I’ve decided to get sober. Saying that, verbalizing it is scary for a couple of reasons. One, it means I have to try. Two, it means I could "fail". But I know the real failure would be to not try, to not continue to try. Something I ask myself is "Is it really THAT bad?" I need to remember, nearly everything happens on a spectrum. I was brought here for a reason. I can’t moderately drink, I drink alone, it must affect my physical health, and it definitely affects my mental health. I’ve cultivated drinking as a coping mechanism for stress, boredom, depression, anxiety, etc since I was 15 years old. I have never learned to drink responsibly. I tell myself "this time will be different" and it ends up all the same. I have to be willing to try something different and to put in the effort to change. That comes with admitting I have a problem. I am better off sober.
Hi Alana! Realizing that you have a problem is the first step in sobriety. The only type of “failure” in sobriety is to stop trying. Beyond that it’s a practice of always putting your sobriety first. My suggestion is to develop a community of supportive, like-minded people. A great way to do that is through meetings. You can try AA, but there are also other organizations that offer meetings, like The Luckiest Club, She Recovers, and Women for Sobriety. Next you’ll want to develop a tool box of things you do to help support your sobriety. You can do this! There is a ton of support here in this app.
Thank you so much! This is such a kind reply. I’m honestly scared thinking of giving it up, but I know I will gain so much more than my supposed loss. Thank you for the insight and helpful recommendations.
It’s a good life. Hope you give it your best shot.
thank you so much 
It does not get better.for me it would just be down hill. Meetings of any kind.and meet people. Www .aa. Org.churches are helping too
Idk how old you are but 3 years ago it hit me like a brick. The damage from 3 hard years is nothing I would have imagined. It sneaks up on women fast. I’m 119 days sober and I feel like champ.
You’ll never regret trying, only not trying
PS I like that T.H shirt 
you ARE a champ. i want to get to know myself without substances <3 i hope you have learned a lot in those 119 days while also being understanding on the harder days
i believe this! congrats on your journey and making it another year older. i hope this next year is better than any yet.
proud of you for realizing that for yourself. i will definitely be seeking out resources like meetings and sober friends (=
Alana, fear, expectations, shame, guilt, remorse are we all go through in early sobriety. For me, working the steps of AA have helped me see where my faults are. How I treated myself and others. What I expected of myself and others. Steps 1-3 have removed the urges to drink or use. Steps 4-5 have quieted the resentment tapes. Has also lifted my fear and given me the strength to forgive myself and others who harmed me. I’m building tools for me to use in my new found life to be the best version of me I can be. I no longer need to have approval from others. I’m learning who I really em. And I love it!
AA has also taught me to look at every situation as problem, with the solution of “how can I help”. We are all sick people and need compassion from others to really get it.
Have a wonderful day filled with love and peace within my friend!
Stay sober just for today. Tomorrow we can deal with that when it comes.
Thanks for the positivity I needed some! Always remember that “addiction is giving up everything for one thing while recovery is giving up one thing for everything”. Hope you’re having a great day
I felt just like you, always telling myself it would be different this time but stuck in the endless cycle of messing my life up with drinking. Learning to live sober has been hard af but I’ve built up so much self respect and confidence which was non existent before. You can do this! 
thank you so much for sharing and giving me examples of what you’ve learned and what it takes. super proud of you
a great quote to keep in my arsenal thank you (=
it’s reassuring to know of other people who face a similar cycle of "but this time…" or "but it’s not that bad…" or "it’s just one beer…" I also love to hear from others about the things they’ve GAINED. like self respect and confidence. i truly see that as being a possibility, but not one without immense effort. i’m so impressed with your hard work!
You’re very welcome! I’m happy to be of service. I’m here to help where I can. 