24 days sober... it is possible
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 53
24 days sober... it is possible
Hi All;
I am 57 and have drank heavily since mid-teens.
The last two years got worse, drinking to black out most nights.
Stopped cold turkey on 1/4/16. Little to no withdrawals and am feeling much better.
I did see a social worker to help convince I could do it.
So, just a word of encouragement, if I can stop, most can!
I'm not cured, just stopped for now!
I am 57 and have drank heavily since mid-teens.
The last two years got worse, drinking to black out most nights.
Stopped cold turkey on 1/4/16. Little to no withdrawals and am feeling much better.
I did see a social worker to help convince I could do it.
So, just a word of encouragement, if I can stop, most can!
I'm not cured, just stopped for now!
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 53
Originally Posted by fantail 
Congratulations!
It is such a maddening thin line between drinking or not. For me it's one day at a time. I am not focused on if I will ever drink again, just not today.
I can't remember the number of times I tried to slow down or stop, especially the last couple of years. I really had myself convinced that I could not stop and that I was not in control of me.
Funny, I asked my primary doc to give me a lobotomy to get my mind right. That's how out of control I [thought] I was.
My SW argued with me every time I said I could not stop or could not change. She made my default be that I could. I set the date and then did what others help convince me that I could do.
Believe in yourself (now matter what you have done or how long / much you are drinking) that you can stop. If you believe it, you will stop.
Those that have stopped are no different then you!
Make it happen my friends!
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,872
I'm about the same age as you and also started drinking in my teens. It would be a relationship that lasted thirty years.
It's been five years now since my last drink, and I had turned into a raving alcoholic.
Good for you for seeking out help. These forums help me, too.
Yes it is possible. Even for the worst cases.
I'm not cured, either. I am just given a daily reprieve from drinking.
Thanks for your post.
It's been five years now since my last drink, and I had turned into a raving alcoholic.
Good for you for seeking out help. These forums help me, too.
Yes it is possible. Even for the worst cases.
I'm not cured, either. I am just given a daily reprieve from drinking.
Thanks for your post.
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 59
wow congratulations!!! im right behind you therpy,im 17 days sober,26 years old and had been drinking for 5 years straight,o hate that I relapsed but am glad to have sobered up shortly after,life is so precious and I don't want that poison to destroy my happiness again,stay strong !!
sobriety!!!
sobriety!!!
You can have reasons, or you can have results, but you can't have both.
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,232
That's awesome! I'm also 17 days sober, so a week behind you.
So do you have a strategy for making sure your "stopped for now" becomes "stopped forever?" If a craving pops up, or a stressor, or any other kind of trigger, do you have a way to deal with it so that you don't relapse?
So do you have a strategy for making sure your "stopped for now" becomes "stopped forever?" If a craving pops up, or a stressor, or any other kind of trigger, do you have a way to deal with it so that you don't relapse?
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 14,899
Congratulations on your sober time.
After a long history of drinking, I've found it useful to just try to stay sober "one day at a time." That's what I've done. And the day's become weeks, and the weeks become months, and eventually the months become years. But the basic unit of time I concentrate on, is "today."
After a long history of drinking, I've found it useful to just try to stay sober "one day at a time." That's what I've done. And the day's become weeks, and the weeks become months, and eventually the months become years. But the basic unit of time I concentrate on, is "today."
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 53
Originally Posted by SoberinSyracuse
That's awesome! I'm also 17 days sober, so a week behind you.
So do you have a strategy for making sure your "stopped for now" becomes "stopped forever?" If a craving pops up, or a stressor, or any other kind of trigger, do you have a way to deal with it so that you don't relapse?
So do you have a strategy for making sure your "stopped for now" becomes "stopped forever?" If a craving pops up, or a stressor, or any other kind of trigger, do you have a way to deal with it so that you don't relapse?
I have a pretty stressful job with a team of about 600 to lead and mentor, so their is always someone stepping in a pile of you know what!
I have a good number of hobbies that have become a bigger part of my life again (now that I am not drinking).
Also, my wife is very supportive and that helps a great deal!
As my social worker says, I have lots of positive things in my life (I have worked hard for them) and that means many things to loose if I fall into the bottle.
And I visit this site frequently. I get inspiration by so many fighting the good fight! Winning or not, it puts focus on what to strive for.
One day at a time, that all we have!
Thanks to all for your kind words and support!
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