Stop Drinking

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This is a place to motivate each other to control or stop drinking. It is also a place for non drinkers to discuss and share.

We welcome anyone who wishes to join in by asking for advice, sharing our experiences and stories, or just encouraging someone who is trying to quit or cut down.

Please post only when sober; you’re welcome to read in the meanwhile.

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My first Friday (feddit.org)

submitted 1 day ago by mech@feddit.org to c/stopdrinking@lemmy.world

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I quit drinking last Sunday.

This time, not "for a month", or "only on special occasions", or "not at home", or "not during the week".
I tried all those before, many times.
Last week it hit me like a hammer: I'm an alcoholic, and have been for over 20 years. The realization what I had lost to alcohol in all those years made me weep.

And it had reached a point where I could already see the bottomless pit that would swallow my life, looming ahead, closer than expected.
I still have half my life ahead of me, so the only choice was to stop walking towards that cliff.
And that meant: I won't drink anymore. Ever.

What surprised me was how easy the decision was. And the strength of my resolve.

But now it's Friday. I'm off work. It's 5pm.
And for about half an hour, all my resolve was just gone. "Hey you made it through the week, let's celebrate and relax."

I managed to not buy the usual sixpack and bottle of wine on the way home, which feels like a great achievement. But that half hour where suddenly something in me just casually swiped away the decision I had made scared the hell out of me.

I'm strong, but apparently at any point I can just stop being me for a moment, so does that strength really protect me?

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[–] luthis@lemmy.nz 3 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Well here's my 2 cents. I stopped drinking, lasted 3 months. I got back into it heavily again. Eventually, I got withdrawls. Let me tell you. Withdrawls are worse than any hangover. They are worse than any experience you have had.

I have severe anxiety around alcohol now. I don't even want a sip. Because I know where that sip leads. And I never ever ever ever want to go there again. Trust me on this, if you don't stop, you will get there eventually like I did.

The threat of something intangible isn't much to keep you off the beer. But count yourself very lucky you don't know how bad it would have got for you. Drinking just isn't worth it.

[–] mech@feddit.org 1 points 6 hours ago

But count yourself very lucky you don’t know how bad it would have got for you. Drinking just isn’t worth it.

I truly am. I was still able to stop without medical intervention, and hopefully without permanent damage.
The thought of losing my health, my wits, or the ability to live an active outdoor life scares the shit out of me.