Hello everyone.
During the end of 2023, I planned to not have alcohol throughout 2024.
In the beginning of December 2023, I wanted to get a head start and slowly back away from alcohol.
I would drink everyday and pretty much had alcohol on my mind all the time.
Although it’s only been 12 days through 2024, I realized that I do not think about alcohol anymore.
I have no desire to drink anymore since I also started a goal to lose 40 pounds. (190 to 150, currently 185).
But that head start definitely helped a lot, or else I probably would be struggling right now.
I received a lot of comments in previous posts that a 1 year goal is too much pressure, which I understand. It’s just something that I want to accomplish to the point where I no longer want alcohol at all afterwards.
I am 25 years old and have a 4 year old son that I love so much. I’m changing for him and I.
Any support and motivation to keep going is much appreciated
Thank you for reading.
Welcome and congratulations on 12 days! I’m on day 6 again after so many resets and starts again. What helps me not to drink is to think of 24 hours. I will stay sober the next 24 hours. And I repeat this every day.
Well done on 12 days , for me i will always have a addiction to Alcohol but i can stay sober if i dont drink , i dont crave booze its been removed i can be around it and not give it a second thought , but i know if i take that first drink ill be back to square one wish you well
Im in the same boat I just turned 59 and have drank all my life. Ive determined its time to quit, on day 9. I have a four, one and 3 month old grand children and I’ve determined they’re more important than me drinking. I know my son and daughter appreciate it. Keep it up man
For me, I don’t crave alcohol on a primary basis (I’m almost 6 years sober) but those days DO still come from time to time. I have to be cautious as I am an alcohlic and come from a family of alcoholics. If I don’t learn how to live life in a different way and build up my defenses against that first drink when that craving comes, I know I’ll be right back off to the races. And this addiction will kill me like it did my dad and my aunt.
I will always have an addiction to alcohol, so I need to abstain from it and do whatever it takes to just end each day sober. My condition has a daily reprieve as long as I truly work my recovery program. I didn’t intend of quitting forever when I stopped drinking but in my sobriety I now know I can’t drink safely ever again. Nor do I EVER want that old life back now.
Wishing you all the best for your sober journey! It is good to have goals, just remember, today is the only day that really counts.
12 days his great, John. Glad you don’t crave the drink anymore. Stay vigilant and remember your purpose and motivation. If you are looking for more tools, use the search bar and read around. Lots of good stories and insights .
It warms my heart seeing young people giving up on alcohol!
Personally, the early months I find relatively easy, but I relapsed twice after being sober for half a year. Looking back, I didn’t do enough for my sobriety and tbh took it for granted. I changed my strategy this time, mostly by reading and writing here everyday, no exceptions.
Keep working on it! I do feel like wanting to abstain from alcohol is the biggest step. So I’m really happy for you and your son that you made that decision!
Be prepared that you may get cravings, even after months or years of sobriety. If you ever find yourself in a difficult situation or in doubt, come here. There’s always somebody online to talk to.
I also have some motivational videos in my favorites on YT that I can listen to when I’ll have a hard time (I know they will pop up every now and then).
Hope to see you around John!
Congratulations on 12 Days !!! Things that help me stay sober (Just over 3 years)
Create a Gratitude list I write down at 5 things that I am grateful for first thing when I wake up.
I keep a small note book on me through-out the day and write down my thoughts, good bad and everything in-between. This was very helpful in the beginning when I would be triggered I would write down what had just happened before a craving so that I could recognize it the next time .
Stay in touch with a sober community, talk, listen and explore.
I did and still do a lot of walking and listen to a lot of quit lit podcast and books.
some of my personal favs are:
The Sober Edge, This Naked Mind, The Hello Someday Podcast, Sober Powered, Addiction Unlimited , She Recovers, To 50 and Beyond.
Books:
The Abstinence Myth By Adi Jfe PhD
The 6 Habits of Growth By Brendon Burchard
Atomic Habits By James Clear
We are the Luckiest By Laura McKowen
This Naked Mind By Annie Grace
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober By Catherine Gray
How’s the journey going? I recommend doing something sobriety related everyday and in this case Journaling. The reason I recommend Journaling is so that you can come back and read how great life is AF. A 1 year goal is great but if you pick up after it you’ll almost certainly be right back to where you were.
I’m very focused and committed on losing weight. My diet is spot on to the point where I don’t want alcohol at all. I lost 10 pounds so far and I’m very happy that I was able to cut out alcohol from my life.
No more hangovers. Beautiful mornings at the park with my son!
I do feel like wanting to abstain from alcohol is the biggest step. So I’m really happy for you and your son that you made that decision!
