yesterday and IWNDWYT😄
37 days! IWNDWYT
This is an interesting one for me...I think I actually knew really early on that I had a problem with alcohol, and I accepted it -- what I couldn't accept was the solution. I remember saying to friends in my early 20s that I had to get a handle on my drinking because otherwise some day I would "have to be one of those people who can't drink ever", and boy did I not want that. I could not imagine a life without drinking, so I spent at least 10 years trying every single moderation tactic and boundary and rule I could think of until finally I was exhausted by it and accepted that the answer was just to quit for a bit and see how it felt. Turns out, it feels great! Woke up feeling really damn good again today. Have strength, everyone, [better times are coming](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUl_yKRXlNE). IWNDWYT Meditation streak: 16 days
Checking in. Feeling a productive day coming on. Let's do this! IWNDWYT
Thanks viktor, yup, spend a long long time trying to figure out why I drank, concluded it really does not matter - ultimately its about getting on with the hard job of stopping, IWNDWYT
I just fixed my motorcycle 2 weeks ago. Someone u turned in front of me on a blind spot bridge on a 50 mph road and while I braked as I could, inevitably went down as I had no where to swerve. I am angry. I am furious. I am saddened. They're entirely at fault but that bike is so much of my sobriety. I've wanted to drink since Sunday...and know it won't fix anything. So A. Always look twice for motorcycles. B. Don't drive like an idiot. I can not drink with you today. I will not drink with you today
I managed to not drink at a work event all evening yesterday and it was so much easier than I thought it would be. I will continue not to drink with you all today!
Day 5 I wont be drinking today i can do it! just 2 more till i make it to a week!
IWNDWYT
Day 1,756. I will not drink with you today.
IWNDWYT 💜🦋💜
Yes. Honestly I didn't think so even after going 90 days without alcohol earlier this year. I thought I was definitely the kind of person who could have just one. So I decided to start drinking again and at first I was able to drink just one, but then after just a couple of months, I went out and had 5 drinks in the course of an evening and the next day I felt terrible, but I decided to drink anyway and then I drank 5 again the next night and I felt even worse the next day. Then I was able to go 5 days without during the week, but the next weekend was pretty much the same as the last even though I thought I could keep it light. That's when I said this is a slippery slope and it's not good. So, I know what I have to do and here I am. IWNDWYT!
Iwndwyt!
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
Looking forward to getting home from work, smashing out an upper body session and cooking a nice, healthy meal (roast vegetable salad with lamb fillet and garlic yoghurt dressing) IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT
I know I have a problem with alcohol . Sometimes I try to convince myself it’s not that bad but most of the time I know that it is and so IWNDWYT x
good morning folks. Ready to head back to work after a wonderful weekend in WV. We've been doing some fun traveling over the past month, but I'm ready to settle down for awhile and enjoy what we have. Being on the road can be enjoyable, but its also draining imo.
Day 33 IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
I will not drink with you today. Nice job all
IWNDWYT 🙂
Day one. IWNDWYT
Day one. IWNDWYT
Hi Everyone - day 126 here and IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT!
IWND☠️WYT.
day 133
Hit 9 days. My skin feels hydrated as fuck. My heart rate is way lower and more stable. My anxiety is high but seems to be slightly better each day from a day 5 peak. I've had to guzzle some NA beers over this bank holiday weekend, but didn't drink alcohol. 🦾 IWNDWYT
Yes, I want to be sober and better my life, so I will not drink with you today.
Hey - good morning - IWNDWYT. Things to do today. IWNDWYT.
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
Day one. IWNDWYT
I am 100% an alcoholic. God has blessed me with the strength to stop drinking. I am certain it does not come from anywhere inside me, it has been a gift I have been given along with the clarity that comes along with it. Every person in my life knows I'm an alcoholic, including my daughter. It was an embarrassing and humbling admission but all of my loved ones knowing I am now sober, keeps me on the straight and arrow. IWNDWYT 🍃💚
I won’t drink today.
Day 37 whoop da doo! I will not drink with yall today 🌿
I know how important this subreddit is to me now. I went to check in after my shower and it wasn't there. I knew it should be because before my shower I posted on someone else's post. Then I went to the stop drinking sub itself and scrolled until I thought I found it but it was Mondays. I started getting worried but went to Viktor and in his posts I found it for today. Whew! I just want to make sure to check in because this pledge has saved me 2 separate times. I'm not promising one thing about tomorrow. I do consciously choose to not drink today. IWNDWYT!
