Day 1.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Garden State
Posts: 205
Day 1.
Hey guys. Well I've decided to stop drinking. I tried this once before (about 18 months ago). I went to AA but It did not work for me. I gave it a shot but I couldn't get my head wrapped around the "higher power." I convinced myself that I wasn't powerless and that I was in control and the choice to drink or not drink was mine.....ya that didn't work. So here I am...I know I'm a binge drinker. I don't drink every day but the two times a week has turned to three the six pack has turned to 12 and the pint has turned to two. The morning hangover has become an all day event. I have a six pack in the fridge and I'm not going to pour it out. I'm going to leave it there and not drink it. Hopefully posting on here well help me. Hopefully ill post "Day 2.........90 and so on. Can anyone give me some ideas or alternatives to AA?
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 25,826
Welcome to the Forum, you'll find loads of support here!! 
There are other alternatives to AA, some that are more secular, a few suggestions are:
-SMART Recovery
-SOS - Secular Organisations for Sobriety
-LifeRing Secular Recovery
There are other alternatives to AA, some that are more secular, a few suggestions are:
-SMART Recovery
-SOS - Secular Organisations for Sobriety
-LifeRing Secular Recovery
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Welcome to SR.
Why tempt yourself. I know it's easy to just go down the street and get beer anytime we want, so not having it in the house isn't going to keep us sober if we are determined to drink.
But why make it any easier for our addiction then it already is.
Reconsider keeping the beer.
Originally Posted by TheBigC 
I have a six pack in the fridge and I'm not going to pour it out. I'm going to leave it there and not drink it.
But why make it any easier for our addiction then it already is.
Reconsider keeping the beer.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Tejas
Posts: 192
Trash the booze. Keep it out of sight. I would avoid commercials to, party movies, friends that drink...at least for a while. Read a book, take a walk, find a hobby, try to keep your mind busy elsewhere. My $02.
Oh, and what do you think? Let's get sober together. I'm starting over today, myself.
Oh, and what do you think? Let's get sober together. I'm starting over today, myself.
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
Originally Posted by TheBigC
Ya....the beer is gone. Dumped it. I've been doing some research on the "SMART" recovery group. There are weekly meetings in my area. Any experience with this?? Thanks.
Better man in progress!
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 70
I suggest you read rational recovery, its a new approach to being sober, which fit extremely well with me.
I tried the AA approach and i didnt like it, the rational recovery keeps you in charge and make you rely on yourself instead of the HIGHER POWER...
Hope u like!!
I tried the AA approach and i didnt like it, the rational recovery keeps you in charge and make you rely on yourself instead of the HIGHER POWER...
Hope u like!!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,442
Welcome Big C 
There's many different approaches and methods of recovery around - here's some links to some of the main players:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...formation.html
I recommend you visit the Secular Connections forum if you think you may benefit from a non 12 step approach.
You'll find a lot of support here too
D
There's many different approaches and methods of recovery around - here's some links to some of the main players:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...formation.html
I recommend you visit the Secular Connections forum if you think you may benefit from a non 12 step approach.
You'll find a lot of support here too
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Garden State
Posts: 205
Here's what I'm feeling now. Like I said earlier, I am not and never was a daily drinker so in the normal course of affairs I wouldn't be drinking this afternoon of tonight after work. I'd probably wait until tomorrow. But I'm feeling off today??!! Maybe because I already have decided that I'm not drinking anymore and know I won't drink tomorrow??!!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
congratulations on seeing the pattern and deciding to do something about it.
wish I'd done the same back when my own patterns were like what you describe.
my suggestion is go to AA and give it some time. You may not find it is your solution longer term but there are helpful elements you can take from it and in your first 3-6 months, having all the support you can is important. It can be a real challenge to maintain your conviction and having the direct, in person experience and support of others who have been there and 'get it' is really powerful.
I am at 137 days and haven't been to AA in a while, but still use it as a part of my sobriety. I have read the Big Book several times. I recommend getting a copy. It'll cost you nothing to pick one up and still nothing further to read it a few times. There is great insight in that book. You have NOTHING to lose, everything to gain.
Keep on checking in here daily. Multiple times daily if need be. Post and read and communicate. Be aware of the messages in your own head, because sooner or later you'll find that there's 'someone' talking to you about how you'd only needed a break or you'll be just fine or this isn't really necessary. Catch that early and act on it immediately. The best way I've found to act on it is to counter it actively; getting to a meeting is one really good, easy, effective action. Making a list of the times you've suffered, been in trouble or regretted drinking is another. Calling someone (another good reason for AA - to have some real live people in your area to call if you need an ear).
Keep at it, you can do this.
wish I'd done the same back when my own patterns were like what you describe.
my suggestion is go to AA and give it some time. You may not find it is your solution longer term but there are helpful elements you can take from it and in your first 3-6 months, having all the support you can is important. It can be a real challenge to maintain your conviction and having the direct, in person experience and support of others who have been there and 'get it' is really powerful.
I am at 137 days and haven't been to AA in a while, but still use it as a part of my sobriety. I have read the Big Book several times. I recommend getting a copy. It'll cost you nothing to pick one up and still nothing further to read it a few times. There is great insight in that book. You have NOTHING to lose, everything to gain.
Keep on checking in here daily. Multiple times daily if need be. Post and read and communicate. Be aware of the messages in your own head, because sooner or later you'll find that there's 'someone' talking to you about how you'd only needed a break or you'll be just fine or this isn't really necessary. Catch that early and act on it immediately. The best way I've found to act on it is to counter it actively; getting to a meeting is one really good, easy, effective action. Making a list of the times you've suffered, been in trouble or regretted drinking is another. Calling someone (another good reason for AA - to have some real live people in your area to call if you need an ear).
Keep at it, you can do this.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PA
Posts: 12,000
I can't really add much to what others have posted bigC,
I do know this. Yes, you have the power of choice to drink or not to drink. You are NOT powerless. But if you decide to drink and take that first one, then you ARE powerless.
It's like I've seen many times on one members sig line. Once you jump off a cliff, it's too late to realize it was a bad idea. - something like that. I always keep that in the back of my mind.
I do know this. Yes, you have the power of choice to drink or not to drink. You are NOT powerless. But if you decide to drink and take that first one, then you ARE powerless.
It's like I've seen many times on one members sig line. Once you jump off a cliff, it's too late to realize it was a bad idea. - something like that. I always keep that in the back of my mind.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New England
Posts: 100
Some say all we have is a day. I suggest focusing on not drinking today. Don't think about tomorrow, don't think about next weekend, don't think about how maybe you don't really have a problem because you didn't drink every day, don't think about how you don't agree with this recovery group's approach or that group's approach. Just decide for today you aren't going to drink. You don't want to drink today. You don't need to drink today. You can make it one day without a drink.
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