The Deal
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Posts: 11
The Deal
Here it is, the Deal.
This is my first day on this forum, and I have found a lot of inspiration so far. So this is the deal. 10 years of drinking almost every day. I get excited when I think about the first drink of the day. I have to plan around it. I quit once for 8 days. It was horrible. I can get one day of not drinking every two weeks or so now. I don't drink like I did when I was 20 anymore. I do still have any where from 3-10 a day though, and I feel like I need them every day. I am 28 now, I started drinking at age 15, almost every day since then, but really almost every day since 18. It's old. It needs to stop. Ambition is lost. I have no reason for it. I have been very successful, no stress, beautiful wife. Great grandfather, grandfather, grandmother, and father are alcoholics, and I guess the apple doesn't fall far. After reading your stories I feel fortunate for the things I have. But I think about this every day and it has to stop. I've grown into it now, more responsible and I have a daily routine for hangovers. Never been to jail and the wife only hit me in the head with a frying pan once so far. I feel like if I quit now I'll still be ahead, because I know what happens from here. So here's to the first day, maybe tomorrow. Everybody who has been here, feel free to lay it on me.
This is my first day on this forum, and I have found a lot of inspiration so far. So this is the deal. 10 years of drinking almost every day. I get excited when I think about the first drink of the day. I have to plan around it. I quit once for 8 days. It was horrible. I can get one day of not drinking every two weeks or so now. I don't drink like I did when I was 20 anymore. I do still have any where from 3-10 a day though, and I feel like I need them every day. I am 28 now, I started drinking at age 15, almost every day since then, but really almost every day since 18. It's old. It needs to stop. Ambition is lost. I have no reason for it. I have been very successful, no stress, beautiful wife. Great grandfather, grandfather, grandmother, and father are alcoholics, and I guess the apple doesn't fall far. After reading your stories I feel fortunate for the things I have. But I think about this every day and it has to stop. I've grown into it now, more responsible and I have a daily routine for hangovers. Never been to jail and the wife only hit me in the head with a frying pan once so far. I feel like if I quit now I'll still be ahead, because I know what happens from here. So here's to the first day, maybe tomorrow. Everybody who has been here, feel free to lay it on me.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,439
Welcome IrieOne 
there was a time when I genuinely thought 3 days sobriety was beyond me - of course that wasn't and was never true, but I was scared and it seemed reasonable at the time.
Stopping is not likely to be pleasant, it's probably going to be uncomfortable and not much fun. But it is very possible.
You'll find a lot of support here- I'd encourage you to check with a Dr right off the bat too - detox can sometimes be problematic for some of us.
Good to have you with us
D
there was a time when I genuinely thought 3 days sobriety was beyond me - of course that wasn't and was never true, but I was scared and it seemed reasonable at the time.
Stopping is not likely to be pleasant, it's probably going to be uncomfortable and not much fun. But it is very possible
.You'll find a lot of support here- I'd encourage you to check with a Dr right off the bat too - detox can sometimes be problematic for some of us.
Good to have you with us
D
Re-Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 7,583
I would have been happy if I could not drink for the first few hours after I woke up. Of course that was after I had been through the stage you're in now. I have a year, but it took in hospital detox, family and friends and my docs and counselors as well as AA and Here and some rehab to get from there to here.
Wish I had stopped where you now find yourself, instead of denial until later.
Wish I had stopped where you now find yourself, instead of denial until later.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Posts: 11
Itchy: I have read through some of your posts, and find your situation interesting. I used to look up to guys who could drink all day. Where I'm from, drinking is a way of life, and the real men (and women) seem to drink constantly. What a crock right? Tonight, Vodka, I never drink it, but my wife had it in the house, and that is all we had here. The plan was to take a night off, and I told myself I don't drink Vodka, so nothing to worry about. Well, tomorrow is a new day, and posting with you guys is my first step in ten years, so here's hoping. THanks for insight and support
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Welcome IrieOne!
I'm glad you're ready to get rid of the drinking. It finally dawned on me, too, that the future wasn't looking too great if I didn't stop. It's the best decision I've ever made and it will be for you, too.
Glad you decided to post - we're all behind you!
I'm glad you're ready to get rid of the drinking. It finally dawned on me, too, that the future wasn't looking too great if I didn't stop. It's the best decision I've ever made and it will be for you, too.
Glad you decided to post - we're all behind you!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Washington
Posts: 456
Here's some food for thought.
A guy at my meeting tonight was talking about having dinner with his daughter and she was drinking a glass of wine. She could see it bothered him but didn't quite get it.
He said "If I could drink like you, I'd do it all the time."
-Welcome
No one is likely to "lay it on you." If you really have a problem you've likely beat yourself up enough already.
If you'd like to learn how to not have to drink there is some good wisdom here - and AA too. SR helped me so much in my early days when I was alone and stirring in my own crap.
A guy at my meeting tonight was talking about having dinner with his daughter and she was drinking a glass of wine. She could see it bothered him but didn't quite get it.
He said "If I could drink like you, I'd do it all the time."
-Welcome
No one is likely to "lay it on you." If you really have a problem you've likely beat yourself up enough already.
If you'd like to learn how to not have to drink there is some good wisdom here - and AA too. SR helped me so much in my early days when I was alone and stirring in my own crap.
I'm here to learn!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: I'm on it!
Posts: 2,038
Welcome to SR!
Congratulations on your decision to get sober, you won't regret it. I also recommend checking with doctor prior to detox just to square everything away. I also come from a long line of alcoholics, "beating the odds" was a big motivation for me in the first few months of my recovery.
Congratulations on your decision to get sober, you won't regret it. I also recommend checking with doctor prior to detox just to square everything away. I also come from a long line of alcoholics, "beating the odds" was a big motivation for me in the first few months of my recovery.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 27
Originally Posted by IrieOne 
Never been to jail and the wife only hit me in the head with a frying pan once so far.
