Chris here from Knoxville, TN
 

Hi everyone,

My name is Chris and I've been drinking heavily for about five years. There's a saying on campus that you're not an alcoholic if you're a college student, as if getting drunk every night is what you're supposed to do. However, after destroying a bottle of whiskey last night, I'm done. Just done. I'm not sure how being sober will suit me--it'll keep me from driving into a light pole one fine evening, that's for damn sure--but it's time.

Has anyone felt excited about their quit? This feels like the right decision and an easier one than I expected (although God knows how many arguments I've had defending my right to get plastered at noon on a Wednesday). Anyway, best of luck.

Hi Chris and Welcome,

I'm glad you found us and that you have decided to stop drinking.

I would say I was more scared than excited when I stopped drinking. It was hard to imagine how to get through a day, a week, a problem without alcohol being involved. However, I wasn't expecting all the positive things that came into my life when I began to recover. That was exciting!

Welcome to SR Chris! :grouphug: When I knew I had to quit drinking it was exciting but scary as well. But now with almost four months sober I know it was the right thing to do. All the best to you as you begin your sober life.:)

Hi Chris
Welcome to the board! Yes, like Anna says, it has been quite a surprise to see all the positive and enexpected things that have happened since I stopped drinking. It's actually more than excitement -- it's almost like there's a synergy pushing things in the right direction (thanks to my HP) and certainly a renewed feeling of responsibility and well-being. It helps just to take this process one day at a time. Wishing you well. (:

Welcome!..yep, I felt excited every time I 'quit', and when that elated feeling left me, many times I ended up giving up on staying quit. As they say, quitting is easy..staying quit is the hard part! Once I got serious about getting some help, it was much easier to stay quit, and stay excited for my new life!

Thanks for the support. Yeah, the excitement has faded to a degree and I keep having to reaffirm all the reasons I've quit. I may seek out an in-person support group in Knoxville to bolster some confidence. Whatever has to be done.

:welcome

That sounds like a really good plan.. weird thing how those bad memories fade so easily leaving room for th desire to creep back in.. the more support the better!!

Hi Chris :)

I remember being excited when I came here, saw all these people actually living sober and began to think maybe I could too.... :)

You've made a great choice.
Welcome!
D

Welcome!

Welcome Chris good to have you.I suspect you are UT student.You found a real good place with people from all walks of life. Who understand.

Yeah, I'm a UT student although this is my final year. Today, the first day, has been very strange. I seem to oscillate between excitement and a feeling of immense possibility--for instance, imagining a time when I won't have a craving for a drink when I pass a liquor store--and fear. I'm not exactly sure what I'll do without alcohol. I'm setting up an appointment with a psychiatrist to help guide me through this and am reading Knapp's memoir Drinking: A Love Story. I can relate to her story...too closely in fact.

Thanks for the welcomes. Some of the stories in this place are inspiring.

Awesome book. you're taking some great first steps.

YEAH hang around with me its been kinda up and down this is a great place and somebody is always here to talk to great job on college coming from a georgia dawg good luck