1: finally quit for what I hope is for good at 40. I'm almost 43 now
2: I did whatever it took. I threw **** to the wall until something stuck. Had 6 months sober three times, then this time. Here's how it went: first time- at my partners urging, I visited a substance abuse counselor. Counselor said it's possible I'm an alcoholic, why not try to be sober for 6 months and see how it goes? I was, my life got better, I lost weight, joined a gym, then drank at 6 months and a day, thinking I was cured. (Spoiler alert: I wasn't cured)

Then I sobered up and relapsed a couple more times, and my partner threatened to leave me, and I went into an outpatient program. I sobered up for six months again.

I started to think I could cook with wine, and lo and behold it ended up in my belly. Thankfully that relapse lasted only two months.

Then, I did it all. Posted completely honestly on sr. Went back to counselor for a couple sessions. Went to aa. Got a sponsor. Worked those infernal steps. It took all of that, for me. I'm a slow learner. But I am soooo glad I did ever last bit of it. Well not the relapse part... You can do this!!

3: I stay involved with other alcoholics. I have a network of sober friends, most of whom I met on here but now also know in real life. I thank my higher power for every day and seek guidance because I've seen my way fail a boatload of times. I try my best to be honest all the time cause drunk wehav was a big fat liar.

I hope this helps you! Take care, wehav

The first time I got sober I was in my mid thirties. Stayed sober for twenty years, then fell off badly by drinking "a glass" of wine in the afternoon to take the edge off so I wouldn't get into it with youngest kid when she got home from HS. Within six months I was drinking all day, every day. :(

Got sober again over five years ago at age 59. I don't think I have any more lives left of my original nine... I am going to stay sober for the rest of my life! :)

Three questions:

1. What age did you manage to achieve sobriety?

32. I had drank every night for about eight years, very heavily. About 12 units a night.

2. What did you do to achieve it?

It wasn't a choice really. I had organ damage diagnosed by a doctor. Hopefully it is reversible with complete abstinence. On a side note, alcohol can damage your body pretty quietly. I have never been hospitalized, jaundiced or anything. I went to the gym the same day I was diagnosed with inflamed organs. I could've been dead quick though.

3. What do you do to maintain it?

I want to live. I don't want to die. Drinking is not an option for me anymore. I check in here everyday. It helps me to "be okay" with a non-drinking life. I like it 95% of the time. The no hangover part is wonderful. However, I will admit that there are times when I think "why me?! Why can't I have fun like other people?" They pass quickly though.

Life is much, much easier and better without drinking. Lots of people don't drink. 30% of adults don't drink and 30% drink so little it's negligible, like a drink a month. I believe the other 30% maybe drink two or three a night. I would say less than 5-10 percent drink to serious excess.