Goofyish

After 10 years sober, moderation worked great for me for about 2 years. I then spent the next 5 years drinking way more then my first alcoholic stint. I will never try moderation again.

brigid

Moderation was dam hard work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And rarely successful for me. Soooooooooooooooooooo much effort .. I could barely do that once, let alone every time I had a drink.

So much better and less effort to not have that first drink. Not today.

Best of luck, tis fun to not drink .. i love it.

brother

Pboy - thanks for the honest sharing of your struggle - it helps me.
You mentioned anxiety and social needs, I relate. Drinking was essential for me in social situattions from age 1 4 to nearly 40. Chemical Dependence issues developed when I quit drinking. For me, drinking/using are symptoms of an internal problem which included anxiety, depression, etc. Just quitting didn't cure my real problem.

EAP got me started in recovery - it exists to benefit the employer too! I received mental health care & directions to my 1st AA meeting (being w/ others in recovery can be fun - my social anxiety melts away easily - I'm enjoying more meaningful rewarding relationships than I ever did in a bar - its my "happy-hour").

Pboy

Mental health issues, e.g. anxiety/depression/insomnia are at least as troublesome as my alcohol abuse issues.

Just got finished exercising for the first time in a long time.

If I can beat the insomnia I think everything will turn around for me.

Glad to hear EAP helped you, that's still a likely option for me next.

CarolD

Perhaps this link will help with sleeping problems

Insomnia? 42 Simple Tips to Help You Get to Sleep - Insomnia treatment, cures

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