Today
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,509
Hi Robin, No, it's not easy to stop drinking. It's really hard, but you can do it. I remember being exactly where you are and it felt awful. But, there is hope and you can do this. Do you have a plan?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 71
No plan today
I have tried to stop for years
I think I have given up on “stopping”
I crave the alcohol too much
nothing replaces it
I went to AA meetings for awhile
but now with the pandemic I don’t go out
I have tried to stop for years
I think I have given up on “stopping”
I crave the alcohol too much
nothing replaces it
I went to AA meetings for awhile
but now with the pandemic I don’t go out
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: England
Posts: 645
You need a plan if you want to give up alcohol.
Going to AA 'for a while' or 65 forum posts in nearly 8 years suggests you are not doing enough to quit.
You say nothing replaces alcohol. What have you tried?
Do you really want to quit? Are you ready to do what is necessary to quit and stay quit?
Going to AA 'for a while' or 65 forum posts in nearly 8 years suggests you are not doing enough to quit.
You say nothing replaces alcohol. What have you tried?
Do you really want to quit? Are you ready to do what is necessary to quit and stay quit?
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,780
I got sober for good over 10 yrs ago and never once have I woken up wishing I had drank the night before. 
When I look back at my drinking days, I wonder how on earth I was so screwed up as to numb myself all day, every day, and feel like hell most of the time.
Nowadays, with few exceptions, I wake up feeling good, ready to start the day. I wouldn't trade my sober life for my old drinking existence for anything. I like being clear-headed and capable. I also take so much better care of my dog and cats.
No, it's not easy to get sober for good, but it can be done. Even for a chronic relapser like me. So if I can do it, you can too.
When I look back at my drinking days, I wonder how on earth I was so screwed up as to numb myself all day, every day, and feel like hell most of the time.
Nowadays, with few exceptions, I wake up feeling good, ready to start the day.
I wouldn't trade my sober life for my old drinking existence for anything. I like being clear-headed and capable. I also take so much better care of my dog and cats. No, it's not easy to get sober for good, but it can be done. Even for a chronic relapser like me. So if I can do it, you can too.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Cheshire. U.K
Posts: 8,003
Robyn, you have to want to be sober more than you want to be a drunk.
I've been sober for 2 years next week after about 20 years of heavy drinking, it wasn't easy but I had the choice of carrying on the way I was and losing everyone and everything that I love, or getting my act together and turning my life round. I can truthfully say that getting sober has been the best thing that I've ever done for myself.
You must want to be sober, otherwise you wouldn't be posting here, but at the same time only you can do it, you are stronger than you think and we are all here to help and support you but you have to put the work in.
Do whatever you need to do to commit to staying sober. Join the class of April 2020, stick close and post as often as you can, especially when you get the urge to drink.. You can do this.
I've been sober for 2 years next week after about 20 years of heavy drinking, it wasn't easy but I had the choice of carrying on the way I was and losing everyone and everything that I love, or getting my act together and turning my life round. I can truthfully say that getting sober has been the best thing that I've ever done for myself.
You must want to be sober, otherwise you wouldn't be posting here, but at the same time only you can do it, you are stronger than you think and we are all here to help and support you but you have to put the work in.
Do whatever you need to do to commit to staying sober. Join the class of April 2020, stick close and post as often as you can, especially when you get the urge to drink.. You can do this.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: California, USA
Posts: 625
Yes, you can get and stay sober. This is a perfect time. We are all scared and we each need to be alert enough to stay healthy and alive - right now. Drunk is extra dangerous now. If your husband is upset, it maybe means he still cares. You care about yourself too! He'll support you as you journey towards becoming a renewed strong woman. Then the two of you can work towards your dreams together. Lots of us lost that opportunity, but you can get sober, and build a new life with a partner (if you want). Alone and drunk is not a future for you! Besides, if you're staying in ( very wise) your access to alcohol should be zero. Be safe!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: S.E. MI
Posts: 1,025
No its not easy but in a way it is. Not being easy is a good reason to not keep doing it more than once. No one is holding a gun to your head forcing you to drink. It takes alot at first but it gets better in no time. You CAN do it. Like the saying goes, when going through hell, keep going. Best of luck to you. Stick around and read and post alot. Its good for people like us.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 71
Thank you to those with encouraging words today
it really helped me today
I do need a plan so I better start making one
You all have up drinking and it seems you were just like me
so it does give me hope and I needed that today
it really helped me today
I do need a plan so I better start making one
You all have up drinking and it seems you were just like me
so it does give me hope and I needed that today
Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Cheshire. U.K
Posts: 8,003
Good morning Robin, yes I was just like you, I have a husband who was disgusted and ashamed and embarrassed about me. I nearly lost him and it's taken a long time to build that trust up again, all the sorry's in the world didn't cut it with him but actions speak louder than words and I've worked hard to get where I am today, which is sober and at one with myself. Gratitude has played a big part in my staying sober too, I have a lot to be grateful for.
Make a plan Robin, life is a million times better sober. You can do it. xx
Make a plan Robin, life is a million times better sober. You can do it. xx
Mr
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: FRANCE
Posts: 5,230
Welcome back.
I agree its hard but not impossible.
Dont stop trying and you will find the key.
You could post a little more often maybe.
It is progressive and the more you line up relapses and the more you keep drinking the closer you get to free fall...
Stay safe !
I agree its hard but not impossible.
Dont stop trying and you will find the key.
You could post a little more often maybe.
It is progressive and the more you line up relapses and the more you keep drinking the closer you get to free fall...
Stay safe !
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 21
For me, getting and staying sober was hard. Staying drunk was harder. Here to say you can stop if you implement a plan, take it one day at a time and don’t drink no matter what. Echoing what has been said many times, it does get easier and is so much better than the constant pain of drinking. Wishing you the best because I know where you are and it’s not fun. You can do it if you decide to. I have been sober for a little over a year and I never thought I could, until I did.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 310
Hi Robinz, glad you are here.
You are right - so many of us have been in your shoes. There is hope and you have the strength inside you to make a change.
You deserve to be happy, healthy and sober. The first step is to decide not to drink today, then figure out a plan to make it stick.
Lots of love to you, be kind to yourself x
You are right - so many of us have been in your shoes. There is hope and you have the strength inside you to make a change.
You deserve to be happy, healthy and sober. The first step is to decide not to drink today, then figure out a plan to make it stick.
Lots of love to you, be kind to yourself x
Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,426
We all stop eventually Robin. It is merely a question of whether we stop on our own with help and support, are made to stop by the criminal justice system, or stop for good when it's too late. Pick the first one. I hope you stayed sober yesterday and that you are waking to your Day 2.
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