One of my worst nights
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Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 151
One of my worst nights
I hate NYE. I hate the pressure to have this spectacular, perfect night. That’s probably why 4 years ago I felt the need to drive 2 hours away to my hometown, and hang it with my hometown friends. And instead of refusing to stay with one of them, I felt the need to try to drive back home another 2 hours. I didn’t make it more than 10 minutes on that 2 hour drive home before I hit another car nearly head on while making a left turn that I took way too wide. And landed myself in jail and into the worst year of my life. The most important part of this story is that everyone involved is okay.
I wish I could say that stopped me cold turkey from drinking. I got maybe a week out of it. In my defense, I DID stop cold turkey drinking and driving. I don’t care how much that Uber costs...it is worth it.
There’s only been one NYE I’ve gone out since then. Ironically it was the very next year. I paid every last cent it cost us to get home in those surge pricing Ubers. Now, nothing matters to me more than just being home with my cat and my college football on TV, knowing I’ll be going to bed super comfy tonight and not on an ice cold metal slab in a holding cell
I also won’t lie. I know this won’t go over well, but I’m drinking wine tonight. I do have a plan. I go back to work on Wednesday, and with that, I am going to taper off through the weekend and start my first full work week fresh.
Again, I know that is not exactly what this site wants to hear, but to me, I’m doing what I need to do and I’m miles away from 4 years ago.
Thank you and happy new year.
I wish I could say that stopped me cold turkey from drinking. I got maybe a week out of it. In my defense, I DID stop cold turkey drinking and driving. I don’t care how much that Uber costs...it is worth it.
There’s only been one NYE I’ve gone out since then. Ironically it was the very next year. I paid every last cent it cost us to get home in those surge pricing Ubers. Now, nothing matters to me more than just being home with my cat and my college football on TV, knowing I’ll be going to bed super comfy tonight and not on an ice cold metal slab in a holding cell
I also won’t lie. I know this won’t go over well, but I’m drinking wine tonight. I do have a plan. I go back to work on Wednesday, and with that, I am going to taper off through the weekend and start my first full work week fresh.
Again, I know that is not exactly what this site wants to hear, but to me, I’m doing what I need to do and I’m miles away from 4 years ago.
Thank you and happy new year.
Hey drink yourself silly. I don't care. I'm not going to.
It's New Years Eve. Why quit tonight? I'll do it later in the week when I have more time on my hands.
If I could tell you the ministrations I went though to not have that last drink, well, it baffles me.
So if you can drink like a gentle man, have some wine. Have a few. Wednesday will be here soon enough.
Best to you and happy new year.
It's New Years Eve. Why quit tonight? I'll do it later in the week when I have more time on my hands.
If I could tell you the ministrations I went though to not have that last drink, well, it baffles me.
So if you can drink like a gentle man, have some wine. Have a few. Wednesday will be here soon enough.
Best to you and happy new year.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 151
Hey drink yourself silly. I don't care. I'm not going to.
It's New Years Eve. Why quit tonight? I'll do it later in the week when I have more time on my hands.
If I could tell you the ministrations I went though to not have that last drink, well, it baffles me.
So if you can drink like a gentle man, have some wine. Have a few. Wednesday will be here soon enough.
Best to you and happy new year.
It's New Years Eve. Why quit tonight? I'll do it later in the week when I have more time on my hands.
If I could tell you the ministrations I went though to not have that last drink, well, it baffles me.
So if you can drink like a gentle man, have some wine. Have a few. Wednesday will be here soon enough.
Best to you and happy new year.
Best to you as well!!
well, I'm not going to tell you to drink tonight or keep on drinking...I think we can do better than that...
but a recovery plan that includes a last hurrah is simply not a very good one IMO.
but I hope you decide to stop, pour out whats left, and log in here tomorrow Rayna, If cold turkey really worries you - hit the ER.
but a recovery plan that includes a last hurrah is simply not a very good one IMO.
but I hope you decide to stop, pour out whats left, and log in here tomorrow Rayna, If cold turkey really worries you - hit the ER.
Again, I know that is not exactly what this site wants to hear, but to me, I’m doing what I need to do and I’m miles away from 4 years ago.
You need a better plan.
I never wanted to quit on NYE either, as you said, the pressure is on to have a spectacular night!
I also never wanted to quit cold turkey, another day was always a better choice. The AV is working overtime.
There are so many things that could happen by waiting and having a few more dances with the beast.
The only way to start having the life you are dreaming of is to stop playing with fire, why not now?
Now that would be spectacular!
I also never wanted to quit cold turkey, another day was always a better choice. The AV is working overtime.
There are so many things that could happen by waiting and having a few more dances with the beast.
The only way to start having the life you are dreaming of is to stop playing with fire, why not now?
Now that would be spectacular!
I guess if you want to do harm reduction, not drink-driving is step one...so at least the rest of the world is a safer place.
Cold turkey with a little medical help isn't difficult nor expensive. Drinking is never the solution.
Cold turkey with a little medical help isn't difficult nor expensive. Drinking is never the solution.
Hi.
I had some stories like yours.
