My name is Carlo and i live in the Netherlands. In 2015 i quited drinking because it became a serious problem. Everyday drinking and everyday more and more. Not remembering some event from the former night.
In all those years my cravings stayed. But always I managed to think about the days why i stopped.
But last 31 December 2021 I thought I could do it and manage my drinking. Why could I not having fun.
Since that day I drank again everyday. In the beginning 1 whisky and till last week the bottles stood next to me and waking up with not remembering some events what happened.
No more I said to myself and stopped last Saturday when I woke up. I hate myself that I gave up those years that I was sober. This time I want to seek some help with it with how to deal with those cravings. They seem never to go away even not after those 6 years.
Welcome Carlo! Admitting our lives are unmanageable and we can’t just stop at one is a great step. You’ve done the sober thing before. Remember the positives. Remember the negatives from your lapse but dont dwell. Just take it one day at a time. Create a sober plan and support system. You have found an awesome, motivating, and supportive sober resource and community here with us. Take a look around and engage! Welcome again. One day at a time brother!
I’m glad you are here. First of all congratulations on 6.5 years. Those years are not lost. That is an amazing accomplishment. I’m sorry you relapsed, it must be hard not to focus on that, but remember the strength you had before. You can do it again❤️
Welcome to the forum and welcome to your renewed sobriety. I admire your willpower and stamina, staying sober for over 6 years while having so many cravings. But to really stay sober and be happy with that choice too something more is needed and I think you just made that vital step by saying you need help.
I found out that I can’t do it alone and I strongly believe that goes for all of us. We need help of our fellows, our peers, our brothers and sisters in recovery. That’s one. I found my sober tribe right here at this forum, but many of us also go to face to face meetings like AA or (in The Netherlands) De Buitenveldertgroep.
And a second point I’d like to make is that we need to work on staying sober. It’s called recovery. How we recover is individual. Lot of folks work a 12 step program in AA. I for myself felt that I need to work more specifically on my underlying mental health problems and I just finished 18 months of group psychotherapy. Helped me big time. Whatever is needed friend. We need to take away the reason we drank or we will keep craving, exactly like you describe it. Wishing you all succces in your sober journey Carlo.
Greetings Menno (there’s a small group of active Dutchies here on the forum, I’m one)
Thanks Menno, I know i have other issues also like depressions from time to time. I just need to work on myself and take up my old hobby’s like photography. I have neglected myself for too long. And I think this community will also help. Writing things done like this is already helping me.
Meetings will make it easier if you were still craving then i think that you were just keeping sober not building a good program of recovery but if you can get on a program and have a good network round you it would help you build a defence against the first drink wish you well
Me here again. Wow this past 7 months where a roller-coaster. Mostly downs with the biggest last Sunday where my wife found my completly from this world.
That day after last Monday I went seeking help and today I got my intake for a clinic. I can’t do this alone. So here we go again
Glad you made it back and are ready to start working on getting better. thanks for sharing, it helps me remember that im just a drink away from total chaos, thats great your were able to get into a clinic for an intake
Today I went to the gym and eating some healthy smoothie. Last night I had some craving but went to bed. So far my thoughts that I like to post here. Happy Sunday everybody.
thanks for sharing, it helps me remember that im just a drink away from total chaos, thats great your were able to get into a clinic for an intake