sacraria

Haven't figured out how just yet, so I'm trying more things. I'm 39 and male; been a problem drinker for a while. Wouldn't say it's progressed to full-blown alcoholism, but I know it's headed there if I don't change what I've been doing for most of the last year, drinking an average of 3-4 times a week and rarely less than a six-pack. I keep making promises to myself to quit for a specified period of time, or only drink in certain situations, or whatever, but I haven't been able to keep them - I get a craving and there I am, drinking again. I drink alone most of the time. When I go out socially, I'll drink more and faster than everyone else, and then stop on the way home for a couple extra. I feel bad about letting myself down this way, but I still do it. All of this tells me that I need to quit as soon as I can, whatever way works for me, and stay that way for a long, long time. I drank last night, so today is (yet again) day one. Thank you all for any help or advice you can give.

Geoff T

Horselover

Hi Geoff. Welcome to SR. I had a lot of false starts myself and I also played the mental games of "I'll keep it to Fridays and Saturdays." "I won't buy this kind of alcohol." "I'll only drink at restaurants." I got too tired and discouraged with that and decided it was easier to just finally eliminate it from my life. It took a lot of hard work and still can be hard work, but its less exhausting then the games I was playing before.

I hope you find what you are looking for. Its nice you've joined SR!!

justanothrdrunk

I know your pain.

Don't have too much advice for you unfortunately. I had to check into rehab 3 times before I had things sorted out.

Hang in there. I'm sending good vibes your way.

caleb76

You are right. It is so much easier to completely abstain rather than moderate. If I drank one day per week it would last about two weeks, maybe a little longer and then I would be back to seven nights per week.

caleb76

You can use this website to your advantage. You probably won't want to but trying AA won't hurt. It isn't for everyone but I love it. I hope I never stop.

I wish I would have started working hard on my sobriety when I was drinking a six pack per night a few nights per week. Unfortunately, I waited until I was drinking at least a twelve pack every night.

I wish you the best.

Wolfchild

Tazman53

Welcome to SR sacraria, now this is just a suggestion, but one that worked for me, check out some AA meetings, see if after 9 or 10 of them sober you do not start to feel like you fit in and that the folks there can really relate to what is going on for you.

I drank like you speak of about 10 years before I quit, the last 5 years of my drinking I do not think I drew a sober breath.

I can tell you that it is a fact that alcoholism is progressive, it always gets worse with every drink, it never levels off nor better................. always WORSE.

smacked

Welcome

The easiest way to quit drinking, is to stop drinking Then get some help. Or do it simultaneously.. whatever works. Thing is you have no idea *yet* what will work for you. I hope you are open to trying anything that will.

I wasn't able to stay sober until I was willing to put as much energy and effort into my sobriety as I had into my drinking. And not until I wanted sobriety more than another drink.

Stick around, a lot of us were just like you

sacraria

Thanks to everyone for the support and kind words. On day 2 today, hard at work, feeling good.

Drk

Geoff, I sooo used to do what you're doing, then it caught up to me. You have to break that cycle my man.