Day one yet again. It seems like I go a couple days and feel really good and then I do it again I’ve been trying to tap into every resource that I possibly can including medication but it just seems like nothing is working. Any suggestions on what I might be doing wrong?
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Catie, It is my understanding that we are talking about alcohol? If we are looking at a couple days, I assume not all resources are tapped into. What resources are you currently using? Here on this site, there are lists and lists and lists.
Personally a few days has never cleared me of the desire. I have been trying in windows to be sober for three decades. Until this time, I never beat 90 days. My “gig” isn’t partying, it’s shutting down my brain. I am 55 years old and recently had an accident that caused a brain injury and a broken clavicle. THAT was a big answer for me, though I drank a month at home, after a month-long hospital stay.
Despite all the knowledge I have read deeply about, I was always short on completing what mattered. Today - Day 135 - staying busy with a lot of resources.
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You haven’t tapped into this resource much at all. You only visited 5 days over the past 3 months. Ask yourself…“Are you willing to go to any lengths to get and stay sober?” When I was finally ready, I had to put the same amount of time and effort into my sobriety as I did into drinking and drugging. For me, that means I have to do something sobriety related every single day. If I’m not at a meeting or working with my sponsor, I’m here on the forum reading and posting.
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Hi Catie,
This might not be the answer you want. It might be the answer you dread. The answer is that only you know.
What have you been unwilling to do? Go to a detox or rehab? Go to AA and do what they suggest? Tell those closest to you about your struggle? Get on Antabuse so that the consequences of driving will be immediate and severe?
Part of my sobriety “conversion experience” was that I gave up the idea that not drinking would be boring and no fun ever again. Another thinking change was to focus on staying sober only until I went to bed each night. That shortens the amount of effort required - you don’t have to work on staying sober while you’re asleep, so only 16 hours at a time maybe. And there are structured actions, like meals and working and going to AA that reduce the free time you’re left to deal with down to maybe 6 hours or even 4. And you can do that, easy. Let tomorrow take care of itself.
Blessings on your house 
as you begin your journey.
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Going to AA, meetings daily, have a sponsor. I use the IAS app daily. I see an addiction physician, take Antabuse when motivated, Campral daily. Have a good support system. Triggers are the worst.
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I’m unsure what drug of choice you have, nor
age or years of use, but until you are ready… I mean really ready it will be hard.
You are definitely going through the motions and seemingly should be on the right track.
Have you disassociated yourself from friends that use, stopped frequenting places that serve your addiction, focused on healing yourself, body, mind and spirit?
This place was a huge part of filling that time in early days and still is a big part of my daily journey. I journal daily, and I keep myself focused on staying busy. And still I am tempted. When I am, I come here, I go for walks or to gym, or I go to bed and perhaps read.
You really need to be ready to do for you my friend. It will take all your focus and will to be successful.
I wish you the absolute best and hope you find your way.
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Thankyou. Alcohol, weekly 30 years, just recently more than weekly. More of a binge drinker. Environment is one major trigger, I dont drink at home.
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You have support it seems they dont seem to be doing anything wrong . if you have a good defence then triggers shouldnt bother you maybe toughen up and put more effort into your recovery dont let triggers rule your life maybe a word with your sponsor wish you well
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True. I need to put more effort into it.
Cool. I’m not sure of what exactly is meant by environment but I do find there are excuses for sure.
If particular people are a trigger, remove them.
If stress at workplace is, find healthier options
If spouses are, confront, converse or change.
Our health and wellbeing is vital and paramount to living a good life. Nothing should ever be more important than it. That is unless a person isn’t truly committed, then they just become excuses, which trust me, I used for years and years… I don’t use or buy into excuses much any longer.
Discipline is my mantra these days… it doesn’t allow for anything but commitment and results.
If a person truly wants something they don’t make excuses… they go get it.
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When I was in my early 30’s, I knew I had a problem with alcohol. When I started drinking, I couldn’t stop. My tolerance increased, so the amount I drank increased. Then the frequency that I drank increased. My drinking started causing problems, I got a DUI, it continuously caused issues with my wife etc. Yet I continued.
I tried cutting back, that didn’t work. I tried only drinking on weekends, that didn’t work. I tried quitting all together, but that didn’t work.
I couldn’t quit. The reason I couldn’t quit is becasuse I wouldn’t quit. I made excuses not to quit; the weekend starts tomorrow, I’ll quit after. My birthday is coming, I’ll quit after. I’m stressed out, I’ll quit when I am not stressed.
The fact is, to a drinker, the best time to quit is tomorrow, but the reality is, the optimal time to quit now.
I played this game with myself for almost 10 more years. I finally quit when I was 40. It was very unpleasant and I had to find new ways to cope with life, but I did it, finally.
For nearly 10 years, I wouldn’t quit because deep down I didn’t want to.
So, look into yourself, how bad do you want to quit? Are you willing to give up your lifestyle, your friends, your career to get sober?
Maybe start by changing your relationship with alcohol
Change is possible, and it starts with you!
Be well!
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