• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

2026 sober GAF

RagnarokIV

RagnarokIV

Battlebus imprisoning me \m/ >.< \m/
20126 I am going sober. Drinking my last 2 bottles of wine right now.

I got rid of smoking 8 years ago. I can do this again.

I owe it to my children and wife.

I know that nobody here knows me but I had a problem years ago and it resurfaced following a physical injury that's ruined my fitness life.

All year I've talked shit about going sober but then the weekend rolled around.

The only way I will do this is by venting here and having a place to do dear diary updates.

For any other GAFers going sober in 2026, let's keep in touch and support each other. What habits, substitute drinks etc. we'll be using.

I'll be dropping my kayfabe for a while until I get this dealt with.

If you've struggled or want to change this year - I'm here to talk, DM/Steam/PS/Xbox whatever. And I'm sure others are.
 
Last edited:
Awesome to hear man. I used to struggle with alcohol addiction but gave all that up almost 30 years ago when my daughter was born. It's a tough road ahead, but you can do it. I'm also here to talk if anyone is struggling.
 
RagnarokIV said:
I know that nobody here knows me but I had a problem years ago and it resurfaced following a physical injury that's ruined my fitness life
Click to expand...
I only know you from here but I definitely noticed something was different when you changed to that thing you call an avatar. Definitely a red flag in retrospect.

Step 1, change that avatar.

Step 2, start treating promises to yourself as sacred. If that means you start small, fine. When you say you are going to go for a walk instead of take a drink today, honor the promise to yourself. The willpower to hold yourself accountable has to be trained like a muscle. It is currently weak but can be strengthened with training. Breaking a promise is like skipping leg day. Start with goals for 1 day and renew the process again in the morning.

Best of luck man.
 
futurama-bender.gif
 
I'd strongly consider joining a local Alcoholics Anonymous group. You're right that support is a good thing, but being able to get that support from people you have scheduled meetings with would probably be a good idea. And good for you taking the initiative to do this for your family and for yourself.
 
If you've quit smoking than you can definitely quit drinking.

I promised myself I would quit smoking when I hit a year of sobriety. I got sober in 2012, but the cigarettes have proved more….. problematic.

I wish you success, alcohol is a horrible bitch goddess, I do not miss it in the slightest.
 
Just celebrated 12 years clean on the 4th. Old school clean not this shit where the kids say their clean but smoke "medical" pot all day. Best thing i ever did. Wasn't easy at first. I went to a narcotics anonymous meeting daily. Changed my friends my whole life. My life is amazing today. Good luck! Take it one day at a time and you got this. Go to a AA meeting like someone said above.
 
Last edited:
As a former professional drunk all I can tell you is just do it for you.
Now is the best time to be selfish.
Your loved ones will automatically reap the benefits.

The best thing about quitting booze is you almost immediately feel the benefits.
Your wallet will also thank you.
You will taste food better, your mind is no longer clouded but emotions might be harder to handle since you no longer numb yourself.

You're a good person here on GAF and you can do this.

Remember all of us silly clowns are here cheering for you 😃

JM 🤠
 
Great call. I'm just over 3 years sober. It took a few attempts, so keep working toward your goal. It really makes for a better you.

I found reddit stopdrinking subreddit helpful at the time, as well as some Alcohol Explained videos, and this one below. Basically any amount of alcohol isn't healthy and it's ultimately a toxin you make your body deal with. The quality of your sleep will improve immensely.

 
Last edited:
Hey. RagnarokIV RagnarokIV congrats on your endeavor. You can always DM me whenever you're feeling weak and think you might loose control. Good luck.

EDIT: The profile pic is a no go lol. Please change.
 
Last edited:
Wishing you the best of luck. For 2025 I made the move just to remove alcohol from my house, as for me, if its there immediately I'm drinking it, and never have the willpower to do just one. I struggled a bit, did end up with a few bottles but for the most part it was a fantastic change.

This year my goal is to completely cut it out. Will be hard for those special/social gatherings where you are expected to drink and I know coworkers/boss will both tease me and push me to drink.

Stay strong, we got this!
 
I'm doing Dry January here and it will probably be hard because I drink quite a lot lol so we're in this together bro, be sure to update this thread or hit me with DMs or shit like that because we GOT THIS!
 
Best of luck. I'm not a drinker, never have been, so this has never been a thing for me. But I have a friend who gets hammered by himself every night. Has over a year now. Every time I talk to him or get a voice text for him he's slurring his words. He just crushes beer after beer, he doesn't drink hard liquor. He's put on a ton of weight. I've known him since I was 5 and he's always been normal build. He's put on like 70 pounds in the past 1-2 years. I and his family get on him about it, and his response is always "I'm working on it" which is code for saying "I want to change the subject so I'm going to give a non reply." I don't know enough about his drinking habits to know if he's a full blown alcoholic. He does carry a job and only drinks after he gets home at night, but he does it EVERY night. And getting hammered alone on beer nightly isn't normal.

