Try again.

When I was drinking and unhappy. I would sometimes wonder if I was ever really happy.  Then it dawned on me, that I was very happy back in high school, when I got up early went to school all day, played sports all evening, did homework, and went to bed tired, happy and full of achievement.

Slowly but surely that all went away when I started drinking.....acting "grown up."

I do that now, except it's work, training and checking kid homework.  I am really happy.

Why not quit drinking and see...?  Let go of it.  It really is a letting go.

Find that thing that'll get you over the hump and hold on to it.

At all costs. Just for you!

You might have to take uncomfortable risks or jettison some things or people.  It's worth it.

Hope you're all well! I went to a meeting last night, it was good as always.

There was a lady who had been sober for 18 years, she had to reset her clock yesterday...it was emotional to hear her story.

Besides being cunning, baffling, and powerful, it is patient as all get out. It will wait for decades if need be for you to fall into a false sense of security. Then, when you stop doing those things that have been working....you find yourself drunk again. 

True that!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44147493/ns/health-addictions/#.T6wLSnOcNrE

Interesting read..

Addiction now defined as brain 

disorder, not behavior issue

Hey friends-

Some of you know after reading this thread I was inspired to cut back on my habits a bit. Smarti's story really resonated with me, and the last few weeks have been encouraging in that just small behavior modifications have yielded great results. Good stuff.

But today I am having an instant message conversation with one of my buddies. We'd talked in the past few weeks about me cutting back (he is a drinking buddy of mine), etc. He informs me he drank a "whole bottle of rum" last night. Now I know this guy drinks a lot, but that surprised me. He then goes on to say "I was sober for 4 days... a personal best. But then left work grumpy."

Obviously my friend has a problem. How can I help him? 

Does he think he has a problem?

Don't know for sure. If I asked he would probably make a joke about it. 
Should I ask?
Ask if he's ever thought about help?
Offer to attend a meeting with him?
Send him a link? 

I think you should make a date to go to a meeting

There really isn't much you can do unless he thinks he has a problem AND wants information or help. That's true of all things.

I remember going to a meeting with my SO to help him, or just to go with him, I guess, and I remember relating to what many people shared and thinking, "Wow ... I struggle with that too ... it's too bad they wound up being alcoholics."

I don't know if you saw my post on the 20 Questions earlier, but here's a link again (it exists in many places):

http://www.leecountyaa.org/questions.html

These questions were originally created and used by Johns Hopkins University Hospital to help determine whether a person was an alcoholic, and have been adopted with citation by AA for the same.

I also want to add ...

Tyler created this thread, which has taken on a life of its own with his blessing.

It is the "Becoming Sober" thread. It is NOT the AA thread.

Though some of us are AA members, this is an open thread on an open forum with the general topic of becoming sober, which was begun with a specific person asking questions about sobriety.

My personal hope is that people perceive it as being open, with open discussion, open experiences, open opinions.

In my experience, I believe this.   Also, in my experience, and entire bottle of Rum is a big red flag.  If you're (Lisac957) thinking about it, maybe go to a meeting, see what you learn and share it with your buddy.  I never would have gone until I proved to myself that I had a problem...  Hope this little bit helps..

I was the same way.  I could drink 30 beers in a night for 4-5 nights in a row.  Then when I took 3-4 days off, I was impressed with myself. 

If you look back when I first started this thread, I was told that I have to realize that I have a problem and want to fix it.  People wanting that for me, and telling me I have a problem would of done no good.

Just don't be an enabler, don't go drinking with him anymore.  Hopefully he realizes that he should quit soon.

Congrats on cutting back yourself!  For some people, that's all they need

It is a wonderful thread!  I myself worked through AA and Rational Recovery programs.  I think it is nice to be able to hear and experience the journey of others and know that our success and fallings will be met with love and support! 

I didn't need a study to tell me what I have known my whole life. I'm not wired like normal people.

And addiction has been classified as a disease for decades... that alone was not a behavioral problem. Many still think it is a behavior or moral problem... but it has been classified as different for a long time.

Please please please don't ever be nervous to come into this thread.  

AA isn't for everyone..

 There's always Al Anon! Lisa might consider a meeting or two to gain insight in what drives her friend to drink a bottle of rum in one day. You won't be able to force your friend to stop drinking, but you might pick up some tips on how to gracefully steer that friend towards sobriety.

Good Morning All!

Have I mentioned how much easier it is to get up and get going on a Sunday morning WITHOUT a hangover?  I love it!

That is the best, isn't it? 

So what great things are you gonna do today?

Hey all,

I do enjoy reading this thread. 

I'm in the smarti and lisa category.  I still drink but as little as possible and have considered quitting entirely.  I've read the Big Book and some of Bill Wilson's biography and love it.  Also I love the whole concept of the 12 steps.  Most of all, I love sober alcoholics;  you all seem like the exact opposite of the pharisees in the gospels (if that makes sense?).  I don't think I'm alcoholic but I strive to emulate the courage, humility and persistence of those who have become sober.

Thanks for the inspiration.