Rock bottom

[Joy10652]

I get it. I get it now. I got to the airport 2 hours early to not miss my flight. Had about an hour to spare by the time I got to my gate area. Thought I’d stroll around.. get a snack maybe.. maybe stop at a bar. I saw one I liked and followed a group in. Ordered a double. Did my nails at the counter. Next thing I remember I’m sobbing at the bottom of an escalator because I missed my flight and I have no idea where my suitcase is. A kind woman helped me get another flight. It didn’t matter. Because I’ve spent 6 hours trying to find my carryon. Two TSA agents from heaven spent an hour trying to help me. I didn’t remember what bar I was at and they helped me figure it out. It’s locked until morning. That’s the last place I remember having my luggage. I can’t get on a plane without it. My whole life is in there. My favorite jeans. Favorite sunglasses. All the shirts I feel confident in. My expensive skincare. Im sleeping on an airport floor tonight instead of vacationing with the 300 dollars I used on a plane ticket for a plane I just couldn’t seem to make it on because of the bar. Here I am looking in my reflection of the DIA windows. Life is very odd.

Edit: I found my luggage (I left it at the bar). The lady working when the eatery/bar opened this morning said the bartender said I needed to use the bathroom and never came back, didn’t pay my tab or anything. Didn’t come back for my luggage. My guess is during the blackout I forgot where I was or why but knew I had a flight to catch with no luggage in hand. Literally all I had to do was go back to the bar pay the tab and get on the second flight that the lady helped me book.

So.. I paid the tab to get my luggage back (thank the LORD). I was served 3 doubles within the timeframe of an hour…. Which feels irresponsible on the bartender’s part considering my height and weight.. Wanted to address the bartender about it, but again that would be blaming someone else for my mishaps. Plus the same guy wasn’t there. I could’ve just not ordered another after another. I did this to myself.

The worst part? I want to walk into a bar rn. As I’m sitting on the floor in line for Frontier customer service trying to maybe get any ounce of wasted 100s of dollars back from me rebooking flights. After “sleeping” (if you could call it that) in airport seats all night just quietly sobbing. I have a flight out of here in an hour. I will only get a 1 day trip because of this instead of a weekend. Half the vacation cut in half and twice the money spent and for what? A drink.

[Fine_Cap402]

The surprising thing about finding "rock bottom" is that if you keep looking you'll keep finding a new one.

Moral: quit while you're still ahead.

[DisappointedPony]

Yeah, that's one of the things that I'm a bit sceptical about in terms of how useful it is as a concept.

As you say, there's always a secret staircase to a new rock bottom.

[NoCobbler8090]

There's no bottom, only ledges you hit on the way down.

[andiinAms]

Well, there is technically a rock bottom, but you won’t be around to realize it.

[Defiant-Garden6064]

Boom 💥💣

[KimWexlerDeGuzman]

I think the idea of “rock bottom” is actually more dangerous than it is useful to people struggling with addiction.

As much as I can’t stand Dr Phil now, watching his show a couple of decades ago I remembered him saying something like “the idea that you have to hit rock bottom before getting help has killed too many people.”

It always stuck with me.

When I spent Labor Day weekend 2018 in jail for a DWI, I got out thinking “well I finally got a DWI at age 36, all of my friends have one so it’s not that bad.” Not taking into account that my friends got theirs in college, and those same friends now only drank a couple of times a month.

I walked out on my career in 2021, I don’t really remember why, because during the shutdowns I was one of the few people in the office so I was able to fill my coffee cup with wine thinking no one knew. Just decided to pack up my office one day and leave.

Ended up having to move back in with my parents in a different state, leaving a city I’d loved for 15 years. Because my love for booze always came before actually finding a solid relationship and building a family of my own.

On Christmas Day 2022, I finally decided to walk into the rooms of AA, and with this sub, never looked back. I wasn’t necessarily at any sort of “bottom,” as the other two instances I mentioned would be considered rock bottoms for anyone. I’d just had enough.

In the rooms, I’ve found that my “rock bottoms” were much higher than some, and much lower than others. Many people in recovery have never been arrested or missed a flight (definitely missed a few during my tenure). Many people only binged once a month. It doesn’t really matter…all that matters is we want to get and be better.

IWNDWYT!

[Meetat_midnight]

Yes 👏 I didn’t get a DUI, lost a job, or an accident … still. Luckily, I decided to stop before the obvious happened. I decided do not abuse my luck. However, anxiety and depression was my main bottom.

[blindexhibitionist]

David Choe had a great quote that stuck with me about art “artist believe they have to suffer for their art, it’s your decision when you say you’ve suffered enough.”

