"That life is suffering and will always be so."

Thank you for saying that. It's the most honest and revealing assessment of quitting on willpower I have ever read.

oct3591. Its important to realize that you suffer from a disease for which there is no cure. Its also good to know that you have no defence against the next drink if you don't do something to prevent it. Have you tried Alcoholics Anonymous? I'm sure there are meetings all over your neighborhood. As alcoholics we must learn a new way of living and to quit old habits and behaviours. It's easier said than done and AA can help you with that.One thing is certain alcoholism is bigger than any one man and without help we will find ourselves back in the throws of our disease.I suggest you give AA a try. It has worked for me and countless others. We came to realize that drinking is but a symptom of our disease and that there is so much more to sobriety than just not drinking. Give it a shot you have nothing to lose. No matter what you decide please keep coming back we really do care.!! Greg

Hi, Nice to see you. I hope in time that relaxing with a beer doesn't even enter your mind, let alone seem like it would be enjoyable.

You are right about one thing -- life is so much better without alcohol -- man, I wish I had figured that out sooner. Congrats on eight months!

I went to a few AA meetings early on. I'll go back if I feel the need. At my first meeting, I was very impressed. Everyone was so supportive. It goes hand in hand with things like DS. We should help each other as much as we can. One reason I come back here, aside from seeking your help, is the hope that something I write, or the responses I read will help someone else.

I can't take credit for the "life is suffering" view. It's basic Buddhism. I'm not a practicing anything, but I'm grateful for any HP help I can get.

WTG on 8 months.

Life sure does keep happening even when we are not drinking. I used to think that life was a rollercoaster of emotion when I was drinking and that is why I drunk. Now I like to think of life as having enough bends and twists to keep it interesting enough. It would be boring if it were straight and we could see all the way to the end for sure.

Did you take up any new hobbies? What do you do with your time nowadays to keep things moving? Great you mention about HP....for me, the very fact I am still alive is proof that my HP always was here even when I didn't know (I am an AAer too).

Or, as I heard someone say at a meeting, look out the window; could man really have built all that????

glad your sober....hugs bill

I took up bike riding. Here's a benefit of being sober. I get up at dawn and ride to the river. The sun is just coming up. It's quiet, and beautiful. I feel good. Hangovers would keep me from having this wonderful experience.

Keep posting Oct, Support from other alcoholics helps me stay in touch and reminds me to do what's needed to stay balanced and avoid complacency. I may have far to go, but I know I've come a long way and don't ever want to go back. Nice post :)

Congrats on 8 months. I agree its better sober by far. No hangovers alone make all the work worth it. I seek more than suffering though. If I really thought life was just to suffer Id stay drunk!

Oh I guess there's some joy in it sometimes. Thanks for the chuckle.

"Life is suffering". I am guessing Nemo is being sarcastic when he says that-implying that you all must be miserable on this thing outside of AA called willpower? Please tell me I am wrong.

I think it really is a great approach-so freeing. Not willpower for me-I am free! The pain is beautiful! Rhe suffering and the beauty of it all!

We have been so conditioned to think we must be happy happy happy...positive positive positive....UGH! Give me life in technicolor, I want it all. I live in "Happy Valley" known for it's smiles here (Salt Lake) and I can tell you it is bullshit! I like crap AND smiles.

The Four Noble Truths

1. Life means suffering.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

Understanding the First Noble Truth is not easy. This was not written in English and the original statement was not life is suffering but the enlightened ones call dukkha. And lots of people argue that dukkha is not translated correctly. But you need to realize this-that life is dukkha, or loosely translated-suffering. Why is that so bad to realize? I think you need to face it to get beyond it.

I wish you the best but more than that, I wish you ninety meetings in ninety day!