How mant tries did it take you?
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Europe
Posts: 291
I think it's fair to say you will find a range of "once" to "still trying for the 100th time". Getting sober doesn't seem follow statistics, especially when looking at your personal path.
More than the number, I think the determination to stop the madness and the living hell, and to seek help, plays a big role.
Me I tried once on my own, got to three months, but without any plan or support, and I caved in. This taught me that for me a) it was probably possible but b) I really needed help, a plan, guidance, and changes... lots of them. So you could say for me it was my second "try" (5 months later) , 3.5 years ago. I'm pretty sure it will stick, but complacency is not in the cards.
Most important: keep trying, don't give up. Statistically, 100% of the alcoholics that got sober did so on their last try.
More than the number, I think the determination to stop the madness and the living hell, and to seek help, plays a big role.
Me I tried once on my own, got to three months, but without any plan or support, and I caved in. This taught me that for me a) it was probably possible but b) I really needed help, a plan, guidance, and changes... lots of them. So you could say for me it was my second "try" (5 months later) , 3.5 years ago. I'm pretty sure it will stick, but complacency is not in the cards.
Most important: keep trying, don't give up. Statistically, 100% of the alcoholics that got sober did so on their last try.
Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 740
I'm on my second try myself, Wibble. I came on here a couple of years ago but I know I wasn't really done yet. Also, I didn't really make the life changes needed to make sobriety stick. Now that I've done that, I know I have a fighting chance. Don't stop, trying, Wibble. Do the work too, and you'll find the way.
Delfin
Delfin
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 165
I agree with 2012Starlight...that ill be trying my entire life, probably. I DO KNOW that i am sick to death of all the problems alcohol causes me, omg! soooo sick of it. that alone, will keep me sober all day today. i know its hard, zoso, cuz alcohol is everywhere. and everyone equates havin a good time with havin some drinks! For me tho, it wont be a good time. it will end up all bad for me. then trying to piece together my blackout with no success. Driving myself nuts with anxiety and worry. I use things like this to remember what positively WILL happen if i drink today. No Thanks to that Mess! And Best of Luck to U zoso, U can do it...
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 25
Originally Posted by soberwolf 
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 25
Originally Posted by sg1970
Are you getting any kind of professional help for your depression and anxiety?
My drinking patterns were alot like what you described. Especially the rough last few years. The early days are hard. Some days it was all I could do to get through it and hit the bed sober. Three things helped me through it. Professional help for my anxiety, a recovery program, and pure being stubborn as a rock on the rough days. AA was a good fit for me for the recovery program but there are a few options. Have you looked at what's out there?
My drinking patterns were alot like what you described. Especially the rough last few years. The early days are hard. Some days it was all I could do to get through it and hit the bed sober. Three things helped me through it. Professional help for my anxiety, a recovery program, and pure being stubborn as a rock on the rough days. AA was a good fit for me for the recovery program but there are a few options. Have you looked at what's out there?
Do your best
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 67,047
Originally Posted by zoso
Thanks man. I went to the gym today, first time in 5-6 years. It took me about 20 minutes of deliberation to decide not to buy alcohol on the walk back home. I only had a glass last night, looks like a sober night tonight. Try 2 I guess.
Really glad your with us ZoZo
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,183
One, after I finally gave up the battles, and accepted that I had to stop or I would lose everything and die. 
Before that I made numerous half-hearted efforts, lasting up to two weeks, but I never accepted that reality, and I always thought deep down that I was gonna beat alcohol addiction. I was going to figure it all out, discover some magic trick so I could end the negative consequences but keep on drinking like a normie - abstinence is for the weak and afraid, but I'm smarter than those people and I'm going to keep fighting until I beat it, blah blah. Amazing, but I really thought like that. It was 100% addicted voice, I was soaking in it, but it took long sobriety, much longer than a couple weeks, before I really saw it for what it was. 
Before that I made numerous half-hearted efforts, lasting up to two weeks, but I never accepted that reality, and I always thought deep down that I was gonna beat alcohol addiction. I was going to figure it all out, discover some magic trick so I could end the negative consequences but keep on drinking like a normie - abstinence is for the weak and afraid, but I'm smarter than those people and I'm going to keep fighting until I beat it, blah blah. Amazing, but I really thought like that. It was 100% addicted voice, I was soaking in it, but it took long sobriety, much longer than a couple weeks, before I really saw it for what it was. Left the bottle behind 4/16/2015
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NC
Posts: 1,416
Far too many times to count, I'm afraid, but this is the first time I'm doing it with a plan that involves a whole lot more than just not drinking. By the latter year or so of my drinking career I couldn't even pull that much off without help. That isn't the norm, BTW, as far as I can tell, so don't be discouraged or expect numerous fails. I would recommend getting into a program of some kind that addresses why you turn to alcohol as a solution. That's been the only way I've made it this far. I'm 228 days sober today. That might not seem like a whole lot to some, but it's the most sober time I've accumulated in over 10 years. Best wishes to you!
quat
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: terra (mostly)firma
Posts: 4,822
Like a lot of the responses I'd say hundreds of times of stopping, and once for Quitting. Finding this place and learning about AVRT (there are great threads in the Secular Connections forum here on SR on those topics) helped to me realize, that 1 it is possible and 2 it had to come from me deciding "all the way down" , I Was Done, not even .05% of the option for future consumption was on the table. It's totally doable but you have to adopt the stance that it is for real and that you can do it. Rootin for ya
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 60
hello...I'm on my 3rd try in 10 years...I'm two weeks in right now...I really wish I could be like some and say I feel great after two weeks...but I'm still going through the anxiety and panic real bad...yes I am seeing someone for that...but I'm dedicated and determined
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