I’ve been sober 15 months now from alcohol… I went through a lot of therapy and I understand why I drank in excess and I let go of that anger I used to have and have a much better understanding of myself. Now I wonder if I could drink occasionally (parties, events, dates) and keep it under control. Has anybody else done this and had success keeping it in check?
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No, I tried that to the brink of death. If your alcoholic, it will be worse every time you pick back up. Just the fact that you had to get sober, important enough to do therapy and at 15 months of sobriety asking yourself this would bring up a lot of questions for me. Sounds like relapse self talk to me. I’d suggest getting back to whatever was keeping you sober
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It’s a trap my man. The demon is trying all the tricks to get you to pick up again. Don’t believe it. Could you have a drink and not go all out… possibly. The question is do you want to risk it? For what? If you have the anger under control do you think alcohol will do any good keeping it in check? It’s not the 2nd 3rd or even 10th drink that does you in, it is always the 1st.
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Sounds like a lot of work you’d be throwing away just to “see if you can be a normal drinker”. From what I understand it snowballs, maybe not over night but eventually your right back where you left off. Then, who knows how long it will take for you to get back to where you are today.
I’d say fight the urge.
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Here's the thing for me. I thought I could control drinking , but I HATE controlled drinking. I drank to get messed up and feel good not to be social or just have 2 drinks. I ALWAYS just go back to drinking in excess. Be mindful and be thankful for your sobriety.
You just have to remind yourself that you are better off now. When I drank I just wished I could be sober. If you're bored like what happens to me maybe go out and try something new? Pick up an old hobby, or a new one! Keep life exciting without alcohol.
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Thanks guys I appreciate the input. What you’re all saying makes a lot of sense.
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I’d say if you’re doing well without it, why throw it in the mix? That’s what my dad told me when I would have brief bouts of sobriety & go back to drinking. Our world has such a huge emphasis on alcohol, so it’s not easy navigating without it. But I say keep it up! 15 months is amazing!
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15 months is awesome ! Congrats! I don’t have a ship ton of experience in this area as I haven’t been here super long, just sending good vibes your way. Whatever you choose, I hope it brings you whatever you need.
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You may be one in a billion, but I’ve never met or heard tell of any alcoholic who could control his or her drinking.
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Oh I tried that. Over and over and over again. And yes I was “successful “ sometimes for months at a time, sometimes days. But no matter what it always ended up with my life being out of control and unmanageable. The bottoms got lower and lower. And the desperation got greater. But no matter what anyone says, it is your journey to go through. If you must go back out and try some “controlled “ drinking no human power will be able to convince you otherwise. Just remember that you might not get another opportunity to come back.
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Well said Levon. That sums up my drinking career
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Read pages 20 and 21 of the big book. It describes three types of drinkers. You may not be alcoholic, this is a question for you to answer. No one can tell you are an alcoholic.
The book also tells us if we aren’t sure to try some controlled drinking. Have two drinks and stop abruptly. Try again the next day. Then a few days later.
For me, when I drink it starts off slow. Then in a few short months I’m off to the races. Next thing you know I’m in trouble or I’ve lost something.
I have the allergy of the body, obsession of the mind, and the spiritual Malady.
Today, the allergy is stabilized by not drinking. The obsession has been lifted by steps 4-9. The spiritual malady, step 2,3,11,12 have brought me to my knees. The power of prayer has helped me through so much. Turning my will (how I think) over to God of my understanding was a huge move for me and saved my life. The part is being of service, helping at meetings, events, sponsoring others. Sharing at a meeting.
I hope you can figure out what path to take. Alcohol is poison. Regardless if alcoholic or not.
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Even entertaining that thought is leading straight to a relapse.
Yea sounds like a slippery slope. For a decade I thought I could control my alcohol also. And 90% of the time I could but there was that 10% where I'd blackout. And I get it I don't have the itch to drink yet but I think about it daily. But today I choose not to drink. One day at a time.
Just remember your thinking is what got you to the rooms.. talk to your sponsor about it. If your not done and dont truly believe your an alcoholic then then go try some controlled drinking.
Don’t do it! Don’t risk it!
I was fortunate to have this dilemma - I was sober for four years, and then moved to another state away from people, places and things, and thought I could drink normally - I gave it a shot for five years, and then realized that I could never drink normally - Luckily, I didn’t lose everything. My kids have never known me drunk. - They are grown now - The greatest gift I had was that if I could drink normally I would’ve been able to. now that I can share this. I tell you you have to figure it out for yourself. I wish I had not wasted the five years, though that was part of my journey. I hope you decide for yourself how much sobriety means to you. My relationship with God and my sobriety are the key to all my relationships and for the most part my sanity I’m still working on the sanity every day. One day at a time and working the steps and going to meetings for 20years. The beautiful thing is that long time sobriety is always Accomplished one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time or hour at a time. I find it often and meetings that people have a year or five years or any amount of time sober, have really quality sobriety, and I’m always looking to hear that. the quality of their recovery
Ask yourself why you want to pick up. What do you miss about it? I tried to go back post extended intense therapy and it took me another 9 months to then kick it again. Things started out fine but ultimately I ended up with crippling anxiety etc and it fueled more of the same problems. This time around I have come to peace with the fact that I know where it ends up. I’m back sober for 8 plus months and have found that a good athletic brewery NA ipa satisfies that itch just fine in social settings
I'm sneaking up on 3 years in a couple weeks, but I have 17 years of experience running a revolving door with the program. I've done 3 before, then 1, then 9 months, 6,3,... in my experience each time out gets shorter, more brutal and exponentially harder to gat back from. Doing really well was always my Kryptonite. I always managed to talk myself into why I had it all figured out,.... this time. And then comes the Dumpster Fire followed by the train wreck. Don't listen to the voices. If you're a a true alcoholic, it is never ok to "take it out for one more spin....." the three most dangerous words in my program are " I got this"....
In my opinion anyway?
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No success. I stopped 20 years without a program. It was a mistake to resume drinking… now sober again with a program. Had to figure it out again and fifteen years later I did. Wish you well in sorting this out.