Day 1 … Again. It would be a personal achievement if I can make it through this whole week without alcohol. I feel like I don’t have a whole lot of support, but I will try to make the best out of it.
What support are you missing bud?
We are here, the AA rooms are there.
Family and friends may not fully understand what it is you are going through.
All you can do there is keep doing the right thing and show them what is important to you.
Maybe I should start getting involved in online AA meetings. I also need to come up with ideas on how to live without alcohol in my life, because I don’t think I know how. I’ve been drinking for 24 years and the longest I ever went without it was 6 months. I always say I want to try to beat that record, but unfortunately I can’t seem to go past five days
As I said mate, loads of suggestions on here.
I can’t link, don’t know how but search up Tips for newcomers on here.
Basically you have to do anything and everything you can to stop.
You need structure, discipline and the mindset.
I was drinking for 35 years and the last 10 daily the last 5 at least all day.
I’m now nearly two years sober.
It takes hard work and dedication.
It’s a learning curve as big as anything you may have ever done.
Yes, it’s life changing.
But well well worth it.
If we don’t drink like normal drinkers, we’re not going to be able to quit like normal drinkers. Make a plan that will fit you and your lifestyle hugs
Hi, welcome to this wonderful forum! You have been given some pretty solid advice already but I just wanted to tell you something that helps me with my sobriety and I know helps others too. In the early days I wrote a letter to myself being deeply honest with myself about how rough I felt and how much I was drinking and all of the very low thoughts I was having. It was a very raw and honest letter that I have only read once when I was really struggling and it stopped any cravings or desire to go back instantly! As time goes on our addict brain tells us that we didn’t have a problem and that it’s ok to drink, so keeping this reminder is a very solid way of shutting up that voice. I tried many times over the last few years to moderate/stop drinking booze and after time passed (1week, 10 days etc) I always went back because of the voice. I’m at 412 days today, it can be done, one minute one hour one step at a time. We are here to help you, use us! So so much knowledge, information and support here. You are safe, welcome to the TS tribe!
You came to the right place. With probably around 200-300 active members there’s always people who are here for you
Thank you everybody. I’m really having a tough time right now, especially since it’s football sunday. I’m finding myself keeping up with the score but not even wanting to watch the game
Remember that nothing changes if nothing changes…if football Sunday is hard then do something different. It isn’t forever, just for now. Stay away from the people and situations that are too tempting.
YOU CAN DO IT!!
Well, here goes day 2. I work the crazy overnight schedule, and I have a bad habit of stopping to grab beer after work. I get out of work at 7:30 a.m., but the beer stores in my area start serving at 7:00 a.m. except on Sundays (they start at 9:00 a.m.), so I had no other choice but to go straight home yesterday morning. But today is a new day and I’m facing a new challenge.
Mate, I hear you.
I drive past the same garage every day and would stop to get beer on the way to work and on the way back.
No point in changing routes for me because I know every petrol station that sells beer, basically all of them.
I changed my time of starting work so I could get there when the started selling at 08.00.
This is the toughest thing, stopping oneself from doing something that has become second nature.
Habits can be changed, I think it’s about 20 odd days can change a habit.
Just keep saying no to yourself.
I’m now nearly two years sober so it can be done.
Instead of going to the beer store, I came straight home from work and went to sleep lol. I don’t even know the last time I did that
you have support here! consider finding a sponsor this week.
Here’s an article on breaking habits.
https://www.duffysrehab.com/about/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-break-the-habit-of-addiction/#:~:text=It%20takes%2021%20days%20to%20break%20an%20addiction&text=According%20to%20psychologists%2C%20while%20it,to%20break%20an%20existing%20habit.
Well done, I’m glad you went straight home. Stay strong, you can do this. Change whatever you have to change in order to stay sober. Eventually it will become second nature to head straight home. It does get easier I promise
Thank you everyone. I’m going through a tough time again right now because I’m off tonight and tomorrow night.
It is hard, facing those urges and beating it. You want this though, or you wouldn’t be here.
Get mad at it! It’s a bad friend.
I’m trying so hard.