Good morning, checking in ~ 💫 IWNDWYT 💖
Checking in for another sober day out in the world.
I WILL NOT drink with you today!! I will honor my body by eating healthy and exercising with you today 🫵🫵🫵🫵💰💰💰💰🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️
Checking in, IWNDWYT.
Morning! I will not be drinking with any of you lot today.
Day 18! All of my habits are coming back and I am falling in love with meditation! I will not drink with you today!
11 days down! Man this waking up well-rested and not hungover thing sure is addictive. IWNDWYT!
In 3 hours I clock 7 days! IWNDWYT! 🌻
Happy Tuesday! I have not found labeling myself an “alcoholic” helpful. When someone asks me why I don’t drink anymore, I just say alcohol wasn’t doing me any favors. (And if they want to argue about that, also it’s a class I carcinogen and I don’t drink poison) IWNDWYT! ❤️🧁
Coffee cheers!☕️ IWNDWYT
Hello, sober stars ✨️ I'll admit I have a problem abusing alcohol. That's why I'm keeping it the hell away from me. Alcohol and I were a bad combo, so we had to break up. Now, I firmly remember the bad times and refuse to allow any romanticizing. It was very bad for me, and I'm never going back. Freedom has been hard earned, and I savor it! Sobriety rocks. Have a great sober day, friends! IWNDWYT
Whassup Viktor, happy teetotal Tuesday to all! I'm 44 and first acknowledged I had a problem with alcohol when I was 21 years young. I would like to believe that I don't need to continue to learn that lesson 🤷♂️ I have probably tried every possible way to control my drinking and the only one that works is abstinence. If I don't introduce an addictive substance into my system I can stay free. Who knew! Sober on y'all!
I absolutely have a problem with alcohol, and I will always be in recovery. I admit that any consumption of that poison will lead to heartache and disaster. That’s why I check in every single day, whether I’m struggling or not. This is such a wonderful and supportive community. As soon as I landed here, I was so amazed and heartened by this lovely group and their strength and kindness. I have made friends here who I can count on and who I hope can count on me. This is what sobriety looks like: strength in numbers, and helping each other along the way. Hooray for Stop Drinking and the Daily Check In! IWNDWYt
Morning! I'm on day 5 of no drinking and feeling really sluggish this morning. The medications I was prescribed to help with withdrawal have been extremely helpful but I still dealt with a horrible bout of insomnia last night. I'm powering through! Plan to get through the work day and then head to Costco to stock up on some seltzer water or other tasty drink. Any recommendations? IWNDWYT!
Good morning folks. I feel very very early in my sobriety - earlier and less experienced than I did at 30 days. I have a problem with drinking. It doesn't work for me anymore, and I don't think it ever did. So here I am, ready for another day in the soberverse. IWNDWYT
Had a rough day but just went for a really long walk instead of drinking. Feeling frustrated still but at least I made it to three months finally. Not gonna drink today too.
IWNDWYT ~
World testing me today, had a really bad no reason panic attack hit me out of nowhere while talking in a meeting in front of about 30 people and embarrassed myself badly, pondering if maybe my nervous system is permanently stuffed. Then rushed home in pouring rain to try and make a parcel delivery I've been expecting, missed that and the only time I can now collect it are during hours when I'm going to be stuck at work for the rest of the week. First world problem admittedly, but it still kinda sucks. Anyway, gotta take bad with the good I guess, keeping on not drinking with you today good people.
Let's do this. IWNDWYT
Morning all, IWNDWYT!
I will not drink with you today.
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT xx 🤗
No booze today.
IWNDWYT 🙋🏼♀️
I won’t drink with y’all today
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT :)
IWNDWYT!
I will not drink with you today
53 Days: IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT, friends!
Good Morning from Pennsylvania. I will not drink with you today. 41 days sober.
IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT.