So anyway, he's never been one who has any willpower or drive to make any changes in his life, so I mentioned it a couple things to him and I know better than to waste my time continuing, he'll never change. Maybe his family will have better luck. But I am concerned about his well being, I'm worried next time I see him he's gonna weigh like 250 lbs. He moved years ago so I hadn't seen him in person in years and I saw him in person for the first time in 5 years or so this year and it was jarring how much weight he put on, he looked like a completely different person.

I know some people who've stopped drinking and almost all of them are happier without alcohol. And others I don't know personally have come out and said the same. How much healthier they feel without it. So those who do quit, best to you.
 
Last edited:
LegendOfKage said:
I'd strongly consider joining a local Alcoholics Anonymous group.
Click to expand...
AA leans strongly on how you're a useless piece of shit without Jesus.
If religion and sharing with a group might help you then I say go for it.

Personally my rehab was focused on cognitive behavior and my eyes were opened on day 2.
Just connecting with counselors who knew what I was going through and finding out I wasn't alone doing this destructive behavior on myself was enough to kick my ass into sobriety.
I was also on the verge of cirrhosis so that helped 😄

Anyway I'm not one to care about Milestones or celebrating sober anniversaries with a cake but to each their own.

Please share any updates in here, you are not alone.
 
I may or may not have taken home seven cans of unopened Yuengling that I found near the dumpster of my apartment complex. Once I finish them, I'm on the wagon for 2026.
 
Make sure you discuss this with a doctor, too, and get any help that you need. Find the support that works for you, man.

Some people can get very sick or even die from withdrawal, depending on how heavy of a drinker they were.

Hoping the best for you on your journey towards a healthy and better you.

I wasn't a heavy drinker, but I haven't had a drink for over 10 years now and don't miss it at all. I've never felt better, honestly.
 
I already drank yesterday and will continue to drink in 2026 lol but I have huge respect for those of you who choose to try sobriety. That takes a lot of willpower and guts. If you manage to succeed, you will objectively save a ton of money and brain cells.

Hall Of Fame Game Nfl GIF
 
I'm not gonna bore you guys with my story because I already told it a couple of times on GAF but when you have a doubt about drinking it's your remaining brain cells sounding the alarm.

Listen to it.

Get some help, get into rehab or just talk to someone.

You are worth it and sober life is how you were born.
 
John Marston said:
I'm not gonna bore you guys with my story because I already told it a couple of times on GAF but when you have a doubt about drinking it's your remaining brain cells sounding the alarm.

Listen to it.

Get some help, get into rehab or just talk to someone.

You are worth it and sober life is how you were born.
Click to expand...
I was in rehab many times mate. I just love to be drunk. It made my life a less anxious and better life.

What does sober life brings you? Self guilt and no wonders.
 
Last edited:
People of gaf participating in this or last year. Or thinking of doing it.

Proud of you.
Keep it up. You are worth it.

Just make sure what ever is causing you to drink work on that problem if you can and don't chase the drink to feel better.
It may feel nice but soon you need more.

You can do this.
 
Last edited:
John Marston said:
I'm not gonna bore you guys with my story because I already told it a couple of times on GAF but when you have a doubt about drinking it's your remaining brain cells sounding the alarm.

Listen to it.

Get some help, get into rehab or just talk to someone.

You are worth it and sober life is how you were born.
Click to expand...
This is undoubtedly some of the best advice anyone can give. If you're having a doubt about whether you should be drinking, your body is telling you something.

Definitely listen to it.
 
p_xavier said:
I was in rehab many times mate. I just love to be drunk. It made my life a less anxious and better life.

What does sober life brings you? Self guilt and no wonders.
Click to expand...
Are you sure? how long have you been sober for? if you have been to rehab, you must have heard a million times that addiction builds so much stress and anxiety that you can only remove it by keep drinking. But if you stay away from it long enough, the brain rewires and it won't hurt you with anxiety and stress as much. Drinking fuels the stress machine.
 
ClanOfNone said:
If you've quit smoking than you can definitely quit drinking.

I promised myself I would quit smoking when I hit a year of sobriety. I got sober in 2012, but the cigarettes have proved more….. problematic.

I wish you success, alcohol is a horrible bitch goddess, I do not miss it in the slightest.
Click to expand...
Cigarettes is a mindfuck, there are almost no physical cravings, it's a pure mindwar.

Whats so weird, is how most of the time cigarettes taste like shit too.
 
I still crave the odd cigarette years after my last one. Drink is whatever, I over did it so much when young that my body kills me the next day if I have more than a couple now so I rarely have any outside of the few random major things like wedding a year.
 
p_xavier said:
What does sober life brings you? Self guilt and no wonders.
Click to expand...
I just love being 100% aware and in control.

But it took some gettin' used to.

Had to deal with some raw emotions for a couple of weeks as I was always numbing myself.

You also feel the beneficial effects of quitting booze almost immediately; the permanent fog clears & food tastes better.

And like someone mentioned your wallet will thank you!
I was spending 600$ a month on beer.
That's a case of 12 per day.

That convenience store owner was pissed when I told him I quit drinking 😆
 
John Marston said:
And like someone mentioned your wallet will thank you!
I was spending 600$ a month on beer.
That's a case of 12 per day.

That convenience store owner was pissed when I told him I quit drinking 😆
Click to expand...


