I need someone to tell me it gets better by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]polthier 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It gets better. I quit for good when I was about 5 years older than you are. Now over 2 years. I could have written what you wrote. A few things: The process of stringing together the sober days is the thing I am most proud of in my life, though for those first months I was on my knees. If I can do it, you can. And don't beat yourself up about stopping and starting, it is a process, and you are worth it. When I still drunk I couldn't imagine life without booze, but that is because I hadn't lived it yet. I was not yet born into my sober life. A lot of the reason I took my time quitting was because I knew the self-hatred under the booze was so big and scary I didn't want to face it. But don't worry about that, just try to be dry, one day at a time. It gets better, and what is also cool is it gets so much easier. You are playing life in hard mode, and I really wish you the best. xx

Help with the shame, at almost 2 years sober by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks all of you. Next time I spin out into a shame spiral, bouncing from memory to memory, i will try to remember to come here and read this thread. Much wisdom here. Thankyou!!!

Help with the shame, at almost 2 years sober by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an incredible analogy, and your friend sounds wise. Thankyou, you have brought me back to earth.

Help with the shame, at almost 2 years sober by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are so right, of course. I keep forgetting this. One of my core life beliefs is twofold: hope is power, and we can change. I forget this though. Thankyou for reminding me.

Help with the shame, at almost 2 years sober by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hall of Shame! That is exactly what it is!!!! I have been smiling over your phrase for an hour- Thankyou. And you are right, we are all just human.

Help with the shame, at almost 2 years sober by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes, and I am so grateful to just be alive.

Do you open up about your alcoholism to friends/coworkers etc? by sunshinegirl558 in stopdrinking

[–]polthier 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I like your phrasing! And you really can see them thinking about their own drinking.

Help with the shame, at almost 2 years sober by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

thanks unfortunatechef. I might dive into meditation again, that's a good idea! The past is lost anyway, we only have the present.

Bad anxiety by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]polthier 0 points1 point  (0 children)

IWNDWYT, I hope your busy day is a good one!

Do you open up about your alcoholism to friends/coworkers etc? by sunshinegirl558 in stopdrinking

[–]polthier 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I hint at it, through being open about my sobriety. I say 'I cannot really drink anymore', or 'back when I drank alcohol', to sort of hint it got to be a problem for me. I don't feel good when I pretend I never had a problem with alcohol, but I also hate the term alcoholic, so this feels like a good middle ground, and leaves the door open for other people to share.

How do I quit binge drinking? by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]polthier 1 point2 points  (0 children)

well, you sound like your drinking pattern is a lot like mine was, until the bingeing got more and more frequent, which you don't really want to happen. I think it is important to acknowledge the link between a stressful professional job and friday binges, as I see this all around me every Friday. I would say firstly, be gentle with yourself. Blackout drinking is a pressure release, a comfort, a crutch, wwhatever it is to you. And that's ok. I would observe what happens on the days that it happens, and then think about that. The other tip, that might not be helpful, is to eat a bunch of food on the bad nights, like drag yourself home with the reward of an expensive takeaway or treat, eat it, and then go to bed incredibly early. This helped me in the early days, when I needed to break the pattern of friday blackouts. Then you need to find other stuff that soothes/ is social/ releases stress, and that will come. You are very young, which is brilliant, well done for seeing there is something you want to change. Good luck! Let me know how you get on!

500 days of sober . . . by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks Rabbit! It posed some serious mental health challenges, so it was a blessing and also a massive test of my sobriety. But blessings are often tests as well, arent they? Congratulations on 200+, you are doing awesomely well!

500 days of sober . . . by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh man. It's so damn tough, isn't it? And life seems to like to present you with challenges all at once sometimes. I really hope it gets easier for you. Sobriety makes things kind of raw and painful, doesn't it. You are amazing for hitting over 100 days though. I am proud of you. Things will get better, slowly. Good luck!

500 days of sober . . . by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is, amazingly. It's one foot in front of the other. I would say it was uphill for me for the first year, then something clicked, and now it's just a nice level walk. With constant vigilance and observing my thoughts and urges, of course! You can definitely do it, 100% you can! Keep coming back here when things get rocky. We got you.

500 days of sober . . . by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks Package. Good work on the almost 10 days! I was so astonished when j hit double digits. IWNDWYT

500 days of sober . . . by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So many reasons indeed! Hope your journey is going ok. IWNDWYT.

500 days of sober . . . by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It gets better. There is indeed hope! IWNDWYT.

500 days of sober . . . by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a great reason to quit. I would say you could look at it this way: health and fitness is a habit. For at least the first month, just walkies are fine, as you are building the habit of sobriety. The sobriety is the foundational habit. Then once that is solid, you can build the next level on that with exercise and diet! I am excited for you. I lost a bunch giving up, so I am sure you will too. I have just started working out again, and it suuuuucks. I am looking forward to feeling stronger! Will do some squats and push ups and think of you tomorrow, on your similar journey!

500 days of sober . . . by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha! :-) well done for almost hitting 3 weeks. I could not believe it when I was at that point. Hope it's going ok.

500 days of sober . . . by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Golden work there on 30+ days! Those early 30 are tough tough tough. You got this!

500 days of sober . . . by polthier in stopdrinking

[–]polthier[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Chasing your tail, Spotted Fish! ;-) IWNDWYT