stevepearce

Hi. Embarrassing to be back again and not have sorted this out. After 20 years of heavy drinking I've drunk moderately for the last year. Not drinking several days a week and only having 2 or 3 when I do. I've got used to this and don't really crave more, but have drunk more a a handful of occasions. I have noticed some changes in my state of mind but not what I was expecting. I still feel stalled in my life. Like the little I am drinking is holding me back, or is it just me that's doing that. Anyway this is my third day without having a drink and I am not going to see what happens if I carry on not drinking at all ? Any thoughts or similar experience shared would be appreciated.

doggonecarl

It's hard to know until you quit drinking for an extended period of time.

I quit and at a month sober was still waiting to see all the changes that were "promised" by sobriety. Typical alcoholic thinking, seeking instant gratification. I was told to be patient. They were right. After a period of recovery I did see significant changes.

Not everything changed. There were aspects of my personality that sobriety wasn't going to change. But I don't feel stalled by life.

stevepearce

Yes thank you. I think I need to be a little more patient. The longest I've done before is 3 months. Not really long enough to get over the years of drinking.

SoberLeigh

Welcome back, stevepearce.

Great advice from donegonecarl.

It took at least a year of sobriety before my body and mind were feeling truly well.

The spiritual side took a bit longer as I had no sober support system as I was caring for a terminally ill parent.

Do you have a plan for recovery? I will attach a few links to very good SR thread in a minute.

SoberLeigh

The first:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...highlight=Psst

SoberLeigh

Another:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...highlight=Psst

SoberLeigh

A daily commitment to sobriety could be very helpful:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...art-263-a.html

SoberLeigh

Maybe consider joining an SR Class:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-part-2-a.html

SoberLeigh

A thread you may find very uplifting:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ts-better.html

SoberLeigh

Again, welcome back, stevepearce.

stevepearce

Thanks SoberLeigh. Yes I will get put together a daily routine, which I need as I have little commitment outside of looking after the children. And yes I will check into here every day. I'm determined to make it work this time. Thanks again.

Mizzuno

You could be holding yourself back and the drink could be holding you back. It could be both. For me, I knew that alcohol was producing seriously negative affects on my well being mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

Time heals. Time and patience. Time and working towards a different outlook on life. There is something to be said about our thoughts. They can keep us trapped or they can empower us. Thoughts can serve as a positive or a negative. Choices. Lots of choices.

If you give yourself some time, and make adjustments in the areas of your life that you are not happy with, I am sure you will see an improvement. Life is so much work.

stevepearce

Thanks and yes you're right. Well I can't seem to change my outlook while I'm drinking, even sensibly. I drank heavily for a lot of years so my brain chemistry may be out of wack and even drinking a little now is stopping it healing. Who knows ? I guess the only way I will find out is to give it a chance and stop.

slaine

Hi all,
New joiner... hope it helps me

I've known for a while that I drink far too much, and have always had a half baked scheme for quitting, but the time was never right... I've done some completely stupid things under the influence - riding a motorbike and breaking my arm so badly, that it needed extensive metalwork, and I can no longer straighten it fully (First time I've admitted that one apart from to a very close friend...)
Letting down that same friend many times, to the extent she no longer wants to talk to me
I'm just tired of letting this so say recreational drug get the better of me, time and time again... I've indirectly lost jobs due to it, made many stupid decisions and purchases because of it, yet I've always kinda seen it as a badge of honour that I can drink more than the next guy, and it has been my go to place in times of stress...
I'm not sure I could think of a more one sided relationship ...

But I think (hope) joining a community such as this, with some clearly old hands, and weak idiots like me in attendance, there may be a hope?

I'm vaguely planning to make July 1st my own personal independence day

SoberLeigh

Welcome, slaine; very nice to meet you!

slaine

Hiya mate
Hope you're doing ok...

SoberLeigh

I am; thank you.

Hope that you find sobriety as amazing as I do

slaine

not started that journey yet... tomorrow is my beach head

Dee74

Welcome back Steve. I had to be completely sober, and for a few months, to see things clearly.

It's a leap of faith, but it's not untested. There's thousands of us here who've found happy and full lives in recovery - make the jump

Welcome slaine

D

stevepearce

Hi Slaine. Yes Dee I'm still confused about the effect that alcohol has on me, even minimal amounts and only stopping is going to let me find out, so that is what I'm going to do. See you on here. Thanks for your patience.