Done4Ever

It is so frustrating how easy it is to fall off the wagon and how I can justify it to myself with saying I'll quit tomorrow.

I am on day 2 AGAIN. My hardest part comes at day 5, it's when I think I'm fine and can easily control my drinking.

I am sure I can do it, just need to get past those times when all reasoning goes out the window.

doggonecarl

Perhaps post before you drink, when reason starts to fail.

MidnightRider

Stay close to SR on those times...

Also, why not start a journal ?
Writing stuff down helps to commit it to memory (rather than just saying it to yourself in your mind).

Way to go on day 2 .. Keep it going and going!

Susiegirl

Hello Done4ever - I'm on Day 2 as well - we've got it this time around. I'm coming onto this web-site several times a day and I must say it is helping. There is so much positivity around. X

NoahJ

There are great resources here on recovery plans. I'm no addiction specialist (other than being 90 days sober), but would you consider making a formal recovery plan, and detail exactly what you are going to do on your next 5 to try and stay sober?

I'll be honest, I thought I was too smart for a recovery plan, and that the effort was beneath me. But I find it to be very helpful so far, as I keep hitting the same issues and forgetting the things that seem to work to overcome them. The recovery plan helps.

Zebra1275

I had a similar problem, stop drinking after a bender and then stay sober for a few days.

The problem was, my only recovery tool was willpower. For me, willpower vs. alcohol is a pretty one sided battle, and alcohol wins.

I needed to make bigger changes, and AA helped me to do that.

August252015

Yep, IMO and IME a plan of some kind- a specific, actionable one- is critical to success. Have you thought about AA? Things like 90 (meetings) in 90 (days) or even 30/30 are often made and one reason is that it forms a habit of going- and another is that you begin to learn the program. I did about 82 in 90 and listened for the bulk of that!

Other people have different routes- but a common factor is that most of us don't white knuckle it, just "believe we can" or such - because that ends up failing us.

Dee usually suggests trying something different than you have before- sound advice. Why not? Do you truly want to get and stay sober? Then taking action is critical - you can do it.

Hope to see you around.

RetiredGuy

After many attempts at sobriety what worked for me this time( in addition to finding this forum) was finally accepting the fact that I cannot moderate my drinking. Once you really accept that, there is no good reason for ever having another drink!

FeelingGreat

Plan for your danger times. You know when they are, and you can put in place some habits to avoid drinking. Mine was after work, so I snacked and walked instead. Also substituted tea for my after-work drink.

AnvilheadII

day 5 isn't the problem. you have yet to fully COMMIT to not drinking again, NO MATTER WHAT. not if your @ss falls off, hell freezes over or it's free. as long as you give yourself permission to drink, you will.

there is NO amount of sober time that will make it ok for an alcoholic to drink again WITH IMPUNITY. it's as simple as that. thousands have tried. they've already done the research and the legwork. sobriety isn't about hiding in the bunker til they clear the zombies away......there won't be an "all clear".

don't get me wrong - you CAN drink, you just can't CONTROL what happens when you do. so the choice is yours.

bimbott

What Anvil said.

When I accepted I could not control my drinking I was left with 2 choices. Carry on and accept all the s*** that was going to keep on coming as a result, or stop. Once that decision is made the torture stops.

thomas11

That's the insanity of the disease. Day 5 rolls around and you feel fine and the AV convinces you that this time it will be different. Its not, its always the same. Right back down the rabbit hole. Stay strong, it can be done.

jenuk

hello Done4ever

I know the feeling you describe very well. On the end of my first week which is usually one of the toughest points. Just constantly reminding myself that I never want to wake up on day 1 again and that the only good time to ever quit is right now for good.

Keep on trying.

Crosman

Same boat here....the 4th rolled around and I started getting depressed that I was not going to drink at the neighborhood party. Well I started up the afternoon of the 4th and stopped the 5th late afternoon (had to work the 6th). I pushed thru the flu like symptoms at work...and all the guilt. Feel good today but I know this will power alone is not going to cut it long term. Going to try the journal thing and come to this website. And reading about those who have quit for the long term amazes me....

Done4Ever

So day 4 pretty much done. The desire came on strong today, but I kept thinking about everything I read on here from others and getting here to post. It's not easy, but this website and all the other posters have helped. Looking forward to hitting a week, and then longer.

Delilah1

Great job, it gets easier as time passes. Look into the July Class, you'll have the support of others who also stopped this month. Another great thread is the 24 hour thread where you can commit to remaining sober for the next 24 hours, and you will also meet a group at amazingly supportive people In this thread.

It took me a while to finally get sobriety right, but now have 18 months and 9 days sober, and I am in a better place physically and emotionally. The first few weeks are tough but they get easier. Come here and post if you are struggling, and I guarantee you someone will be around to talk you out of it.

Done4Ever

Day 5 done!!! Went to a restaurant with friends who were drinking and I didn't. Day 5 was my downfall in the past.

Still feeling extremely bloated in the stomach. Very frustrating.

Feeling much better in the morning today. Like a lot of toxins are all gone. Keep thinking about coming here to post and read and it is motivating to not drink.

Was a very heavy drinker in past. At least 3-5 nights a week and a minimum of two bottles of wine every night. This was for probably 20 years. Hoping no permanent body damage, but the first part is not drinking anymore, ever!

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words and support. Looking forward to this sober life!!!

Dee74

I'm glad you broke that day 5 hoodoo- still some might fine advice here tho.

Don't believe that you can wing this - you need some plans and strategies in place for the next time drinking sounds like a really good idea.

Stay vigilant

D

Berrybean

Why not note that sentence in your diary or on your calender in what would be day 4 and day 5 right now, along with a little shorthand list of all the ways that drinking affects your life badly.

BB

Delilah1

Glad you made it through day five, you are closing in on one week sober. Have you put together a recovery plan that will work for you yet?