Long time lurker, first time poster
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1
Long time lurker, first time poster
.. I've been browsing several alcohol forums for a while, but never wanted to post because 1) I was drinking at the time, or 2) I was completely hungover.
Well, as of today I have 5 days of sobriety under my belt, the longest stretch in over 7 years.
Two of them really don't count, because, well I was in the hospital in detox. I caved in and decided I didn't want to endure the terrible withdrawal symptoms I had tried to before, and I wanted to stop.. now. Plus I had been drinking almost 1 1/2 pints of vodka, every day, for the past 3 weeks. See, I discovered that instead of coffee in my car mug, I could pour a 1/2 pint of vodka to stave off the withdrawal symptoms and make it into work. It was the worst binge I ever was on. So I called mom (a recovering alcoholic herself, 27 years sober) and she drove me to the hospital.
I've been an alcoholic for a better part of 10 years, with the exception of a 6 week sobriety stint I had when I went to an outpatient program in 2007. Unfortunately, the day the program ended, I celebrated by buying a 6-pack and 1/2 pint on the way home...
So here I am, humbled and scared sh*tless. I'm not sure what my next steps are, but I figure posting here and getting whatever support I can (and whatever advice I can give) is a good start.
I'm not sure what my work is going to say tomorrow, and I missed 3 days and all I've said was "I was in the hospital". So I'm scared about that. I'm not sure if I'm going to try another outpatient program, or just start going to AA, or both. I'm not sure what all my close friends are going to say when I turn down there offer for a beer. So much to worry about, but I know for today, I am sober and will stay that way. I will worry about tomorrow when I wake up with a clear, sober mind (although a worried mind).
Anyways, sorry to babble, but that's my story in a nutshell (oooh I have many other stories I could tell about my drunken adventures, but I'll save those for when necessary). thanks for listening.
Well, as of today I have 5 days of sobriety under my belt, the longest stretch in over 7 years.
Two of them really don't count, because, well I was in the hospital in detox. I caved in and decided I didn't want to endure the terrible withdrawal symptoms I had tried to before, and I wanted to stop.. now. Plus I had been drinking almost 1 1/2 pints of vodka, every day, for the past 3 weeks. See, I discovered that instead of coffee in my car mug, I could pour a 1/2 pint of vodka to stave off the withdrawal symptoms and make it into work. It was the worst binge I ever was on. So I called mom (a recovering alcoholic herself, 27 years sober) and she drove me to the hospital.
I've been an alcoholic for a better part of 10 years, with the exception of a 6 week sobriety stint I had when I went to an outpatient program in 2007. Unfortunately, the day the program ended, I celebrated by buying a 6-pack and 1/2 pint on the way home...
So here I am, humbled and scared sh*tless. I'm not sure what my next steps are, but I figure posting here and getting whatever support I can (and whatever advice I can give) is a good start.
I'm not sure what my work is going to say tomorrow, and I missed 3 days and all I've said was "I was in the hospital". So I'm scared about that. I'm not sure if I'm going to try another outpatient program, or just start going to AA, or both. I'm not sure what all my close friends are going to say when I turn down there offer for a beer. So much to worry about, but I know for today, I am sober and will stay that way. I will worry about tomorrow when I wake up with a clear, sober mind (although a worried mind).
Anyways, sorry to babble, but that's my story in a nutshell (oooh I have many other stories I could tell about my drunken adventures, but I'll save those for when necessary). thanks for listening.
That's a good start to a better way of living. You've come to a very friendly supportive site. I hope we can help you stay sober for good. 
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 92
Count all your days!!!
Congrats on having the courage to ask for help. It's so hard.
It's amazing how people rise to the request when you admit what's been going on and ask for help. I'm not saying everyone needs to know all the details.
I've also found the friends who have discomfort with my sobriety think I'm somehow judging them for drinking. That speaks more about them than it does about me. I keep remembering that.
Congrats on having the courage to ask for help. It's so hard.
It's amazing how people rise to the request when you admit what's been going on and ask for help. I'm not saying everyone needs to know all the details.
I've also found the friends who have discomfort with my sobriety think I'm somehow judging them for drinking. That speaks more about them than it does about me. I keep remembering that.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Brooklyn, ny
Posts: 734
Hi Karl and welcome. Five days is great and you need to do everything possible to build on it. It is hard in the early stages and you will need a lot of support. SR provides a great support network that you can always access. AA and outpatient may also be what you need at this time. Just get as much support as possible and let things sort themselves out as they will, whether you worry or not. Sobriety is your first priority, guard it selfishly.
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