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jbar wrote:Survived Christmas, now for new years and then, my birthday. Then I'm in the clear. I can do it.You've got this.Holidays can definitely be tough, especially early on. For me, getting through the different milestones--first wedding sober, first birthday, new years, first show, etc. were hard at first but allowed me to gain confidence and change my thinking patterns--after a while I felt so much more comfortable with these occasions and at this point drinking at them doesn't even enter my conscience. So it definitely gets easier over time. Awesome job!!!

If I'm counting correctly, October 3 was 90 days ago.I feel good, I guess. Big holidays are behind me, about to leave my job and hit the road. If I can do it, you can do it. Here's to all of you struggling or striding.

Amen. Here's to that then.

BusBus wrote:Luckily I didn't go back to drinking, but I now realize how much the drinking used to dull the depression lurking deep inside.This is a vastly underrated comment. Drinking keeps everything on an even keel (more or less), but you also don't really get to feel much emotion. All that comes rushing back once you stop and learning how to experience it again and be ok with it takes getting used to. It's where the joy is, though.I don't post about it much, but I will say that I hit 4 years without drinking this past January. Life isn't perfect or anything, but it's a lot better than it was, and I get to practise being a better son, brother, friend, etc. which is where much of the value is.Maybe things will change at some point? Who knows. I hope not.Keep up the good work everyone. Keep trying.

BusBus, you the best man. Good to see you here despite some of the circumstances.

I had pretty much stopped the regular, heavy drinking(every other day) when my wife was diagnosed with cancer 2.5 years ago, but I would still have a night or two every month where I would binge drink all the beer I had at my disposal. After her diagnosis, my wife and I started exercising again, mainly riding bikes off road and bike commuting for me. I ended up going all in on bike racing and ended up placing 2nd in a state wide series last summer for my age group, but was still doing the 1-2x a month binge thing along with chain smoking when I would drink. This past November I finally had enough and I haven't had a drink or cig since November 15. My obsession with off road bike racing helped me quit as there is no way I would be able to survive moving up a category and remain competitive this upcoming summer race season if I did any of the occasional binging. Another benefit is I am down about 45 pounds and I'm no longer an angry hung over piece of crap in front of my kids and wife. I can't believe how much money I used to spend at the bar and liquor store. The lifetime spend is incalculable. For the most part, it's been going ok except for when I took a deep dive back into depression and anxiety due to work this past December. Luckily I didn't go back to drinking, but I now realize how much the drinking used to dull the depression lurking deep inside. i had to take an extended leave of absence from work, but am now back at work and feeling motivated to move past the depression/anxiety with help from my old friend ssri. Onward.

My little brother is seven years sober today.I've been on here long enough that I posted about when he wasn't and then when he was trying to get there.I forgot his anniversary this year till just now. Made me very happy to remember and hit him up.Love, strength and patience to all of you.

andyman wrote:I don't post about it much, but I will say that I hit 4 years without drinking this past January. Life isn't perfect or anything, but it's a lot better than it was, and I get to practise being a better son, brother, friend, etc. which is where much of the value is.Maybe things will change at some point? Who knows. I hope not.Keep up the good work everyone. Keep trying.Well done, mate. This makes me very happy to read. You should be proud of yourself.

Tommy Alpha wrote:andyman wrote:I don't post about it much, but I will say that I hit 4 years without drinking this past January. Life isn't perfect or anything, but it's a lot better than it was, and I get to practise being a better son, brother, friend, etc. which is where much of the value is.Maybe things will change at some point? Who knows. I hope not.Keep up the good work everyone. Keep trying.Well done, mate. This makes me very happy to read. You should be proud of yourself.Agreed. I'm sorry we're not in touch more, but I'm very happy to hear that you're doing well.I've had more than a few experiences which made it very clear that my relationship with alcohol was unhealthy and my ability to drink sensibly was diminishing.I managed a month of not drinking, didn't miss it. Had a few beers last weekend, didn't enjoy them. Back off the booze for the foreseeable future.

I just realized that February 11th marked two years for me. Funny how much faster the second year seemed to go by compared to the first one. I absolutely could not have done it without this thread and without the folks who reached out to me after I'd posted about struggling. I will forever be grateful for you all.