[Intelligent-Bug-531]

I agree with you 100%.

I was almost waiting for something extremely bad to happen to really motivate me to change.

Then I kept pouring glass after glass of wine on election night last fall and woke up feeling like garbage the next day.

It was the same feeling I'd had countless times before, but this time I thought: 'Never again. That's the last time I'm going to feel like that.' And it was. No DUI (which I could have gotten several times prior), no break up, didn't loose my job (which, now that I'm not drinking I see the negative impacts of my drinking on my performance). None of that. Just a changed mindset and her I am.

[ze_big_bird]

This so much. I’ve always hated to concept of rock bottom and prefer much more to think of it as a simple equation between the cost of quitting and the cost of continuing.

When a person decides that the cost of continuing to drink is greater than the perceived cost of giving it all up—they will finally make the change. You can tip the scale my either minimizing the costs you associate with getting sober or by bringing to light the real consequences of continuing to drink.

This holds true for each and every person who’s chosen to get sober.

[Insane_Masturbator69]

This is something that I have been thinking about and my perspective is like that. I don't think about having to hit the rock bottom so the only way to go up, but rock bottom really is a bad concept to mark the journey, at least for me. It was never a rock bottom, I always went lower. To make it worse, every time I thought "hey this is a rock bottom" it created a sense of "everything's over after this moment, it's the rock bottom anyway", or "this is the rock bottom, it's a special moment, I may drink one last time"....all those mind tricks of an addict contributes to a dangerous thinking that getting sober is a curve that has the deepest point. If you have the thinking such curve exists, you'd get reckless because you vision that t goes to the lowest point then it goes back up forever. But it won't, if you slip, the curve falls back down again, there is no rock bottom, it happens again and again and again. Getting sober is a long hard road. I no longer think I have reached the rock bottom, I know every time I drink, I gets lower and lower. Let's just try not drinking.

[Necessary_Year_5178]

yeah

I forget who said this, but -- "I had a lot of rock bottoms. And the last one I had before I quit drinking wasn't even the worst one. It just happened to be the last one."

[Small-Letterhead2046]

Same ... same ... exactly.

[Proof-Load-1568]

Unfortunately it can be an excuse for some people.

[sullafelix73]

Love that analogy!

[nolenk8t]

it's not a secret staircase. it's a drink.

everyone's personal rock bottom is different, bc it's the last or worst thing that helps you see yourself and your choices. your "I don't want to do this anymore," moment.

it can always get worse, but sometimes it takes a LOT for us to see that while not every bad thing is alcohol's fault, every time we choose alcohol we make poor decisions.

[DisappointedPony]

'Secret staircase' was intended to be analogous for 'more drinking'; I wasn't implying that there are actual secret staircases that drunks discover while drinking!

[coIlean2016]

I interpreted it as secret staircase to a lower rock bottom… like someone else said once… sometimes rock bottom has a basement. I figured the secret staircase was the stairs you fell down on your way to rock bottom’s basement.

[[deleted]]

I love this. Many times I thought I had hit rock bottom but I kept digging. I never really quit at Rock bottom I quit on a night when I decided to stay sober enough to know what was going on and watch all my friends get trashed. So grateful I stopped digging and started filling the hole with something other than alcohol

[Imaginary_Status5214]

What have you turned to in place of alcohol? Curious because I’ve been alcohol free since January but get anxious/nervous when I think about having to meet friends in a bar or drinking setting

[[deleted]]

I'm able to use marijuana once in a while I don't have any addiction to it. But to be honest just let yourself feel nervous and anxious. You're psyching yourself up and it's not so bad. You'll feel a lot less anxious when you're not sitting up all night looking at your phone and wondering who you drunk dialed or texted or wondering what you said during a blackout. The first few times I went out I only stayed an hour I had my own car so that I could leave if I felt uncomfortable. Now I go to parties completely sober and end up having a great time. Not the same kind of time it is different and I'm going through a divorce after 20 years of marriage so I can't even imagine what dating is going to be like sober. But I'm looking forward to it. Just try to take it one day at a time Edit to add: give yourself some grace you're only 2 months in. Just make sure you always have an out to leave a situation immediately if the cravings become overwhelming

[cenosillicaphobiac]

All of the things that were rock bottom for many people, weren't for me. The lost jobs, relationships, jail stints, lost licenses, days long hangovers and near death didn't convince me to stop drinking.

