Trying this again
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 121
Trying this again
Hello everyone,
I have been a member here for about a year, and I have tried to get sober a couple times along the way. I’ve been back on the booze for the last 6 months or so, and I decided last Sunday to give sobriety a try again.
Im 33 years old, wife and 2 kids, with a real good life other than the drinking. I’ve never been a daily drinker, but more of a weekend binger. My main problem is that when I get drunk, I make awful decesions. I am capable of anything while drunk. Using drugs, driving, cheating, spending a ton of money, and staying out all night, are possible when I’m drunk. When I wake up hungover, I am usually horrified of my actions. I’m seriously lucky to still be married, not in jail, or even dead.
As mentioned, I’ve quit many times for 2-3 months, but I always tend to go back. I want this time to be different. I started seeing an alcohol counselor yesterday, and I am going to try AA. It’s been 6 days since my last drink, and I feel pretty good.
I have been a member here for about a year, and I have tried to get sober a couple times along the way. I’ve been back on the booze for the last 6 months or so, and I decided last Sunday to give sobriety a try again.
Im 33 years old, wife and 2 kids, with a real good life other than the drinking. I’ve never been a daily drinker, but more of a weekend binger. My main problem is that when I get drunk, I make awful decesions. I am capable of anything while drunk. Using drugs, driving, cheating, spending a ton of money, and staying out all night, are possible when I’m drunk. When I wake up hungover, I am usually horrified of my actions. I’m seriously lucky to still be married, not in jail, or even dead.
As mentioned, I’ve quit many times for 2-3 months, but I always tend to go back. I want this time to be different. I started seeing an alcohol counselor yesterday, and I am going to try AA. It’s been 6 days since my last drink, and I feel pretty good.
Sobriety is Traditional
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
Posts: 9,064
Six days are awesome, Goodlife!
The combination of AA and SoberRecovery has kept me sober for six years. Keep reading and posting--it works if you work it!
Here's a couple good threads to join:
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...ml#post7135379 (Class of February 2019 Support Thread Pt 2)
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...ml#post7135601 (24 Hour Recovery Connections Part 434)
The combination of AA and SoberRecovery has kept me sober for six years. Keep reading and posting--it works if you work it!
Here's a couple good threads to join:
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...ml#post7135379 (Class of February 2019 Support Thread Pt 2)
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...ml#post7135601 (24 Hour Recovery Connections Part 434)
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 2,872
I made bad decision drunk, too. And I was drunk for thirty years. That's a lot of bad decisions. So you're not alone.
Great going on seeing a counselor and going to AA. You can't go wrong there. And stick around here for support, too.
Best to you and hope to hear about your progress.
Great going on seeing a counselor and going to AA. You can't go wrong there. And stick around here for support, too.
Best to you and hope to hear about your progress.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,537
Wonderful to have you back, GoodLife. Posting and reading here on a regular basis really helped me. I knew there'd be support & encouragement here any time of day or night. We understand what you're going through like no one else can. Congrats on your 6 days. 
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 121
Thanks everyone... I really need this to stick this time. I’m not worried about drinking in the near future, but more so 3+ months down the line. I have to just keep telling myself “ I can not drink safely “. I have tried to moderate for many years, and it never works and I always end up in the same bad place. I need to stop for good now, before I do something that I can’t bounce back from.
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
Welcome back good life, sounds like you are taking some positive steps to make this time work. It is good to remember why we don't drink - and you will definitely be reminded of that if you participate in AA and the forum here too. Staying in a community of like minded people always helps, whether it be virtual or in person.
Accepting that we cannot drink without consequence is big - glad to hear that you are working on that as well. Long term you can then start working on finding other ways to enjoy yourself or face up to the things that we tried to avoid with alcohol. There's usually some underlying issue whether it be mental health or just behavioral that we need to address too. Quitting drinking of course solves the consequence problem, but it doesn't usually fix the underlying issues. Your counselor will be helpful in identifying those issues.
Accepting that we cannot drink without consequence is big - glad to hear that you are working on that as well. Long term you can then start working on finding other ways to enjoy yourself or face up to the things that we tried to avoid with alcohol. There's usually some underlying issue whether it be mental health or just behavioral that we need to address too. Quitting drinking of course solves the consequence problem, but it doesn't usually fix the underlying issues. Your counselor will be helpful in identifying those issues.
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 14,916
It sounds like this is a great time to stop drinking.
What I mean by that is that you haven't lost anything "big" yet. Like your marriage, your job, your health, access to your kids, freedom from incarceration . . .
The things that you may have lost, like your self respect, and the trust of your wife can be regained over time. At least that was my experience.
What I mean by that is that you haven't lost anything "big" yet. Like your marriage, your job, your health, access to your kids, freedom from incarceration . . .
The things that you may have lost, like your self respect, and the trust of your wife can be regained over time. At least that was my experience.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by Zebra1275 
It sounds like this is a great time to stop drinking.
