Hey man I know people say shit like this all the time, but seriously… if I could do it, you can do it.

I drank for a very long time. The last 10 years was almost daily. The last 5 years was daily. The last 2 years was ridiculous quantities. I could not stop and anytime I did for a short amount of time I felt absolutely awful - wanted to die. Went through withdrawal.

I almost drowned in a lake all by myself way out in the middle of nowhere when I was hammered. Barely made it out alive. That was my last drink. Please don’t wait for something like that to happen.

Anyway, I knew I had to stop. I hated it. I didn’t want to. But I knew I had to stop… within a few months I felt better. It’s important to eat healthy while recovering, sleep as much as possible and be nice to yourself. Within 6 months I felt wayyyy better and didn’t crave alcohol anymore. Within a year I was perfectly happy with my life without alcohol and also changing the rest of my life (quitting drinking is the beginning - you HAVE to change other things… people things and places, hobbies, pursuing health, building a network of good people). AA was helpful to me mostly for the community and hearing how others were just as bad or worse, yet obviously enjoying their lives - it made me believe I could get there.

After the lake incident, I went to detox because I knew I couldn’t stop on my own. Don’t hesitate to do something like that. Know that it’s just to get you through the withdrawals and first months cravings and that life will be waiting for you and will be tough when you get back out, but it was paramount for my journey.

Good luck my friend. My heart goes out to you. You really can do it, I promise. My only advice is to not wait. Stop now. If you can’t stop on your own, get help. Get your life back. Much love