Catman2016

Is it even possible to control our drinking? I have failed so many times.

MacW

If you mean control as in stop, then yes, plenty of people here seem to have managed it.

If you mean control by cutting down, I really don't think so. Not if your drinking is already a problem for you.

I've heard of a few people who managed this, and good luck to them. Personally I have tried many times and always ended up worse than before.

Lightning Bug

I can't control my alcohol. Or soda for that matter.

gatorman

Agree with you Mac...

LadyBlue0527

After 30 years of my own research the answer for me is no.

Unfortunately, every time I tried to control it whatever led me to quit again was progressively worse than the last.

I finally realized that I was just kidding myself. What fun is controlling your drinking? My goal was never having a few no matter how much I tried to tell myself it's what I wanted to do.

You'll find more of the same answer here.

What brings you here Catman?

MIRecovery

I know for myself I didn't want to cut back I wanted to drink at the same rate without the consequences but to answer your question IMO it is impossible

Catman2016

The reason I am here is to communicate with others that have problems with alcohol. I enjoy drinking but tired of alcohol related problems in my life. I want to be able to control it but looks like it is not possible for me. I cant eat when i drink and i ended up in the hospital this morning for a blackout in the street.

doggonecarl

I wanted to drink, I just didn't want the consequences of my drinking.

Controlled drinking? That ship has sailed.

fripfrop

Yes, I know people as well that have controlled their drinking after they realised they were drinking too much.
They were what I aspired to be, someone who went back to drinking normally, socially.
But after lots and lots of years and attempts, I just couldn't do it with mine.

As in control, in not starting by having the first one..yes..that is do-able

Dee74

I never drank except to get wasted. I could never understand 'controlled' drinking.

I think accepting that is the turning point Catman

Hope to see you around some more

D

Nonsensical

I have a voice in my head that tells me I can control my drinking. It is the voice of my addiction to alcohol, and it lies to me to get what it wants.

I quit taking advice from a known liar and my life got a lot better. I highly recommend it.

Welcome to SR.

Nowsthetime

Trying to control it was exhausting. And 99% of the time I was unsuccessful.

I feel so much better know that the mind gymnastics are over.

August252015

No. Not if you are an alcoholic.

Once we start asking questions like "can I control it?" or "how can I control it?" ..... we can't.

Step 1. Everything goes back to it. Is your life unmanageable? Have you lost control over alcohol? It sounds like the latter (at least) is true, and if you are ending up in the hospital then there's that and probably other reasons your life is indeed unmanageable; you will have to examine these two points.

Good luck.

tomsteve

i gave up the right to control my drinking 20 years before i got sober.

WeekendWarrior

Commit to 30 days, no more, no less, no exceptions. Most normal people go 30 days without drinking all the time. If you can't do this, then you know you can't moderate your drinking. If you can do this, then you should have some clarity on your situation, if looked at honestly.

Delilah1

Welcome Catman!

Glad you are here. Like many of the above posters I attempted to control my drinking, I even went as far as drawing a line on a wine glass to show what 4oz really looked like (it looked nothing like a typical glass of wine for me). I went through periods of attempted moderation, followed by attempts at sobriety, it became exhausting.

I now have seven months sober, and I have see improvements mentally and physically. Start with not drinking today, then spend some time reading and posting on here, there are lots of links for recovery plans. Recovery is definitely not a one size fits all program. You can do this!!!

Bird615

Welcome, Catman!

Yes this place is filled with people like me who tried desperately to control their drinking so that we wouldn't have to give it up completely. If you want to stop, you can get a lot of support and information here.

I got sober pretty young the first time and lived most of my life sober. After neglecting my recovery for a while, I then had the brilliant idea that after all those years, maybe I could control it. I tried and tried and tried for 4 and a half years, until I finally accepted that I just couldn't do it. It just got worse.

Today, I am much happier being sober.

IronPhoenix

No. At least not for me. I would always find an excuse around any self imposed drink limitation. The only way was to stop completely.

August252015

Delilah- the line at 4oz thing. Haven't heard that one- though it makes me think of one restaurant where I worked, that put its logo on the wine glasses at the correct pour mark which was 6oz there (so, 1.5x serving per glass!). I am always intrigued by the countless ways alcoholics tried to "change our environment"!!

LadyBlue0527

Keep coming here Catman. This community has been a saving grace for me in getting and staying sober and it can be the same for you.

Read, read, read, you'll find that you identify with a lot of what you see.

This is a save, warm, and welcoming place for all who are seeking answers to questions about addiction.

I'm glad that you're here.