For the past 700-or-so days I haven’t drank alcohol. I stopped drinking on the 1st February, 2020.
Since then I have been a regular contributor and commenter on the StopDrinking page on Reddit.
As part of my recovery, each day I check-in and make a simple pledge not to drink. The phrase “I Will Not Drink With You Today”, has been a very effective method for keeping me away from the bottle.
Many people make new resolutions to stop drinking. The first weekend can be tough. For those people that regularly go to the pub or celebrate the end of another week by getting drunk with booze buddies; nine or ten days is when the cravings really kick in.
Earlier today I checked in with other recovering alcoholics and made the following comment aimed at newcomers and those making their first steps towards sobriety.
“Good morning Sobernauts!
Today I am going show committment to my sobriety, committment to my health, and commitment to the still suffering alcoholic.
If you’re struggling and especially if you’re new here, don’t give up!
You may be only nine or ten days in. Perhaps you made a new year’s resolution to stop drinking. That first weekend without a drink can be difficult.
The cravings will pass. Those needs and desires for alcohol are an illusion.
While your brain fixes itself and heals from the poisonous effects of booze, there is a state of confusion. Your brain has got used to alcohol being available. If it was like my brain, it would’ve been floating in a sea of booze!
It takes time for the brain to become acclimatised to its new, booze-free environment.
Let the frustrations out. Complain, cry, eat bucketloads of ice-cream, do what you have to do.
Leave the booze alone. It will kill you.
If you don’t pick up the first drink, you won’t pick up the tenth or the twentieth.
Love to you all!
IWNDWYT 🙂”
The caring, kind, and considerate people at Reddit/StopDrinking have made a huge difference to my life and for that, I am grateful.
Thanks for reading and remember to follow ThisHappyHuman on Twitter, subscribe to the mailing list and leave comments! I’d love to know what you think!
This Happy Human 
you’ve got this
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Hi Beth,
I’ve got it only because of the help of others. I tried to go it alone and rapidly returned to my old way of thinking and drinking.
My mindset and my outlook has changed a lot in the past two years. I’m happier, helpful and hopeful.
I leave ‘signposts of sobriety’ all over the place. Reddit, my blog, social media… It’s not my place to preach, I only say what I’ve done to dig myself out of a hole.
If someone wants it, and they’re willing to make a change, I’m willing to help them.
-Matt The Happy Human 🙂
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that’s so smart and helpful, both
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congrats on your amazing success! today, i am 99 days sober. go us!
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Well done Linnie 🙂
Triple digits tomorrow 🙂
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