I’ve struggled with alcohol most of my life. I’m 33 years old and August 1st, 2026 is my Sober date.
Currently I dont drink very much. I don’t enjoy drinking the way I did when I was younger. The issue I face today is that I feel pressured to drink with friends up at my cottage. I don’t buy alcohol, I don’t think about it and the only time I consume it is when I’m with people up north.
1 drink turns into 6. I wake up with a massive headache, hanxiety and depression.
I can’t handle a drink and I hate the way it makes me feel. I’m ready to stay sober but I need support.
Currently you don’t drink at all since you quit drinking yesterday right? Congrats on that friend! reading what you write tyou are making the right choice.
As to feeling pressure to drink: who’s pressuring you to drink? You friends up north? You’ll have to make a choice it seems to me. So called “friends” that pressure you to drink, or a sober life that is so much better for yourself. If those friends aren’t good for you, you might need another social circle.
You’ve come to the right place for support friend. Be sure you can do this. We’re in this together and realizing that - and acting upon it- is the difference between failure and success in my experience. Let’s do this! Wishing you all success.
Hi, welcome, and congrats on taking the first steps. My dad was an alcoholic so I feel I can give somewhat of an input here. I watched helpless as his addiction went from drinking heavily when he got home to him drinking all the time to the point that he could never hold down a job (he was a software engineer). He was very intelligent and could justify anything with enough twisted reason and logic, I tried to get him to admit he was an alcoholic to no effect. In the end it killed him, but not before destroying his soul first.
In my view (after watching my dad), I think you have to admit it to yourself first. After that, then talk to your friends and tell them whats going on. Maybe try non alcoholic drinks, you can still join in with your friends. If that still doesn’t work then maybe tell them that you need a break for a while until you get some control. You’re not abandoning them but you need to work on yourself for a little while, you can still call them.
I thought so. It’s fine. You’re making perfectly clear why alcohol is bad for you and why you don’t want to drink. The amount is not important. You need to be sober and you’re working on it. Keep going friend. Hope we can help.
As to drinking friends: sober it’s just no fun to hang out with drinking buddies. Found that out myself. Also hanging around booze will make you drink. Most people need to fins out that for themselves I know. A lot don’t make it out again though. Take care.
My mother was a terrible alcoholic. Intelligent but a nasty drunk. I think part of wanting to “handle” or “manage” having drinks was not wanting to be my mother. I always tell myself I’m not like her! I can have a drink like a normal adult.
Meanwhile there is nothing normal about consuming poisons
I think I wanted to prove to myself, friends etc that I could drink. But I really can’t and finally ready to admit it to myself
Welcome to the greatest place to stay sober and be with people who don’t want you to drink. Congratulations on your 1 day sober. Let’s not drink today together. Tiny advice get a glass and fill with sparkling water or another non alcoholic beverage. If the folks around have an issue with you not drinking tell them you are sick and tired of feeling terrible.
Do you have a plan? Lots of resources out there and free. A meeting like AA, dharma or SMART are available in person and in line. Keep reading here and post anytime. So many threads you can choose from.
I think I might do AA again. Maybe seek out groups in my area. No real plan which is an issue seeing as I go months, weeks without drinking but if someone offers me a drink I accept it.
I went to AA in my 20s. There’s been so many attempts and deep down I always knew alcohol controlled me not the other way around
I love my AA and owe the resource a very big thanks. I have a hone group, sponsor and follow the teachings. 887 days of sobriety and living my best life. I use to be drunk everyday except when I would want to end it all drastically which was deadly. No longer sick, no more encounters with local law enforcement or hospital folk. Life does still get me anxious and use my learned tools to cope.
I am glad you are here.
Hi @Jules4 and welcome to Talking Sober! Congratulations on starting your sober journey. Like @tailee17 said, there are lots of ways to maintain sobriety, and sober groups are a useful tool for many here. Stay close with us as you find your footing and remember, anyone who doesn’t respect your sobriety isn’t worth having in your social circle. You deserve to feel better.
This is the addict in you talking. I was the same way. Now ill own it but also i know rome wasnt built in a day.
Your past behavior mskes you feel like you dont just NEED a drink but it will also make you feel like you HAVE to drink.
Itll take a while but one day the urge to say yes will turn to a “no” and you will be able to let it go as easy as i said it. It does take a while though and many many cravings to face and force yourself “no”
Im a addict/alcoholic for all its worth
Alcohol and hard drugs were first to go. That was on may 10th 2023
Then nicotine may4th 2024
Then the backstabbing weed on September 12th 2024
I would have been saved a lot of terrible moments if i just got clean and sober may 10th 2023 off everything (to say the least)
My drug of choice was the weed
It was the last to go and i had to learn how to turn it down over and over again
Life goes on and, continuously, the lessons keep comming too
Who knows what tomorrow will bring but, i may , learn how to stay sober through it
Welcome and congratulations on the beginning of your journey. There are many types of people with drinking problems and how it manifests. For some it’s like you where they may not drink all the time, but they go full force when they do and can’t put it down. For someone like me at my worst I would think about it all the time and drink literally all day every day. Regardless we’re all the same really. We can’t moderate as you put in your thread title. People here understand you and I’d suggest being part of something in person as well. AA has a huge network of like minded people and has worked for me, but other things work for other people. Best wishes and remember it’s just staying away from the drink one day at a time
