Find hobbies that don’t involve the bar. The gym is a major way of taking it off your mind plus you’ll find like minded people who actually don’t drink. Previous to my relapse a week ago I had built up a massively strong network of non drinkers so slipping back into a non drinking social life has been a lot easier this time round.
There’s a million and one things out there that don’t include drinking. It’s just all about getting out there and finding them. There are a hell of a lot more tee total people out there than people realise. Especially in the UK where it’s seriously starting to get health conscious. You’re doing amazing buddy. Stay focused and not give in just because you want to “fit in” or “feel like you” you obviously didn’t on both counts when you were drinking.
Keep on keeping on buddy and if you’re struggling I’m on here quite a bit so throw me a message. You got this!
My name is Tommy,
I was a heavy heroin addict for 24 years. In 2015 my brother convinced me to get help. May 2nd 2015 is my sobriety date. I traveled to another country to get clean. I quit cold turkey, I stayed in bed for 21 days and had family feeding me whenever I could eat. Once I was able to get out of bed, I entered the rehab. Once I entered, a week later my brother passed away.I came back home, buried him and returned to finish what I started. I completed a 6 month treatment, became a drug counselor in the Rehab for a few more months and then returned home in Miami.
Today I am almost 2 years clean and I know my Brother would be proud of me. I have a full time job and I volunteer as a drug counselor a couple of times a month.
It has been a very difficult journey, but not about to quit.I lost it all, More than half my life was a haze.
Hi all, I’m a 20yr Canadian male. I am new to the community and love the app. I struggle with alcohol/porn/selfharm addiction. Likely spawned from my long term physical health issues and isolation. I am terrified of any kind of intimacy and am great at being emotionally distant and unavailable. If sad things are funny my life’s a joke haha! The self loathing aside I’m doing much better than last year and I hope you’re all having a marvelous day c:
Well here goes. Some of you know tid bits about me already but I thought I would put this out there. A little background… I grew up in an alcoholic family. I remember my mom and stepdad coming home from the bar or casino and my mom being absolutely trashed. They would usually fight so I remember hiding in my room a lot, calling the police on them and being afraid. Here I am at 36 finding myself doing the same things I hated so much as a child. I was in a relationship for 15 years with an alcoholic and that’s when I became one myself. He ended up doing such extensive damage to his liver that he was hospitalized for it. I told him when he came home that I would leave if he started drinking again. He was sober for all of 6 months and I stayed another three years. That was in 2009 when I got sober the first time and was sober until 2013. I left him, bought my own house and was doing great. At some point I thought "Oh I can handle drinking like a “normal person” now. I did for a while, would have a few beers on the weekends and leave it at that. Looking back I see that it gradually increased though. I met my now husband in 2014. We started out drinking like normal people (whatever that is) but fast forward to now. The drinking we have been doing for the past year has been appalling, disgusting and just embarrassing. Every weekend, all weekend long. It was nothing for me to drink three travelers of blackberry brandy and a 12 pack of beer throughout the weekend. It was drinking from sun up to sun down. Come Monday the hangovers were so bad that my vision would be terrible, my face would be beat red and puffy. It was just terrible. I had lost all interest in everything I used to love. Drinking became my main focus and only desire. I would swear I wasn’t going to drink again but then throughout the week I would gradually start to feel better and by Friday I was roaring to go again. We’d make promises like “no more drinking on Sundays” or “we are only going to drink tonight and none the rest of the weekend”. It never stuck. Soooooo… here I am 567 relapses later (not actually but there have been a lot) I am 5 days sober. I’ve done it before so I know I can. I used to be about 320 pounds. During the time I was sober I worked my ass off and lost 170 pounds just by eating healthy and working out. I got super into fitness and body building. Well since I started drinking I’ve put 30 pounds back on which just pisses me off since I worked so hard to lose it once already. Anyway… that’s my story. I find it amazing how many people out there have stories just like mine, promises made and never kept, finding any reason to use their drug of choice whether it was a bad day, celebration, just this one more time and then I’ll quit on Monday mentality. I wish everyone the best of luck on their journey and if you need to talk to whatever don’t hesitate to message me. We are all on the same path together even if we are detoured along the way. Much love!