What I mean by that is that you haven't lost anything "big" yet. Like your marriage, your job, your health, access to your kids, freedom from incarceration . . .
The things that you may have lost, like your self respect, and the trust of your wife can be regained over time. At least that was my experience.
What I mean by that is that you haven't lost anything "big" yet. Like your marriage, your job, your health, access to your kids, freedom from incarceration . . .
The things that you may have lost, like your self respect, and the trust of your wife can be regained over time. At least that was my experience.
Today is 7 days sober, and I’m starting to feel better after last weekends bender.. I need to keep building on this, and to live by the phrase “ I can not drink safely “
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,383
Originally Posted by GoodLife32
Thanks everyone... I really need this to stick this time. I’m not worried about drinking in the near future, but more so 3+ months down the line. I have to just keep telling myself “ I can not drink safely “. I have tried to moderate for many years, and it never works and I always end up in the same bad place. I need to stop for good now, before I do something that I can’t bounce back from.
Make a recovery action plan today and be insanely well prepared for later
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...very-plan.html (What exactly is a recovery plan?)
D
Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 75
I could have written this as almost identical situation. Weekend binge drinking, respectable mother week days. Weekend comes and drunk on the sofa and hungover making kids breakfast. I've been doing this for 20 years almost half my life!
I'm on day one today.
I'm on day one today.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 121
Day 8 today. This is the first Monday morning in a long time that I woke up refreshed and feeling good. It’s amazing how time away from the booze clears the head, and allows you to feel good. I’m feeling strong, and I’m committed to making this last. I keep telling myself, “I can not safely drink”
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by Longlady
I could have written this as almost identical situation. Weekend binge drinking, respectable mother week days. Weekend comes and drunk on the sofa and hungover making kids breakfast. I've been doing this for 20 years almost half my life!
I'm on day one today.
I'm on day one today.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Minnesota, USA
Posts: 1,468
Hey GL,
I feel like I could have written this (minus the married part, but was in a committed relationship). I am also 33 and just had 17 months sober.
The things I like the most is that I am there for my little, at any given moment. I am a good mom and I am not out doing things a Mother should not be doing, cheating, scandalous type stuff, etc...
My last drunk, I walked my neighborhood in my panties... Totally classy, huh? -What not to do as a Mother. I mean no one should but I feel as a mom that is a super bad example to lead.
If I can get sober, so can you.
What I did may not work for you.
I got rid of 98% of my "friends" they were all drinking friends anyways, so no harm there just a blessing.
I moved 45 mins away from where I was. New town and no one knows me. Fresh start- I feel I am blessed to have been able to do this.
I was honest with everyone I kept in my life, this was so they wouldn't offer me any alcohol, offer me support and keep me accountable.
If someone had an issue with it, they were out of my life. My life depends on me being sober as well as my son.
I wish you the best!
-DC
I feel like I could have written this (minus the married part, but was in a committed relationship). I am also 33 and just had 17 months sober.
The things I like the most is that I am there for my little, at any given moment. I am a good mom and I am not out doing things a Mother should not be doing, cheating, scandalous type stuff, etc...
My last drunk, I walked my neighborhood in my panties... Totally classy, huh? -What not to do as a Mother. I mean no one should but I feel as a mom that is a super bad example to lead.
If I can get sober, so can you.
What I did may not work for you.
I got rid of 98% of my "friends" they were all drinking friends anyways, so no harm there just a blessing.
I moved 45 mins away from where I was. New town and no one knows me. Fresh start- I feel I am blessed to have been able to do this.
I was honest with everyone I kept in my life, this was so they wouldn't offer me any alcohol, offer me support and keep me accountable.
If someone had an issue with it, they were out of my life. My life depends on me being sober as well as my son.
I wish you the best!
-DC
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 121
Hey Everyone. I’m happy to report that I’m 2 weeks sober as if today. I feel great. Clearheaded, confident, and excited for the future. I’ve been seeing an alcohol counselor which has been helpful, but I still have not tried AA.
I’ve been here many times before, but I’m hoping this time will be different, and I stay sober.
Thanks for all the support.
I’ve been here many times before, but I’m hoping this time will be different, and I stay sober.
Thanks for all the support.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: New England
Posts: 1,224
Originally Posted by GoodLife32
Hey Everyone. I’m happy to report that I’m 2 weeks sober as if today. I feel great. Clearheaded, confident, and excited for the future. I’ve been seeing an alcohol counselor which has been helpful, but I still have not tried AA.
I’ve been here many times before, but I’m hoping this time will be different, and I stay sober.
Thanks for all the support.
I’ve been here many times before, but I’m hoping this time will be different, and I stay sober.
Thanks for all the support.
Way to go goodlife. Keep it up and you'll need to change your screen name to Greatlife!
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
