Giving up today!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 382
Giving up today!
Hi all! I decided Easter Day is the perfect day to give up the alcohol. I've been kinda/sorta playing around with giving up for a while now, but today, I am going to try quitting cold turkey. Tapering off isn't working because I have a hard time with the taper part of it.
I am a Christian, so if that offends anyone, please don't read further, or do if you want to. My reason for quitting is that it hit me this morning that after all Christ did for me through his sacrifice, the least I can do is give up the alcohol for Him! So, here I am. Hoping to learn from all of you ways to avoid drinking because I KNOW it's not going to be easy.
I quit for two years, then after my parents passed away, I started drinking again. It's now been nearly two years since foolishly restarting, so it's time for me to get it together and give this stuff up for good.
If you've read this far, I thank you.
Happy Easter everyone!
I am a Christian, so if that offends anyone, please don't read further, or do if you want to. My reason for quitting is that it hit me this morning that after all Christ did for me through his sacrifice, the least I can do is give up the alcohol for Him! So, here I am. Hoping to learn from all of you ways to avoid drinking because I KNOW it's not going to be easy.
I quit for two years, then after my parents passed away, I started drinking again. It's now been nearly two years since foolishly restarting, so it's time for me to get it together and give this stuff up for good.
If you've read this far, I thank you.
Happy Easter everyone!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 120,872
Happy Easter, Givingup, and welcome to SR. I hope that the support, understanding and encouragement that you receive here will help you to regain lasting sobriety and full recovery.
I am very sorry to hear of the death of your parents.
Have a look around the site, giving special attention to the 'Stickies' at the top of the Newcomers, Newcomers' Daily support and Alcoholism forums; there is a wealth of information and wisdom in them.
Again, welcome.
I am very sorry to hear of the death of your parents.
Have a look around the site, giving special attention to the 'Stickies' at the top of the Newcomers, Newcomers' Daily support and Alcoholism forums; there is a wealth of information and wisdom in them.
Again, welcome.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
whatever your reason for quitting alcohol, whatever day, whatever motivation - it's a good one.
Here's a suggestion - as you 'Give Up' - also focus on what you're embracing.
Because this is not just a sacrifice. In fact, it's not a sacrifice at all.
You are 'sacrificing' your relationship with a poisonous liquid and its negative impact to your life....
You are embracing a rich, deep, abundant, meaningful, grateful, joyous life.
You are 'crucifying' your earthly attachment to a liquid sin, so that you may 'rise again' as a spirit celebrating this life gratefully....
You're not "giving up" - you're OPENING UP.
Happy Day One.
Here's a suggestion - as you 'Give Up' - also focus on what you're embracing.
Because this is not just a sacrifice. In fact, it's not a sacrifice at all.
You are 'sacrificing' your relationship with a poisonous liquid and its negative impact to your life....
You are embracing a rich, deep, abundant, meaningful, grateful, joyous life.
You are 'crucifying' your earthly attachment to a liquid sin, so that you may 'rise again' as a spirit celebrating this life gratefully....
You're not "giving up" - you're OPENING UP.
Happy Day One.
A Day at a Time
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 6,435
It is wonderful you have God in your life and that you have decided to quit.
God will do for us what we can not do for ourselves but he will not do what we can. God set in motion a series of events that started recovery but I had to make the doctors appointment, I had to seek professional treatment, I had to go to an AA meeting almost every day for 1.5 years, I am responsible for working an active program of recovery. I could not be where I am without God but he didn't hand me recovery on a silver platter.
God will do for us what we can not do for ourselves but he will not do what we can. God set in motion a series of events that started recovery but I had to make the doctors appointment, I had to seek professional treatment, I had to go to an AA meeting almost every day for 1.5 years, I am responsible for working an active program of recovery. I could not be where I am without God but he didn't hand me recovery on a silver platter.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
Welcome to SR. Congratulations on a wonderful decision. I would recommend posting here regularly for awhile until you get some sober time under your belt. I believe it helps to reach out for support when we feel weak or could succumb to cravings etc..
Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 980
Originally Posted by FreeOwl 
whatever your reason for quitting alcohol, whatever day, whatever motivation - it's a good one.
You are 'sacrificing' your relationship with a poisonous liquid and its negative impact to your life....
You are embracing a rich, deep, abundant, meaningful, grateful, joyous life.
You are 'crucifying' your earthly attachment to a liquid sin, so that you may 'rise again' as a spirit celebrating this life gratefully....
You're not "giving up" - you're OPENING UP.
You are 'sacrificing' your relationship with a poisonous liquid and its negative impact to your life....
You are embracing a rich, deep, abundant, meaningful, grateful, joyous life.
You are 'crucifying' your earthly attachment to a liquid sin, so that you may 'rise again' as a spirit celebrating this life gratefully....
You're not "giving up" - you're OPENING UP.
I like this!! Easter is a GREAT time to quit. Christ died for our sins so that we may LIVE! Live and not POISON ourselves with alcohol. Welcome and today is a great day for a day one!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 382
Thank you all for the nice welcome and for the wonderful advice!
RetiredGuy, You weren't kidding about the awesome support here. I thank you all!
SoberLeigh, Thank you very much for the condolences. It was hard losing both of them so close together and at the time I was under a lot of stress and took that first drink just to relax . Before I knew it I was drinking daily again. After they passed away, it took me over a year to feel normal again, but the drinking continued.
I've finally decided I've had enough of it and as hard as it is going to be, I'm quitting for good this time! Wishing I'd never taken that first sip after having stopped for so long. But, hindsight is 20/20. I hope to never make that mistake again.
I'll be sure to check out the stickies you suggested. Thank you!
FreeOwl, You're so right that I'm not really giving up, but embracing a more joyful life. That is so true. I know that life is so much better without the alcohol.
I know there is freedom in quitting.
MIRecovery - You're absolutely right! When we do all we can, God will do what we can't do. Amen to that!
January161992, Yes, this is the best day to stop I can think of! I'll always remember my sobriety date and will have two celebrations this time next year!
I thank all of you again for making me feel so welcome and for the support!
RetiredGuy, You weren't kidding about the awesome support here. I thank you all!
SoberLeigh, Thank you very much for the condolences. It was hard losing both of them so close together and at the time I was under a lot of stress and took that first drink just to relax . Before I knew it I was drinking daily again. After they passed away, it took me over a year to feel normal again, but the drinking continued.
I've finally decided I've had enough of it and as hard as it is going to be, I'm quitting for good this time! Wishing I'd never taken that first sip after having stopped for so long. But, hindsight is 20/20. I hope to never make that mistake again.
I'll be sure to check out the stickies you suggested. Thank you!
FreeOwl, You're so right that I'm not really giving up, but embracing a more joyful life. That is so true. I know that life is so much better without the alcohol.
I know there is freedom in quitting.
MIRecovery - You're absolutely right! When we do all we can, God will do what we can't do. Amen to that!
January161992, Yes, this is the best day to stop I can think of! I'll always remember my sobriety date and will have two celebrations this time next year!
I thank all of you again for making me feel so welcome and for the support!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 382
Thomas11, I'l take your advice and run with it. I know, especially right now I'm going to need a lot of support. I'll probably be living on these threads for a while. Thanks you so much!
Behappy1, Thank you for the welcome and I have to say I agree with all you said!
Behappy1, Thank you for the welcome and I have to say I agree with all you said!
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,564
We're so glad to have you with us, Givingup. It's going to be a beautiful new beginning for you. I know being here will help with the anxiety, especially in the early days. It's good to be able to discuss our feelings with those who have been there and understand.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 382
Thank you, both. It is really nice to meet and be able to talk with people who have been there. It's nice to meet fellow Christians here, as well! I appreciate all these welcoming replies more than I can say!
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