Hi all, I’ve decided for the sake of my marriage and to be a better Dad/person to ditch the alcohol for good. I am struggling even to write this post to be perfectly honest, I doubt myself and dont fully believe that I can do it. I always end up convincing myself that I will be different the next time time I drink again. I can go months and months having casual drinks with friends, my wife etc without a hiccup or bad word. Even within these “good” months, more often than not I won’t remember the night before and worry that I may have said or done something that was out of order…
I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that me and alcohol don’t agree, I’m a different person after a drink and I can feel it as it’s happening, I feel good for the first few drinks yet 1 minute I feel in control the next I’m waking up the next day after acting like an arse hole for no reason at all towards people I love with hardly any recollection of it! I honestly worry that I could actually end up in prison or divorced through my actions. Not sure if this is the place for me as I said I’m not an alcoholic or drink everyday, sometimes not even every week but everytime I do drink I pretty much blackout parts of the night.(which I don’t want to do any longer) I can accept I have a major issue with alcohol and it doesn’t agree with me. Just need advice on how to stay away from it please
(Sorry for the long winded post)
I feel this. 1 second you’re good, next second you have to deal with aftermath of shit you caused that would not have happened if you hadn’t drank. A tip i can offer is to enjoy cold fizzy beverages in cans like sparkling water! This is currently the longest in a while i haven’t gone without a drink, and this tip is helping me. I’m glad you’re here.
There is an “old timer” in one of my meetings who always relates being told, “When you can no longer drink in safety, it’s time to stop.” That’s exactly what you’re describing, never being quite sure how it will end up.
This is Talking Sober, not “For Alcoholics Only.” You’re in exactly the right place. Welcome to the forum!
You have a desire to stop drinking. Therfore, you are in the right place. You will find support and encouragement and distraction here
Good on you for taking the first step!! And welcome to this place where you can get the support you need and want…
Well do you want your abuse of alcohol to define who you are and your legacy? People who attempt sobriety do not want to be remembered as a drunk…
If the answer is no the solution is pretty obvious…
Couldn’t have said this better myself! I didn’t drink everyday either but I realized the effect it was having and that I couldn’t have a healthy relationship with it. I’m grateful there are people who can drink responsibly and enjoy themselves, I’m happy for those people not angry or judgmental and I’m grateful and happy I recognize I can’t be one of those people!
I wondered if I belonged here, but everyone who is concerned and wants to be free from any substance or behavior belongs here and is welcome! Sounds like it will be so good for you to be sober as it is for Al of us 
Lots of people don’t drink everyday, they just ruin birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, holidays, vacations, ….the days they drink
That is an interesting point. I had a few phases where I was not drinking as much on a regular basis, but when I did on weekends or whatever…Bad news.
Totally why I stopped and needed to get it out of my life. The best thing I ever read was it’s almost like we are allergic to it. It treats us differently. I would start out early in my week with just a couple or with friends. But there were times when I thought I was functioning and did not remember the next day what I made my family for dinner. I think for me it was saying to myself it’s ok to not be ok.
Thanks for sharing and this place is amazing. Lots of support and I find strength here every day. Hope you stay your worth it.
It’s not whether we or not we decide to label ourselves alcoholics that unites us, it’s that we all desire to stay away from alcohol. You’re in the right place with us. My tips for newly sober people is to stay connected to sober communities and friends- even if that just means engaging on here often. Also, find and explore hobbies or activities to fill the times you’d normally be drinking. Lastly, have a plan during events you’d normally drink- know what you’re going to be drinking instead of alcohol and have an exit strategy if it feels like too much. Welcome, and glad to have you here.
Thanks for the advice from each of you! Some valuable tips there. I think I stated the alcoholic thing because I didn’t know whether I warranted actually being here or not, felt almost fraudulent. Tha ks for the welcome guys, as I said there are some really valuable tips for me to take in! Very much appreciated and now i know I have definitely done the right thing 
Day 9 for me just for reference
Alcoholism is a progressive disease. Everyone starts off managing their drinking, to an extent. Alcoholism will progress and it will get worse. If this is you, where do you want to draw that line in the progression? For some, it’s when they feel that change in character. For some, it’s a DUI. For some it’s after losing everything. This is a question only you can answer. If the answer is that you want to stop now, I would recommend to start getting some literature and read everything on alcohol addiction. That will help you with insight and a place to start. Sending you strength and wisdom 
Welcome here! Glad to have you! You sound scared enough to be willing to make changes! That’s great! 
Let’s work on giving you some motivation besides that so when the fear fades, you’ll stick with it. If you 
up top anniversary or milestones you’ll find many threads of ppl whose lives have changed for the better drastically when they quit. That always inspires me.
Here are some resources that have helped others educate themselves and stay sober: Resources for our recovery
And this is just invaluably good advice: Your #1 tip for sobriety (over 2 years sober)
Best of luck and stick around! I recommend using the check in thread for community and accountability! Checking in daily to maintain focus #51
This strikes home with me. I was very fucked up on Sunday. Roaming around on my own vandelising property, getting drugs, talking to women, wasting money that I didn’t have.
All started with one drink. Then 6. Then 16…
For me, one drink is too little, yet too much.
@RobZombie I’ve been there also mate. A couple of drinks tends to lead to spending money I don’t have on drugs also. Not proud of that but we’re here and we’ve made the first step as other have also said. Thanks for the reply mate, it helps for me knowing that you’re not the only one as it sometimes feels like that! Thanks for the reply! Sending strength to you also
I need to do something before I lose work, family and go to jail. I nearly lost my arm in 2020 drink driving. You would think I may have learned a thing or two, but no.
I drink for many reasons. A lot of things trigger my binge drinking. Fighting with spouse, over working money troubles, depression, lonliness, boredom, desire to express myself physically.
I’m trying to find as many reasons not to drink.
I’ll try to check in, but I ignore the app when I feel like I’m failing.
Take care mate.
Challenge your thinking. Try this on for size:
There are no other reasons that you drink other than that drinking is the response you choose to meet life events and feelings. Aka that you’re an alcoholic.
A lot of things trigger your wish to drink. Nothing other than your habitual decision to give in to this wish actually triggers the response. Nothing makes you drink. You drink. That means by extension that you can change this habitual response.
How hard it is to change is dependent on how much you’re willing to put in to that change (if you put nothing in other than the wish, there will be zero change) and how engrained your habit is.
What is true is that If you change nothing, nothing will change for you.
I posted resources up above. Start today.
Thanks for that. Struggling ATM with my own thoughts. Nice to have some refreshing inspiration.