Eventually, I got tired of making and trying to manage the kind of plans that centered on trying to limit my drinking. I got tired of not really knowing when one of those plans would backfire. I got tired of consequences and of the continual downward spiral of my relationship with alcohol.
May you find your way to either a balance that enables you to consistently, moderately, responsibly use alcohol in your life - or to a place where you recognize it's far more work and sacrifice than it's ever really worth.
For my part - I can tell you I am deeply grateful I embraced sobriety and the closest thing I have to regrets in life is I wish I'd done it sooner.
Happy New Year!
I had some stories like yours.
Eventually, I got tired of making and trying to manage the kind of plans that centered on trying to limit my drinking. I got tired of not really knowing when one of those plans would backfire. I got tired of consequences and of the continual downward spiral of my relationship with alcohol.
May you find your way to either a balance that enables you to consistently, moderately, responsibly use alcohol in your life - or to a place where you recognize it's far more work and sacrifice than it's ever really worth.
For my part - I can tell you I am deeply grateful I embraced sobriety and the closest thing I have to regrets in life is I wish I'd done it sooner.
Happy New Year!
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 675
For a while my AV loved to look back and point out some of my worst horrific/hellish experiences and say hey look at least we're not doing that anymore.. But things still got worse, just in new and unprecedented ways.
I never got a DUI and always prided myself on "knowing my limits" when it came to driving. When I realized I could no longer trust myself not to drive in a blackout.. and I mean literally no memory of ever even making the decision of whether or not to drive, that's when I quit. The driving stories here always get to me because I know even the worst of the worst scenarios could have easily been me. Hope you decide to stick to your plan, don't let your addiction fool you into thinking a lack of current problems means you're better off now.
I never got a DUI and always prided myself on "knowing my limits" when it came to driving. When I realized I could no longer trust myself not to drive in a blackout.. and I mean literally no memory of ever even making the decision of whether or not to drive, that's when I quit. The driving stories here always get to me because I know even the worst of the worst scenarios could have easily been me. Hope you decide to stick to your plan, don't let your addiction fool you into thinking a lack of current problems means you're better off now.
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Agree! Getting sober requires honesty - and action.
And, while we are here to support you, none of this is about us, or any one of us saying things like not wanting to disappoint the group....it's up to each one of us, and only us, to get sober.
My start was a different approach - and, indeed, it was cold turkey from an extreme vodka habit, which was the right if terribly hard path to sobriety FOR ME; I was desperately ill and wanted alcohol out of my body immediately, whatever would happen next- and starting AA. I had to do the two basic things everyone here tells everyone else:
Quit, completely
Take action to live sober and get well
I hope you take the leap into sobriety ASAP.
I was all twisted up in my head for a long time and I has taken time to unravel all that my kind of alcoholism has meant then and now.
Getting help and untwisting all that stuff that kept me drinking is how I got the life in recovery I have now.
Wishing you your best possible life this year.
And, while we are here to support you, none of this is about us, or any one of us saying things like not wanting to disappoint the group....it's up to each one of us, and only us, to get sober.
My start was a different approach - and, indeed, it was cold turkey from an extreme vodka habit, which was the right if terribly hard path to sobriety FOR ME; I was desperately ill and wanted alcohol out of my body immediately, whatever would happen next- and starting AA. I had to do the two basic things everyone here tells everyone else:
Quit, completely
Take action to live sober and get well
I hope you take the leap into sobriety ASAP.
I was all twisted up in my head for a long time and I has taken time to unravel all that my kind of alcoholism has meant then and now.
Getting help and untwisting all that stuff that kept me drinking is how I got the life in recovery I have now.
Wishing you your best possible life this year.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 151
For a while my AV loved to look back and point out some of my worst horrific/hellish experiences and say hey look at least we're not doing that anymore.. But things still got worse, just in new and unprecedented ways.
I never got a DUI and always prided myself on "knowing my limits" when it came to driving. When I realized I could no longer trust myself not to drive in a blackout.. and I mean literally no memory of ever even making the decision of whether or not to drive, that's when I quit. The driving stories here always get to me because I know even the worst of the worst scenarios could have easily been me. Hope you decide to stick to your plan, don't let your addiction fool you into thinking a lack of current problems means you're better off now.
I never got a DUI and always prided myself on "knowing my limits" when it came to driving. When I realized I could no longer trust myself not to drive in a blackout.. and I mean literally no memory of ever even making the decision of whether or not to drive, that's when I quit. The driving stories here always get to me because I know even the worst of the worst scenarios could have easily been me. Hope you decide to stick to your plan, don't let your addiction fool you into thinking a lack of current problems means you're better off now.
Before my DUI, I thought I was “good” at driving drunk so I figured it would never happen to me. There are too many nights I don’t remember getting home, yet my car was in the driveway in the morning. In some ways I’m glad it happened to me, because if anything DID stop cold turkey it was that nonsense, otherwise I’m pretty sure I would’ve eventually killed someone and/or myself. You’re so right though - I see news stories today of drunk driving accidents, and my first thoughts are always...”Wasn’t me this time....mine was nowhere near that bad...i never killed anyone...I’m fine, no problems here since I’m home on my couch.” I know the holier than thou attitude is totally misplaced.
