Zelarom

OMG, drinking is my entire life. I consider myself a functioning alkie ~ or so I've been told. Not true. I love my booze. I have screwed up so much of my life I just want to be straight. I'm wondering now if it's been too long. So many folks can drink & be ok. I can't...love my high too much. What does it take to quit??

Anna

It takes a lot of motivation, and it takes a willingness to change a lot of things in your life. I hope that you are ready to stop drinking.

least

A very wise woman named CarolD used to say "you have to want to be sober more than you want to drink" and I found that to be true. Once the desire to be sober was stronger than the desire to drink, I was able to stay sober.

Gilmer

For me it was when the max I drank gave me an hour's worth of quality buzz--but the other 23 hours were miserable and made of mud. I came to the realization that it just wasn't worth it. Plus, I knew that I was incapable of "sensible" drinking one or two drinks. I had no interest in that anymore. I had contempt for myself because I realized that I was just a flat-out drunk. No sugarcoating--just a drunk, all day long.

Opivotal

I know for myself it took acceptance and wanting to get sober more than I wanted to drink. I also needed a support system in place.

I was willing to do whatever it took to stop. My life was out of control, the good times were over. I crossed the line into alcoholism.


Best Wishes To You!

BadCompany

Courage and desperation.

MeSoSober

I have reminded myself today that it also takes a willingness to feel discomfort when a craving hits and you don't permit yourself to act on it.

oocleanchickoo

A desire to stop using!

ClearLight

Here's what it takes for me:

Substitute "quit drinking" for "get Capone" and you can see: total commitment.
If it means AA - then go to AA.
If it means rehab - then go to rehab.
If it means changing friends - change friends.
You commit to do whatever it takes. WHATEVER it takes.

SixStringZen

For me it took life getting worse faster than I could lower my standards.

freshstart57

I needed to find detachment, personal responsibility and personal power. I did.

2granddaughters

Same here.

A little bit of courage, a lot of desperation .. and Alcoholics Anonymous.

All the best.

Bob R

Coldfusion

For me, it took a week in detox--then AA or NA meetings every day for 90 days.

deeker

That was awesome! So true too!

deeker

Maybe answer these questions for yourself. Not here.

1.What was it in your life that was unacceptable to you and brought you to SR?

2. What crisis other than the one that finally brought you to SR would eventually have occurred?

3. How has drinking/drugging affected your self-esteem, self-image or self-respect?

4.What convinces you that you can no longer use alcohol or drugs safely?

5. Are you ready once and for all to stop?

6.Are you convinced that of yourself right now that you can not control your drinking?

7.What are you willing to do? Are you willing to have an open mind?

If you are ready we can help. If you are not ready we are still here. There is a way out and you can find it too!

neferkamichael

Zelarom, SixStringZen's sentence pretty much say's the way it was for me too. Coming up on 1000 days sober. Rootin for ya.