Border

Hello all,

I won't bore people with the same old drunkalogue you have all heard before. I've 'quit' twenty times probably over the years with varying degrees of success - for over a year on one occasion, but now, following early retirement I am struggling. While working I managed somehow to stop for a period to dry out every so often so that my performance and concentration would not suffer, now it doesn't matter and I am just descending into alcohol hell.

My greatest fear is not getting off the roundabout. Off to an AA meeting tonight.

visch1

Hi. I found and was told that I needed to get honest with myself and not to pick up the first drink because that's what gets us drunk. I did it and you can do it if you want to. I went, 30+ years ago and continue to go to AA and life in general has got so much better. Just remembering what I did last night is a blessing. BE WELL

OneLessLonely

Welcome to SR! I thought I had tried many times to quit drinking, but wasn't effective util I joined here. There's a lot of great knowledge and experience here.

Impurrfect

Welcome to SR!

Hugs and prayers,

Amy

hypochondriac

Welcome to SR Border

I am from your neck of the woods originally. Can you get to regular meetings there? I always wondered for when I have to visit my mother

I am sure you will find SR a big help to you too x

Border

Thank you all. My last drink was yesterday and tonight I went to an AA meeting. Thankfully (from my point of view) it was a very secular one in style.

Not expecting to sleep much tonight.

Edit: Hypo - from the Scottish borders area? I live in Carlisle. Plenty of meetings in and around.

hypochondriac

Yes, I grew up in a village nr Brampton but moved to Penrith later on. Glad your meeting was good

Zebra1275

Welcome to SR!

MIRecovery

I quit drinking once for 6 years and the first drink brought me right back. Out of total desperation I gave AA a real try. It saved my life when all else failed. 4 years later I'm a sober big fan of AA

Torso

Welcome,

I have also tried and failed many times, but this place is helping a lot,
stick around there's always someone here

Dee74

Welcome Border

Early retirement nearly finished me off too.
I finally figured out I needed to find purpose.

what's your purpose?
D

Border

Thanks all. The first night wasn't as bad as I anticipated. I was so exhausted I slept a bit more than I had anticipated, though very fitfully.

Dee. I really don't have a purpose. When I was working it was in a high pressure job - big budget to control and many staff etc. That provided the 'illusion' of purpose and a reason I had to get up in the morning for. I have taken up some interests and pastimes since I finished work but they have not held my attention. Mind you I have been drinking so that must be partly why. I am an atheist and of course 'purpose' in the wider sense doesn't make any real sense to me.

Spinach

See your GP there is a new initiative being pushed or about to start highlighting people of a certain age !! ( not my phrase ) they might be able to help and with the sleeping!
I guess it's all about hobbies and routines, is it time to take up, swimming , night classes so you can get a focus . It all sounds like you know what to do to break the cycle as you've done it before so you know you can just that you now need to add something else in.
I've always been a man of habit in most things I do and know that if I miss something out I get anxious that included drinking after work !!! Not helpful.
Here's a great place when things get difficult. Start counting the days !
Get some sober time and plan.
Good luck.
John.