Inca

We've all had our challenges in one way or another in life. On a scale of 1-5, how difficult has it been for you to stop drinking and stay sober?

5 - The most difficult thing in my life so far to overcome and manage
4 - Very difficult, but other actions have been more challenging
3 - A challenge at first to stop but quickly became a habit
2 - Not difficult, it needed to be done and I've never looked back
1 - Very easy to stop and stay stopped

I can honestly say I'm at a 5. If it was easier, I would have stopped a long time ago and would stop relapsing! I also know others who are at a 1 or 2. Curious to see what others' experiences have been.

Sapling

Overcoming the fear of it was the hard part...Once I did that...I became willing to do anything...It wasn't bad after that.

DAB

3
The hardest part for me was making the choice to stop. It took me about 9 months of knowing I had to stop before I actually did. The first month was the hardest. Now I rarely look back, I am too busy looking forward. I will be 9 months sober at the end of July.

instant

It was a 5. Now that I am detoxed and loving my sober life it is zero

Taking5

A definte 5 for me. 3 years in and out of AA before I got serious 6 years ago, and had 4 relapses since then (1 day, 3 days, 4 days and a 9 month relapse that damn near killed me). I've been in AA 6 years since I got serious about it, and I have a two 1 yr medallions and a 2 year medallion due to my relapses.

Change4good

Drinking = 2. Smoking = 5.

Change4good

Let me say it started as a 4 or 5.

Hunter101

5 here. Im still trying

aasharon90

Because I chose to go to any lengths
to stay sober so I wouldnt loose my
little family 21 yrs ago, following the
path of recovery with tools and knowledge
of my alcoholism, the rewards are by
far with gratefulness, serenity and promises
continueing to come true two fold.

Once I got out of the drivers seat and allowed
a Power greater than I to take over then
staying sober is still being accomplished.

soberbrooke

5

aeo1313

Drinking and drugs- 2/3

Living life- 5

jennikate

5-but that's 43 days out. Maybe my perspective will change as time goes on.

hypochondriac

I flit between 5 and 1 constantly.

If I was 5 constantly I would figure I was doing something wrong. If I am finding it hard I try and find another tool to help me make it easier.

If I was at 1 constantly I would figure I was being too complacent and would expect to slip up one day, so I put some effort in to avoid that.

Michael66

I too found making the decision to really put alcohol in my past the hardest. I just didn't really want to stop totally. That took a very long time to make that real commitment. After that, things have been much easier because I've known that that any times where I haven't been feeling full of the joys of spring are only temporary. Previously I went over a year without alcohol, but I never felt during that time that I was truly happy putting alcohol totally in my past. This time I've really accepted that I shan't drink again, and am very much at peace with that decision. I know this probably sounds odd, but I know for sure I won't drink again. That doesn't mean I won't use support (like this forum), but I know I'll use whatever support I need to not drink. I wish I could have come to this stage years ago - it's taken me a long time, too long.

wheresthefun

I don't see all that big of a difference between 1 and 2, so I'll say 1.5 (it needed to be done, I've never looked back, it was easy to stop and stay stopped). I suppose I should add, this was the first time I ever stopped drinking with full intentions of never drinking again. Every other time I've ever "stopped" I had only considered it a "break", always fully intending to drink again, and never hiding that from myself or anyone else.

2granddaughters

The first half of Step 1 ....... 3

The other 11 1/2 Steps ........ 5

All the best.

Bob R