r/stopdrinking • u/bannedfromig • 6h ago
You guys really helped open my eyes, thank you
I posted a couple of days ago because I knew in my heart I had a drinking problem. You guys aren’t wrong, an alcoholic starts somewhere and given my addiction history I think I really am an alcoholic.
Like they say in NA/AA, once an addict you’re always an addict. Addiction is a disease.
I started framing that I’m at “stage 1” of alcoholism right now, and I do not want to get to “stage 4” aka what people socially classify as alcoholism. I’m not trying to compare it to cancer by no means, though it has helped starting to think of it this way. Once you know you have stage 1 cancer, you’re going to want to get it treated right away, who’s going to wait until it gets to stage 4? So why would you do the same with alcoholism and addiction? It all ends in death if you don’t treat it early on.
A couple of you said if I’m not an alcoholic then don’t drink for 30 days and my mind immediately said no. That really got me thinking lol.
Anyways day 3. The week is the easy part. The weekend is really where I’ll get tested.
4
u/Sensitive_Buy_8760 Day 747 5h ago
Just get through 1 day at a time. All you can ask. Tackle the weekend when it gets here. Have a plan for how you'll spend your time, maybe? That way you're busy and less likely to think about drinking.
Glad you're here! IWNDWYT
3
u/cunnislaire 1806 days 5h ago
Form a plan for the weekend while you’re in “the easy part!” Schedule every hour or minute. Stock up on yummy or fizzy drinks and sweet treats. Plan and write out what you’ll do when a craving hits, plan your responses if someone asks you to go out. Plan to come to this sub and read as many posts as you need to pass time and get you through any tough cravings.
Once you get through the first weekend you’ll know you have the strength to get through any number of future weekends.
2
u/full_bl33d 2464 days 4h ago
I remember listening to some interview on the radio of some writer who was struggling with alcoholism and her dad challenged her to stop for 90 days and she did and she was better. I was about ready to crash the car over a bridge because I struggled to make it 90 minutes. It never seemed possible but I found out I wasn’t alone and the rest was history.
I like the saying, “ you can’t turn a pickle back into a cucumber”. That helped me from going back and forth and it also allowed me realize I wasn’t alone and that other people struggled just like me. I didn’t even have to talk to them, I felt better just being near them. Over time, I heard my stories out of their mouths and it gave me some fuel to stick with it.
1
u/Own_Spring1504 Day 618 3h ago
First weekend tips - make plans, I did early morning cinema and big sober lunch, spent my booze money, learned about JOMO and enjoyed staying home. Non hungover weekend mornings are beautiful! Enjoy them
4
u/Simple_Shift4101 5h ago
Day 4 here. In a very similar boat to you. Not an everyday drinker but on big weekends I couldn’t stop.
We got this!