Haven't touched a drop in...

Henlars67

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119982739#Comment_119982739

You need to decide that you don't drink anymore. If you constantly need to refresh your commitment then you're still a prisoner to drink.

Try Allen Carr's book. It helped me to get in the right frame of mind. The book itself is a hard read. I quit after a couple of chapters and downloaded the audiobook instead. Listened to it over the course of a week. I was sceptical about it, bit it's well worth listening to and if it works for you then afterwards you won't need to refresh your commitment every so often.

tinpib

I was similar to you, I gave up drinking "permanently" and lasted 4.5 months the first 3 times. This 4th time will be 7 years in a couple of weeks so I hope it is permanent. The first 3 times were all triggered by some catastrophic night drinking, losing phones etc. Those times are posted on this thread.

This last time I was on a beach holiday at Christmas and I had time to look back over the previous year. Even though I had clocked up 4.5 months sober that year I didn't have anything to show for it. No progress in finances, career etc, though I had gotten into a bit of running while sober.

I came up with an idea for a side business and realised that if I kept drinking that I would probably work on it only on a Wednesday if I'm lucky. I would either spend me free time drinking or recovering from drinking.

Then over the course of a few days everything just clicked and I saw that there close to zero benefits from continuing to drink while there were dozens of ways my life would be better. It was kinda an epiphany or "The Emperor isn't wearing any clothes" moment. I saw what now seems obvious.

I've no regrets about drinking, I particularly had a blast when I was in college, and then kinda in my 20's. I stopped at 36 and I think for most people the really good times drinking are in the rear view mirror at that point. It was a good time to stop.

pretty boy floyd

I hope everyone is navigating the Christmas period ok. I missed having a drink when people were showing up and the jollities were starting on the 23rd. I thought this is going to be harder than last year. Then on Christmas Eve that had all gone and I’ve sailed through. I’ll be two years off it end January and feeling grand. I certainly don’t feel I missed out in anything when it comes to booze and, although I enjoyed it, life is happy and more straight forward without it. I really wouldn’t have believed I could think like that. Happy New Year everyone (if it’s not too early to say that).

sea2summit

I haven't drank in.......

Tomorrow will be my 3rd year anniversary 🎉

Cushtie

Coming up on 12 years.

keeffo2005

Over a year for me and 2 Christmas's down, watching it affect other people during Xmas this year or else I just never noticed before, but def saying how it affects people's moods and behaviour for days after

riddles

Managed to navigate Xmas booze free feeling good as a result - six weeks off it tomorrow.

pretty boy floyd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120052341#Comment_120052341

Good stuff riddles. I doubt there is any time with more suggestion and influence trying to get you to drink than Christmas so, well done

pretty boy floyd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120042160#Comment_120042160

It is funny that one (not ha ha). I notice some people who get a bit ratty and contrary in a way that I wouldn’t have seen when I was drinking and would have assumed it was me with the issue.

riddles

Did anybody experience joint pain after quitting. I have been prone to gout attacks in the past but since quitting I have experienced pain ad hoc in different joints? Thx

JupiterKid

Well done to all here who stayed sober over the Christmas period. 😊👍👍

It can be a very difficult time to keep sober with family, friends and all and sundry meeting up and drinking. My first sober Christmas, 2018, was pretty tough as I was just looking at others drinking and having fun and feeling sorry for myself - but then I thought how destructive my drinking had become and that it was really all over for me. Being in a AA home group with a sponsor taking me through the steps and a very supportive partner was critically important for me.

Unfortunately I briefly relapsed one more time after that, but since March 2019 I gave been fully sober and therefore 2023 is my fifth calendar year of sobriety.

My life is immeasurably better without alcohol, a substance which nearly took my own life given how bad my drinking was in those darkest years.