When is it okay to enjoy a drink?
 

I appreciate that I'm not really even close. But what time scale have other people found its okay to go out and have a few drinks without it turning into a session and starting again the next morning? It would be nice to have a goal in the form of a time scale when I can go out and have a few beers without feeling like it's a relapse or like I've given up. Surely responsible drinking can play a part in my life in the future. Or am I now destined to a life of water from my beer glass?

I tried for 20 years to somehow make that happen and it never did, Ben.

When I looked back I realised I was never that kind of drinker - I always drank to get wasted.

If you're that same kind of drinker I think you really need to consider that there will never be a time when you can drink without those benders and bad consequences.

A lot of people confuse abstinence with control, but they;re not the same thing.

I haven't had a drink now for 9 years but I believe if I did I'd be back to benders in no time.

D

As an alcoholic I can NEVER drink again. To do so would open up the gates of hell.

I personally can't have a few drinks because it would reawaken the addiction. If you are anything like me you need to become okay with the idea of not drinking again. Tough at first but it will become normal.

For me never, tried it many times over my 30 year drinking career, after staying sober sometimes 30 months, simply picked up where I left off which was a disaster, never again and I am happier now than I ever have been.

The last time I tried that I was drunk for 3 weeks. I'll pass.

I had a feeling you guys were gonna say that. I quit smoking a while ago and now I can't imagine having a cigarette so fingers crossed it will be the same thing. Only problem is smoking is antisocial and drinking is social.

If I could enjoy "a" drink, that would be great. But everytime I was in a position where I was limited to "a" single drink, it drove me nuts. It wasn't enjoyable, so I avoided occasions where the supply might be limited. Even then, it was never enjoyable.

I was having a discussion with friends the other day, about dining out. One said: "A glass of wine is best accompanied by a nice meal" . I said I don't see it quite like that. I would say "A glass of wine is best accompanied by another glass of wine, and another".

The way I drank was antisocial, believe me.

I can be a lot more sociable now, to be honest - I just don't drink alcohol.

It doesn't matter whats in my glass.

D

I thought for a long time I could use the moderation management technique which has been demonstrated to work for many. But many relapses into major binge drinking has me now convinced that I just can't.

Sounds like you might be in the same boat.

My on/off switch is broken. It's that simple. That is why I am here. Given that fact, I just gotta remain committed to keeping my finger off the stupid switch.

My only attempt at moderation was a failure! I had 14 sober months in, thought the habit was broken and I could safely have 1 or 2...

Well 1 leads to 2, which leads to 3, 4, 5 6 and 7!
I know that now....lesson learned. Took 6 years to try again.......:headbange

So now I just don't drink, no counting or thinking involved. So much simpler! 18 months tomorrow......and no plans to try one or two!

When can I "enjoy" a drink again? When pigs fly!!

In my opinion...never. I didn't drink for many many years. Not a single drop. I decided to try moderating after that long period of sobriety and within 2 weeks I was WORSE than ever.

Alcoholics will never be able to moderate. It's like trying to grow a new arm. It will never happen.

Our disease progresses forever. The only way to put it in remission is complete abstinence.

#truth

I'm with everyone else that's posted ...

I can't have 1 or 2 drinks.

I tried to have "a drink" after being 2 months sober back in March.

6 weeks later..... I'm now on day 9 !

Won't be "trying" that BS again!

As long as we hold on to those thoughts

if alcoholic ?????

From what I've seen -- we are doomed.

Let's all remember now
a fool is one who fools themself.

M-Bob

I live in the mountains
saw a few of those flying pigs back when I was drinking.

M-Bob

one or two drinks isn't an option really. . . even if I manage it once or twice
sooner or later I'm back where I started or worse

it does get much easier and now I don't even want to have one or two

For me, it is okay to enjoy a drink when there is no alcohol in it.

But seriously, I've read many stories of people going back to addiction after 20+ years without a drink. I don't think I'm different from them in any way.

Not only can I never drink again - I don't want to drink. I am too happy sober to mess that up by drinking. :)