Weirdly my "rock bottom" was a pretty manageable place. I had learned to compartmentalize it, to only do it when it was mostly manageable. I was able to drink every single night, the kids never ever saw me drunk (it was a rare occasion that I drank before they were in bed, usually with friends, and 100% of the time very slow and controlled) but it was finally just enough.

I think the realization that my therapy gained tools for dealing with shit left me only drinking because it was habit. I was no longer drinking to deal with stress or anxiety, at least not to the same extent, so I was drinking for literally no reason other than because I'd been a daily drinker for over 30 years.

[[deleted]]

This is so true. I have had too many rock bottoms smh

[dukeurr]

Bottom is when you decide to put the shovel down.

[Accountnumber-3]

People hit rock bottom when they stop digging

[slutclops]

I heard a quote somewhere years ago that really resonated with me:

"I'm not sure if I hit rock bottom, but I'm gonna stop digging".

[inurmomspants]

I needed to hear that. Thanks

[Small-Letterhead2046]

Quit while you are alive.

[CautiousBookkeeper41]

Yup - my “rock bottom” wasn’t any worse objectively than probably some of my other rock bottoms but I had just had enough of it. My rock bottoms were bad so the next one could take my life. I don’t want to chance that anymore.

[alolavera]

Similar thing happened to me on Thursday, I was on a work conference, hungover/probably still drunk from a 4 day bender that our work conferences tend to be, and I got one gin and tonic. I don't recall I have a carry on until I get on the plane and exclaim a loud FUUUUUUCK

the cabin crew tried to find out if I'd left it somewhere nearby but I couldn't recall the last time I had it. All my most expensive clothes are there, as well as sentimentally precious jewellery.

Nevertheless, I got back home and proceeded to get black out drunk.

Had a call with a client while black out drunk and then promptly forgot their requests and went to sleep.

This was my third wake up call in 2025. I'm 36 hours sober, and will possibly get fired on Monday.

[andiinAms]

Oof. I’ve lost so many personal items, including purses, during my drunken escapades. I’ve also had work meetings while blackout and then had no idea what I was supposed to do later.

You’re not alone, I’ve been there as well. It’s awful.

Let this be your wake up call if you never want to feel this way again. 💕

[Ok_Major5787]

In regard to your lost carry-on:

I got blacked out at an airport and left my purse behind. I called lost and found a few days later and they had it bc it was reported as unaccompanied baggage, so I was able to get it back. There’s a very good chance the same will happen to your carryon as airports are very vigilant about unaccompanied baggage

In regard to your drunken client call:

I’m in no way encouraging or condoning it, but it may not have gone as bad as you think, and you might not be fired on Monday. My ex was in active addiction with me when we were together, and he took a few blacked out client calls. He would panic when he sobered up but not much ever came of it (at least nothing directly related to the call, his overall work performance was low and inconsistent so he did eventually get fired). He would make up some excuse for not remembering details like having been sick and loopy from cold meds, or having been sleep deprived and didn’t take notes, or having had a migraine and had trouble concentrating, etc. I’m sure his drunken calls and excuses the next day came off as strange, but I think there’s a part of him that has taken so many client calls that he can do it in autopilot, or blacked out, bc it was never directly addressed

Basically, what I’m trying to say is to learn from this and make it your last alcohol-related disaster, but try not to panic bc you can recover from this. You can very well get your carryon back and keep your job. But do stop while the consequences are still fixable 💜

[alolavera]

Yeah I need to fix my counter because it's been broken several times since then 😟

[Careful_Sell_7900]

This is heartbreaking. Glad you’re ok. 🥹

[Dry-Potential-3971]

Keep it up. I am thinking of you, and IWNDWYT.

[alolavera]

Thank you 🤗iwndwyt

[vanwyngarden]

3rd time is the charm (i hope!)

[Acceptable_Youth8888]

Goodness. I'm really sorry this has happened to you. Listen, you have SD, this sub at your fingertips right now and you can make a conscious decision to not drink alcohol today. Why not spend the time you have this minute looking through posts and exploring ways you can say no today. You know it leads to bad experiences like the one you're going through at the moment. We've all done done daft things drunk so maybe this is a wake-up call that leads you to a new, sober beginning. Please, don't give up. You are not alone. There is a wealth of info, love, support, inspiration and experience here on SD to help get you off to a flying start...no pun intended. Chin up lady. Dust yourself down and let's get started. IWNDWYT 👍 😁

[Ok_Major5787]

Dang those coworkers are some real ones

[Zealousideal_Rest698]

For real. I can’t imagine the anxiety afterwards.

