OK, let's see if I remember how to drive this thing...
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Upper Midwest
Posts: 1,730
OK, let's see if I remember how to drive this thing...
I am a long-time member (since 2013) who hasn't posted much of late. I have remained sober and am not on the edge of relapse as near as I can tell. But, truth be told, I miss being a part of Sober Recovery.
So, to the extent that not posting in a long time might allow me to reclaim my former status as a Newcomer, here I am.
Howdy, friends.
So, to the extent that not posting in a long time might allow me to reclaim my former status as a Newcomer, here I am.
Howdy, friends.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Upper Midwest
Posts: 1,730
Hey, LG! I am just shy of 5 years sober. I haven't had a drink since the day I joined SR. I had been drinking 8-12 drinks per day for years before coming here. I had been an alcoholic for probably 20 years. This place has been my prime source of support throughout my recovery.
How did I quit? Well, as I said, it was mostly all of the smart, supportive people here that made the biggest difference. I never went to inpatient treatment or even AA. But I spent a lot of time her. A LOT of time. You all gave me a place where I could feel safe acknowledging, for the first time in my life, that I am an alcoholic. That was a turning point in my recovery.
After only a few days here, I learned a simple but critical truth. I don't drink like "normal" people do. I drink to get drunk. I never wanted, and was never able, to drink one or two drinks. I had to drink 5. Or 10. Or more. I learned that my "on/off" switch was broken. Plain and simple. Armed with that realization, I knew that the only two choices I had were to quit - completely and forever - or keep drinking like I was and continue my downward spiral. I had already lost my marriage. Moderation was never an option. I knew that things would get worse if I stayed on the same path. So I quit. It was that simple. It wasn't easy, by any means. I had the sweats. The cravings. The AV screaming at me constantly.
But it got less difficult, each month and each year. And life got better. And now, 5 years later, I am living a normal, happy life. Sobriety doesn't solve all of your problems. But it solved my biggest problems.
I highly recommend it. And if I can get sober, anyone can get sober.
How did I quit? Well, as I said, it was mostly all of the smart, supportive people here that made the biggest difference. I never went to inpatient treatment or even AA. But I spent a lot of time her. A LOT of time. You all gave me a place where I could feel safe acknowledging, for the first time in my life, that I am an alcoholic. That was a turning point in my recovery.
After only a few days here, I learned a simple but critical truth. I don't drink like "normal" people do. I drink to get drunk. I never wanted, and was never able, to drink one or two drinks. I had to drink 5. Or 10. Or more. I learned that my "on/off" switch was broken. Plain and simple. Armed with that realization, I knew that the only two choices I had were to quit - completely and forever - or keep drinking like I was and continue my downward spiral. I had already lost my marriage. Moderation was never an option. I knew that things would get worse if I stayed on the same path. So I quit. It was that simple. It wasn't easy, by any means. I had the sweats. The cravings. The AV screaming at me constantly.
But it got less difficult, each month and each year. And life got better. And now, 5 years later, I am living a normal, happy life. Sobriety doesn't solve all of your problems. But it solved my biggest problems.
I highly recommend it. And if I can get sober, anyone can get sober.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: usa
Posts: 274
Welcome back ! It’s very encouraging for me to hear success stories like this. I have been struggling for several years to get sober . I’m on day 29 and hope this time I stay sober forever . Thanks for your post
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Upper Midwest
Posts: 1,730
Day 29 is fantastic, skipper123! You are doing great! Keep posting to let us know how you are doing. And, if you are struggling, post about that too. It's easier to keep from ringing the bell than it is to "unring" a bell, know what I mean?
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Big City
Posts: 3,895
Originally Posted by firstymer 
Hey, LG! I am just shy of 5 years sober. I haven't had a drink since the day I joined SR. I had been drinking 8-12 drinks per day for years before coming here. I had been an alcoholic for probably 20 years. This place has been my prime source of support throughout my recovery.
How did I quit? Well, as I said, it was mostly all of the smart, supportive people here that made the biggest difference. I never went to inpatient treatment or even AA. But I spent a lot of time her. A LOT of time. You all gave me a place where I could feel safe acknowledging, for the first time in my life, that I am an alcoholic. That was a turning point in my recovery.
After only a few days here, I learned a simple but critical truth. I don't drink like "normal" people do. I drink to get drunk. I never wanted, and was never able, to drink one or two drinks. I had to drink 5. Or 10. Or more. I learned that my "on/off" switch was broken. Plain and simple. Armed with that realization, I knew that the only two choices I had were to quit - completely and forever - or keep drinking like I was and continue my downward spiral. I had already lost my marriage. Moderation was never an option. I knew that things would get worse if I stayed on the same path. So I quit. It was that simple. It wasn't easy, by any means. I had the sweats. The cravings. The AV screaming at me constantly.
But it got less difficult, each month and each year. And life got better. And now, 5 years later, I am living a normal, happy life. Sobriety doesn't solve all of your problems. But it solved my biggest problems.
I highly recommend it. And if I can get sober, anyone can get sober.
How did I quit? Well, as I said, it was mostly all of the smart, supportive people here that made the biggest difference. I never went to inpatient treatment or even AA. But I spent a lot of time her. A LOT of time. You all gave me a place where I could feel safe acknowledging, for the first time in my life, that I am an alcoholic. That was a turning point in my recovery.
After only a few days here, I learned a simple but critical truth. I don't drink like "normal" people do. I drink to get drunk. I never wanted, and was never able, to drink one or two drinks. I had to drink 5. Or 10. Or more. I learned that my "on/off" switch was broken. Plain and simple. Armed with that realization, I knew that the only two choices I had were to quit - completely and forever - or keep drinking like I was and continue my downward spiral. I had already lost my marriage. Moderation was never an option. I knew that things would get worse if I stayed on the same path. So I quit. It was that simple. It wasn't easy, by any means. I had the sweats. The cravings. The AV screaming at me constantly.
But it got less difficult, each month and each year. And life got better. And now, 5 years later, I am living a normal, happy life. Sobriety doesn't solve all of your problems. But it solved my biggest problems.
I highly recommend it. And if I can get sober, anyone can get sober.
SR is HUGE for my sobriety.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Michigan
Posts: 171
Thank you and cudos on 5 years firstymer.
This was a very encouraging post for me. After a year or two of trying to convince myself of the simple fact that I cannot drink like "normal" folks, it was SR that really, truly hit that point home and started me on my road to sobriety.
Granted, I am a newbie at 66 days, and have not ruled out any avenue of support to remain sober, but to this point the realization/acceptance that I just cannot drink "normally" has been all the motivation I needed to kickstart this process. It's great to hear it worked that way for someone else.
This was a very encouraging post for me. After a year or two of trying to convince myself of the simple fact that I cannot drink like "normal" folks, it was SR that really, truly hit that point home and started me on my road to sobriety.
Granted, I am a newbie at 66 days, and have not ruled out any avenue of support to remain sober, but to this point the realization/acceptance that I just cannot drink "normally" has been all the motivation I needed to kickstart this process. It's great to hear it worked that way for someone else.
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