Falling off the wagon

[JB1543]

G'day all,

Really struggling recently with keeping in recovery the most ive managed in the last few years is about 6 weeks.

Im in and out of AA a hell of a lot, but I just fall off the wagon im not an everyday drinker but if I have one im out until kick out.

Does anyone else have any experience with this and what tools have they used in early sobriety ro help combat this.

Cheers all

[Ru-bee]

@JB1543 I just wanted to pop by and welcome you to the space

It sounds as though this is something that you've been struggling with for a while, and that you've taken some positive steps forward, even though there have been some setbacks.

Really looking forward to hearing other's experience and any guidance and support the community can offer you in these early stages of sobriety. 

[Sugarshack]

Gday,

That sounds like a real uphill battle, are you harmless when intoxicated or do you get yourself into trouble? Once upon a life I used to get into trouble from drinking a lot so I had to quit.

First up I forced myself to stay sober for 1 year by totally changing my lifestyle. I moved out of the place I was living in as it was full of bad memories, moved to a different town and studied so that I could not go back on old habits I knew I was going to die or be seriously troubled by the amount I was drinking, and problems arising from it.

Then. I used to spend all my money BEFORE I could spend a dollar on alcohol, and I would tie all my money up by pre-paying rent, phone credit and gift cards so it was impossible for me to get alcohol.

THEN...I worked on my social skills, friendships, traumas and hobbies. For me, drinking was escapism and habit, and I had hundreds of friends at the pub but no one outside of there.

Do you have a few things in your life that you value more than drinking? can you turn all your attention to those things? Set yourself some small, achievable goals say on one of your benders "Im only going to have (2/3 max quantity you usually have)." Make it so you cant get any alcohol no matter what. Make drinking unpleasant, and all other things will seem better by way of comparison. 

And what do you like about yourself? What are you good at? What are you bad at? Throw your energy into these things, and internally remodel your self esteem so you identify as a person who doesn't prioritise alcohol.

All the best, you can do it! And if think you can't, try again. 

[Heals07]

Hey man.

If you're not drinking everyday - that really is a positive.

I drink, and I drink quick. So a while back If I knew I was going to have a drink, I went one for one. So one alcoholic drink, followed by a non alcohol drink. This is by no means a solution - just something that made me cut down my drinking by half if I was going out.

Also - the non alco drink doesn't have to be boring like water etc. Can be anything man, just no booze in it.

Keep punching, bro.

[Heals07]

Good advice from the post above mine also.