Thank you again for your insight!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 151
Agree! Getting sober requires honesty - and action.
And, while we are here to support you, none of this is about us, or any one of us saying things like not wanting to disappoint the group....it's up to each one of us, and only us, to get sober.
My start was a different approach - and, indeed, it was cold turkey from an extreme vodka habit, which was the right if terribly hard path to sobriety FOR ME; I was desperately ill and wanted alcohol out of my body immediately, whatever would happen next- and starting AA. I had to do the two basic things everyone here tells everyone else:
Quit, completely
Take action to live sober and get well
I hope you take the leap into sobriety ASAP.
I was all twisted up in my head for a long time and I has taken time to unravel all that my kind of alcoholism has meant then and now.
Getting help and untwisting all that stuff that kept me drinking is how I got the life in recovery I have now.
Wishing you your best possible life this year.
And, while we are here to support you, none of this is about us, or any one of us saying things like not wanting to disappoint the group....it's up to each one of us, and only us, to get sober.
My start was a different approach - and, indeed, it was cold turkey from an extreme vodka habit, which was the right if terribly hard path to sobriety FOR ME; I was desperately ill and wanted alcohol out of my body immediately, whatever would happen next- and starting AA. I had to do the two basic things everyone here tells everyone else:
Quit, completely
Take action to live sober and get well
I hope you take the leap into sobriety ASAP.
I was all twisted up in my head for a long time and I has taken time to unravel all that my kind of alcoholism has meant then and now.
Getting help and untwisting all that stuff that kept me drinking is how I got the life in recovery I have now.
Wishing you your best possible life this year.
I feel good thank you again!!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 151
Hi.
I had some stories like yours.
Eventually, I got tired of making and trying to manage the kind of plans that centered on trying to limit my drinking. I got tired of not really knowing when one of those plans would backfire. I got tired of consequences and of the continual downward spiral of my relationship with alcohol.
May you find your way to either a balance that enables you to consistently, moderately, responsibly use alcohol in your life - or to a place where you recognize it's far more work and sacrifice than it's ever really worth.
For my part - I can tell you I am deeply grateful I embraced sobriety and the closest thing I have to regrets in life is I wish I'd done it sooner.
Happy New Year!
I had some stories like yours.
Eventually, I got tired of making and trying to manage the kind of plans that centered on trying to limit my drinking. I got tired of not really knowing when one of those plans would backfire. I got tired of consequences and of the continual downward spiral of my relationship with alcohol.
May you find your way to either a balance that enables you to consistently, moderately, responsibly use alcohol in your life - or to a place where you recognize it's far more work and sacrifice than it's ever really worth.
For my part - I can tell you I am deeply grateful I embraced sobriety and the closest thing I have to regrets in life is I wish I'd done it sooner.
Happy New Year!
I'm normally surprised at the whole "cold turkey" debate. I am not downplaying the fact that for some people it can be deadly - but this has to be seen in context - that is very rare.
Going cold turkey is absolutely dreadful from a mental and physical point of view though. No doubts.
But to put it into context (and I know everyone is different) I drank three to four bottles of wine a night. Every single night for months on end. I have tried sobriety many times and always stop with no taper. It is bloody horrible and it leaves you sweating, trembling, anxious and desperate. But deadly is a rarity.
As Dee has said if people are seriously worried about just quitting then go to ER.
I'm sorry but I think a lot of people (I'm not saying the OP) use tapering as an excuse to keep on drinking.
Going cold turkey is absolutely dreadful from a mental and physical point of view though. No doubts.
But to put it into context (and I know everyone is different) I drank three to four bottles of wine a night. Every single night for months on end. I have tried sobriety many times and always stop with no taper. It is bloody horrible and it leaves you sweating, trembling, anxious and desperate. But deadly is a rarity.
As Dee has said if people are seriously worried about just quitting then go to ER.
I'm sorry but I think a lot of people (I'm not saying the OP) use tapering as an excuse to keep on drinking.
Its not as rare as you might think, sadly Tony.
I know of 3 or 4 cases from SR alone I'd credit as a cold turkey death.
There's a reason why our medical rule ends with the tag
Detox can be dangerous and life threatening at times. Please consult with your physician.
My own series of mini strokes in withdrawal could probably have been avoided had I seen a Dr.
As Tony suggests if you're worried about withdrawal, you should consider seeing a Dr.
If they suggest a taper, as they do in some countries, insist on getting some guidelines on how to do it.
Seeing a Dr is safer than cold turkey or trying to self manage your own taper.
Dee
Moderator
SR
I know of 3 or 4 cases from SR alone I'd credit as a cold turkey death.
There's a reason why our medical rule ends with the tag
Detox can be dangerous and life threatening at times. Please consult with your physician.
My own series of mini strokes in withdrawal could probably have been avoided had I seen a Dr.
As Tony suggests if you're worried about withdrawal, you should consider seeing a Dr.
If they suggest a taper, as they do in some countries, insist on getting some guidelines on how to do it.
Seeing a Dr is safer than cold turkey or trying to self manage your own taper.
Dee
Moderator
SR
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