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5 weeks ago today I had my last drink and decided on the Sunday to quit alcohol, if not for good, for an indefinite period, one day at a time.
I've always loved drinking and the culture around alcohol, but I have an impulsive, addictive nature and have always found it easy to start drinking and hard to stop.
I'm a fun drink, not nasty and it's been interesting to me that most people didn't realise that I was drinking enough to worry myself.
But, I had tried moderating over the past few years, since I became a dad. Notably I tried to not drink on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. It didn't really work. I would only manage it for about one week in three, and would always be super messy on Wednesdays etc.
So far, I am really pleased with stopping. I feel so much happier, my relationships are so much better Nd I am getting an unbelievable amount of stuff done.
The downside is the insomnia, which is passing, the cravings which are manageable so far and missing alcoholic beverages. The latter ia the hardest. I love beer, whiskey, cocktails, port, and more. They were a big part of my life and now they are verbotten to me. It's like being forced to stop riding bikes.
But, I'm glad I'm doing it and I hope I can keep it up.
The best thing that I did five weeks ago was book a GP appointment to get support. It was really helpful.
I'm not going to support meetings, but am open to them if things get rocky.
Also, being totally open with family and friends and talking about it loads has been great.
Whatever you decide to do, good luck and talk to people. I, and plenty others on here I'm sure, would be happy to chat.
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I have been over 6.5 years without drinking. I actually found just going without drink and drugs harder than life with. Substances were a medication for me but had pretty awful consequences and side effects for me and the people around me. I needed some support to help develop tools that address the more underlying issues. These include focusing on gratitude, helping other people where I can, meditation, reviewing my days to see what went well and what could be done differently.
I was also at some of the GSIAD and at the birthday party. These days getting fucked up no longer appeals, but I don't feel envious of others doing it. I am fully aware most people have a healthy relationship with drink/drugs and that I do not.
Have sent you a PM.
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mashton
dancing james
@M_V
Not entirely sure this is the right place but current state probably helping current confession and in the absence of anywhere better to post this...
I confess that I haven't the healthiest relationship with alcohol.
I've just arrived home,
having had a few pints after an alleycathaving over indulged, there's no excuse.I'm sure others I was out with will be in worse states than me but I'm not happy with my state and that's what matters I suppose.
I've tried tee-totalism in the past and not lasted much past the 9 month mark.
My biggest problem is probably that I fucking love beer!
Nowadays I manage to not get so fucked up that I can't get myself home but tonight, getting myself home was a +/- 10 mile ride in traffic whilst pretty out of it, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to see that I'm on the wrong end of the odds...
In my head I don't need to be completely dry but I wonder if there's any forumengers found themselves in similar positions and have some sage advice to impart to me?