It's not easy, but you can do it. I was in much the same vicious circle as you.
Have a look at Rational Recovery which may help you make a choice between drinking and not drinking. it certainly helped me.
Good luck
Last edited by Dee74; 10-27-2011 at 12:28 AM. Reason: edited commercial link
Foo Fighter.
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: So.FL.
Posts: 119
Quitting alcohol is the best thing Ive ever done for myself, my only regret is not having done it sooner. I drank anywhere from 3 to who knows how many, depending on what day it was for 30 years or so, I never got into any big trouble, but that was just sheer luck, trouble is always right around the corner, it may take 40 years but it will find you eventually. I quit while I was ahead, I feel like I cheated the system somehow, but it was just dumb luck. So quit the alcohol, start enjoying life the way its supposed to be enjoyed, pick up a lottery ticket every now and then, and consider yourself lucky.
Titanium
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Tolland County, CT
Posts: 45
good decision.
i know that AA isn't for everyone, but a sober support group (not just online) is pretty crucial. try to find someone in recovery that you can call, or sit down with.
we really can't do this alone.
bren
i know that AA isn't for everyone, but a sober support group (not just online) is pretty crucial. try to find someone in recovery that you can call, or sit down with.
we really can't do this alone.
bren
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 20,458
when I first joined here i realized just how desperate i was.
in 2009 I only did NOT drink for 9 days...(not by choice, i was hospitalized)...i thought i could never make it to 10 days...it was beyond me....i felt better and better as time went on.
i quit while i was home from work with the flu...i was too sick anyway, and detoxing was physically uncomfortable...take the advice of others and if you start to feel too anxious, shakey, sick, go to the ER....you don't want to risk a seizure or worse.
we aren't allowed to give medical advice here, but your wanting to quit is your best motivator along with support....there is always someone here to talk to.
in 2009 I only did NOT drink for 9 days...(not by choice, i was hospitalized)...i thought i could never make it to 10 days...it was beyond me....i felt better and better as time went on.
i quit while i was home from work with the flu...i was too sick anyway, and detoxing was physically uncomfortable...take the advice of others and if you start to feel too anxious, shakey, sick, go to the ER....you don't want to risk a seizure or worse.
we aren't allowed to give medical advice here, but your wanting to quit is your best motivator along with support....there is always someone here to talk to.
Re-Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 7,583
IrieOne
I am also retired military, and lived in Germany on assignment for 7 years in 1990! That is where the really heavy drinking nights and weekends started, not every one, but by 97 I was drinking every night and from 12 noon on weekends, and from morning till night when skiing or vacationing. S I also looked yup to those who could drink me under the table but didn't actually want to be one. I knew folks who carried a cooler in their truck or car everywhere they would go, and drive!
I was very high functioning until a few years ago when I retired for the fourth time (Yes, my choice, like I said very high functioning) Then it accelerated quickly. Back in 2003 for three months, and again in 2007 for two months, I had to quit because of taking blood thinners after knee surgery. NO withdrawals and my Doc was shocked as he thought I would have seizures. What I found interesting is when I was back to drinking I realized how much tolerance I had built up as I got actual staggering drunk the first night back and had to go really easy for a month or so.
See I drank to the point of a nice buzz and then slowed down. I'd get home from work and slam 4 and then relax. The scotch in hot coffee seemed to be like what I hear mainliners that shoot drugs describe. I was drinking like crazy just to be steady and ready.
Not a good way to be.
Welcome and if you want to do it, we'll help and if you do your part, it will be easier than you may suspect now to get right, and steady and ready 24/7!
I am also retired military, and lived in Germany on assignment for 7 years in 1990! That is where the really heavy drinking nights and weekends started, not every one, but by 97 I was drinking every night and from 12 noon on weekends, and from morning till night when skiing or vacationing. S I also looked yup to those who could drink me under the table but didn't actually want to be one. I knew folks who carried a cooler in their truck or car everywhere they would go, and drive!
I was very high functioning until a few years ago when I retired for the fourth time (Yes, my choice, like I said very high functioning) Then it accelerated quickly. Back in 2003 for three months, and again in 2007 for two months, I had to quit because of taking blood thinners after knee surgery. NO withdrawals and my Doc was shocked as he thought I would have seizures. What I found interesting is when I was back to drinking I realized how much tolerance I had built up as I got actual staggering drunk the first night back and had to go really easy for a month or so.
See I drank to the point of a nice buzz and then slowed down. I'd get home from work and slam 4 and then relax. The scotch in hot coffee seemed to be like what I hear mainliners that shoot drugs describe. I was drinking like crazy just to be steady and ready.
Not a good way to be.
Welcome and if you want to do it, we'll help and if you do your part, it will be easier than you may suspect now to get right, and steady and ready 24/7!
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Present Moment
Posts: 646
Welcome Irie
I don't recall who posted this, but I like it...ALOT.
"Keep on looking for and identifying that addictive voice. It's a tricky one. It's almost, but not quite as smart as you, but the real kicker in your favour is that it is helpless and needs you to drink for it"
I don't recall who posted this, but I like it...ALOT.
"Keep on looking for and identifying that addictive voice. It's a tricky one. It's almost, but not quite as smart as you, but the real kicker in your favour is that it is helpless and needs you to drink for it"
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 284
Love the Caribbean. I go to various islands every year without fail. It seems like a hefty percentage of expats there were alcoholics before they got there, or halfway to becoming one when they got there, or became one after a few years. I just spent my annual week in the Bahamas in February after 6 months of sobriety. I had no problem staying sober - I stayed out of the bars! It was experiencing my beloved out island with no hangover for once.
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