My name is Hannah. I’m 24 years old. Yesterday was the first time I’ve ever spoke to an addictions counselor. It was recommended to me a few years back however I refused because I thought I could control my drinking and drug use. I was 13 years old the first time I had a drink and used drugs. I continued in this way for about a year until I got caught stealing pills from my brother. I stopped taking drugs however kept drinking till I was 17 when I experimented with drugs again. Stopped the drugs at 17 and a half however continued to drink. At 19 I met a guy who was dealing and I loved the amount of money I touched and used just to drive him, I started doing drugs again at this time. At the age of 20 was the first time I ever touched cocaine and I’ve done it ever since. My drinking habits continued with one period of time where I used no substances for 6 months while training at the gym. It’s been 4 years now of using alcohol and large amounts of cocaine and I’m finally admitting I have a problem. I fight with my family non stop, sometimes don’t come home for days, my best friend and I have a very hard friendship as we are both sadly on the same dark path. With all that being said I am currently clean of drugs for 2 days and alcohol for 1 day. I’m scared, worried, overwhelmed, excited, happy, and so many other emotions but for now I will take it one day at a time.
The counselor has signed me up for a group program of educate on addictions and asked I go to AA and NA. Has anyone else feel extremely anxious and Overwhelmed by the thought of meeting? And if so can you elaborate for me, how did you over come those feelings? What can I expect? How long have you gone and how often? Just to name a few questions.
Your not alone I’m a Drug addict and alcoholic I’ve used since I was around 13 year old did everything recently I got into crystal meth it took me somewhere I don’t ever want to go I was closest to hell as i ever want to be . I started cutting myself around 16 my life was a mess I did it to get relief from my pain it only helps so much then it becomes a habit just like the drug I have thousands of scars once beautiful skin shredded . I’m proud of you keep up the good work I’m here if you ever want to talk
My name is Aaron. I’m an alcoholic, mainly from self-medicating a mental illness. I just celebrated one year of no drink yesterday. I’m not able to go to physical meetings; please don’t tell me I need to I’m not saying I’ve got this licked by any means, but a year under my belt means I have some good habits. I live in a small town and I’m a very public figure. Meetings are held in the church I pastor. I can’t attend. So online really helps. I’ve used the app for the full year, and just discovered this option!!! I’m excited to get to know the community and to both derive and offer strength.
I’m working on a doctorate and I teach. I’m surrounded by drinkers. Somehow, after 15 years of trying to quit, I feel little compulsion to ever have another day one. I’m not stupid enough to think I’m stronger than the disease. I’m an alcoholic. I’ve lost the right to drink.
One year - amazing @Pastor_Aaron!
105 for me and I haven’t been to a meeting, this forum and the great people on it keep me on track.
I haven’t lost the right to drink though, I’ve earned the right to have a life, just like you!
@Pastor_Aaron welcome. This is a great enviroment for all. Not to get too heavy right away, but, do you think that you might be in a position to help those in your community who may be in need of help but feel the social stigma is too powerful to ignore? People on here, this very anonymous platform, avoid sharing some things for fear of being recognized in public. Can we remove or reduce the social stigma one community at a time, or no?
My name is Jen and I am a 31 year old drug addict. No one thinks it can happen to them, but addicts come in all forms. I am working on my Masters in Psychology because it has been my dream since I was 14 years old and I am almost done. I was the straight laced girl no one would even suspect and I used to think how can I be so smart and yet, so dumb? I try to think positive and tell myself this happened so I can later help those in need of help and I will understand both sides of the fence, but I am so scared of that label and being less than perfect, that I am struggling in my addiction totally alone trying to keep up with appearances. I can’t pretend to be ok anymore.
Well, I think you’re going to like this forum @Whitewidow0x. There are some really amazing people to help you on your new, often exasperating journey into sobriety! I’m over 100 days sober now and being able to come here’s helped me every step of the way.
It won’t be easy, nothing worthwhile ever is - however, the good news is it gets easier!
Hi Jen, and welcome to the ‘didn’t think it would happen to me’ club! I love your positivity around being able to use the experience to help others. You don’t have to be alone, there are lots of people out there, and in here, that recognise what youre going through and want to help.
Hi Jen and welcome to our lovely group. Its strange how addiction doesnt discriminate people, i work with people with addictions and mental health conditions so cognitive dissonance is a ‘wonderful’ thing.
I’m not saying I’ve got this licked by any means, but a year under my belt means I have some good habits. I live in a small town and I’m a very public figure. Meetings are held in the church I pastor. I can’t attend. So online really helps. I’ve used the app for the full year, and just discovered this option!!! I’m excited to get to know the community and to both derive and offer strength.