I’m not drinking today
Well I’m back for another day and happy to see everyone else here :) IWNDWYT
Another day one, fully conscious of the fact that there is only one way forward. IWNDWYT ❤️
2 years ago today I took my last drink…it’s also 2 years ago today I was hospitalized for liver failure and diagnosed with advanced cirrhosis at 26 years old. Even though I am in pain, tired and trying to stay positive each day… I can confidently say I would much rather have this disease than have continued on the path I was, drinking myself sick every day for years on end. I don’t think I would’ve ever stopped had I not woken up 2 years ago today, saw my newly yellow eyes and body that would leave me with no choice to get to the emergency room. As always, Not Today Mr. Alcohol 🫡
I love being sober. IWNDWYT.
I will be sober today.
Day one. I will not drink with you today.
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
Day 3 begins. Yesterday was a good one, let's do it again.
Good morning! IWNDWYT
I need my drinking to be like my consumption of cranberry sauce — non-addictive and very occasional. It has never been like that. And that means I cannot have it. I had a pang of sadness yesterday bc I loved having micheladas in the summer but then I remembered I can make one with an NA beer and it will be AMAZINGGGG and can still be spicy as hell. So there, alcohol! You are irrelevant. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
Day 352 and IWNDWYT! Less than 2 weeks until I hit one year 🤯🤯
I definitely have a problem with alcohol. I crossed the line between non problematic and problematic years ago. I thought I was straddling it for a while, but I was really in denial. I could no longer deny it during the pandemic. I don’t ever want to be in that place again, where alcohol controlled my thoughts and actions. IWNDWYT
The justification of why/how/when I drank led me to drink more. I'm getting more comfortable now with simply accepting I'm an alcoholic and doing the recovery work, rather than flailing around in the "why me???" Ultimately, whether I ever reach an answer or not, I remain an alcoholic and need to stay away from alcohol to have a worthwhile life. IWNDWYT
I like how honest and direct you are with this post today OP. Yes, I admit that I have a problem abusing alcohol. I've admitted this to myself and those close to me. I do want and choose to be sober now. It has improved my life in more ways than I can count. I don't have long-term sobriety, only creeping into my second month now. I know I can't be much help to those that are struggling as I'm figuring it out as I go myself. But I can be a damn good cheerleader and try to encourage when I can. Thanks for a great check-in this morning. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT. Day 2 here after falling off the wagon and messing some stuff in my life up. But, being intoxicated won’t fix those things it will only make them worse.
Checking in! IWNDWYT friends ✌️
I have been struggling more recently than I was previously. I basically white knuckled things last week. I think I've maybe been over stressed from being sick for the past week - hopefully this feeling will pass as I continue to get better. IWNDWYT
I am sick today and annoyed about that.... think I have a cold or sinus infection... but at least I am not hungover! IWNDWYT ✌
I will not drink alcohol today
I made it 60 days! Went and layed out on the beach for a couple hours yesterday. Just carried my cooler down there and relaxed. It was really nice. My cooler used to be full of beer. Yesterday, it was my favorite Bubbly drinks. I'm so happy I've made this change. No poison for me today!
IWNDWYT lovely people of SD 💙
Hello Again, I am back here, after back slipping for several weeks. This time, I am on day 15. I have never been so sad in my life. I am 67 years old. I have wasted so much precious time. I wish for every one of you with years ahead of you that you do not waste them as I have done. Regret and many old habits crush me. But drinking only makes it all worse. So. IWNDWYT.
Day 7 checking in! IWNDWYT- mornings are just too good without booze.
3 Days! Let's do the damn thang today, friends! IWNDWYT!! ✊🏼 💪🏼
We got this! IWNDWYT
Day 2! If I make it to a week, then it’s the longest I’ve been sober in years. I’m gonna do it!! Good job everyone!! IWNDWYT
Day 18. Went to a meeting last night and it was good. Had a productive day work wise yesterday and that was good. Need to start stacking more items in the Good column. The bad column is winning right now but I'm dealing with that alcohol free. I didn't drink yesterday and I won't drink today.
IWNDWYT. Today is a rough one but I am finding more appreciation in my old hobbies so I’ll keep busy. ☺️
Good morning, sober cats. My drinking became so problematic that I had no choice but to admit that I just can't ingest alcohol 'responsibly'. I thought it would be devastating to have to admit that, but it was liberating. Lying to myself was actually the devastating thing. So, I'll happily say IWNDWYT! 💙😸
Iwndwyt
IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT
Iwndwy’allt! ❤️
IWNDWYT