Does the idea of never drinking again seem daunting?
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 11,426
Hi Mirage;
I was worried about this too when I first quit.
I gave myself a six month "absolutely no drinking for any reason" window
and decided I would reevaluate how I felt and where I was at that time.
It wasn't forever, and it was long enough to clear my system and get a taste of
what sobriety was like. I wasn't ready for "forever" yet.
After the first few months, sobriety got easier and easier and I saw more and more
benefits. At six months, I felt good and decided to make it a year and then see again.
This mentally gave me a handhold towards "forever" that worked really really well with my fear of stopping a lifelong habit, and the strength to say "no" at the moment.
At three years of sobriety now (with a short moderation experiment last year) forever sober seems as attractive as being able to drink again someday used to.
Commit to a good stretch of sober time and chances are you'll feel the same.
Do it in chunks if you need that to start, but do really go "all in" and you'll succeed.
When you do that, the results speak for themselves and it gets easier and easier
I was worried about this too when I first quit.
I gave myself a six month "absolutely no drinking for any reason" window
and decided I would reevaluate how I felt and where I was at that time.
It wasn't forever, and it was long enough to clear my system and get a taste of
what sobriety was like. I wasn't ready for "forever" yet.
After the first few months, sobriety got easier and easier and I saw more and more
benefits. At six months, I felt good and decided to make it a year and then see again.
This mentally gave me a handhold towards "forever" that worked really really well with my fear of stopping a lifelong habit, and the strength to say "no" at the moment.
At three years of sobriety now (with a short moderation experiment last year) forever sober seems as attractive as being able to drink again someday used to.
Commit to a good stretch of sober time and chances are you'll feel the same.
Do it in chunks if you need that to start, but do really go "all in" and you'll succeed.
When you do that, the results speak for themselves and it gets easier and easier
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: California
Posts: 2,693
Originally Posted by LexieCat 
At this point, I can think of nothing good that could happen in my life that a drink wouldn't ruin. And nothing bad in my life that a drink wouldn't make worse.
Nope, not daunting for me.
I've come to realize how much damn WORK is involved in maintaining an alcoholic drinking lifestyle. No, thanks.
Nope, not daunting for me.
I've come to realize how much damn WORK is involved in maintaining an alcoholic drinking lifestyle. No, thanks.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 151
Originally Posted by Mirage74
Hello all. Im back at another go at quitting after a months long relapse. In my other attempts at quitting, I don't think I ever accepted I can never drink again. I think I've read, every alcoholic clings to the idea that he can one day drink again like a normal person.
Did/do any of you struggle with this? Was acceptance easy for you? If not, when did you cross over to being grateful you're sober, not ever missing it at all?
Did/do any of you struggle with this? Was acceptance easy for you? If not, when did you cross over to being grateful you're sober, not ever missing it at all?
but good luck in your struggle
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Mare Crisium
Posts: 1,930
In my younger life, quitting for any length of time seemed not only daunting,
but impossible. In my brain, drinking was "normal". "Everyone" did it.
Now, I wish to remain 100% sober for the rest of my life.
Hangover has become brutal withdrawal. Anxiety abounds.
I had a recent 10 week sober run; feeling fantastic,
followed by a most unexpected "relapse".
That "relapse" turned into a 3 week binge.
What is daunting at times, is the threat of such a relapse.
but impossible. In my brain, drinking was "normal". "Everyone" did it.
Now, I wish to remain 100% sober for the rest of my life.
Hangover has become brutal withdrawal. Anxiety abounds.
I had a recent 10 week sober run; feeling fantastic,
followed by a most unexpected "relapse".
That "relapse" turned into a 3 week binge.
What is daunting at times, is the threat of such a relapse.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,869
Accepting and embracing this is what finally set me free. Now, I am in love with the idea and I feel really confident and powerful about it. People around me are starting to believe it too and that's so great because it seems like the explaining period is over.
I love the fact that I will be sober for life, not focusing on what I can or can't do.
I love the fact that I will be sober for life, not focusing on what I can or can't do.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
Originally Posted by Mirage74
Did/do any of you struggle with this? Was acceptance easy for you? If not, when did you cross over to being grateful you're sober, not ever missing it at all?
Once we realize that and make a firm decision to not drink again we are on the road to being Recovered.
I like to throw in (with God's help).
MM
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: California
Posts: 2,693
Originally Posted by anattaboy
If there were one shred of enjoyment left in drinking I would have had vodka in my coffee 2 hrs. ago. Truth.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 7,837
Originally Posted by AdmimalBlueEyes
As long as I can remember the hangovers, or being more or less imprisoned by drinking its not daunting at all , for me its when I forget these things that I relapse and think I can drink socially , I'm not sure if that helps 
but good luck in your struggle
but good luck in your struggle
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