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    back again - 6 years on this forum

    hi all - I have been AF for 8 days now, I was looking back at old posts - I have been battling with this for 6 years. I have had periods of being AF - at most for 3 months - but I have always gone back to trying to moderate.

    Thing is I can moderate in a fashion - for a month or so - and it's sooo hard while I do moderate successfully that it causes more stress then the 2-3 drinks relieve. Inevitably I end up back where I started - overweight,smoking again and drinking 6+ drinks in an evening - always wanting more.true moderate drinkers don't struggle like me.

    I drink mostly to soothe social anxiety, low self esteem when out socialising - as Homer Simpson says 'beer - there's a temporary solution'. It has meant I have never totally got a handle on this developed real confidence.

    I just turned 40 recently and I don't want to live this way anymore.I have had depression and anxiety since I was 16 and have drank my way through it - never with really awful consequences no DUI,lost jobs, major accidents. But bad enough. I know it will only get worse.

    I have had depression,weight gain, wasted money, lost weekends,minor accidents, hassle at work due to lateness (11 years ago - not recently). My own drinking worsened 11 years ago as a result of my housemate dying by falling down my stairs drunk and breaking her neck. I drink to feel free of my worrying,to feel more loose and relaxed - and it works - temporarily - then it makes it ten times worse the next day.

    Deep down I want to be alcohol free - with the increased energy,health,enthusiasm, motivation and sense of freedom that entails.I struggle with the idea of never again - so I am going to focus on just today and not having the first drink and how much better my life is/will be without alcohol. Good to be back.
    one day at a time

    #2
    back again - 6 years on this forum

    Welcome back bear

    Happy belated birthday! Turning 40 is big & also a great time to focus on yourself & your chosen path.
    Using AL to relieve anxiety is a common theme but we all know where that leads us. I did the same thing for many years, even hurt myself a bit in the process. These days I use meditation in place of AL - works great!!!!

    Congrats on your 8 AF days, you are starting on a path of health & happiness & I wish you the best!
    Come back to the Daily thread & post your progress

    Wishing you the best!
    Lav
    AF since 03/26/09
    NF since 05/19/09
    Success comes one day at a time :thumbs:

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      #3
      back again - 6 years on this forum

      Hello

      How awful about your housemate.. That must have been terrible for you :-(

      I agree that the idea of definitely never drinking again is daunting. Maybe commit to 30 days and go from there?

      All the best x
      AF since Halloween 2016

      Trying to kill my Wine Witch! :smileyb:

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        #4
        back again - 6 years on this forum

        Bear,

        I know that I have struggled with this for too long. I count it as 10 years of knowing I should quit. I too have quit several times and did have times of what I would call moderation. I was never really content with moderation, so went back to my old ways.

        I also have lost several friends due to drinking. Those times were screaming at me to get sober.....and all I wanted to do was drown it out.

        Never ever....is a really long time. I play a little game with myself when I want to drink. As silly as it sounds.....I will tell myself tomorrow or Friday....I can drink. By then I usually sensed up and don't have the drink. And I know I am playing a game to quiet the monkey down.

        But, I will never drink on impulse anymore. I have seen people with years of sobriety drink again. But, if you are truly waiting for the next drink.....it will be a really hard time. It was not until.....I woke up and said..."if I never drink again....I am ok with that". BTW....that was how I got rid of really bad boyfriend after 5 years of being with him. I look at booze the same way.....I have just been with "him" for 20 years.

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          #5
          back again - 6 years on this forum

          So good that you are back, knowing that you will get support here. This is a journey and I know I have tried the moderation route too many times to count. The benefits of being AF do outweigh the overweight, feeling sick, making a fool, money wasted, relationships messed up, etc.

          Never giving up is key, and you are back. Eight days is a great beginning, so proud of you. Lav mentioned meditation, give it a try, it is so helpful. I focus on how great it feels to sleep well, wake up with no regrets, and healthy living. It is the evenings that are tempting and finding another way to spend you weekends...

          Hope to hear from you regularly.
          Formerly known as redhibiscus

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            #6
            back again - 6 years on this forum

            Congratulations on your 8 days of sobriety. You are so smart to come back here. The helpful and supportive vibe of this site is palpable. Without the advice and encouragement of the wonderful people on this MWO I would not be where I am today which is four weeks sober. Keep posting and never stay away again until you feel like you've reached your goal. I look forward to getting to know you better.
            Tipplerette

            I do this for my children, my grandchildren, my health, my peace of mind, and mostly for the opportunity to learn to live with my true, unfiltered, clear-headed, vulnerable self.

            "If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."
            ? Lao-Tzu

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              #7
              back again - 6 years on this forum

              Welcome back Bear! :l Great to see you. Congrats on 8 AF days. I hear ya on one day at a time. I used to think that saying was complete and total nonsense. It's a concept it's taken me several years to fully appreciate. (and I'm still not sure I FULLY appreciate it LOL!)

              Are you still doing roller derby?

              DG
              Sobriety Date = 5/22/08
              Nicotine Free Date = 2/27/07


              One day at a time.

              Comment


                #8
                back again - 6 years on this forum

                hey there - yep still doing derby and playing in A and B Team now
                it's lovely to 'see' you all again - sending big virtual hugs xxxx
                one day at a time

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                  #9
                  back again - 6 years on this forum

                  welcome back!
                  10-06-2012

                  Comment


                    #10
                    back again - 6 years on this forum

                    Bear: When I finally realized & admitted that I'm an alcoholic, I knew I couldn't moderate. I've relapsed over & over w/that wish to drink like a normal person. It's just not possible for me. I try not to think about forever wo/a drink. I look at one day at a time & that works for me. I'm so much happier sober that drinking doesn't hold much appeal anymore. Good luck to you. You might want to try looking in on the AA thread. Even if AA isn't for you, there is plenty of wisdom there. Mary
                    Wisdom, Courage, Strength
                    October 3, 2012

                    Comment


                      #11
                      back again - 6 years on this forum

                      Welcome back Bear....make this the last time. xx
                      AF since 9 May 2012
                      Quit trying to control something that is uncontrollable (Bear February 08)

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