this post was submitted on 24 Jan 2025
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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.

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My story: Detox and Sleep Issues (self.stopdrinking)
submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) by pcr3 to c/stopdrinking
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I finally got sick and tired of nonstop drinking with no buzz and constantly having my stomach hurt.

  • Stressed? Drink.
  • Mad at someone dumb someone did at work? Drink.
  • Mad at a way my partner did/ said something? Drink.
  • Walk by where I hid my alcohol? Drink.
  • Can't sleep? Drink.
  • Play video games, oh it would be more fun if I... Drink.

I went and saw my doctor and told them that I'm not interested in programs but I am interested in quitting. After some back and forth talk they agreed to prescribe me Naltrexone, Omeprazole and Clonidine.

So far on day 4 with only little desire of drinking, realizing a lot of it is/ was habits.

Mostly doing ok, except for the sleep. Clonidine works great to take the edge off and pretty good for the anxiety.

Sleep however will probably take time to fix. I have found that I'm getting these micro seizures is the only way I can explain it. And mind racing. In the middle of sleep I will just jolt, as if energy went through my body. And then have trouble falling asleep, with random muscles twitching/shooting energy. I am curious if anyone else had this.

But but I am on the road to recovery. I'm not interested in drinking this poison anymore. I will miss getting buzzed and not looking forward to social anxiety.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I had that problem with the sleep after I quit drinking alcohol. I was pretty bad. Anyways, the jolting will stop when your body finally detoxes. I'd say give it a month and you should start sleeping well again. I had to go to detox to start my journey. Hang in there

[–] pcr3 2 points 1 day ago

Appreciate the feedback. Thanks for the good vibes.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Congratulations! I am so proud of you! This is a journey, and there will be twists, turns, detours. You've got this.

[–] pcr3 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Thanks, appreciate the thoughts.

Nothing worth having comes easy. Looking forward to those challenges.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

Very welcome friend. I looked up your medications, the first you listed has a side effect of sleeplessness, the last of sleepiness. Agree with the poster who said ask your doctor about symptoms. Very best on your journey.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 6 days ago

Glad you decided to change it up. Best of luck! Just one foot in front of the other.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago

Alcohol depresses your neurotransmitters. When you quit they are still trying to overcompensate for the depression, which is likely causing the twitching. It should go away in the next week or so, but it can't hurt to call your doctor and ask about it

[–] IMALlama 3 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Congratulations!

The fact that I am a subscriber here means I'm aware that I have a drinking issue, but I'm not ready to pull the plug. I'm still mentally in the "not that bad" camp - a few beers a night 3/4 nights a week on the days that are more stressful.

I completely relate to drinking losing its fun.

I have a very strong inner monologue and my brain is constantly going when I'm sober, which makes going to sleep hard. I've found two good ways of combating this: waking up earlier and getting more exercise. Neither is easy, but they help me fall asleep a lot easier.

[–] pcr3 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I've been in that boat for a while; Just not ready to pull the plug.

I've been subscribed here since the beginning, carried over from Reddit. Just reading and listening to people's stories. The check-ins didn't really do much for me.

I consider myself lucky. Even though I may have been damaging my own body, haven't caused physical harm to anyone else. Just a few of my relationships suffered.

When the time is right, I hope you can do it too.

[–] IMALlama 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I was unaware of the reddit community, but saw a post here about getting sober when I joined Lemmy whenever the API thing happened.

I have been somewhat intentionally sticking to beer for years because it's easier to meter my intake. I also dont consume them at a super high rate / my goal is to take the edge off, not to get obliterated. I don't think I've done any harm to relationships, but I also haven't had the opportunity to hang out with anyone in the evenings for a while. We very recently got our two kids to sleep consistently, so yay.

My motive for wanting to cut/quit is to help my body, habits, and wallet. I'm treating alcohol as a crutch and don't think it's healthy long term.

[–] pcr3 2 points 1 day ago

I found being aware is the most important. Seems like you're taking a healthier approach (not calling alcohol healthy) than most people where it's gotten out of hand, my self included.

I get the lack of hanging out. My drinking definitely spiked during the COVID lockdowns. Still trying to get back to a previous normal with people I hung out with.

I haven't drank in 8 days now, I can definitely tell you that my head is so much more clear and I've probably saved at least 30-50$.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Exhaustion worked for me when I was getting off long term sleeping medication use, and the anxiety that I needed it to sleep.

I.e. I went and hiked for hours every day, super early in the morning before work.

I was dead tired at the end of day, felt good about myself, and was falling asleep on the couch by 11pm or so (which was unheard of for me.)