Want to Quit

[Pronto]

I've been wanting to quit or preferably moderate, but we'll see. I noticed on a few threads that it appears that it is recommended to quit for at least the first 30 days and then decide if I want to quit for good or moderate.

At any rate, I'm 53. I'm a functional alcoholic. I only drink at night, and then I usually end up drinking too much. It's interfering with my work. I'm not getting as much done as I used to because, although I'm not totally hung-over, I can't think well.

I tried AA but I didn't like it. I don't do well in groups. At least not in person.

I'm drinking tonight, but I really need to stop because I have a lot of important deadlines that I don't think I'll make if I keep drinking like this. So I figure I'll start tomorrow with the 30-day thing.

So, hello.

[Wally22]

Want to Quit

Hello Pronto and welcome
You will have lots of company on your journey. see you in the morning.

[Boh]

Want to Quit

Hey welcome! You've found a great place.

I was much the same at work before I quit AL. Functional but groggie and just not at my best. You will be amazed how much easier life becomes without AL!

Best wishes on your journey.


boh

[Pronto]

Want to Quit

Thank you. I will be coming back tomorrow. I really appreciate that you people are here for people like me.

[Steady Hands]

Want to Quit

Hi Pronto!

Welcome and I wish you good luck with your journey!

I totally understand drinking while working or coping with deadlines. I used to drink while studying under pressure and it worked very well… up until a certain point…Then it started to interfere with my abilities. Passed out too soon and over slept in the mornings.

The first night is difficult and scary!! After that it is easier and every new day AF gives more hope and confidence.

Come and read and read other stories – it helps a lot to know you are not alone!!
Do 30 days and reconsider. Being AF is WONERFUL!!!

SH

[Running4life]

Want to Quit

Welcome, you have made an excellent choice in committing to 30 days. I was like you, drinking only in the evening but I would always have one or two glasses of wine more than I intended and had trouble getting up or functioning the next day. I quite often would forget what I said or did the night before.
I tried to quit several times and sometimes I could do 30 days but kept returning to old habits.
Tomorrow is day 90 and I am feeling quite good. Clarity is coming back to me and I am enjoying waking up in the morning.
Good luck. Keep posting here, you will get lots of good advice.
R4L

[Pronto]

Want to Quit

Thanks, you guys. I plan to come back tomorrow. I hope that quitting doesn't suck as bad as it feels like it will.

[available]

Want to Quit

Thank you. I will be coming back tomorrow. I really appreciate that you people are here for people like me.

Welcome P, i loved what u said about people like you, we are all like you so that is why we are here. a large group of very very lovely people who know what u r going through. good luck and dont worry too much.

[Nelz]

Want to Quit

Well, first of all, congrats on making a very wise decision to rid your life of AL.


Ill agree with you about giving it the ol' 30 day challenge, you will notice some very positive changes, the longer you can keep AL out of your system.

I always preach setting some smaller chunks of time.....1 day, 7 days, 14 days, yada yada....when you start hitting goals, you feel like you've really done something, instead of looking way down the road, at something that seems unattainable. Hell, you can break it down into minutes if need be. The key is to distract your thoughts about drinking....and "reprogram" your brain.

It CAN be done, it WILL be hard, but if you want it bad enough, it will happen, and it WILL be worth it.

You have found a great place, with great peeps.......come on and join us!!!


Wishing you all the strength, knowledge, and support needed to reach your goals

[Pinecone]

Want to Quit

Hi Pronto, Welcome to the forums! Your story sounds very familiar.

I would suggest checking out the toolbox thread: https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...box-27556.html

I found the concepts of "urge surfing" and "witching hour" to be especially useful in the first couple of weeks. Distraction and snacking during the witching hour can really cut a craving down. I would also get plenty of sleep, eat well, take vitamins, and stay hydrated, because it will help you feel better faster (we are really good at neglecting that kind of stuff while drinking).

Hope to see you around!:welcome:

[noal]

Want to Quit

Welcome Pronto and congratulations on trying. Its hard but well worth it.

I only drank at night too, the thing is at 9:00 a.m every morning I was looking forward to the night time and it didn't matter how hung over I was.

AL was interfering with work and family for too long so I needed to seek help and something different this time. AA did not work for me either. So I visited my doctor, got some meds and the next day I found MWO....my life has change dramatically and besides my meds I owe it all to this site. Something about reading stories and advice from other makes me feel good about this challenge and it encourages me to be successful.

My first goal was 30 days, but when I made my first 7 days I was feeling so good I knew I wanted to take this serious and make 30 days...I am now on day 107 and I do not want to go back to my old way.

I read the tool box thread over and over and then built my own tool box. I made a plan that involved my family which was huge for me because I did a lot of drinking behind their backs...I am still using that plan daily.

Now I am ahead of the game in all aspects of my life. Work is handled easily and my old excuse to drink because of work stress is no longer the case. I wake every morning white eyed and ready to go during the week and weekends....its a great feeling to wake up every morning, look in the mirror and not call myself an idiot any more.

Go to the tool box and read what others do to help them stay AL free, make a plan for yourself and stick to it. Set goals and before you know you will feel so good it will make you work harder for your self to better your life.

Good luck and stay close to this forum and take the advice people give you and you will be happy.

[mama bear]

Want to Quit

Welcome Pronto

[K9Lover]

Want to Quit

Welcome Pronto!
I was a "functioning" alcoholic too...well, as functioning as an alcoholic can be. Now that I've got some sober time under my belt, I see that what I thought was functioning was just "surviving" the day instead of living it. We're glad you've joined us. Set a small goal, like Nelz said, and soon you will see that you're really living life too!
K9

[Struggles 106]

Want to Quit

Hey Pronto-very wise decision! As I'm sure you are aware the addiction to alcohol is progressive. The habit of drinking at night could easily become far more, and you would be looking back and going WHAT HAPPENED?
It is really great that you recognize that your functionality is affected by drinking. SO many people are in denial, particularly one guy I know who is VERY drunk every day. End stage alcoholism is not pretty and he will be there at some point.

WIthout alcohol in your system you will start to realize (just my opinioin and experience) things about yourself and your behavior that may surprise you. I found that even when not drinking my behavior was affected. Emotional instablity from the up and down of frequent drinking.

You've found a terrific place. Understanding and no judgement here. Stay strong

[Pronto]

Want to Quit

I appreciate your input and advice. I'll check out the toolbox. I'll also set shorter goals. This is day 1. This will be my first goal: To not drink tonight. If I'm successful with this goal, then maybe instead of setting a new goal of one week, I'll just set a goal of two days. Then three days, etc. I don't have a lot of confidence because I've tried quitting before and I usually only make it past 2 days.

There are so many good things you guys have said so far. I feel really positive. I'm glad I found this site. I hope I don't come back whining too much about how hard it is.