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I made it a week and slipped up. But I'm getting back on that horse. This week I'm spending every evening fishing. That will keep me busy and help me with stress. Keep the prayers coming. I won't let y'all down.
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That's really good to hear!!!
Thanks for letting us know how it's going, and prayers have been and will continue unceasing!!
I’ll be praying for you! I’ve watched my best friend struggle with alcoholisim since middle school. I’ve seen how it can Ruin lives. I will be praying hard for your success
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Please allow me to provide some advice based on my experience with the subject.
Before I begin, it is important to note that this is only advice. What works for one person does not always work for another. Know that there are people around you that have struggled with or are struggling with the exact same demons as you. We just don't go around wearing it on our sleeves.
I'm a recovering alcoholic myself. I say recovering because, I don't think it is something that ever goes away. I've been sober for just over 13 years. Towards the end of my drinking, I would go home from work, drink 18 to 24 beers, and then resort to hard liquor simply because the beer wasn't working. Although I loved the taste of it, it wasn't doing what I wanted it to do. I'll spare you the details of what got me to the deep end, but lets just say my life was in serious turmoil.
1. Seek professional help: Go see a therapist, shrink, whatever you want to call it. I cannot stress this enough. Oftentimes, people that drink alot have underlying issues. These issues CAN be solved. Oftentimes with the perscription of a simple pill. Sure, none of us want to rely on medication but, if it keeps me alive and off the bottle, I'm going to take it. For myself, I was diagnosed with several issues which, in turn, caused me to drink to "self medicate". I didn't know what I was doing at the time but later I learned that I actually needed the alcohol. Like many others, I suffer from anxiety, survivors guilt, and Post Tramatic Stress Disorder. Yes, I was in the military. Drinking was my subconscious way to cope with things.
2. Be around "like minded" individuals: Seek out the help of others through the form of AA. They are there for a reason. I went to AA meetings every day for over 2 years straight. I think I chaired almost every meeting I attended my last year. Some people continue this throughout their sobriety. I know some guys that go twice a week and have been sober for more than 40 years. I am not one of those people. I used what I learned and what I was taught and continued on with my life. I did NOT get a sponsor. Although some recommend it (and it may be helpful to you), I realized that I was accountable for my own actions and I didn't need that support person telling me what I needed to do with my sobriety.
3. Make life changes: You have to STOP doing the things that you associated with drinking. If you shot pool and always drank while doing it, stop shooting pool. You associate these activities with drinking. Stop the association. This also means not going to places that are serving alcohol and not being around people consuming it. Yes, this can be tough (and it is) but, if you want to quit, you have to avoid these situations. It took me more than 3 years before I was comfortable being around people that drank and being in places and situations where people are drinking. I don't mind it now but, to this day, if people are getting drunk, I am usually long gone. It isn't that I want to be like them and drink, it is the fact that I can no longer stand to be around people that, in part, were just like me. I quickly was able to see the way that I acted and realized just how stupid I looked, acted, and sounded like.
4. Leave people behind: This is probably the hardest thing you will do. I quit drinking at 29 years old. Every person that I knew, associated with, hung out with, or called my friend also drank. Fast forward 13 years and there is only two people from my previous life that I still associate with. My wife (who was pregnant at the time of my sobriety) and my buddy. My wife has not touched a drink since this time and, although my buddy and I both drank like fish, he realized the devistation that it could do. He left for a while (moved to Alaska) and realized that drinking wasn't as much fun any more without me. Eventually, he all but gave it up. We spend most weekends together and, although it wouldn't bother me if he did, I've only seen him drink twice since I quit! Everyone else in my life at that time is long since gone.
I'll give you the ONE KEY that I say anytime I speak about sobriety in front of people (yes, I have done that). This one key is the thing I have told myself from the beginning and continue to tell myself to this day. I'm sure it applies to you:
Remember sitting on your back porch (that was where I did most of my damage), and talking about all those things your going to do? Man, wouldn't it be cool to go to Alaska? I'll bet I could be a fishing professional! It would be fun to fix up and old car. While I was drinking, I always talked about all the things I wanted to do. When I became sober, I did all the things I talked about doing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After I became sober and started getting professional help, I realized a lot of things about myself. I used to be the life of the party. When I quit drinking, I quickly found out that I didn't want to be in large groups of people. I didn't want to be around people. I didn't want to talk. I quit drinking in 2006 and, if you look at when I became a member of crappie dot com, you will see that it is 2009. It took me over 3 years to slowly start to find like minded individuals. Today, the majority of the people I consider my friends are from Crappie Dot Com! We are like minded, enjoy doing the same things, and being around one another.
Feel free to shoot me a PM at any time if you want to discuss anything on a personal level. I'll share just about anything in regards to my sobriety.
Great post wicklundrh. Great advice sir. rramos361, keep praying and keep fighting your addiction. Do not give up. If you haven't done so, find the nearest AA group and start going as often as possible.
Prayers for you! Remember God is always there and ready to listen to your problems. He will comfort you and be your strength! Stay busy and put Christ
First in your life.
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Here's an update. It took a while but I'm now 21 days sober. By the grace of God I'm doing it. I had to make a decision and I've stuck with it. Thanks for all your prayers and support.
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[emoji847] YOU GOT THIS!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by rramos361
Keep after it. There are many things to do to keep your mind occupied and pointed in the right direction. Many people here care and think of you and your progress when they aren’t near a device to post or check in. I am one. Be strong brother. Nothing worthwhile is easy. The effort you put into it will be rewarded.
Don't know if you've ever tried AA, but you might find it useful. If nothing else, it helped me to meet and socialize with others who were dealing with the same problem. Thru AA, I met other fisherman who were in the "same boat". We have ended up being fishing buddies. Mutual support is essential. You are not alone. God bless you.