Hi, Im fairly new to this too. Im only on day 13 now but yes just woke up and thought I cant keep doing this. I did wake up witpins and needles in my hand and arm and had it all day as i have before after drinking. Also I smoke when drunk which I never do sober. So time to quit. Mind u I have tried before but I hope I can do it this time. I tried online hypnotherapy to stop. May have helped a bit. Anyway best of luck to u.

Welcome PB. I actually quit cold turkey 8 years ago w/no counseling and no AA etc..I felt fantastic and it wasn't too difficult. The problem is that I never dealt w/the disease. Just like many others who were sober much longer than me, I thought I was ready to drink like normal people. Well that was a year ago. Within weeks of that first drink I was worse than ever before. I guess my point is that yes, you can simply walk away from it, but I would suggest getting it "fixed" rather than just abstaining. Make sense? btw - Back to the beginning for me....day 5. I wish you the best.

Welcome, and I am fairly new (not to quitting, I did that every other day)...but these support groups have been so inspiring to me. First, I know I am not alone-there are others "fighting the good fight" and everyone has great suggestions and advise, the fact that someone bothers to respond to a post shows what a great group of people are here on the forums. I wish you the best!

Yes Pebble I can relate. I spent the same amount of time drinking, It starting off partying and then into just drinking every night. My hubby and I were on vacation the second week of two, The first week I drank every day. I went to bed one night and thought how many years I had been drinking and how STUPID and sick of it I was, while I was laying in bed, I realize that everything/people will be the same around me and a lot of it i cannot change but the person inside of me I can. I daily talk to God, I ask him to help me handle all the outside stuff so I can have inter peace, only to realize that I can make my own inter peace and let the world be what it may. I poured out all the wine, and all the whiskey that night. I went to bed only to get up and write this down. Everything around me will be the same, but what I have in me will be different. I think I got it. I do not ever want to drink again. you see I never said that before it has always been I will give my liver a break for a month and maybe a little wine now and then ( we both know how that goes) this time I am saying I NEVER WANT to drink again. "Everything around me will be the same, but what I have inside me will be different. Inter peace and not letting the world or alcohol control it. That was a month a go This Saturday!

Welcome! I hope you find what you are looking for in this group.

Thank you for all the comments and support all of you ,,,I have viewed each coomment with an open heart . What Meblonde said really made me think ,,

," I daily talk to God, I ask him to help me handle all the outside stuff so I can have inter peace, only to realize that I can make my own inter peace and let the world be what it may"

I don't need a chemical to find inner peace ,,that's between me and god ,,,, thank you Meblonde ,,,thanks to all of you,

Day 1 ,,coming to an end ,,,having a nice cup of tea where it would have been beer or wine . Looking forward to Saturday morning ,,, feeling joyful and at peace tonight ,,this feels right.

Yes. I woke up one day and said, "this is it, no more."

It was a decision deep inside -- it was from the center of my being.

The shift to becoming a non drinker took some time. I stopped drinking totally, but I thought about it and at times had intense cravings, especially in the first month. But I also knew that I was done.

A few tips for the first week. Drink lots of water. Lots. it will flush out your system and might help reduce the cravings. Eat good food and sleep when you are tired. You might want cat naps because you are so tired, or you might have insomnia. It's okay. Give yourself time to adjust.

Feel good about your choice to not drink. You are not missing out on anything. You are not depriving yourself. This is positive change, and even if it can be a difficult adjustment, it is worth it!

welcome Newbie. I feel this way every day. Alcohol is a crutch and I hate having a crutch.
A.A. is a great way to learn how to live sober. I suggest 90 meeings in 90 days. I know it has helped me and countless people before us.

They used to lock people like us in an institution. It is so wonderful because now we have A.A. and don't have to go that route.

Check it out...you have nothing to lose.....except, pride, greed and self- centerness.

Best wishes.

I broke up with alcohol after a 22 year relationship

Welcome!!!

Good I had a toxic relationship with it for 25 years.

F that Sh...

its rat poison in my eyes. I am nothing but a rat when I drank

1is2

Well its on to day 2. Its good to see so many of you have been at the same point in your life and have made the shift to make or have a better way of life.So today ,,,I'm a bit better than i was yesterday , and I hope that's the way I continue to live , to be a bit better than I use to be for each and everyday I have left .Thanks for your kindness and warm welcomes,,it means alot.

Well its on to day#3 with no drinking..Was out last night visiting friends ,,,,first thing they did was hand me a beer ,,,said today I would like to have one off those cans of cokes instead .My friend stood there a minute waiting for me to explain ,,when he saw nooooo explanation was coming he took back the beer and gave me the coke .I just smiled said a fast thank you to god for giving me the chance to do that and then follow up on it, Then i watched my Toronto maple leafs destroy my friends Pittsburg penguins ,,all and all it was a very good day

God job pebble.. good job!!!!