about me

[minderaser]

Hey guys,

This is around my 3rd attempt to quit drinking, so I thought I'd write a thread introducing myself a bit.
I'm 27, and have been drinking pretty much every night for around 9/10 years. I generally drink between 5-10 500 ml cans of lager or cider each night, and feel like crap each morning. I have a full time job, however I do not enjoy work (probably isn't helped by the stinking hangover each morning!)
Some things have happened recently in my life with work, money and relationships which I'm struggling to deal with at the moment, and I feel like alcohol is making things worse, and basically I'm drinking so I don't need to deal with things and I can just put them off until the next day.
The longest I have gone without a drink is 2 weeks, about a year ago. I've poked my head into the newbies nest a couple of times since then, however I only managed a week that time.

Hopefully the way I'm feeling right now will spur me on to make this the last time I need to write a thread like this.

Cheers,

M.E.

[Orimus]

about me

I always drank so that I didn't have to think or deal with what was going on. Just stick my head in the sand. Here I found others who understand, who wanted to do the same thing until they, like you and I, came to the point where they couldn't face another day like that. In the end the hiding (and what was/is the drinking if not hiding) never did anything but make us feel worse.

You'll find a lot of people here who can understand what you're going through, who will stand by you and not judge where you've been. Today, this moment is where we make our stand. Everything else has been but the prologue to a grand story that has only begun.

In my signature below you'll find the links to the newbies nest which is a warm and safe place to share whatever you are willing or need to share with us. You will also find there some if not many who have gone through experiences that you may just find are similar to yours. As well you will find below the link to the toolbox which offers the strategies and techniques of those who have navigated these waters before us.

Glad you found your way here to join us on this journey. A very warm welcome.

[available]

about me

Hi Mind, sounds like al is slowly but surely destroying your life. We all get to our own rock bottom and something has to give and it is amazing how much better life is without al.

I have been sober nearly 6 months, something i never ever thought possible but to my utter astonishment it has and it is something i would highly recommend.

I have had many attempts to get rid of al (2 bottle a night drinker for years and years) and there are a few things i have learnted on this journey. Be honest with yourself, come on here everyday to be accountable (this is my AA and we all need support to give up al, even if we think we can do it alone), do not lie to yourself or anyone as the only person you hurt is yourself, take each day one day at a time, do not put any pressure on yourself except to not drink. Find every bit of will power and determination to not drink. Its hard to stop, plain and simple, no bullshit in that at all but it can be done.

You will notice the people that do not post religously normally fail and think they were not that bad, that we can moderate, we can do this by ourselves. We all need support and its not different with alcohol. Admit you are an alcoholic and you can never drink again and its like a weight has lifted.

You are young Mind, dont ruin your life, it will only get worse with al in it, believe me and the others on here and also believe that getting rid of al makes life so much better in the long run.

Best of luck.

[available]

about me

Hi Mind, sounds like al is slowly but surely destroying your life. We all get to our own rock bottom and something has to give and it is amazing how much better life is without al.

I have been sober nearly 6 months, something i never ever thought possible but to my utter astonishment it has and it is something i would highly recommend.

I have had many attempts to get rid of al (2 bottle a night drinker for years and years) and there are a few things i have learnted on this journey. Be honest with yourself, come on here everyday to be accountable (this is my AA and we all need support to give up al, even if we think we can do it alone), do not lie to yourself or anyone as the only person you hurt is yourself, take each day one day at a time, do not put any pressure on yourself except to not drink. Find every bit of will power and determination to not drink. Its hard to stop, plain and simple, no bullshit in that at all but it can be done.

You will notice the people that do not post religously normally fail and think they were not that bad, that we can moderate, we can do this by ourselves. We all need support and its not different with alcohol. Admit you are an alcoholic and you can never drink again and its like a weight has lifted.

You are young Mind, dont ruin your life, it will only get worse with al in it, believe me and the others on here and also believe that getting rid of al makes life so much better in the long run.

Best of luck.

[frances]

about me

You are doing a great thing. Alcohol has trapped everyone here into their own personal hell and that's why we are here. You will get find great support and resources here. You CAN get free from this.

Get a plan in place - what are you going to do instead, when you normally would have been drinking. Having some other drink to occupy that 'space' - like tea or seltzer water or whatever you like - is helpful. Activities too - go take a walk, read a good book, pick projects to do, etc. - you will need to have something ready to do and to tell yourself when the cravings come. They don't last all that long and when the craving has passed you will be so happy you got through it. Take it one day at a time and before you know it you will have a new normal. I couldn't believe it myself - I was a daily drinker for 20+ years with only a couple of times where I went alcohol free for a short period of time (you can see from my signature line I've been here since 2008 - it has taken me a few tries to get this to stick!).

Welcome! Stick around and check out the newbies nest there are so many there going through the same thing and great advice from people who have gotten through it all and are happily living their AF lives

[minderaser]

about me

Thanks for the supportive words guys.
Got myself settled for tonight with some nice food for tea and some ginger beer. And some alcohol free stuff lagers just in case.
I'll head over to the newbies nest and say hello.

[j-vo]

about me

Minderaser,
Glad you here at MWO! Sounds like the negative effects are pouring over into other areas of your life. That's never a good sign, as it takes control of us and our lives. It's a great time to quit for good. So glad you decided to get support in the Newbies Nest. And check out the toolbox for great tools to keep the beast at bay. It is very possible to quit and stay quit. It's a matter of posting daily, following successful AF people and doing what they're doing. Welcome again!

[Mr Vervill]

about me

Welcome, ME. I know how you feel about drinking, to not face up to problems. But, I've founds that drinking never helps with the problem, only complicates things more.