Some folks do just fine with counting - I counted my first 90 days because anything more than a couple of days sober was a real achievement for me.

it's not counting that gets you drunk or keeps you sober anyway - it's not taking that first drink :)

Day 3, here we go! :) That's where I fell of the last time, but there's no beer in the fridge now and I'm not going to the grocery store or any place that has alcohol. Gonna stay at home, relax and get some housework done. And of course be here on SR :P

Happy to see everyone posting here. Welcome to the new ones in our class :)

Thanks, Dee

It's like someone who tells you their on a diet. Every time their friends see them it's "how's the diet going?"
"There he goes with his yo-yo diet", etc
Seen this happen with others.

I did go to 2 big drinking sessions, in last two weeks, with my wife and friends and survived them without a drink. No even an ounce of AV crept in.

I'm starting to see a pattern of drinking ... It's when I'm usually going to be at home by myself.

I know I can do this. I just have to get it in my head.

JS

Sure, it's not for everyone, but telling my mates closed all the little boltholes that I had for drinking.

If being alone is your trigger what about finding more support, or using the support you have more effectively?

You have to really fight the urge if you want change.

D

Hi everyone, back for good I hope. I've drank everyday bar 1 since I last posted here. The first week I told myself, if I can just drink on the weekends then I will be happy with that. Then continued to drink everyday. This last week, I told my self that really my problem is drinking alone and if I can not drink alone in the house and only drink on special occasions or with friends and family, or holidays, or parties etc. etc! then I will be fine... then continued to drink every day. I never fully understood or accepted the denial aspect of alcoholism. But these last two weeks prove it completely. I was telling myself all kinds of rubbish anything and everything so I could keep on drinking. And so I have came to the same conclusion I have 100s of times before. Yes I am an alcoholic. I want to quit drinking. And the only way to stop is complete abstinence. Some people can drinking normally but I can't. And that's it. That's life. Get on with it and stay sober. I can't go on like this. I've prattled on enough for now. I'm back, baby.

Welcome Easyrider. I know exactly what you mean about changing the drinking routine.
I've had so many great ideas to fix this.
It's the whiskey, try rum. Drink nothing more than 20%. Only buy a small bottle. Drink a lot early, to get a good night's sleep. Only drink more expensive wine, not the cheap stuff. Etc etc.
The only foolproof plan is to not have the first drink. And as Dee said we have to really really fight that urge when it comes.
A bit tough this evening, but just finished the last of the ice-cream and will now watch the English news.
Good luck and take care.

Glad you are back easyrider

I know how you feel I have been reflecting over the weekend how long I have known I have a problem which for certain is 3 1/2 years that at least was when I decided I needed to cut back. But honesty I think I knew I had a problem a few years before that but I still try to convince myself I can moderate, cut back, don't drink alone etc it's never worked. I always end back in the same cycle which is gradually getting worse.

I feel like I'm flatlining a bit too, like emme. I'm not feeling 'incredible ' like I convinced my self I would be by now....

Give it time you guys. It's easy to underestimate the time needed for mind and body to repair - it won't be as soon as you like, but it will happen :)

welcome back ER - how do you think you can keep that acceptance of what you are this time around?

D

read any good motivational books?
 

It's day 2 for me and after falling off my wagon after 4.5 months I awoke with a goal to make it stick this time. I have been thinking about the triggers for me choosing to drink again and I think I have it....

I am a wife and mum and full time worker and don't really do much outside the home - I even work from home! I just feel tired of looking after everyone else and being taken for granted and undervalued. So I chose to shut off and drink by myself - not healthy. I used to be so confident and sociable but as my husband isn't at all - gradually any friendships have fizzled out as he just won't socialise at all. people have stopped asking us out. The eldest kids are enjoying university or work and have busy lives and use the place as a glorified hotel. At 50 years of age I have just become invisible! I have withdrawn into myself and drinking blocked out how very miserable and lonely I am.

So to make this stick this time I really do need to re-invent myself, get out, meet people, try new things - find myself! but where to start?? It all seems a lot more difficult somehow.

Anyone read any good motivational self help books to get me going?

Hey everyone, Just a quick hello on day 19. I expect I won't be posting much until my first temptation on the trip, so if you don't see me for a few day , I'm ok! Just going to be busy getting everything in order to go and traveling.

I can understand the high of getting sober (oxymoron) fading, but in reality any "blah" feeling I'm having these days is 100% better than the anxiety and remorse of a binge. Keep your chins up ppl!

Welcome back james, easy, think I saw Julie too & welcome to the newbies!

Treated myself to a cut and color yesterday. It had been almost 2 years Symbolic of how much I've been neglecting myself amongst all else.

Have a great day June class.

Checking in for the day. I will not drink today no matter what.

I get the blah feeling from sobriety. However, if I look at my drinking days they were really the blah ones, only artificially livened up with the drama of drinking. Drinking gave me something to plan, something to do, and something to recover from. I had tremendous highs and horrible lows. Take that away and life can feel very flat. But when I honestly look back on it, I was spending hours sitting in one place pouring beers down my throat. That really was the flat boring life. I prefer sobriety today.

:ring

Hello everyone , I've read most of your posts & hope we can all be a good support for each other.
I'm on day 1 after having a relapse with almost 2 years sobriety.
More about me at a later date , I'm happy to be here and support all of us Thanks for having me xxx

:ring

It only takes a couple of minutes at most to check in here once or twice a day and it might just keep you sober. Think of all the time you wasted drinking. What's a dedication of two minutes a day to your sobriety? Keep building up those accountability muscles! Hope you'll check in often and have a wonderful sober vacation!

Starting day 42 here. Six weeks and a thousand nights. Awesome to see this class picking up steam. Keep it up June and remember you don't have to take that first drink no matter what!

An early start to the next part cos I'm off to bed - have a good day all :)

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-part-3-a.html

D