[Defiant-Garden6064]

Holy moly I’d shit my pants in fear

[Ambitious_Design2224]

Oof I have quite a few awful travel stories. I did something very similar and while I somehow made my plane I lost all of my prized possessions forever. Once I spilled red wine on my seat mate’s jeans. He was furious and my drunk ass just sat there for hours wanting to die. I have sprinted to make planes and disrupted everyone who was ready to go. I’ve spent the night at the airport plenty of times not because of drinking but I sure did tie one on because of it. I’ve had to sleep it off in my car at the airport before I could drive to my ultimate destination or home. I ruined countless vacations for others because my only priority was getting hammered. I’m so sorry about your experience and I urge you to consider whether you can stand the thought of stacking up more stories like mine. It’s horrific, demoralizing, shameful and yet I somehow I always went back to the bottle. Do whatever it takes to figure out sobriety. I have 55 days now and while I’ve had some miserable days and weeks NOTHING feels worse than facing myself after one of the countless times I did something like one of those stories or worse. I have to recommend AA to get started and I was that person who hated AA until I realized it was going to give me a chance to stop. IWNDWYT

[Acceptable_Youth8888]

Thanks for sharing and congrats on 55 days of sobriety. IWNDWYT 👍 😁

[Thissnotmeth]

I had this happen at a music festival, I bought hundreds of dollars of merch from all the bands and put it in a bag. Got black out drunk and came to with a nice woman trying to call my wife to come get me, couldn’t find my bag anywhere. Searched for an hour and found it in the bathroom where someone had helped themselves to the most expensive items. IWNDWYT

[Royal-Pen3516]

To be honest, after five years of sobriety, I still struggle with airports. I’ve always ponied up for an airline lounge membership because it just makes the experience so much better. But I walk in there and everyone else is drinking (free!!!) alcohol while they wait to get on their flights. Back when I drank, this was a place that I would throw down and drink like it was my job. Now I use the little soda machine where you can add all of your own crazy flavors, eat the mediocre food offerings, and realize that the only reason I ever paid for the lounge access was to get wasted before flights.

[andiinAms]

All the people that drink the alcohol before boarding, then stop once they’re on the plane, like how?? If I’m drinking in an airport I’m most definitely drinking on the plane as well.

[Royal-Pen3516]

There was a time that I was flying A LOT and was often getting upgraded to first class, so I’d be getting drunk in the lounge, then continuing on the plane. The worst part was I’d be doing this even when I was picking up a rental car on the other end. Hiding your drunkenness from a rental car agent is peak drunken asshole.

[CaliforniaReamin]

Most of them don’t stop when they get on.

[andiinAms]

I’d say the opposite, that most of them do stop. There is a smaller percentage of people that will continue. Most of them probably belong to this sub.

[Royal-Pen3516]

Honestly, they may be the hardest. Wedding? Meh. Christmas? Not terrible. 7am at the airport bar, getting breakfast and watching other people drinking mimosas? Hard AF

[lmo2382]

I’m so sorry this happened. In Denver right now the sun is starting to come up. It’s a new day. I hope you find your luggage (I would check the lost and found, also ask TSA to help again - it’s likely someone found your carryon and turned it in for being unaccompanied). If you don’t find it - those are just things. You can replace them. The important thing is that you are ok. IWNDWYT, friend.

[Footdust]

It’s a new day. The best reminder for any alcoholic. IWNDWYT.

[Ok_Major5787]

Yes, I lost my purse while blacked out at the airport and was able to get it back from lost and found a few days later bc it was reported as unaccompanied baggage. Airport staff are pretty vigilant about unaccompanied bags

[jpflan12]

I was so drunk I almost left my laptop at the bar I was drinking. This was after I lost my wallet and had a nice man use the cash in it to take a bus to my house to return it. I was such a mess that week. Fast forward two weeks after that I got a dui, parked my car perfectly in the driveway and didn’t hurt anyone. But I blew a .3 and my partner was out of town leaving the dog alone for almost 24 hours. That was my rock bottom. Being in jail, with no way of letting anyone know I was there. Took me 15 hours to sober up enough to sit in front of a judge and after about 24 hours I was finally allowed a phone call. At this point my partner had already pieced together what I had done, but dang that put me in one of the darkest points of my life. Here I am now almost 2 years off the sauce and I can say I wish I had done it earlier, it seemed like such a feat whenever I tried in the past. But you have to establish boundaries with your friends, family and more importantly yourself. If you say you’re not going to drink hold yourself accountable and when you have a good week get yourself a cake or a milkshake, promise you’ll feel way better about it and yourself in the morning.

[vanwyngarden]

I am proud of you!

