Different for everyone. Good luck xoxo

I didnt have physical withdrawals. 4sis got it...good luck and congrats.

maybe you're not an alcoholic.

I didn't have physical w/d symptoms either - which surprised me too - The tough part for me was staying committed and learning how to handle social situations w/o drinking (thought the spotlight would be on me)...so far, the fear far outwieghed the reality of those situations.

I suspect if we kept drinking like we were and tried to quit again, we may well have a different experience...don't want to go there. Good luck!

Not sure why you said that LD...God knows that would not have been helpful for me to hear in my early days, hell, even now. The earlier that an alcoholic stops drinking, my understanding is that the easier it is, both physically and psychologically. I don't know you, beach bum, and I'm not saying that you're alcoholic or not, but if you think you should stop drinking, well, then you probably should. Carry on : )

Just don't drink if you think it's not good for you. If it's easy, great. Good for you. We are all different. Keep reading to see if you have similarities to alcoholics here. Some quit easier than others. I will say for me it has been a BYOTCH, but I think it has to do with my head just getting in my way. Others said it was easy and then boom struck drunk again and again. You don't have to pick up another drink ever. No one will make you. It's a beautiful freedom isn't it?

Keep it up. You're doing well.

I can tell BooToo....you are just going to be a joy.

Looking forward to practicing many lessons with you

Beach - I suggest talking with your doctor...get a full work-up, that will help you know about your condition,Excellent for being concerned about it.....that is awesome.

ML

Ditto to the others BB68. We all vary in the way we expel alcohol from our system, and some have minimal side effects, but that doesn't mean to say there isn't any damage done. I also encourage you to get a routine medical. Many side-effects from alcohol abuse are symptomless, or yet to be detected.

Some tests are not considered routine until 50, but alcohol abuse can age the body and speaking from experience, I'd recommend a top and tail for alcoholics a lot younger than that. High BP, heart disease and high liver enzymes can occur, and alcohol abuse can put you in the high risk category for many cancers, particularly Gastrointestinal ones.

Won't hurt to get a few bloods done to see if you have any vitamin deficiencis which can be supplemented yeah. Keep up the water intake too. Could be your already doing this and avoiding headaches etc. Well done on making the decision to quit the grog.

Yes everyone is different in terms of the physical aspects of detoxing (which you body is doing right now, even if you're not feeling ill effects).

But you may find that as time goes on the mental and emotional reasons you drank like that for two decades really start popping up. With alcoholics, what so often happens is that the mental pain is so bad that it's natural to pick up a drink to gain relief - it's habit formed over so many years.

But for me, the solution has been to go to AA to address those mental and emotional issues, get the most wonderful support network and a Program of recovery that's tailored to the alcoholic and have the best chance of staying off the booze and getting a better life. Give it a try.

Personally I'm having a really hard time quitting, no withdrawal symptoms but then I only seem to be able to have a day off before bingeing again.

Heck, count your blessings. Horror of withdrawal never made me quit for good anyhow.

You ready to quit for good? THat is the big issue-not if you are sick after stopping alcoholic drinking patterns.

No physical stuff here either.
My problem was the mess i was left after a lifetime of chaos.
The self-centeredness was a beast to tame.

I drank mostly whiskey for 38 years and when I finally had to stop my experience was exactly the same as yours. I think that three things made it easier for me. Firstly, I knew that alcohol had me beaten and that there was no point in fighting it anymore. Secondly, I went to AA meetings six nights per week for three months. Thirdly, although I did not understand them at all and felt that there had to be more to them, I was fascinated by the AA 12 Steps right from the start.

The obsession for alcohol left almost immediately but I thought that there had top be a catch and that it would never last. As time went by, I began to realize that this thing was for real and that I need not drink again, unless I make a crazy decision to do so.

Your house of cards will not come tumbling down providing that you maintain it well. However, you may find that quitting is the easy part and that staying sober is more difficult. For me, the answer to that difficulty was AA and the 12 Steps. That has given me the tools for living that I never had when I relied on alcohol.