I’ve had a problem with drinking for the last 6 plus years. I’ve resisted finding support most of that time. I’m now living with my parents as a hermit from society to avoid people(who I have a hard time trusting) and social activities because of my problem with alcohol. I watched an interview with Steve o and was encouraged to know that he has been sober for over 7 years and genuianly seems happy. I want a family, and to maintain a creative lifestyle with media devolpment. I know that I have to make a choice and I’m almost done with day one. My Room and life is a mess. I would say I don’t know how I got here, but I do. Only a Lifetime of bad habits. The shakes and sweats and dreams and shame and guilt all sucked but I’m through most of it(at least physically). Now I need to figure out how to live life without alcohol and a happy life at that which it hasn’t been. I’m grateful for this app and the people on here. Helped to read stories as i was drying out.
Keep reading. Use the hell out of the search bar.
This is a good community, a real life one would do wonders too.
Awesome to hear from someone who’s figured out what the problem is and is moving forward to fix it. Your brain will probably be a jangly, irritable and disorganized mess for a few months. It does get better (WAY!) but only if you stay off drugs and alcohol. So day-by-day sobriety and taking it slow and easy are well-proven to help.
“Now I need to figure out how to live life without alcohol and a happy life at that which it hasn’t been.”
I’m only relating my own experience and that of many people I know: I am an atheist and initially very resistant to AA. However “doing it my way” had resulted in 30 years of failure and ever-increasing isolation. So I surrendered my will and put myself in the hands of AA for a 90-day trial period. I figured that if it was crap I would just quit. I went to a meeting every day. At the end I was 92 days sober and my life had radically changed for the better. Now after 30 months (with some turbulence along the way) I’m still sober with ease, and actively improving every part of my life that still needs work. I don’t desire alcohol at all. I love my life.
That commitment to follow AA principles and advice has been the single best decision I ever made (according to my wife, kids, and dog).
"Now I need to figure out how to live life without alcohol and a happy life at that which it hasn’t been. "
This thought right there is the one that still gives me dizziness and anxiety. If I start to think to all the situations in my life that I will have to NOT drink, I get scared and not so sure of my sobriety.
However, I quit because I want to be well. And I want to be well right now, today. So I’m focusing all my energy on my well being Day by day.
I’m “only” at 70 days today, but I would like to say something like a guidance : remember that every time you choose to not drink over any occasion, it’s a win for yourself. Every time you choose a different behaviour than drinking, you’re building a new pattern of action that will lead you where you want to be (and not where the booze wants you to be - AKA depressive, anxious, sometime nearly dead, etc.)
So like @JustAguy said, your brain will be acting weird. But by choosing and action differently, you cognitive pattern will eventually change and it’s gonna get easier and easier to choose not to drink.
So my better tip to start your journey will be to reflect on the reasons why you don’t want to drink, and when you find them, remember them when you’re in front of a choice that could lead to drink, and choose wisely. “Laser-focus” they say.
And then just don’t drink today. Who knows life in advance anyways ?
Keep going and thanks for sharing