Tomorrow will be day one of sobriety of what I hope to be the rest of my life.
I don’t drink everyday, I do however binge not realising that good vibe has gone into excessive drinking and I know I binge when I’m stressed.
I thought alcohol relaxed me but I actually now know I use it to ease anxiety thats got worse.
I’ve had a recent family breakdown and the anxiety has spiked.
Went out and drank and danced the night away and argued badly with my partner like we always do when one or both have drank too much.
We’ve promised each other to go sober for the rest of our lives. I dont want to drink anymore i dont need it.
I need healthier coping mechanisms for lifes stresses and I need to rebuild and improve this relationship with my bf.
I hope any of you guys on here can relate and offer tips or guidance. Just reading your stories will help me.
So heres to 15/4/24 my sobriety date
Welcome @Nicmartay!
There are many paths to recovery and you’ll find what others have chosen after spending some time reading and engaging. For me, I chose AA. That program has taught me a new way of life. I no longer think about picking up a drink when life gets lifey.
Staying focused and sober is a commitment to clarity and productivity. By maintaining sobriety, one can harness their full mental faculties, avoiding distractions and making sound decisions. With a clear mind, staying focused becomes more attainable, allowing for efficient task completion and goal achievement. It’s about prioritizing long-term well-being over short-term gratification, fostering discipline, and maximizing potential. Through dedication to staying focused and sober, individuals can unlock their true potential and lead fulfilling lives.
First and foremost, congrats on recognizing the problem. As a newly sober person years ago I made the mistake of comparing myself and my story to others. If anything you read on here sticks I hope it’s this, your sobriety is yours and no one else’s. By thinking that I hadn’t gotten to the depths of addiction in the way others had, I convinced myself I didn’t have an issue and started drinking again. That was in 2002. Ten years later I finally accepted i had a problem and got sober. Sober for 12 years thanks to the willingness to accept I had a problem and needed help. We all are here for each other and remember One Day At A Time (ODAAT).
Welcome Nick. I look forward to hearing from you on the forum tomorrow!
Here’s a thought for you…
How many times in your life have you regretted NOT drinking to excess?
A warning for you - willpower is hard to maintain. I’ve discovered this the hard way having tried every way you can think to control my drinking for 15 years. I too was a “fun time” binge drinker but one day woke up and realised I no longer enjoyed anything unless a drink was involved. I’d poisoned my mind. What a shitty way to live.
Best tip I can give you is to read “This Naked Mind” by Annie Grace. It changed my subconscious beliefs about alcohol forever and I feel like this time my sobriety will stick. Why? Because I don’t have to work so hard at it… I am at peace.
Hi james
I love the suggestion of the book ive put it into my amazon basket.
I’m well today, like i said i dont drink everyday. First test will be the next time someone socially wants a drink and i can sit there with a soft drink or non alcoholic version.
So i’m on day 3 of being sober from binging alcohol.
It’s fine for me as I haven’t been around anyone.
I’ve been off work with a raging flu so noone to socialise with and haven’t seen the regulars so noone to ask me “you having a drink after work”
Was meant to have spoken to my bf about all the things that arent working in the relationship but i’ve been far too poorly. Feeling rather shitty about that
Day 4 of no drinking
Havent been asked by anyone to have a drink yet so thats been good.
Theres a guy at my work who also isnt drinking so thats comforting to know we have someone else to talk to about it
Raging flu is getting me down, but i also just feel super low all the time recently.
Havent had chance to talk things through with my bf as been poorly and now back at work on opposite shifts
Been having a lot of anxiety nightmares and feeling moderately anxious during the day when i’m not doing anything. Think i need to distract myself with more things like tv or video games
You seem to be hingeing your sobriety on wether or not somrone asks you to drink or drink socially…you know you have control over that right? You can say no to the offers for a while…you are in control of your own sobriety.
