Emzeh

Good evening,

I am 28 years old and have a problem with abusing alcohol. I have tried to cut down many times previously but in this I am clearly just not as strong on my own as I am in other areas of my life. From tomorrow I will be counting day by day, logging and trying to ride out urges and starting to distance myself from people and situations that may cause me to drink.

I have decided to put out as many feelers to help myself as I can, and this forum seemed like a great place to start.

Hopefully I can post again soon with some positive feedback on how this journey is going for me!

january161992

hi emzeh

i was 29 also when i went to aa and got some help

i cant get drunk if i dont take the 1st drink

its the 1st drink that gets me drunk not the 20th

theres lots of good support here

God bless

Emzeh

I guess I have never considered it that way before...wise words! I have just turned down the offer of a can of lager... not a massive step in the grand scheme of things but I can't deny the small pang of pride it gave me. Unfortunately I know it's not always going to be as easy...still at that new and determined stage where I haven't started arguing with myself as to why I deserve a drink (I can be very persuasive!)

thomas11

Welcome to SR, many great people here to help you with your sobriety. The early days are a bit difficult, but I think most will agree with me that it is definitely worth it in the long run. And in time, the thought of drinking will become less and less. Its about a year for me...I rarely think about drinking.

Anna

Welcome, Emzeh!

I'm glad you found us and decided to post.

Hevyn

Good to have you with us, Emzeh.

I wish I could go back to my 20's and do what you're doing. I lost many years of my life insisting I could manage my drinking. You'll never regret taking a hard look at what alcohol does to your life. This is a great place for encouragement. You can do it!

CaseyW

Welcome to SR, Emzeh!

If you haven't already, feel free to join us in the Class of November 2016 thread found on this same forum. It's a great way to learn from and help others who are newly sober.

Berrybean

Welcome to the forum Em.

kellyrally

Glad to have you here. Day 6 for me so in a similar position, but SR is definitely a great place to come for inspiration! Good luck x

D122y

Emz,

Good job on turning down the lager.

I turned down free beer all week. No thank you.

Folks asked why? I said I quit for my health.

That was it. I was drinking refreshing water.

It was a bit hard at first. I reminded myself, I could drink everyday, all day...if I wanted to. Who cares about free booze.

I remembered ea. Time that I was addicted to booze...I will crave forever.

Then I filled up on food, and the crave went away.

Thanks.

Steely

Welcome Emzeh.

Yes, join November Class as Casey suggests. I'm in November Class as well, following a hideous relapse at 8 months sober. Top job turning down the lager.

Fortress

Welcome Emzeh, I am so happy for you. You mentioned not being "strong" enough. For me, the only strength involved was in admitting that I am totally powerless (i.e. "weak) over alcohol, and cannot ever have ONE SINGLE DRINK, EVER.

August252015

Welcome! Hope to see you stick around.

Indeed- it is our THINKING that must change in order to quit and stay done with the actual DRINKING.

A program is a must: making a plan, and sticking to it. In early days, just turning down a drink is actually a HUGE thing (not a little one in any scheme) .... things like not putting yourself in a place where you'd need to choose that is even more important.

What's your plan- today?

I'm an AA-er myself, and it has saved my life. Many around here use SMART and other programs- the critical part is finding one and truly giving it a chance by putting it in place in your life. AA is probably the most simple- at the start, you don't drink and you go to meetings. The sole requirement for "membership" is a desire to stop drinking.

There is a lot of help, here, too (though I am one of those who will vouch for the IRL approach as their main path to success)- have you found the Class of November 2016 under Newcomers' Daily Support Threads? Folks quitting in any given month gather on individual threads.

I hope you give sobriety a chance- it is so much better on this side.

Good luck.

PhoenixJ

Hi Ezmeh- you have did a good thing to here have posted. Having an awareness and doing something positive now will help you for the rest of your life. Good stuff. Serious stuff. Keep posting- strength in unity. PJ

Emzeh

Thank you all for your supportive feedback, I can officially cross off day 2 (which I actually have done on a calender print out I brought home today and stuck on my fridge!)

Been looking at various plans to see what I feel will be the best option for me. Haven't decided on a long term just yet, but I have bought a giant notebook to go through an 'Action Plan for Prevention and Recovery' that I found on here. I think turning my gaze inwards and really identifying my reasons and triggers will do a great deal for me personally.

Steely

You're thinking is really great Emzeh. I'm getting that giant notebook too.

Emzeh

In which I case I hope it helps us both Steely! It certainly won't be the only stepping stone but going forward one is better than none...or backwards...!

PurpleKnight

Welcome to the Forum Emzeh!!