Hi, I’m new here and really hopeful starting this journey.
I’ve never tried to stop drinking before, but I’ve started to realize that I may have a problem. Don’t consider myself an alcoholic, but definitely a binge drinker. Once I have started drinking on any given day, I don’t stop. I have been extremely reckless and am concerned for my and others safety. I have decided that this is probably the time I take control and just stop all together. 46 is approaching. I want to start doing things differently. Any insight is greatly appreciated.
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U CAN do this! Seriously u really can, and sobriety is truly a beautiful thing. Yes at the beginning it can be rough but also bc ur emotions and everything in ur brain is trying get itself back to normal u kno but I promise if u just don’t drink or use good things will come ur way.. even if it doesn’t feel that way at first or for awhile, things will come together..
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Welcome…. You’re in the right place !!!!
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Hey Shawna. Don’t have all the answers but in a similar situation. Realizing your own issue and making an effort to correct it means a lot. Hopefully you find the will/ support to make the adjustments in your life that you envision
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Hello you’re already on to the races! Find a support group you feel comfortable with and best of luck to you on your new journey.
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Hi Shawna - good on you for realizing this now. I can speak from experience, my life wasn't getting any better as I got older and kept on drinking like a sailor 1, 2, maybe 3 times a week. No offense to sailors. You can do this. You're life will change so much for the better. Good luck to you.
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This is a wonderful community. I too am starting over and I will tell you this, there is a lot of support on this app.
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A big welcome to you. I can tell you from many, many years of experience that a life of sobriety is far better than even one drink. By the way, what is your definition of an alcoholic?
In Alcoholics Anonymous we have a program that was designed by alcoholics for alcoholics.
The program is comprised of 12 different steps that one should take. The first step states We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives have become unmanageable.
If you are not powerless over alcohol then you should be able to stop after 1 drink. If you can't seem to stop then I would say that's a pretty good indication that you have the trademarks of an alcoholic.
But that is something only you can decide.
If you are willing to take some honest advice, this app is great for moral support but it is definitely not a solution. I would recommend going to 90 AA meetings in 90 days.
This will help you determine whether or not you are an alcoholic.
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Welcome Shawna. And don’t let labels, e.g., alcoholic, substance abuser, addict, etc., get in your way of doing what is right for you. If YOU—not your folks, or friends or colleagues—but if YOU want to stop, then that is the right thing to do. Of course there are literally thousands of reasons to stop, including the health benefits, the upside to achieving educational and employment goals, and your ability to be the best parent, spouse, sibling, son/daughter, friend, etc., that you can be, to name a few. A good place to start your journey in recovery is to check out some of the free programs/organizations available both in-person and online. Speaking just for myself, I have found both SMART (Self Management And Recovery Training) and Alcoholics Anonymous—which take two different approaches—quite helpful. And again, speaking just from my own experience, doing both programs together was more helpful to me than just one or the other. Most importantly for me, I tried to “go it alone” in obtaining and maintaining my sobriety and I had many limited periods of success followed by as many periods of returning to drinking. Nothing seemed to stick until I stopped trying to go it alone. I’ve also found recovery podcasts, recovery literature, recovery apps, and online recovery communities (like Loosid) very helpful as well. So for what it is worth, don’t go it alone. You don’t have to and more importantly your odds of eventually succeeding are far better when people who have achieved recovery travel with you on your journey. It is more fun too, and having a more enjoyable, less stressful, joy-filled life, well that is just another one of those thousand reasons. P.S. Don’t be discouraged if, at times, your journey is 2 steps forward and 5 back. “Smooth seas don’t make good sailors.” — author unknown.
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Welcome!
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Congrats! Get a big book. Get a sponsor. Work the steps. Get a commitment.
This is a simple program for complicated people.
Personally 90/90 helped the most for me. I still regularly attend 4-5 mtgs a week.
Reach out for help!
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Thank you Amanda!
I’m definitely nervous, but again hopeful:)
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Hi Kim!!
Thank you!
I truly want to try!
Thank you:)
Thanks Joe!
Thank you Reed
I truly appreciate your words of encouragement:)
Best wishes to you Andre!
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Thank you for sharing such great info and insight. I am probably not ready to admit that, but do realize this has become a problem for me.
Thank you so much! You shared a o much helpful information here.
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