First post, been lurking off and on... need to stop drinking
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Victoria
Posts: 2
First post, been lurking off and on... need to stop drinking
Hi,
this is my first post on here. I have been lurking around off and on for a few years. I have given up drinking here and there for some time and I'm over the 'merry go round' as someone else put it. I tried AA a few years back but didn't feel it was my thing. I really need to stop drinking as it undermines me, it takes away my self confidence and beleif in myself. I need to be stronger and stay off it. I gave up over 10yrs ago and lasted almost 6yrs sober, then started drinking one or two on a night out, then after meeting up with old mates and grieving a death together I got on it and have been battling since. I have been isolated socially for a few years now due to major illness and recently had major surgery and I'm on the mend. I don't like the lack of enegy I get if I drink and notice when I drink I think about it too much, constantly analysing my relationship with the booze. I need the constant reminder that I'm not alone with this. I had a few yesterday and today are yet again re-analysing how I feel. I am struggling thinking about the social aspect without alcohol and feel forgein as to what I can do, where I can go to socialise in atmospheres I like with people who don't focus on getting messed up on alcohol.
thanks for reading. I know I have to make it one day at a time. I have joined a gym and are going there straight from work on workdays as after work is one time I seem to want to have a drink.
this is my first post on here. I have been lurking around off and on for a few years. I have given up drinking here and there for some time and I'm over the 'merry go round' as someone else put it. I tried AA a few years back but didn't feel it was my thing. I really need to stop drinking as it undermines me, it takes away my self confidence and beleif in myself. I need to be stronger and stay off it. I gave up over 10yrs ago and lasted almost 6yrs sober, then started drinking one or two on a night out, then after meeting up with old mates and grieving a death together I got on it and have been battling since. I have been isolated socially for a few years now due to major illness and recently had major surgery and I'm on the mend. I don't like the lack of enegy I get if I drink and notice when I drink I think about it too much, constantly analysing my relationship with the booze. I need the constant reminder that I'm not alone with this. I had a few yesterday and today are yet again re-analysing how I feel. I am struggling thinking about the social aspect without alcohol and feel forgein as to what I can do, where I can go to socialise in atmospheres I like with people who don't focus on getting messed up on alcohol.
thanks for reading. I know I have to make it one day at a time. I have joined a gym and are going there straight from work on workdays as after work is one time I seem to want to have a drink.
In Progress
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: PT Pleasant, NJ
Posts: 30
I'm in the process of quitting too. I've already started the analyzing of what bbq's, holidays, work functions, parties and the like will all be without alcohol. I've been needing the constant reminder I am not alone in this too and have been on this site A LOT in the last few days, but it's really helping. I need to expand my network into people who drink while having a good time and learn how to manuever myself. I've never tried quitting so this is all new to me.Alcohol truly is a depressant though, I tend to beat myself up after and during drinking as well. The only time I don't is when I'm buying it.
Sapling - if you're reading this, thank you! I love your posts and have already learned a lot from them as well as everyone else, of course.
Sapling - if you're reading this, thank you! I love your posts and have already learned a lot from them as well as everyone else, of course.
dude in recovery
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Gulf Coast, TX
Posts: 1,504
Welcome.
I got to the point I never drank with anyone else, always alone. I would have two beers at a restaurant just to get a kick-start to my nightly binge which would normally happen just after leaving. I'm currently at my longest time away from the drink since turning ~18 and I hate to hear of people going back to it after so much sober time. I really don't 'crave' the alcohol anymore, but I took my alcoholism to extremes over the last 12 years and never want to return to that hellish cycle of addiction. The big book, listening to AA speakers and this forum are a huge part of my recovery (I've never been to a face to face meeting)
Wish yall the best.