I was a vodka drinker, and Albertsons used to have their store brand "heritage" vodka for $9.99 a handle, which I would go through in a day or two tops.
When I quit drinking, Albertsons pulled out of my locality entirely only a few months later. Coincidence? I think not!
 
kpopSuperstar said:
Are you sure? how long have you been sober for? if you have been to rehab, you must have heard a million times that addiction builds so much stress and anxiety that you can only remove it by keep drinking. But if you stay away from it long enough, the brain rewires and it won't hurt you with anxiety and stress as much. Drinking fuels the stress machine.
Click to expand...
Since new years day. I slept like 2h since then am still sweating. I had much more anxiety when I never drank. Plus I had the best experiences drunk.
 
Last edited:
p_xavier said:
Since new years day. I slept like 2h since then am still sweating. I had much more anxiety when I never drank. Plus I had the best experiences drunk.
Click to expand...
You may want to see a doctor, immediately, quiting cold turkey can be insanely dangerous, fatal even. Wish you the best.
 
p_xavier said:
I was in rehab many times mate.
Click to expand...
That made me chuckle when I was in rehab, how many people recognized each other.

"Hey Suzie, is it the 3rd or 4th time?"
"Mike! How's it going?" 😆

I think it all comes down to your own personal rock bottom.

My rock bottom was a ride in ambulance from work with yellow eyes and my liver on the verge of cirrhosis.
Like having a gun pointed at your head.

I then decided to love myself again and fight for my life.
 
Smiggs said:
You may want to see a doctor, immediately, quiting cold turkey can be insanely dangerous, fatal even.
Click to expand...
Exactly what happened to True Blood actor Nelsan Ellis.

Ellis died at the age of 39 on July 8, 2017, in Woodhull His family released a statement on July 10, 2017, saying that he had an ongoing struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. He had been reluctant to talk to anyone about his addiction because of his sense of shame. In the days prior to his death, Ellis was attempting to withdraw from alcohol on his own; he was hospitalized due to serious complications from alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which resulted in his death.
 
Smiggs said:
You may want to see a doctor, immediately, quiting cold turkey can be insanely dangerous, fatal even. Wish you the best.
Click to expand...
I have lorazepam pills for that and the ER is a 5 minutes walk. Never had any issues from withdrawal besides massive insomnia.
 
I'm not going sober but every year I take January "off" of booze. It's far and away my most productive time of the year. I feel better, lose a bit of weight, and get a bunch of stuff done around the house which the wife always appreciates.

I'm not a super heavy drinker at all so it's not the same of course but it's good to take the time off and I salute those of you stopping entirely. Your body and family will thank you.
 
John Marston said:
Exactly what happened to True Blood actor Nelsan Ellis.

Ellis died at the age of 39 on July 8, 2017, in Woodhull His family released a statement on July 10, 2017, saying that he had an ongoing struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. He had been reluctant to talk to anyone about his addiction because of his sense of shame. In the days prior to his death, Ellis was attempting to withdraw from alcohol on his own; he was hospitalized due to serious complications from alcohol withdrawal syndrome, which resulted in his death.
Click to expand...
Alcohol and drug withdrawal are a different kettle of fish. I've experienced both of them. But luckily, not at the same time.

When you stop drinking your label, your eyes will try to come out of your skull. Followed by intense depression. The solution? Drink the problem away. Congrats, now you are in the loop.

Whereas with drugs. Wanna quit? It's like time is moving at 1% its normal speed. There are 24 hours in a day. Suddenly, it feels like there 50 hours in a day. You are now trapped inside The Matrix and firmly believe that you are living inside of a simulation.
 
ForAcademicPurposes said:
Alcohol and drug withdrawal are a different kettle of fish. I've experienced both of them. But luckily, not at the same time.

When you stop drinking your label, your eyes will try to come out of your skull. Followed by intense depression. The solution? Drink the problem away. Congrats, now you are in the loop.

Whereas with drugs. Wanna quit? It's like time is moving at 1% its normal speed. There are 24 hours in a day. Suddenly, it feels like there 50 hours in a day. You are now trapped inside The Matrix and firmly believe that you are living inside of a simulation.
Click to expand...
I'm extremely lucky, then. I was a pretty heavy drinker in my 20's, quit cold turkey at 30 and didn't experience any depression or any crazy withdrawals. I also did pretty much every drug you can think of, never shot, though. I did have a short cocaine phase, but quit that pretty easily too. I smoked weed every day from age 19 to 38, I stopped 5 years ago, also not bad, if a bit grumpy for a couple of days.

Interesting how your experience quiting drugs made you feel like you're in the matrix. For me, doing LSD and psylocibyn revealed the matrix, not that I consider them drugs, which I don't.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Oscars 2026 - The nominations
2 3
138
725
jason10mm replied
How does the real 2026 compare to 1927’s 2026?
20
542
sono replied
The Odyssey (2026) Trailer
2 3 4
169
2K
Aurelius replied
Obsession Teaser Trailer (2026)
1
276
roosnam1980 replied
Winter Olympics 2026 [OT] - Milano Cortina
14
124
AJUMP23 replied
Top Bottom