Stop Drinking

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This is a place to motivate each other to control or stop drinking. It is also a place for non drinkers to discuss and share.

We welcome anyone who wishes to join in by asking for advice, sharing our experiences and stories, or just encouraging someone who is trying to quit or cut down.

Please post only when sober; you’re welcome to read in the meanwhile.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Zerlyna
rosamundi
listing: all - local
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The Daily Check-in for 30 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 18 hours ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
1 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

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Since people have asked: SMART Recovery and resources. (sopuli.xyz)
submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/stopdrinking
4 comments fedilink
 
 

DISCLAIMER: I'm a SMART volunteer, a meeting facilitator, among other things. I do this to give back. SMART is essentially run by volunteers.

SMART Recovery US website: https://smartrecovery.org/

There are others world wide. A web search with SMART Recovery (language/country) should give you the right result)

https://smartrecoveryglobal.org/

has resources for countries without an established branch

Also, a link to a non-official recovery server, (there are also other program rooms) that leans SMART: https://discord.gg/6YGQFR3b where 1000s of people with addiction issues hang out, as well as many experienced volunteers. We call it "the support group in your pocket"

SMART is the leading science-based addiction peer self-support organization world wide. Non-profit. Meetings are free and confidential, with thousands of online and face to face meetings. There are 1000s of meetings weekly world-wide.

There are publications, like the participant handbook, which are a paid, but very affordable resource, not necessary but very helpful. That said, most of the material is available free of charge on the website. The handbook simply provides a structured way to understand the concepts and tools.

Spirituality, like higher powers, is not needed, that is left to the individual.

The program is is based on self empowerment, behavioral training, how to learn to cope with what leads us to addictive behaviors.

The program is not strictly abstinence oriented. It's about identifying goals, and help you achieve them. It supports therapy, professionally prescribed meds, it's not adverse to moderation and harm reduction, as current addiction treatment research supports.

SMART doesn't shame, doesn't stigmatize, doesn't do labels. We are people with an addiction management problem, not alcoholics, or drug addicts or whatever.

There are no steps. It's a 4 point program. Points (or areas) can be approached individually or at the same time:

  1. Build and maintain motivation
  2. Cope with urges and cravings
  3. Manage thoughts, feelings and behavior
  4. Lead a balanced life

The program is oriented towards the addictive behaviors, and doesn't focus on the substance or maladaptive behavior , but how to deal with it. It works for Alcohol, nicotine, drugs, and for things like porn addiction, eating disorders, gambling...

The program is considered one of multiple pathways to recovery, does not claim to be the only way. Many combine it with 12 step, or whatever helps them also.

I hope this helps. If anybody has any questions, please ask.

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Sleep (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 6 months ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
3 comments fedilink
 
 

I mentioned in a comment that I would do a post about sleep, so here you are.

Among its many, many other impacts, alcohol impacts your sleep horribly. Your body, instead of using its downtime to do cell repair and everything else, is pulling its resources to your liver to process the poison you've consumed.

Fixing sleep is a process, it's not a one and done. If you cut the booze and immediately start sleeping like a baby, you are very lucky, and lean into that, because everything is better with a good night's sleep behind you.

This is what I did. Some of this stuff involves spending money (weighted blanket, diffuser and oils, blackout curtains), but those are the "nice to have" items, not the essentials. I got a bit obsessive in the first month or two, because I didn't want to get into "can't sleep, I'll just have a glass of wine to take the edge off", but I'm a bit more relaxed about it now because I didn't want to get into a headspace where I can't sleep unless I did all the things.

For me, planning for sleep starts at lunchtime, which is when I stop drinking coffee or anything else with caffeine in it. I avoid sugary "processed" drinks most of the time anyway, but I make a point of not drinking those after about 4pm.

I'm also fairly active, I cycle between 100 and 120 miles a week, and on the days I don't cycle to work it's a mile and a bit walk to the Tube station, a mile and a bit back in the evening. I usually try to get out and walk round the park at lunchtime. If I'm working from home I'll go out in the evening after work. I do a weights workout three times a week.

this is all timed for being in bed by 10PM.

I put all electronics into "night" mode at 9:30pm, which is my cue to stop looking at the electronics and start my winding down for bed routine, rather than an excuse to keep staring at the screens.

Night routine is:

  • drink a mug of sleepy tea

  • Clean teeth, do facial skincare routine

  • pyjamas

  • close curtains (I have blackout ones)

  • switch on an electronic diffuser that's loaded with a sleepy blend of oils

  • switch bedside alarm lamp to sunset mode, where it gradually dims to a tiny nightlight glow

  • get into bed, under weighted blanket

  • put phone out of reach but start a sleep meditation session (all the apps like Headspace, Calm, and Insight Timer offer free versions)

  • My bedside alarm goes off at the same time every morning, even at weekends. It has a sunrise setting so half an hour before I'm due to wake up, it starts getting brighter and brighter, and then it plays birdsong at me.

  • When it's hot, I have a fan set up in the hallway outside my room so it's not right in the room being noisy, but I still get the air moving (I live on my own, so having my bedroom door open at night is fine).

  • If I wake in the night, or if I can't get to sleep, I lie there with my eyes closed, recognising that even if I'm not sleeping, I'm still resting. I don't reach for my phone and start scrolling through. If it is within half an hour of my normal wake up time, I get up and start the day.

  • I don't do lie-ins, once I'm awake for the day, I'm up and out of bed.

That sorted it for me, but if it hadn't worked, I'd have looked at herbal sleep remedies, if those hadn't worked, I'd have talked to a pharmacist for advice, and if what they had suggested didn't work, I'd have gone to my GP.

