19 & quitting

[swabes]

Hi all,

So really drinking rarely is a pleasant experience for me. I make bad decisions/choices and always wake up the next day wondering of I was an idiot the night before. I relied on it a lot to get me through tough periods of my life however whilst under the influence of alcohol I have attempted suicide twice. I am a lot better now, been through a lot of counselling and am more content with myself but this is one vicious cycle I would love to break.

I realise my problem is not as severe as some others on here, the last thing I want is to come across as being really trivial and offend anyone who really struggles with alcoholism. My mum struggles with drink and drugs and I've decided I've had enough, I don't want to be her 30 or less years down the line.

I guess what I'm asking is for advice. Coming here for support suits me fine but any actual coping tools or advice would be great. Can anyone tell me if they found sobriety more fulfilling? Literally ANY advice or commets would be welcome.

Thanks all and hope each and every one of you are doing well and fighting hard.

[swabes]

Thank you all so much for the responses.

Family etc have said they think I will last 3 months but this time I'm determined. I know it will be hard but hearing all the positivity is great.

This community seems very active and supportive and I'm so glad to know I can come here and see so many inspiring stories and see everyone help eachother out.

I'm expecting to hit a wall eventually, but I want to be prepared for it.

[10356]

Hi Swabes.. I can say I have found Not drinking to be so much more fulfilling !! so much.. when I first stopped drinking it was so hard although I could not figure out what I missed.. all I did when I drank was sit at my table nursing a drink I could not go anywhere for I could not bring my drink, to a party ok as there would be drink but a Birthday party for a child > no that would be out. I missed so much of my children's life sitting at that table nursing my drink.. they grew up and my memories are foggy for it. no going back when I'm old and reliving my children's youth for it is foggy due to the alcohol.. so many arguments with the hubby while I sat at my table nursing my alcohol.. so many accusations that were all in a alcohol fueled mind. so many wasted tears that were trumped up due to the alcohol so many years wasted sitting at my table nursing my drinks.. my elbows had calluses from sitting at that table all my pictures have my drink in them.. It has been 5 years. I'm happy I seldom sit at my table I remember these last 5 years I can  count on my hand how many arguments i HAVE HAD WITH HUBBY AND MY CHILDREN LOOK AT ME AND SEE ME NOT A DRUNK NOT A BLURRY EYED DRUNK.. I feel blessed I quit.. It was so very very hard but so worth it.. my hubby can drink and I have no desire for all I have to do is think of that pathetic lady who sat at her table and nursed her alcohol she was nursing it too the grave.. I in recovery now and I'm happy.. I have a appetite soft elbows I cry when appropriate and I remember yesterday.. it was worth the pain of quitting.. lesa

[aaronwebvizards]

Hey, its really good to read your post where you struggled but at the same time got rid of drinking habit.Many People like you or of your age is still struggling to have a better life after quitting alcohol.You did a great job to quit drinking problem at the right time, since it not only destroys social but as well as personal life too. I feel you should come forward & help those with your example to get recovered from this addiction problem.

[ibizan]

i've been sober/clean one day at a time for 29 years now.....stopped at age 28 and am 57.I began young w/alcohol @ 14 and drugs @17.My life is better minus all of it.......and my occasional urges to use these days...which last 15 minutes are no more than a juvenile escape fantasy from some difficult life things...which wouldn't make any of it go away or get better!I'm glad i never accidentally overdosed...or killed anyone with my past often bad habit of drunk driving...many times in blackouts.

[BluCrystal]

http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/recovery-skills.htm

Hi, so good to see another one in recovery! :-)  The above link is excellent.  Please take a moment to look at it. :-)  Blessings - Blu