A humble hello (3 weeks sober; new to the forum)
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 288
A humble hello (3 weeks sober; new to the forum)
Hey everyone --
I thought I'd introduce myself to the community here. I'll say straight up that this site is a great thing, and I wish everyone the best on his or her personal journey to sober and meaningful living.
I've been doing this drinking thing for oh, about 20 years. As a shy child of an alcoholic, I didn't think twice about drinking after I had my first one (although when I was a kid, I said I'd never touch the stuff because of all the pain it caused us). Drinking felt good, really good, and I became social, funny, and comfortable in my own skin for once in my life. It was the elixir. The magic potion. The solution to all my emotional problems.
Riiiiiight (you know where this is going).
That euphoria, that solution, that cure, of course, lasted oh so long. The perceived solution would soon become the persistent and central problem in my life.
I'll just say I've had years of considerable trouble and pain and loss because of drinking -- my own drinking and that of loved ones. This elixir has been nothing short of terrible for me and my family since I can remember reading Clifford the Big Red Dog as a child and hearing the first drunken fight rage throughout our home (I'll save elaboration for later if the moment calls for it) to now as an adult in his 30s with years of his own drinking problem under his belt.
I have tried managing this thing called alcoholism. Or, how I would have liked to have called it, my "social drinking" habit (again -- riiiiiiight. You know we're this is going).
I've gone months without a drink, tried "trials" of only drinking a certain amount a month (failed miserably, like, well, immediately, like, that very weekend), and seen several therapists and have gone to meetings. I even feel shame saying I'm giving up alcohol now because of all the failure I've had, all the times I tried to quit this bottle and failed to crush it for good. The only way I can see it is these were all pieces of my journey. They all taught me something, and I need to take those teachings and apply them to my sobriety now.
I'm 3 weeks sober now, 22 days to be exact, I'm humbled to be here, and feeling numerous highs and lows as far as emotions go. I'm seeing a therapist and reading a lot of recovery literature. My wife knows sobriety is important to me and is being very supportive.
Sorry for the long-windedness. I guess I'm just saying in my extended way, "hello, I'm here, and I'm struggling through this thing, too."
Thanks for reading. And, all things considered, I'm glad and blessed to be here. I want to stop running towards regret and start walking towards recovery. It always helps to have a few companions along the way and to know you're not walking alone.
Warmly,
Mike
I thought I'd introduce myself to the community here. I'll say straight up that this site is a great thing, and I wish everyone the best on his or her personal journey to sober and meaningful living.
I've been doing this drinking thing for oh, about 20 years. As a shy child of an alcoholic, I didn't think twice about drinking after I had my first one (although when I was a kid, I said I'd never touch the stuff because of all the pain it caused us). Drinking felt good, really good, and I became social, funny, and comfortable in my own skin for once in my life. It was the elixir. The magic potion. The solution to all my emotional problems.
Riiiiiight (you know where this is going).
That euphoria, that solution, that cure, of course, lasted oh so long. The perceived solution would soon become the persistent and central problem in my life.
I'll just say I've had years of considerable trouble and pain and loss because of drinking -- my own drinking and that of loved ones. This elixir has been nothing short of terrible for me and my family since I can remember reading Clifford the Big Red Dog as a child and hearing the first drunken fight rage throughout our home (I'll save elaboration for later if the moment calls for it) to now as an adult in his 30s with years of his own drinking problem under his belt.
I have tried managing this thing called alcoholism. Or, how I would have liked to have called it, my "social drinking" habit (again -- riiiiiiight. You know we're this is going).
I've gone months without a drink, tried "trials" of only drinking a certain amount a month (failed miserably, like, well, immediately, like, that very weekend), and seen several therapists and have gone to meetings. I even feel shame saying I'm giving up alcohol now because of all the failure I've had, all the times I tried to quit this bottle and failed to crush it for good. The only way I can see it is these were all pieces of my journey. They all taught me something, and I need to take those teachings and apply them to my sobriety now.
I'm 3 weeks sober now, 22 days to be exact, I'm humbled to be here, and feeling numerous highs and lows as far as emotions go. I'm seeing a therapist and reading a lot of recovery literature. My wife knows sobriety is important to me and is being very supportive.
Sorry for the long-windedness. I guess I'm just saying in my extended way, "hello, I'm here, and I'm struggling through this thing, too."
Thanks for reading. And, all things considered, I'm glad and blessed to be here. I want to stop running towards regret and start walking towards recovery. It always helps to have a few companions along the way and to know you're not walking alone.
Warmly,
Mike
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 4,860
Welcome aboard, Mike! It sounds like you're taking some solid steps to support your sobriety. Twenty-two days is great.
We all started in the place you're in now. It gets better. Trust me, it gets better.
We all started in the place you're in now. It gets better. Trust me, it gets better.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 49
Congratulations on 22 days Mike! I am right there with you at 22 days as well. I'm getting a little better everyday. Let's keep working on this because at least for me I am seeing small glimpses of the benefits of sobriety. Like everybody says it takes time. I am on sober recovery all the time and it has helped immensely in getting through some rough cravings.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 120,947
22 days is great, Mike; welcome to SR; glad you found us.
Have you thought about joining an SR Class? It's a great way to get to know people with about the same amount of sober time, to share your experiences and to give and receive support.
I'll post a link in a minute.
Have you thought about joining an SR Class? It's a great way to get to know people with about the same amount of sober time, to share your experiences and to give and receive support.
I'll post a link in a minute.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 120,947
Life Goes On
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 6,069
Mike,
I for one appreciate a good long-winded and well written post.
Seems we've wandered down the same alleys and wound up at the same dead end. The good news is there is a clearly marked exit and we both know where it is.
I'm at 7 days, so a bit behind you.
Very good on you for your 22 days and counting!
I for one appreciate a good long-winded and well written post.
Seems we've wandered down the same alleys and wound up at the same dead end. The good news is there is a clearly marked exit and we both know where it is.
I'm at 7 days, so a bit behind you.
Very good on you for your 22 days and counting!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 288
Originally Posted by Obladi 
Seems we've wandered down the same alleys and wound up at the same dead end. The good news is there is a clearly marked exit and we both know where it is.
I'm at 7 days, so a bit behind you.
Very good on you for your 22 days and counting!
I'm at 7 days, so a bit behind you.
Very good on you for your 22 days and counting!
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK, South Coast
Posts: 605
Hi Mike, congrats on 3 wks, thats great. Just stay strong & keep posting on here, like u said, this site is brilliant. I feel relieved when i come here. It makes a huge difference when u can talk to other people who know exactly how u feel!!! Im 3 months in & i feel like im turning a corner!!!
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