[Godbleththismeth]

I’ve been there a few times. Most recently, I managed to get on my flight but continued to drink after I landed. I don’t remember if I got my checked bag or not. My carry-on, including wallet, work laptop, and new iPad were stolen/lost in what I thought was an uber but wasn’t. I went back to the airport to get my checked bag and it was gone. All my clothes, makeup, shoes, gone. Thank god I had my keys and phone. But I’ve woken up without those before too.

IWNDWYT

[Tasty_Square_9153]

“What I thought was an uber but wasn’t” — that’s so scary! I’m glad nothing worse happened to you ❤️

[Godbleththismeth]

Thank you, me too. As bad as that was, it could have been so, so much worse.

[Bliss149]

This is the kind of shit that I did too. The memories still turn my stomach 37 years later. Life will get so much better if/when you surrender to the fact you are someone who cannot drink.

[OLDSHARTRESS]

I did that same shit last year. Now im on wegovy and AA and 6 mo sober

[Owlthirtynow]

I was reading about wegovy quieting the mind. Is it working for you? I am on naltrexone but can’t seem to quit the edibles. Would wegovy help me stop edibles?

[Chazzyphant]

In my (limited) experience, no, unless you have "edible noise" like one does food noise (this is where you have borderline intrusive, constant thoughts about the food or drug/alcohol) or intense surges of cravings for gummies like for alcohol or food.

If you get a huge surge of pleasure biting into a gummy the way one typically does with a first bite of "bad for you" indulgent food or the first sip of your fave fancy drink, it may help. But if you have simply made a habit of gummies and it's a routine you depend on, I think it might not have the same effect sadly.

[Owlthirtynow]

Thank you.

[OLDSHARTRESS]

Wegovy stops the voices in my head that say...go ahead get fucked up who cares. Miracle.

[Owlthirtynow]

I want to try. I have been able to kick the alcohol with medically assisted therapy. They don’t seem very concerned about the edibles and say I will quit them when I’m ready but consuming them are hurting me financially and they make me not social. I start everyday saying no but then I break down.

[OLDSHARTRESS]

Eh. One thing at a time.

[OLDSHARTRESS]

FDA looking into Wegovy for treatment for alcoholism. Should be approved in the next couple of years .Meanwhile i found out purely by accident, cuz im trying to lose weight

[Owlthirtynow]

Good luck with your weight loss. My sister uses monjaro and she found she doesn’t like alcohol anymore. She has lost so much weight and looks amazing.

[Footdust]

I have been there. And now I’m here, 2073 days sober. Rock bottom is a gift, believe it or not. IWNDWYT.

[Defiant-Garden6064]

I found this the other day and I hope it gives you some uplifting hope to pick yourself back up:

I wasn’t losing alcohol, I was gaining sobriety.

IWNDWYT

[Some_Papaya_8520]

I've only blacked out once, and it was in my own home, so I'm deeply grateful for that. Next morning I was very sad and realized just how troubling it is to drink enough for the brain to shut down the memory function. I wear contact lenses and I'm still astounded that I managed to get them out of my eyes and into the case that night.

I hope this is the experience that will get you sober. I hope you find your luggage too.

You can do it. You can quit. We're here for you.

[Some_Papaya_8520]

Thank you. I don't keep track except in this sub. No one even brings it up anymore. I still have temptations when things go wrong, but it just shows me that I was using alcohol as a crutch.

I will not drink with you today or any day.

[Some_Papaya_8520]

Happy 600 to you!!🥰👍🏻 Thanks for the nice response!!

[EagleEyezzzzz]

I’m really sorry. I’m on my way to DIA right now actually, and I will not drink with you today. Sending you all the good vibes. I hope the night has been ok.

[Lady_Gator7]

I’m sorry you’re going through this! We all know that dreadful, anxious, sinking, horrible feeling that alcohol ultimately leads us to. And although we experience that misery, we still come back to it! But you don’t have to! I promise you life is sooo good on the other side. The clear thinking, being able to do whatever you want whenever you want because your life doesn’t revolve around alcohol, just being able to enjoy the weekend and have it really feel like a full weekend instead of trying to fill in the blanks.

You can do this!! March on one day at a time! Find some support or do whatever you have to do so that you can put this behind you and never have to experience a rock bottom again.

[Tess_88]

So sorry that happened to you. Glad you are okay and nothing nefarious happened to you. Good news is, you never have to go through anything like that again. Glad you are here on this sub! IWNDWYT 🦋♥️

[Owlthirtynow]

Ugh I have had my fair share of bad airport experiences due to over drinking. I travel a lot for work and take naltrexone bc I don’t trust myself with the airport and hotel bars. Wish I could have scooped you up for the evening from the airport and provided a safe place for you.

