Sober in your twenties? Hello SR, I'm on day 22, which makes me super happy! I had a good and productive day and even managed to drag my anxious butt to AA meeting. I got lost on my way there and I was a bit late (awkward), but I'm glad I made it anyway. I love listening to folks in recovery sharing their personal stories and struggles, and it helps me a great deal to be around people... But there is something that I'm concerned about; I receive a lot of 'praise' for wanting to quit at such 'young age' (-ish? I'm 25). This happens at every single meeting (I look young I guess) and tbh it drives my AV crazy, I start to think, well, maybe I could drink for a few more years and quit when I'm 30? :lmao Yes, I know it's utterly ridiculous and a very alcoholic way of thinking, but I'm worried I'm gonna convince myself to believe in this nonsense and relapse. So, I'm looking for people who successfully quit in their 20s for some strengh and inspiration. Can anyone relate? Thank you for reading :) |
I quit at 21 and didn't drink again for about 30 years. Most of that sobriety was contented and happy in AA until I quit going which led to slacking off of my program and then sliding back into my old way of thinking. |
I can totally relate! I considered quitting in my mid twenties, and gave up partly for the AV saying what you describe. I've also seen people (even on this forum) suggest that 30 is "early." It all boils down to what you know to be true about yourself and what kind of life you want. Personally, I sure wish I had stuck to my guns in my twenties and gotten sober then :) |
You are wise beyond your years. I'm in my early 40's, and wish I had quit earlier. Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you later on. 👍 |
Hate to be sombre but one of my good friends here died before they were 30 - you can't always count on being lucky enough to get a second chance. You won't regret getting sober now Snuf :) D |
Originally Posted by Dee74
(Post 6883084)
Hate to be sombre but one of my good friends here died before they were 30 - you can't always count on being lucky enough to get a second chance. You won't regret getting sober now Snuf :) D I'm sorry about your friend! |
I can definitely relate. Have you tried a young peoples' meeting? It definitely helped me early on being around people closer to my own age who had significant sobriety. |
Thank you Digdug, unfortunately there are no young people meetings where I live. |
Originally Posted by Snufkin
(Post 6883108)
Thank you Digdug, unfortunately there are no young people meetings where I live. |
one of the best AA speakers i have ever seen was a woman 42 years old who had just celebrated 28 years of recovery. |
I think "young age" comments probably reflect a bit of envy among some. I knew in my twenties I should quit, and if you're doing it at 25, more power to you. No one ever accused me of quitting early (at 41), but some people questioned it as I wasn't a public heavy drinker. There will always be comments that throw the AV into overdrive, but you can choose to not give it extra space in your head. |
Stopping at 27. I still have a life to live. |
My meetings are usually half younger people and half older. We have some sober living homes nearby and the residents come to the meetings. Many of them are 19, 21, etc. We talk about having "reservations" alot. The younger members seem to suffer from more of those than the older. I'm 29 and have none. I've done enough drinking to last my whole life. I am thankful it didn't take til 40 or 50 or 60 or a premature death to get me to quit. |
Alcoholism is a slow rotting illness. Cutting it off in its early stages is the best thing you can ever do! |
Thanks guys, amazing responses as always. You convinced me that it’s doable. ;) I don’t know what’s so appealing with a few more years of shame and misery... I need to keep that AV chatter at bay. |
I quit at 28 years. The best thing I ever did. Alcohol was destroying my health. |
I quit drinking at 26 and have almost 7 months now of no alcohol.. thought I could maybe get away with recreational use of other substances but have come to see that as pointless as well. I remember when I was in college and would hear older people talking about their glory days in youth and thinking "if college was honestly the best time of your life and everything else has been downhill from there, that's really really sad". I don't know if I would've had another decade of drinking in me but even if I had.. what would I have been able to accomplish in that state? So I've just come to accept that the party is over, time to move on.. |
Originally Posted by Cosima11
(Post 6883427)
I quit drinking at 26 and have almost 7 months now of no alcohol.. thought I could maybe get away with recreational use of other substances but have come to see that as pointless as well. I remember when I was in college and would hear older people talking about their glory days in youth and thinking "if college was honestly the best time of your life and everything else has been downhill from there, that's really really sad". I don't know if I would've had another decade of drinking in me but even if I had.. what would I have been able to accomplish in that state? So I've just come to accept that the party is over, time to move on.. |
I got sober at 22. I'm 58. Life is good. -allan |
Originally Posted by Snufkin
(Post 6883108)
Thank you Digdug, unfortunately there are no young people meetings where I live. you could even start a young people AA meeting eventually. |
Originally Posted by tomsteve
(Post 6883550)
the great thing i see, snufkin, is you could work the steps, recover, and be an inspiration for other young people. there are probably a lot of people in your age range in your area that are in your shoes and have felt similarly about getting sober and being young at AA meetings. you could even start a young people AA meeting eventually. |
I'm 27 here and am ready to quit. I have dealt with a lot of "oh you're too young to have an issue". This no longer bothers me. I would rather live the rest of my life with a sober mind. We can do this! |
Originally Posted by Ekohe
(Post 6883955)
I'm 27 here and am ready to quit. I have dealt with a lot of "oh you're too young to have an issue". This no longer bothers me. I would rather live the rest of my life with a sober mind. We can do this! |
Its your AV trying to convince you to drink. Too young to give up is just one of its many reasons. I would do anything to turn back the clock and undo the wasted years. I knew I was an alcoholic in my 20s and gave up, kept relapsing and giving up til now, age 53. Stick with it, there is nothing you are missing apart from a whole heap of regret. Take care. |
I'm 26, addiction isn't age specific by the time I was legally allowed to drink I had already developed a problem with it...a problem I'm still fighting, I've been sober for three days. |
I quit the day before my 22nd Birthday. September will be 27 years sober. You can do it. QUOTE=Snufkin;6883048]Hello SR, I'm on day 22, which makes me super happy! I had a good and productive day and even managed to drag my anxious butt to AA meeting. I got lost on my way there and I was a bit late (awkward), but I'm glad I made it anyway. I love listening to folks in recovery sharing their personal stories and struggles, and it helps me a great deal to be around people... But there is something that I'm concerned about; I receive a lot of 'praise' for wanting to quit at such 'young age' (-ish? I'm 25). This happens at every single meeting (I look young I guess) and tbh it drives my AV crazy, I start to think, well, maybe I could drink for a few more years and quit when I'm 30? :lmao Yes, I know it's utterly ridiculous and a very alcoholic way of thinking, but I'm worried I'm gonna convince myself to believe in this nonsense and relapse. So, I'm looking for people who successfully quit in their 20s for some strengh and inspiration. Can anyone relate? Thank you for reading :)[/QUOTE] |
My sister died at 26 A horrible alcohol related death I'm in my late 40s And it's by far the best thing I've ever done No it's not to young you You have your whole life ahead of you xx Much love X |
I’m 25 too and trying to stay sober :) |
Originally Posted by E1234
(Post 6885114)
I’m 25 too and trying to stay sober :) |
I wish like heck that I'd quite in my mid 20's when I knew on some level that I had a problem. My AV used my youth as a smoke screen - "You're too young to have a problem problem!" "You can moderate/change next year; you're only 20-something!" "EVERYONE drinks like this in their 20s!" etc etc. So I kept drinking, and it feels like those years were in so many ways just static. I wish I had quit then, but I'm so glad I finally did (early 30s now). |
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