Hello.  I am not new to this site but it has been awhile since my last post.  Other than a few days last summer, I have been an everyday drinker for the past 10+ years.  This drinking included 6 drinks of beer, wine, liquor or a combination a day.  I thought I had things in control because I could always stop at 6 (maybe 7 on the weekend) and on occasion could stop at 4.  Any attempt to go below 4 drinks did not end in success.  A while back I decided I was simply tired of the whole act of drinking; waiting for the “time” to begin drinking, wondering if the place I was going would have alcohol, how I would get in my drinks if I was with non-drinkers, what time I needed to stop in order to be able to work the next day. The whole cycle was/is exhausting.   

Today marks Day 21 of being alcohol free.  I finally decided that I was tired of the game; I wasn’t winning, would never win so why continue to play.  The reason for this post is to say a little about my struggles being without alcohol.  I have am a daily reader of the post and so many of the posters have stated feeling very good and able to sleep better than ever.  This is not the case for me.  The first week I felt like I had taken sleep medication when I woke up (I had taken nothing).  The entire day seemed a blur.  I was lucky enough not to suffer shakes, etc. but just did not seem right.  Sleeping was no better.  It took a long time to fall asleep and when I did was up every hour or so.  As I progressed into the second week I began to feel better during the day but the sleeping did not improve.  Fortunately I was able to go to sleep only to wake and stay awake for 2-3 hours.  Last week, week 3, finally showed improvement but still not where I should be, and that is OK. I have a biology background and I know the true recovery will take a bit longer.  The body has to learn to “live” again, not just recover from the previous night.  My body and brain have to learn to sleep, not just concede to the alcohol. 

I hope this post helps someone, if you are having problems you are not alone.  Everyday does get better and regardless of the problems it is still better than a hangover.  I read somewhere that waking up without alcohol is better than coming to.  True statement, it has got me through many nights when I wanted a drink. 

Good luck to everyone!