Keep coming back.
Posted on 10/08/2005 7:33:57 AM PDT by RobFromGa
October 8, 2003 is the date that I quit drinking for good. It has been a great two years!
When I was drinking, I thought that life would be impossibly boring without alcohol. How can you enjoy parties, football games, vacations, weekends, etc without alcohol? I found out that not only is it possible to enjoy these things, that in many ways they are made better without the "buzz".
I haven't had a hangover in two years and that is a blessing.
I have occasionally had brief thoughts that I might be able to drink normally now that I have controlled myself for this length of time. But I understand myself better now. The fact that I would even consider such a question and action even for a millisecond is a sign of my lack of control over alcohol. My only sane solution is to keep it out of my body.
I urge anyone who suspects that they may have a drinking problem to find help and deal with the issue. I wish I had quit when I was 30 instead of 41.
Almost a year ago, I posted a thread on FR, If You Suspect You Might Have A Drinking Problem (An Open Letter). There might be some help there for you if you are trying to quit.
Thanks to all who have helped me to quit and to stay sober.
Keep coming back.
Rob, do you go to AA...
Thanks
I saw a cute t-shirt once:
Instant A-Hole - Just Add Alcohol
But I can truthfully say that I enjoy beer much more now than in my younger days when quantity was the first priority.
I'm about ready to embark on a 7-year drunk.
It's been a long year.
I tried Rational Recovery. It seemed to work for a while, until it didn't. Why? Obviously I only THOUGHT I had made up my mind to be a Ph.D. (Phormer Drunk).
In AA, this point comes when you stop just sitting on your ass in the meetings and start working the steps. In Step 1 you admit that you have a problem that you can't seem to control. In Step 2 you acknowledge that if there were a power greater than yourself, He/She/It could restore you to your right mind regarding this stupid substance. In Step 3, you make a Decision to turn your will power over to the CARE of God as you understand He/She/It. Not turn your LIFE over in a cultlike way as many fear, but just release your white-knuckle death grip on your willpower and turn it over to God. These are of course, my paraphrases. Sorry to run on in such a long paragraph.
It's not *OK* to slip in AA, nevertheless it happens. Generally because the person didn't fully admit to themselves they couldn't handle it, or they didn't make the decision to trust God and clean house (the rest of the steps). Sometimes we say they are going out to "do some more research" to see if they really need to be in AA. But either in AA or RR, it's because they didn't really make the decision, they only thought they did.
Some people come to AA, get a taste, leave and we don't see them again for a while but they come back much more ready. Some are in and out for a long time but eventually get it. Many get sober and stay sober for years, though in all honesty some of them (like me) may go out again usually after a major life disappointment or disaster. Some achieve extraordinary lengths of sobriety -- 10, 20, 30 years. The program works.
I don't like AA very much, it's just the only thing that's worked to get and keep me sober when nothing else would. For the record I'm 4 1/2 years sober now. Christianity and church are my world now. But I will never knock the Program and I'm GLAD it will be there for me, and I'll be getting back to it as soon as I can.
Stay off this thread.
That you've never bragged about it. Someone who's had a harder time with alcohol than you posts a thread that he's been sober for 2 years and you respond that you don't need sobriety. If it wasn't bragging what was it? It wasn't funny enough to be a joke. A recommendation? A put down?
I don't care if you brag, but don't imagine that it's a level playing field and it's all character and no genetics or circumstances. I had to stop drinking to keep from drinking too much. I'm not into the group support thing, but I respect those that want it.
I remember in the '73 recession, while looking for jobs, buddy and I went in together and bought a pack of Marlboros (40¢) and 6 pack of ABC ale (99¢). There are a few things for which I am not nostalgic.
THat's grest to hear Rob...........
No, but I do know the risks of antabuse with alcohol.
The last drink I had was on New Year's Eve in 1996 and quitting was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Are you exercising regularly?
Glad to see you step out of the shadows for a moment, hope you get to take your Alaska cruise.
thanks for the congrats
Good thing they can't control the drinking age, they would do an even better business if they dropped it to 16.
thanks
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