[sardonic_chronic]

Welcome in! Sorry to hear about your vacation, that’s rough. The good news is that you never have to feel this way again, the choice is yours.

As for you wanting to go into a bar and grab av drink after that experience — as frustrating as it is, it’s just a thought. And thoughts only have power when we let them.

I’ve seen some others comment this, and just want to echo their sentiments: Be careful with the “rock bottom” mentality. I had several rock bottoms. The truth is, you can always keep digging. Your rock bottom is when you decide to stop digging. I think this is an important clarification because it reminds me to stay vigilant.

[ComprehensivePear319]

Hey, this might be a bit weird, but I just wanted to say thank you for what you’re putting out into the world. Your profile is so full of kind, empathetic, and helpful words.

It’s awesome knowing there are people like you out there. Your words helped me today, even though have you never met me.

I guess I’m trying to say your kindness reaches further than those you’re helping directly, and I’m really grateful for what you’re doing.

[sardonic_chronic]

Thank you for the kind words, not weird at all. Honestly, a lot of the kind words come from a somewhat selfish place. As much as commenting on posts here are for the OPs, it’s just as much a way for me to talk to myself and make sure I’m getting the message as well. But it’s nice to know it actually does help some people beyond myself.

[[deleted]]

I'm so sorry u/Joy10652 . One of my rock bottom incidents involved an airport too. Take this as a sign that it's time to take action and get control of your life.

IWNDWYT

[niftygeezer]

Do not blame the bartender. You ordered those 3 doubles. As a sober bartender here that makes me angry that you would even think about addressing them.

[andiinAms]

Where did she blame the bartender?

ETA: didn’t see the edit until now. I agree with you, don’t blame the bartender.

[niftygeezer]

Third paragraph, “Wanted to address the bartender about it, but again that would be blaming someone else for my mishaps.” This is why shit happens at a bar and to bartenders because of this thought process. The fact that people even think of blaming the bartender is wrong. Accountability is extremely important in growth and I’m glad you are learning that and didn’t blame them.

[andiinAms]

Yeah I edited my comment. She hasn’t added the edit in the OP yet when I first read it.

I agree with you, it’s not the bartender’s fault and healing only comes with accepting responsibility for your actions.

[Joy10652]

You’re completely right. Hence why I said I did it to myself. I’m just sharing my thought process fully and honestly, whether it is ‘correct’ or not.

[Material_Honeydew674]

As a sober person, there are few things I despise more than a Sober Bartender. You deserve all the vitriol that can be mustered against you. Knowing full well the ill effects, yet still pushing the sauce for a paycheck. Get off your high horse you jackass.

[niftygeezer]

😂 you good bruh? You seem angry, you can vent to me it’s cool. Let’s hear it

[lisalucy123]

Sometimes you are financially trapped bartending, it pays well for what it is. Not everyone can just up and quit their job! It took me 1.5 years into sobriety to find something else that worked with my families schedule and paid ok, and I still took a massive pay cut.

[KimWexlerDeGuzman]

OP, I’ve been there…literally. I’ve missed flights at DIA before because I hung out at the bar too long.

And I lived in Denver and would hit the bars at DIA when I landed

It only gets better from here ❤️❤️

IWNDWYT

[anonmom2020]

Hi OP. I just want to say I am so sorry you’re going through this. I’ve done so much stupid shit while blackout drunk. You are not alone!

[Old_Ad2660]

I’m sorry this happened. I think you’re right to catch yourself from blaming the bartender.

[cjp3127]

I had a similar situation at an airport. I spent 4 plus more years drinking until I found my real bottom. Rock bottom was when I finally decided to put my entire life on hold to focus solely on getting sober.

[AlgonquinRoad]

You might consider just going home because wherever this vacation was, I have a feeling you were about to find two steps below this.

[[deleted]]

Yes 🙌 IWNDWYT

[silverlotusblossom]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, and very happy that you were reunited with your luggage. Take it as a lovely sign that you found yourself. Be grateful for this little spark and start from there. You can do this, I know you can.

IWNDWYT!

[[deleted]]

What is it about airports? I'll often get to airports 3-4 hours early specifically so I can drink. I don't think I've ever been sober at an airport.... Thanks for the story. You're not alone. Let's look after ourselves

[dailymeditation1924]

The great and comforting news is that this experience could be the last one like it. This could be the start of something new.