I got to the point I never drank with anyone else, always alone. I would have two beers at a restaurant just to get a kick-start to my nightly binge which would normally happen just after leaving. I'm currently at my longest time away from the drink since turning ~18 and I hate to hear of people going back to it after so much sober time. I really don't 'crave' the alcohol anymore, but I took my alcoholism to extremes over the last 12 years and never want to return to that hellish cycle of addiction. The big book, listening to AA speakers and this forum are a huge part of my recovery (I've never been to a face to face meeting)
Wish yall the best.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ROME GA
Posts: 39
welcome ,you know i always wanted to be alone more when i drank listening to music or just alone ,if their was a party going on i wanted to be alone and i don t know why,when i would be around people they would ask me what was wrong you look mad or down and this has been for years not saying i was always alone but seems i would end up that way still drinking when everyone would be in bed already or gone home this has always kinda confused me
Crazy Cat Lady
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 2,661
Welcome to the forums! When i decided to quit, one of the most important things i did was not look back. I have made a point of not romanticizing my relationship with alcohol. I try not to think about how events will be different without alcohol. Just accept that they will be different and move on. We tend to over think and complicate things in our recovery. Focus on keeping it simple.
In Progress
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: PT Pleasant, NJ
Posts: 30
typo!
Originally Posted by lily007 
I'm in the process of quitting too. I've already started the analyzing of what bbq's, holidays, work functions, parties and the like will all be without alcohol. I've been needing the constant reminder I am not alone in this too and have been on this site A LOT in the last few days, but it's really helping. I need to expand my network into people who drink while having a good time and learn how to manuever myself. I've never tried quitting so this is all new to me.Alcohol truly is a depressant though, I tend to beat myself up after and during drinking as well. The only time I don't is when I'm buying it.
Sapling - if you're reading this, thank you! I love your posts and have already learned a lot from them as well as everyone else, of course.
Sapling - if you're reading this, thank you! I love your posts and have already learned a lot from them as well as everyone else, of course.
Overtired on that one!
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Welcome to the shareing part of SR...
As you have been lurking so long....I hope you know how many ways
we are finding to stop and stay stopped.
For me....I had to begin with "I wanted to quit more than I wanted to drink"
As you have been lurking so long....I hope you know how many ways
we are finding to stop and stay stopped.
For me....I had to begin with "I wanted to quit more than I wanted to drink"
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Middle of no where, oklahoma
Posts: 2,696
Welcome to SR, this place was a life saver for me. A lot of great knowledge and people who managed to stay sober.
Sounds like you have a good plan with the gym. Focus on each day, each moment. The rest will follow. Now might not be the best time to try to figure things out. All you HAVE to do each day is not drink, that is your priority.
One day at a time, one breath if needed:ghug3
Sounds like you have a good plan with the gym. Focus on each day, each moment. The rest will follow. Now might not be the best time to try to figure things out. All you HAVE to do each day is not drink, that is your priority.
One day at a time, one breath if needed:ghug3
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5,678
Welcome to SR Therightlife 
Can I ask, what did you do about the social aspect when you gave up for 6 years?
I can't really offer any advice on that as I'm only 4 months sober and am still avoiding some social occasions, though I definitely enjoy the ones I do attend more than I did when I was drinking because I don't have to worry about how much I'm drinking!
I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice here though x
Can I ask, what did you do about the social aspect when you gave up for 6 years?
I can't really offer any advice on that as I'm only 4 months sober and am still avoiding some social occasions, though I definitely enjoy the ones I do attend more than I did when I was drinking because I don't have to worry about how much I'm drinking!
I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice here though x
SoberOutlook
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,089
Welcome, therightlife. As you know, with having 6 yrs sober in the past, you are on the right track, doing the right thing. Good for you for recognizing the path of your drinking habits, and for asking yourself the right questions. And welcome back to therightlife.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,226
Welcome, and thanks for sharing your story.
There was a point in my life that I drank a bottle of wine every night by myself. When I started a job that was pretty social, I drank more than this nightly sitting on patios or barstools with friends. I realized that during almost all of my waking hours, I was drunk or hung over.
Being sober is infinitely better than this. I offer this just to say I identify, and wish you well in making changes.
Glad to have you with us. Let us offer you support as you start this journey. It is so worth it.
There was a point in my life that I drank a bottle of wine every night by myself. When I started a job that was pretty social, I drank more than this nightly sitting on patios or barstools with friends. I realized that during almost all of my waking hours, I was drunk or hung over.
Being sober is infinitely better than this. I offer this just to say I identify, and wish you well in making changes.
Glad to have you with us. Let us offer you support as you start this journey. It is so worth it.
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