First day, first post.

[flong]

I'm 28 and have suffered with alcoholism since I was 20. I made a serious attempt to quit two months ago (recauculation: 3 and a half months), and everything looked great until last night. I suffer from severe anxiety the day after, not to mention the usual hangover. I'm really glad I found this forum. I've been reading some very insightful posts here. Thanks, and hope to meet some of you. Good luck to all of you too.

[ariel]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum.
You will find a lot of great support here and a lot of great information.
I recommend that you start a journal in the diaries and journals section.
Pick a name for the thread that is meaningful to you, something that gives you a sense of inspiration for a great future.

If you got two months under your belt in your last quit attempt, you have already proven to yourself it is possible to live without the drink.

wishing you all the best,
ariel

[weenserwee]

Hi Mike,

Welcome!

Great that you have some time under your belt, and also that you jumped right on here with renewed commitment, rather than saying, "I drank, so might as well keep drinking!" That is excellent!

Why not join us in the diaries, and keep track of your own journey there.

So glad you found WQD!

weens

[flong]

Thank you kindly. I hope I can continue working on my own sobriety and help others in time.
Do many people keep journals and diaries here? I'm in Journalism school, so it might be a good exercise to start one.

[Jackalope]

Hey Flong, Welcome! I just did a quick check and there are over 600 diaries in the "Diaries and Journals" section so I'd say, yes, lots of people keep them. And I think most people here find keeping a journal is really really helpful in quitting drinking, especially in the early part of the quit like you're in now. Keeping a journal allows people here to get to know you and give you feedback that can be very helpful. And always supportive. So again, welcome, and I too look forward to getting to know you.

[ariel]

Hi Mike,
There are so many journals and diaries here (we use the name interchangably) that it would be virtually impossible to read them all.

Some of them are quite long and chronicle some amazing transformations and adventures.
People find them quite useful when they go back and re-read them with hindsight.

Most people find that posting a lot in the beginning of their quit is most useful.

I look forward to your journal.
ariel

[banana72]

I am starting today too! I'm a newbie and I hate what alcohol has done to my mind body and spirit. I think just posting alot is going to really help. I tried everything but writing things out and I feel good about taking real action to change that by joining WQD. I hope I can help you too.

[sallyGirl53]

Welcome, I think you will get a lot out of this site.

Mike you talked about anxiety. I have been very anxious all my life, and a morning after drinking intensified it at least 10 fold.... it is tuff but once you get past that stretch, and the anxiety lessens and you kick yourself and think WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING? Great that you are catching this at such a young age. I am about to turn 55 and have lost much in my life because of drinking.

Congrats to both of you on reaching out for help. There are journals/diaries here. Go to DISCUSSION FORUMS at the top of the page, go down to one of the last headings with the blue bar and then find something like "chit/chat/diaries". It helps a lot to write it all down

[Sam]

Welcome Mike and Banana.

Good job for recognizing your problem and taking the steps to be better people. If I can help in anyway, please let me know.

Sam