The First Step
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 5
The First Step
I have had a few - quite a few - attempts at stopping drinking. I drink daily - at night, after work. I have managed to minimise the effects of my drinking by drinking at home while I watch TV. Then I pass out in bed. Next day I go to work, come home, and repeat the cycle. I want to stop.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 25,826
Welcome to the Forum Traceygrace!! 
For me had to change up my routines, my activities, what I did on my evenings after work, my weekends, continuing on with the same lifestyle and simply not drinking wasn't enough, I needed to revolutionise my lifestyle into a Sober one!!
It can be done, but continuing to try the same things and expecting different results never worked!!
You can do this, and you'll find loads of support here on SR to help!!
For me had to change up my routines, my activities, what I did on my evenings after work, my weekends, continuing on with the same lifestyle and simply not drinking wasn't enough, I needed to revolutionise my lifestyle into a Sober one!!
It can be done, but continuing to try the same things and expecting different results never worked!!
You can do this, and you'll find loads of support here on SR to help!!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 5
Thank you. There is someone out there! I always plan not to buy a bottle of wine and then I get home and think... ah I just want to relax. My mornings are... I won't drink. My nights are... yes I will. Change my routine... I need to think about how to do that. I really want to be healthy and strong and sober.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 120,874
Welcome to SR, traceygrace; glad you found us.
I totally agree with Purpleknight; as our alcoholic habits tend to be well-ingrained, a change in your evening routine could be very helpful in breaking the current cycle of drinking. Maybe consider incorporating an exercise regimen into your evening; instead of watching TV, read a book or work on a craft or hobby; start a recovery journal; plan on logging onto SR to read and post; take a cooking class, etc.
I have found sobriety to be very rewarding; hope you do, too.
I totally agree with Purpleknight; as our alcoholic habits tend to be well-ingrained, a change in your evening routine could be very helpful in breaking the current cycle of drinking. Maybe consider incorporating an exercise regimen into your evening; instead of watching TV, read a book or work on a craft or hobby; start a recovery journal; plan on logging onto SR to read and post; take a cooking class, etc.
I have found sobriety to be very rewarding; hope you do, too.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 5
Thank you. Those are good ideas. Yes, the whole habit thing is really ingrained isn't it. I will try to take a walk this afternoon after work and then log in here. Thanks for your help. 
thanks
thanks
Trudgin
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348
Welcome, glad you're here with us!
Many of us got to that point of just us and the bottle. We had pushed everything else away.......
I finally decided to get into a structured program of recovery. My own self will did not work for me in staying stopped. I needed f2f support. You have recovery options.
Keep posting, you're not alone.
Many of us got to that point of just us and the bottle. We had pushed everything else away.......
I finally decided to get into a structured program of recovery. My own self will did not work for me in staying stopped. I needed f2f support. You have recovery options.
Keep posting, you're not alone.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,512
I agree with changing your routine. That's what helped me a lot in the early days. Drive home a different way from work, go out for a walk in the evening instead of sitting and drinking, call a friend, take a course, whatever works for you.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Gulf Coast, USA
Posts: 2,229
Welcome Traceygrace! Glad you found us.
I spent a couple decades going through the same routine you are going through. The problem is it gets worse and worse. I eventually started drinking earlier and earlier and at work.
You can make this change. Lean on us as much as you need. It helped me early on to stay close to SR, join the monthly class and post often.
We are here to help each other.
Welcome aboard.
I spent a couple decades going through the same routine you are going through. The problem is it gets worse and worse. I eventually started drinking earlier and earlier and at work.
You can make this change. Lean on us as much as you need. It helped me early on to stay close to SR, join the monthly class and post often.
We are here to help each other.
Welcome aboard.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 147
I had the same routine Tracey. You could try an aa meeting in the evening. Also, don't drive home the same way so you don't pass the liquor store. Try to extend the time you stay at work a little or right after work go for a walk. Write down things to do when you are home. So you have a list of options other than drinking. These are strategies I used. I hope they help
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
Originally Posted by traceygrace 
I have had a few - quite a few - attempts at stopping drinking. I drink daily - at night, after work. I have managed to minimise the effects of my drinking by drinking at home while I watch TV. Then I pass out in bed. Next day I go to work, come home, and repeat the cycle. I want to stop.
For me, it started stopping when I started starting....
Starting to really embrace sobriety
Starting to go regularly to AA
Starting to read The Big Book - cover to cover, numerous times
Starting to change my habits - where I went, who I hung out with, what I spent my days doing.
Starting to make new choices
Starting to get honest with myself
Starting to open up my inner Self through therapy
Starting to see the changes and the improvements to my life from all these things.
You can get started stopping by getting started starting, too...
Starting now.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
