You’re right… why aren’t you enjoying this part of life??? Why do you need alcohol to enjoy it???
Perception of alcohol will most likely make or break you. If you’re feeling like it’s the forbidden fruit and you’re being punished by not having any, it’s gonna be a rough go. A few books changed my perception forever and helped save my life.
Personally, I’ve seen exactly zero people ever be able to drink in moderation after having abuse problems. It’ll hijack your brain and have even more power over you than it currently has. I could drink and probably hold my own for a little bit with self control, but the voices would be screaming loud and very strong immediately and I would lose.
This is something that doesn’t bother me at all, because I never ever set out to just have one drink in a social situation. The last time I relapsed before rehab, I said okay one last time let’s try moderation. I bought a 12 pack to watch baseball, and said I’ll only drink this, then maybe next week I’ll get another one. The game wasn’t even over and I was driving for another 12 pack. Then right back to drinking constantly, never missed a beat. Rehab taught me any type of moderation is impossible for me
I always welcome the straight forward blunt approach. Exactly right. I can whine and cry all day but the truth of the matter is that I cannot, because I choose not.
And 99% of the time I don’t miss it either…but it’ll get easier and better with time…
No moderation for me…it’s all or none. But there are those times where the flesh likes to mess with me. But this is why I love this forum…almost instantly a barrage of support and encouragement to talk me down
Well said and thank you for the refresher! Absolutely agree and I wouldn’t have it any other way. As someone who touts about life being short this will always hit home. Thank you for the reminder
I firmly believe one can’t ‘cure’ from alcohol addiction. Once addicted is always addicted.
Like everybody else here I too tried to moderate. For years my alcoholic mind told me I wasn’t a ‘real’ alcoholic. But I tried every trick in the book to control my drinking and failed again and again.
I finally understand that moderation is a hoax.
Sometimes I do catch myself thinking how nice it would be to have a fancy glass or wine, but then I think: why the hell would I want to have one or two? That’s no fun… I would get right back to my old behaviour, one drop will open Pandora’s box. It was a hard pill to swallow to really accept that I am powerless over alcohol…
Anyways, thanks for venting, glad you’re doing well
Thank you for this. A stark reminder as to why I do not wish or want to partake anymore. And so grateful for every moment sober, clean and in the present. I had Christmas with my 2 daughters, SIL and grandson yesterday. It’s been years not only to be present with them since now I live here…but to be clean and sober; that’s the blessing and complete reward of the result of my choices. And it’s worth every second of it
This is an unfortunate truth. And to take it further, the explanation goes even deeper when it has to do with family. Almost walking on egg shells. For the most part they want the best for you…but to explain how your staying sober, what triggers are you facing, how are you coping…its gets exhausting…but like I mentioned, at the end of the day they do want the best, (you would hope), and because they will never understand your journey, they’re just trying to be your support…
without knowing much of anything about your situation i just want to say that you don’t really owe anyone an arduous explanation. you can keep it as simple as you’d like. if anyone asks me i just say “i don’t like to drink, i’m allergic”. it’s true, and anything else about the trail of tears behind me or how i’m dealing with recovery is really none of their business. if people prod, maintain your boundary. this is about protecting your energy, which is a huge reason why we get sober in the first place. self-protection, self-preservation. just something to keep in mind perhaps, if it’s helpful
