Enough is enough.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shipley
Posts: 6
Enough is enough.
Hi I'm Mike. I'm 31 years old from the UK, and I am a binge drinker. Today I have decided to stop drinking completely. For many years I have got so drunk on nights out and social gatherings that I have ruined relationships, got in trouble with the law, caused physical damage to my self (broken bones, damaged liver and even a bleed in my brain). I have made a fool of myself on many occasion. I was doing ok until I came to Australia back packing, although it has been a fantastic experience, it has had a negative effect on me in terms of drinking. My drinking is progressing from binge drinking to a full blown alcohol problem. I met an amazing girl whom I have been with for a year now and she is starting to get concerned about my drinking, and how I get a bit arrogant and aggresive when I'm drunk. We soon plan to return to the UK to settle down and get our own place. I have an awful feeling inside that drinking is gonna ruin everything. My social skills are basically based on drinking so when I socialise without alcohol im awkward and get pretty bored, hopefully this is something that will pass. Has anyone got any advice for me? Any info would be greatly appreciated 
Mike.
Mike.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,576
Welcome to SR Mike! It's so good to have you with us. You'll find plenty of encouragement and support here.
I wish I'd wised up when I was in my 30's. I kept insisting I could control what I drank. Alcohol turned me into someone I didn't even recognize, but I kept at it. Thankfully you're taking steps to avoid ruining the rest of your life. Be proud of yourself - you can do it Mike.
I wish I'd wised up when I was in my 30's. I kept insisting I could control what I drank. Alcohol turned me into someone I didn't even recognize, but I kept at it. Thankfully you're taking steps to avoid ruining the rest of your life. Be proud of yourself - you can do it Mike.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,518
Hi Mike and Welcome,
I'm glad you see that alcohol is causing problems in your life and that you want to stop drinking.
Many of us are unsure about socializing when we stop drinking and I will say that it is usually necessary to make some big changes in our lives. I had to remove a few toxic people from my life in order to recover. You can find ways to socialize that don't involve alcohol. If you feel bored, there is a world full of things to do.
We are here for you.
I'm glad you see that alcohol is causing problems in your life and that you want to stop drinking.
Many of us are unsure about socializing when we stop drinking and I will say that it is usually necessary to make some big changes in our lives. I had to remove a few toxic people from my life in order to recover. You can find ways to socialize that don't involve alcohol. If you feel bored, there is a world full of things to do.
We are here for you.
Do your best
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 67,047
Hi Mike Welcome to SR and to the forum
There is a lot of help support and great advice to have here at SR
Here is a link to AA in aus Alcoholics Anonymous
Take a look around
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...er-2014-a.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...part-27-a.html
i got sober at 31 im nearly 17 months sober
There is a lot of help support and great advice to have here at SR
Here is a link to AA in aus Alcoholics Anonymous
Take a look around
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...er-2014-a.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...part-27-a.html
i got sober at 31 im nearly 17 months sober
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 81
Welcome to the family, mfox.
Others with much more experience than me will be along shortly, I think.
I can suggest this, though. When sobriety gets tough for you, as it likely will, come on back and read your post above...and think about what it really,truly, means and what you JUST KNOW you have to do.
Wish you the best.
Others with much more experience than me will be along shortly, I think.
I can suggest this, though. When sobriety gets tough for you, as it likely will, come on back and read your post above...and think about what it really,truly, means and what you JUST KNOW you have to do.
Wish you the best.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 2,937
Hi Mike
Welcome to our family.
I will have 3 years sober in Feb 2015.
My life is a bit quieter than it was in my drinking days, but those agonising mornings waking up thinking what did I do, what did I say, where did that bruise come from etc etc are a thing of the past now. I do not miss them at all.
For me the following describes my drinking perfectly - 'i have regretted drinking many times. I have never regretted not drinking once'.
Whats the lifestyle like for you when you move back to the UK? Do you think it will help you live life sober?
I wish you the best x
Welcome to our family.
I will have 3 years sober in Feb 2015.
My life is a bit quieter than it was in my drinking days, but those agonising mornings waking up thinking what did I do, what did I say, where did that bruise come from etc etc are a thing of the past now. I do not miss them at all.
For me the following describes my drinking perfectly - 'i have regretted drinking many times. I have never regretted not drinking once'.
Whats the lifestyle like for you when you move back to the UK? Do you think it will help you live life sober?
I wish you the best x
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 269
Hi Mike, be patient with yourself and the process. It is not an overnight transformation, but the people who have made the journey usually find themselves much happier than when they started. My first time around, I totally did.
The best advice is to just not drink. Period. that is the only way to recover. Stay away from places you used to drink, avoid triggers and people who trigger you.
Have a good plan for your support network, be it SR, AA, rational recovery, or any of the great programs that provide support and education.
Best of luck, and keep coming back
The best advice is to just not drink. Period. that is the only way to recover. Stay away from places you used to drink, avoid triggers and people who trigger you.
Have a good plan for your support network, be it SR, AA, rational recovery, or any of the great programs that provide support and education.
Best of luck, and keep coming back
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 71
I used alcohol to be social too and was afraid when I quit I wouldn't be able to socialize, then I realised that when I was 13, 14, 15 (before I began drinking) I had no trouble socializing. Alcohol had robbed me of my confidence and charm when I was sober. But it does come back. Stick to it.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,869
Today, the day you make this desicion. That was the most important thing for me. Making the desicion. I just decided that I was going to make my life what I wanted it to be. I was also a binge drinker and in my earlier drinking career months could go by without a drink. The latter part, the blackouts got more frequent...
I found this place after googling sober and what helped me the most in the begging was reading around. I read a lot. It really opened my eyes to many things about alcoholism, problem drinking, whatever you want to call it. Read read read and post. We are always here and I feel that the best thing about this place is that there's no judgement because we can all relate to each other in some kind of level.
Deciding is the foot in the door. Now you begging your journey. Not to sound corny... You are going to go through a lot of emotions. Ride it out. Keep your eye on the price and it will pay off.
Welcome to the fam.
I found this place after googling sober and what helped me the most in the begging was reading around. I read a lot. It really opened my eyes to many things about alcoholism, problem drinking, whatever you want to call it. Read read read and post. We are always here and I feel that the best thing about this place is that there's no judgement because we can all relate to each other in some kind of level.
Deciding is the foot in the door. Now you begging your journey. Not to sound corny... You are going to go through a lot of emotions. Ride it out. Keep your eye on the price and it will pay off.
Welcome to the fam.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shipley
Posts: 6
I am amazed at the response I have got and I cant thank you all enough. Sasha.. I think moving back to the uk will be tough because I will lose alot of 'friends' but will be great to be close to my family. Today I feel like a massive weight has been taken off my shoulders and I have a very strange sense of freedom. Weird but fascinating x
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