What a nice welcome I have received, thank you. Have spent a lot of today trying to figure out how this site works, but think I am there now.
Having read some of the heartbreaking stories on here, I feel that my story is a bit trivial, but here goes anyway.
I did the usual college drinking thing, and I even remember worrying back then (13 years ago) that I was drinking too much. After leaving college and going to work, drinking wine was pretty much part of my daily routine, give or take one or two nights a week, but I was happy and had a few good relationships. I was just a normal girl who liked a drink, I thought.
Then I got involved with a man who I allowed to destroy my confidence through a lot of mental torture and I started drinking a lot more - between one and two bottles a night, every night. We split up and my drinking continued. I did a lot of things I regret during that time, mainly sending texts to this man under the influence.
That was two years ago and I have carried on drinking heavily ever since. A few months ago, I met another man, who I was very fond of, but three months down the line, his emotional baggage issues forced us to split, and although that was only a month ago, I have since been drinking more than ever, to punish myself for the way he treated me, I suppose.
The strange thing is, most people in the outside world are unaware of my drinking. I have a good job, I don't drink during the day, except for the odd weekend day, and I am fairly immune to hangovers, so I get through every day, despite feeling groggy and tired. My friends and family know I like a drink, and they do, too, but I don't think they know how much. I lie about it to most people.
So while I was looking at a website yesterday, I came across an advert for this site, and having read lots and lots of the stories, I found myself nodding in agreement throughout, as so many of you are suffering such similar problems.
I woke up this morning and decided that I have to do something, and today is the first day. Although I still have the odd night off the booze, it is rare, and tonight I have come home from riding my horse and I am now on my third cup of tea. I find that if I can just get through that little battle with myself, where my mind says 'go on, have a drink', and tries to justify it, then I accept that I am not drinking and it's liberating.
I am only on day one, so nothing to be proud of, but I am really determined this time. I would love to hear from people, it's great to chat to people about it at last. I wish you all great success in staying AF. I would love to drink in moderation, but I know I can't. Once I have a couple, something completely controls my willpower and I just can't stop. Know the feeling?
All the best
:new: x
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