One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

[ZenMetal]

Just wondering how our long termers approached sobriety - did you take the "one day at a time" approach, or did you decide that you were no longer drinking, and you were moving on?

For, me it was the latter - "one day at a time" seemed like a daily punishment in some ways, like putting myself through the grinder day after day - and once I had made the decision to stop - genuinely - I found it much easier.

I'm not suggesting for a moment that this is the way to go for everyone, as we all need to find our own path and method - but it certainly worked for me.

Thoughts?

[harry101]

One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

It's "a line in the sand" for me, as I think this is the easiest and most effective approach.

I've removed the choice to ever drink again. "One day at a time" implies that drinking tomorrow is a possibility and this would just be an ongoing struggle for me.

[ZenMetal]

One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

harry101;1307191 wrote: It's "a line in the sand" for me, as I think this is the easiest and most effective approach.

I've removed the choice to ever drink again. "One day at a time" implies that drinking tomorrow is a possibility and this would just be an ongoing struggle for me.

Yep, I feel very much the same way. In fact, as soon as I *stopped* the "one day at a time" line of thinking, ongoing sobriety became more straightforward. It was a done deal, psychologically. Plus, drinking again would be a bigger climb-down for me after drawing that line in the sand than if I had picked up after a " day to day" concept.

But - as I said, this will not be the best way for others - so it will be interesting to see what has "stuck" for the long-termers, I'm sure there are some interesting approaches along the way!

[KateH1]

One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

For me, it had to be a line in the sand. I simply had to take the mind set that alcohol was no longer part of my life, ever! I strongly believe that as long as we leave an "Open Window" for AL.....we will not truly move forward in a solid AF way of life.

However, there were some days, when urges would be nearly over powering, on those days, I would tell myself....get busy, use your tools and just get through today and tomorrow things will be different. I would go take long walks, take a nice bath and get to bed early, staying focused on how much I truly love living AF.

[mario]

One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

Even though I made my decision to never drink again at the start, For me it was one day at a time then moving on to one week,one month until I got much stronger and knew I would beat this,The thoughts or urges to have a drink come very very rarely for me and there very easily dismissed,For me to have one would just lead me back to having 100,I don't need alcohol in my life and looking back I never did.

[imnosaint]

One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

I never liked Alcohol...But I needed it.
When It no longer Worked for Me
I had to Stop....
The obsession Lasted ages
but it eventually Left...
while I attended AA.

When I found the Laundry List
I knew I never would need to
Drink or Drug again.

[Turnagain]

One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

Great topic, Zen and great responses....

I am a line in the sand kinda gal. I KNOW without a doubt that drinking will lead me to an early death because I was able to learn about the FACTs about alcohol and the brain. Once I realized what the factual physical reality was, it was clear that I HAD to take drinking off the table completely and the more I reinforced to myself that drinking is NEVER EVER going to be an option in my life, the more I completely accepted that. I'm convinced that this keeps me from struggling with sobriety as some seem to do. On top of that change in thinking, I also immerse myself in the attitude of gratitude.

For me, the ODAT way also implied some sort of tenuous and fragile state of being. On the other hand, all we really have is One MOMENT at a Time...and this process has sure helped me learn a lot about making the most of each moment I have. Which means I had better skidaddle and do my chores!!!!

[papmom3]

One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

I'm with Turn. I started reading everything I could about the biochemistry of AL and the brain and realized right away that it was neva eva for me from that point forward. ODAT is pretty much how I try to live my life-as our Chill girl quoted:

I love this but it doesn't apply to being AF most of the time because yes, it opens up the possibility that there might be a "one day". So I draw the line in the sand for AL but I live my life ODAT.
Hope that makes sense and Thanks for the thread!!

[KateH1]

One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

Papmom, This is Brilliant! Thank you for sharing this.....very TRUE Wisdom!

[Daya]

One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

Hi Folks

I'm not sure if i have posted in this section before, but in view of my decision tonight, it seems appropriate.

I have realized that I have many of the symptoms of liver damage. I am going for a liver check this week, but even if they say it is fine, its only a matter of time. I had hepatitis years ago, and with my drinking, am playing a game of Russian roulette.

So tonight i made the decision, finally, that i can not drink, ever again. The line in the sand.

In a way, i feel relived, no more trying to moderate, try and have alcohol free days, marking stars on the calender when i don't drink.....no more letting alcohol and the thoughts of it consume my life. I am still nervous about social situations, but think I will just say I'm on medication that reacts badly to alcohol.

Which is true, I am on very heavy blood thinners, and when i drink a lot, I get these horrible black and blue bruises from the waist all the way down to my legs..the doctors say its hematomas.

So that's that, the end of an era.

[Wildflowers]

One Day At A Time, or A Line in the Sand?

:hxo:l