Welcome to D/S bella51. What we do here is help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety by sharing our experience strength and hope. Have you got a problem with drinking? What steps have you taken toward recovery? There are many avenues to sobriety. I found my solution in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. I learned a new way of living through the program outlined in the first 164 pages of the BIG BOOK called Alcoholics Anonymous. If you havent attended a meeting I suggest you look into it. The very worst thing that could happen is your life will change.

I have been drinking since I was 13 ...I'm 51
It just keeps getting worse and worse. I have never attempted to stop but thought I really need to for many years.
I just can't fathom how it got so bad.

Spirals quickly Bella. If you don't do something to change, nothing will. I ended in rehab and also found AA. Was a start to making change happen in my life. That wasn't going to be easy and meeting others who'd done that with their lives gave me Hope. Welcome to the group.

Welcome!

Hi bella, welcome! Quitting drinking is harder than I thought it would be. I have made several failed attempts, but this time I know I can do it. I am so determined. I, like you, can't fathom how it got so bad. But I'm sober and feeling good again, and I hope for the same for you.

Hi Bella, do you have someone around you to help out? Detox is a bitch, for many of us even life threatening.

You can do this-I drank for 20 plus years and life is so so much better now that I have gotten-and remained sober. The first month was hard for me-I needed help.

Welcome.

Welcome Bella51!

I'm too new to offer much guidance, but my welcome is heartfelt. Strength is in numbers and sharing makes us all stronger.

Welcome to DS Bella. Post and tell us how you're doing on day 2 okay? However you're feeling, I think you'll find that most of us have been there before.

Welcome!
Plug in the jug...

Welcome Bella! I'm on day 3 and share similarities - started at 14 or 15, have been able to quit here and there for periods of time. But at 55, it's time to really stop - I really cannot control it anymore. I can't offer advise yet, other than I feel great today, and still remember what I felt like on this last day one, and I don't want to go there again. I think this group is a great support.

Welcome. I think many or even all of use can relate! I started drinking and using drugs around age 12 in earnest, though I had my first experience with mind altering substances at around 9 or 10. This went on, and off, for the better part of my life until last year. I had several long periods of abstinence, up to a few years, but each time I'd drink again, I'd drink harder than before. It really was like the disease was growing in the background/ somewhere in the pit of my stomach or something.
Anyway I found release from this monster through AA, the 12 steps, etc. I went in wanting to learn to drink or moderate my drinking. I'm now a bit over 10 months learning how to live.

Good luck.

Welcome! Expect hell, but you can get through it and it's worth it.

Thank you all once again....I made it thru 2.5 days!!
Since I will usually start drinking in the morning when not working...I am going to count half days:-)
Doing Ok...No shakes so far today, my mind is clearer and my face is not as bloated.
Why does juice help...is it the sugar?
On a lighter note...Where did you all get those cute pictures for your profile?

If you go to edit your profile it will give you some options for avatars (the cut pics) and it will also allow you to upload your own favorite pic from your pc.

Dear bella51 You're doin GREAT! I've quit drinking (1983), smoking pot (1984), and cigarettes (1988), and found, whenever you remove something from your life, its imperative to replace it with something you'll love just as much (hobby, trying recipes, volunteer work, etc) DON'T leave any "holes" in your day, or boredom and temptation will torment you.
You CAN do this thing, bella. Millions of others have.