Today is the day
Today is the day
This is a big step for me. I have been struggling with my drinking for many years, but the past two years I have escalated and found myself drinking alone. A six-pack of beer a night. A bottle of wine by myself. Every night.
I want to be a better person. For myself...for my kids.
But I am scared of sober living. Except for my pregnancies, I have been drinking nearly every day for the last 20 years.
What will I do with myself without a drink in hand?!? How do I cope in social situations that will involve booze? Do the benefits really outweigh the comfort of the drink?
I am currently in counseling and my therapist recommended SMART recovery. The concept that WE are in control of our actions, not an invisible god in the sky. I like that idea.
There is a local meeting tomorrow night. I'm thinking about checking it out, but I sure am nervous! Does anyone have words of encouragement/advice?
Thanks in advance. I stumbled upon this site and hope that it is serendipity.
I want to be a better person. For myself...for my kids.
But I am scared of sober living. Except for my pregnancies, I have been drinking nearly every day for the last 20 years.
What will I do with myself without a drink in hand?!? How do I cope in social situations that will involve booze? Do the benefits really outweigh the comfort of the drink?
I am currently in counseling and my therapist recommended SMART recovery. The concept that WE are in control of our actions, not an invisible god in the sky. I like that idea.
There is a local meeting tomorrow night. I'm thinking about checking it out, but I sure am nervous! Does anyone have words of encouragement/advice?
Thanks in advance. I stumbled upon this site and hope that it is serendipity.
Welcome CurlyKerry. Your fears are very common, and I think your Therapist was good in recommending a recovery program that holds regular meetings. Know that everyone there will be there for the same reason as you, just like we all are here on SR. Listen to how others have overcome their drinking and you'll see that anyone can do it if they really want to.
Regarding your fear of sober living, if you do some reading around here you'll see that for an alcoholic, sober living is better than drinking in every possible way. Your health, your relationships, your attitude and your productivity will all most likely improve. Alcohol holds you back.
Again, welcome. Read lots and good luck at the meeting tonight - i think you'll enjoy it.
Regarding your fear of sober living, if you do some reading around here you'll see that for an alcoholic, sober living is better than drinking in every possible way. Your health, your relationships, your attitude and your productivity will all most likely improve. Alcohol holds you back.
Again, welcome. Read lots and good luck at the meeting tonight - i think you'll enjoy it.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,777
Welcome. Of course you are scared! Normal part of the process. You can look at this meeting as a way to get informed about a problem that exists in your life. There is no harm in getting tools that can benefit your life.
This is a learning experience. This forum has been instrumental in my recovery process. I encourage you to read, post, and make friends here. You can do this and will be better off for it. We learn, grow, and find that life is lived fully without drinking. Be gentle with yourself. Take it one day at a time.
This is a learning experience. This forum has been instrumental in my recovery process. I encourage you to read, post, and make friends here. You can do this and will be better off for it. We learn, grow, and find that life is lived fully without drinking. Be gentle with yourself. Take it one day at a time.
Hiya curlykerry, welcome to SR, lots of help and encouragement here, keep posting and reading, it's helped me enormously.
I didn't know what I would of without drink to help me, but sobriety sets you free, you aren't 'owned' and 'dictated' to by booze. It's fantastic, why don't you give it a go.
What have you got to lose, nothing, but plenty to gain. xx
I didn't know what I would of without drink to help me, but sobriety sets you free, you aren't 'owned' and 'dictated' to by booze. It's fantastic, why don't you give it a go.
What have you got to lose, nothing, but plenty to gain. xx
Thank you all.
Been a lot of setbacks and changes in my life and the drink has been my only pal. I will try engaging in these forums and reading y'all's words of wisdom.
I want to say that I am not going to drink today, but there are 5 beers in my fridge...
My hangover says "don't touch it"
But I know that tonight, my hangover will be gone.
And I have nothing to do tonight.
Ugh.
Been a lot of setbacks and changes in my life and the drink has been my only pal. I will try engaging in these forums and reading y'all's words of wisdom.
I want to say that I am not going to drink today, but there are 5 beers in my fridge...
My hangover says "don't touch it"
But I know that tonight, my hangover will be gone.
And I have nothing to do tonight.
Ugh.
Dear Curlykerry
I can positively assure you it is possible living without it!!!
You get used to it I promise!!!
It gets better by day!!!
I was worried what was I going to do sober...
and I am looking for constructive things to fill up my life..
get hobbies/sports...
What you have certain is that if you continue it will get surely worse and worse!!!
and will have many consequences on you and your children will suffer then too.
If you can get in meetings that is great help!
you can come along here any time you need support!
And you have the chat room here too!
LIFE IS MUCH BETTER ON THE OTHER SIDE!!!
DO NOT HESITATE!!!
I can positively assure you it is possible living without it!!!
You get used to it I promise!!!
It gets better by day!!!
I was worried what was I going to do sober...
and I am looking for constructive things to fill up my life..
get hobbies/sports...
What you have certain is that if you continue it will get surely worse and worse!!!
and will have many consequences on you and your children will suffer then too.
If you can get in meetings that is great help!
you can come along here any time you need support!
And you have the chat room here too!
LIFE IS MUCH BETTER ON THE OTHER SIDE!!!
DO NOT HESITATE!!!
Originally Posted by CurlyKerry
Does anyone have words of encouragement/advice?
Also our that beer down the drain so you can't drink it.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Berkley
Posts: 19
I am exactly where you are in the recovery process. I find (haha Im on day 2!) is forcing myself to be around other adults who are not drinking. It's not a cure all but it helps. I'm teetering like you are.
Getting rid of alcohol is one of the first and simplest steps we can take. If you can't do that, what is your committment to getting sober? Really?
Good for you for doing that !
I know how difficult it can be. I was 3 months sober when I went to a rent house that had 4 bottles of really good chardonnay left from the previous guests. It was far too tempting for me to have that in the vicinity. Down the chute they went ! And I felt so liberated and free when I did it.
I know how difficult it can be. I was 3 months sober when I went to a rent house that had 4 bottles of really good chardonnay left from the previous guests. It was far too tempting for me to have that in the vicinity. Down the chute they went ! And I felt so liberated and free when I did it.
Curlykerry, I was in your shoes 6 months ago. You can do it. Just commit to today. Today, I will not drink. And tomorrow, make the same commitment to yourself. Forever, or even a week, can be overwhelming from where you stand right now. But commit to each day as it comes and the days will add up.
I am a bit over 5 months sober. My life from the outside probably doesn't look very different, but from the inside, it is so, so much better. Fear of the thing is worse than the thing itself. I promise.
Go for it.
I am a bit over 5 months sober. My life from the outside probably doesn't look very different, but from the inside, it is so, so much better. Fear of the thing is worse than the thing itself. I promise.
Go for it.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 20
Welcome Curlykerry.
I can relate to how hard it is to pour the alcohol down the drain - darn near broke my heart haha. But seriously, its a great step- good for you!
Like taking 5 said, everyone at the SMART meeting is there for the same reason. Go check it out!
I can relate to how hard it is to pour the alcohol down the drain - darn near broke my heart haha. But seriously, its a great step- good for you!
Like taking 5 said, everyone at the SMART meeting is there for the same reason. Go check it out!
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)