Some of the stuff in the list above involves spending money if you don't have them already (diffuser, oils, weighted blanket, blackout curtains, fancy alarm with sunrise/sunset setting). Fortunately, those are the "nice to haves" not the essentials. Sleepy teas are mostly cheap, although it might involve a small investment to find ones you like.

The important thing is that you start the routine at the same time each night, you start giving your body cues to wind down, you go to sleep in a room that's as dark as possible, you wake up at the same time each day. It takes time, it's not a one and done deal, it involves investing time and effort in yourself and recognising that even if one night is a "failure" you're probably sleeping more than you think you are, and that even just lying in bed with your eyes closed means you're still recuperating, and you try again tomorrow.

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So, what's in your toolbox? (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 7 months ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
16 comments fedilink
 
 

This has been nurdling round in my brain for a bit, then I heard one of Belle Robertson's one minute audios that really helped clarify it.

Sober supports/tools can b split into five categories. You don't have to jump in with both feet and do all the things (although I do recommend doing food and sleep every day), but if your sobriety starts feeling a bit rocky, can you add in a new support? don't try harder, try different.

connection/group/you're not alone in this:

listening to sober audios/podcasts

face to face meetings, zoom meetings

reading other sober stuff (newsletters, blog, quit lit)

Self-soothing (calm calm calm things)

Going to bed (there's nothing like being under the duvet, in your pyjamas with your teeth cleaned for stopping a booze run)

Time with pets

treats

nice alcohol-free drinks

Treats planned in advance - bath, haircut, cookies

change the channel in your head

Music

A TV show/movie that you will get into

Going for a run/walk/bike ride

Yoga

Prayer, meditation

Self-care (these can blur into self-soothing, but to me, self-care items are the basics you need to stay alive)

Food

Shower

Exercise

Sleep

Accountability

Sober coach

addiction counsellor

Sponsor

Therapist

apps (in my first month, the knowledge that I'd have to reset three different trackers, and that I couldn't be arsed, kept me sober more than once).

I find cravings can be addressed with HALT the BS

am I Hungry Angry Lonely Tired or Thirsty Bored Stressed or Sad

if I work out which one of the above applies, and address that, then cravings will typically disappear.

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Quit Lit / Resources (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 1 year ago by Zerlyna to c/stopdrinking
13 comments fedilink
 
 

Thought I would share some of the recommended quit lit and resources out there. This is not exhaustive - feel free to share any that worked for you!

  • This Naked Mind, Annie Grace
  • Alcohol Explained, William Porter
  • Quit Like a Woman, Holly Whitaker
  • Numerous books by Allen Carr

Huberman Labs Podcast: https://hubermanlab.com/what-alcohol-does-to-your-body-brain-health/

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The Daily Check-in for 29 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 1 day ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
1 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

7
128
Got bubbles for my 6th sober New Years Eve today 🥳 (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/stopdrinking
8 comments fedilink
 
 

Those are in a row btw, and not counting the one 12 years ago when I was on heavy duty antibiotics 😁

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The Daily Check-in for 28 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 2 days ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
2 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

9
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The Daily Check-in for 27 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 3 days ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
5 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

10
23
The Daily Check-in for 26 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 4 days ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
1 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

11
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The Daily Check-in for 25 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 5 days ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
3 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

Happy Christmas, happy Hannukah to those who are celebrating, or just "happy Wednesday" if you aren't.

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

12
19
The Daily Check-in for 24 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 6 days ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
6 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

13
10
The Daily Check-in for 23 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 1 week ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
6 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

14
12
The Daily Check-in for 22 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 1 week ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
2 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

15
9
The Daily Check-in for 21 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 1 week ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
1 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

16
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The Daily Check-in for 20 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 1 week ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
8 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

17
11
The Daily Check-in for 19 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 1 week ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
3 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

18
9
Naltrexone (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 1 week ago by [email protected] to c/stopdrinking
7 comments fedilink
 
 

Has anybody here had experience with naltrexone? I recently started taking it because the cravings were so strong I couldn't take it anymore. My only side effects have been mild muscle and joint pain, slight nausea, and decreased appetite. Also, I tried to drink a beer while on it and it just made me feel sick so I threw it away. I got sober last June and I slipped up a few times since then, but this medicine has helped me a ton. Curious if anybody has had a similar or different experience.

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The Daily Check-in for 18 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 1 week ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
8 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

20
12
The Daily Check-in for 17 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 1 week ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
0 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

21
11
The Daily Check-in for 16 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 2 weeks ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
1 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

22
21
The Daily Check-in for 15 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 2 weeks ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
2 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

23
12
The Daily Check-in for 14 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 2 weeks ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
2 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

24
9
The Daily Check-in for 13 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 2 weeks ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
1 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

25
8
The Daily Check-in for 12 December 2024 - just for today, we are not drinking! (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 2 weeks ago by rosamundi to c/stopdrinking
1 comments fedilink
 
 

Good morning fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT 😁!

We may be anonymous strangers on the internet, but we have one thing in common. We may be a world apart, but we’re here together!

Welcome to the 24 hour pledge! I’m pledging myself to not drinking today, and invite you to do the same.

Maybe you’re new to c/stop drinking and have a hard time deciding what to do next. Maybe you’re like me and feel you need a daily commitment or maybe you’ve been sober for a long time and want to inspire others.

It doesn’t matter if you’re still hung over from a three day bender or been sober for years, if you just woke up or have already completed a sober day. For the next 24 hours, let’s not drink alcohol!

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