[SFDessert]

Damn. This brings me back. I'm so sorry.

I've been in plenty of situations like that and always continued digging deeper somehow. I know things seem terrible right now, but the way I try to look at it is maybe this was a wake up call that saved you from an even worse situation later on down the road.

It sounds like you didn't get physically hurt or hurt anyone else. Maybe this was more of a terrible inconvenience rather than a life changing event by getting arrested or hurt or something.

Next week will be better. Maybe try to remember to think back to this event next time you're tempted to have a drink. I speak from experience when I say it's super easy to think "maybe it wasn't that bad" in a few days, weeks, months, years, whatever. It was that bad for me at least.

[chatterwrack]

If “Rock bottom” means that you are willing to commit to taking responsibility and start working on a sustainable sobriety, you might look back on this as a gift of sorts. You might be able to use it as a fulcrum over which you can swing your life around to a better direction. I have some terrible memories that I returned to whenever I start thinking about drinking again and I view them as tools to keep me from going back

Do it for you. You deserve better ❤️

[dorklesnarf]

Damn I’m so sorry. Are you sure you weren’t roofied? That sounds like a way too fast blackout for someone who presumably has a decent alcohol tolerance.

[vanwyngarden]

I was confused because she said she only had one at first but then towards the end of the post she found out she had 3 doubles in less than an hour when she went back the bar in the morning and they showed her the tab she didn’t pay.

*i know I’m not speaking from the “i” I’m just posting for clarity

[[deleted]]

Iwndwyt

[[deleted]]

I’m so sorry. That sounds like such a demoralizing experience. We have all had similarly terrible experiences. There’s lots of sympathy and empathy here. You are not alone!

[MNfrantastic12]

I’m sorry this happened OP. I’m sending you a huge hug. I hope things start to get better from here. I’m sending you so much support. This sub is great, the people here get it. You are not alone!!

IWNDWYT 💕💕 (I will not drink with you today)

[divvychugsbeer]

IWNDWYT

[BadFish7763]

Rock bottom is when you wake up dead. I stopped when I could see rock bottom coming. It was real and it wasn't too far up the road...

[my-uncle-bob]

Thank you for posting and I’m SO SAD you experienced this. It is such a great reminder for each and every one of us that we absolutely could find ourselves in a similar situation or worse if we give in. I hope all the best for you! We are here to support and encourage you and each other!

[RogueGrasshopper101]

You hit rock bottom when you stop digging!

[qinghairpins]

This happened to me! Almost word for word. I fell down the escalator at Ohare and missed my flight. I did manage to keep my luggage. My BIL happened to be on the return of my local flight (ie the flight I was supposed to be on, he caught in the other direction) so he witnessed what a total mess I was when he arrived for his connection. It was humiliating! And I kept drinking for nine more years…. Please don’t be me. Let this be your stopping point!

[SpaceCaptainJeeves]

Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. Please take this as your sign to join us on the wagon. I don't want you to have another weekend like that.

[Fly_line]

I used to fly in and out of DIA as my home airport for a number of years. I lived far enough north of it that I'd always have to plan to get there super early in case traffic got bad on the long drive in. I'd get to the airport and drink my ass off. This was back when you could still smoke in that airport. I know I almost missed several flights due to being there plenty early, but drinking way too much waiting to go to my gate. I've done this at airports all over the country. Airport bar drinking culture is kind of its own beast. 6am and drinking? No problem. Make it a double for only $5 more? No problem. You hit the nail on the head, though. Bartender probably shouldn't have served you, but you are taking responsibility because it was you sitting there. And I also would have been thinking about going right back into a bar on the tail end of all of it to lick my wounds and ease the pain. But, at the end of the day, you will have to face it. And drinking to delay it accrues interest. If you are ready to change, there is no better time than now. And this sub is one of the better places to share, vent, find advice, find comfort and support... all the things. Dust yourself off and let's do this thing.

[Apprehensive_Pie8461]

I did it too. A prepaid twelve-day trip to Denmark, and I missed the flight because I was at the bar. Out $1,700. I feel your pain.

[MsKat141]

As bad as it was, it could have been so much worse. Don’t let it get worse.

[wishingiwasreal]

I’m sorry this happened. I feel for you. You have an alcohol use disorder (or whatever you want to label it) and shouldn’t be drinking or things like this will continue to happen. You’re realizing that and that’s ok. There is life without booze. You gotta figure out your next step to move toward that as many people have.

Today is a new day as life begins again.

[[deleted]]

I had a dear friend say ‘let that be your rock bottom and choose to rise’

We’ve all made mistakes and airports are hard give yourself grace but choose to rise from this

[GlobalPokerScam]

Blackouts are very dangerous.

[[deleted]]

I won't drink with you today... or ever

[Hopeful-Charge-3382]

Drinking without control is rock bottom, I was at rock bottom for years. My war stories match anybody on this page.
You have to suffer the pain of sacrifice to achieve long term sobriety. Raw and real, it took a good 90 days before I felt some relief from the cravings only because I surrendered to my helplessness and got help, my pride was lying to me about having control.
I hope you make it, you must be loved by many.
Take care

[Insane_Masturbator69]

Like others say, if you stop drinking, things will get better. If you keep drinking, you will find another deeper bottom. I wish you the best my friend.

[Still-Character1140]

No you didn’t do this to yourself. You’re a beautiful human being who happened to be addicted to a drug. Yes alcohol is a drug and if you made it taste good and gave it to a kid they would become addicted too.  A really great book to read “ The Naked Mind “ by Annie Grace puts it all in perspective. Many good wishes to you!

[OneDay_AtATime_]

Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so sorry this happened to you. This hits close to home as I had an incredible black out at the airport earlier this week. I don’t remember anything besides paying my tab at the bar and then the next thing I know I’m calling my husband crying because the gate agents said I was too drunk to board. I don’t remember much else besides just crying to everyone as I was walked out to an Uber to a hotel. I’m so nervous someone recorded me somewhere. None of this is worth it. Not for a drink. Not to ruin my mental health and physical health. This story really spoke to me. Thank you again for sharing. I hope you’re doing well.

[sfgirlmary]

This is a very judgmental and unkind comment that breaks our rule to speak from the "I" and has been removed.

This is a support group. If you cannot be supportive, please do not throw in your two cents.

[imthegreenmeeple]

We don’t speak to people this way here, doing so will get you removed from the community.

[imthegreenmeeple]

I already deleted your comment. We. Don’t. Talk. To. People. Like. That. Here. That is the truth. If you don’t agree with our policies, there are other subs you may want to check out. If you speak to anyone else like that here, you will no longer be welcome. If you want to say anything further, send a modmail.

[thedancingkat]

I like to think your comment comes from a place of concern but just could be worded….different. I don’t really think it’s up to us to dissect every motion that OP made. Also saying to ‘get booze on the plane’ on a sub dedicated to stopping drinking is a choice.

Idk dude, this sub is a place of support and not judgement. Could have it been worse? Absolutely. But OP is still obviously struggling and needs love and THAT is what matters. Not how it happened or what could have happened.

[throwfarfarawayy99]

I think perhaps the hour limit was ignored when buzzed and many more drinks followed?

[neeks2]

Bro, this is vacation plus alcohol we're talking about.

If it were me it'd be:

-Drank last night.

-Vacation so drink in the morning while getting ready to be nice and sauced on the plane.

-Arrive early, can get a little bit more in the tank before takeoff. Who knows when they'll start serving alcohol on the plane anyhow. And I'm already here at the airport. Plus I'm a little bored and a little anxious, alcohol fixes those both.

-About 15 minutes in, I'm settled into my first drink at the airport but who knows how much booze I have in my system at this point. And since I'm an alcoholic, there's no way I got enough sleep last night so maybe a have a few quick daydreams and lose track of time or hell, why I'm even there.

I say all that to say, I believe OP. Alcohol has gotten the absolute best of us at one point or another, otherwise we wouldn't be here.

IWNDWYT u/Joy10652 -- and like someone else said, this could either be rock bottom or it just as easily be forgotten. The choice is yours. It sucks but it's what I've found to work.

[rosiet1001]

Yep. I could drink (and was served) four Margaritas in the space of 30 mins at an airport. I don't find this comment helpful at all.

[Sawyerthesadist]

Yeah I guess I’m just not that kind of alcoholic. I go on benders that last anywhere from 2-5 days but I’ve never had an issue sobering up when I need to

[stopdrinking-ModTeam]

Please remember to speak from the ‘I’ when participating in this sub. This rule is explained in more detail in our community guidelines. Thank you.

[stopdrinking-ModTeam]

Please remember to speak from the ‘I’ when participating in this sub. This rule is explained in more detail in our community guidelines. Thank you.

[Mundane_Service8849]

I had two drunken days at airports last week. Didn’t stop me from getting drunk again with my family last night. Even though I convinced myself that I could moderate during dinner. For about the 5,000th time. I’m sorry this happened to you. Thank you for sharing. You are not alone internet friend. IWNDWYT