dianeme - I hear you. I am tempted to put that as my quit date, too, as it is an obvious one - new year, new habits. I've recently relapsed into many old behaviours and I would LOVE to use the holidays as an excuse, however, with me there ALWAYS seems to be a reason to drink. So, if I set January 1st as a date then that gives me permission to drink tonight and tomorrow night. Then, I have an after-the-holidays girls night out next week so that will be an "excuse" for me to abolish my no-drinking for "just one more night".........
I don't know where I'm going with this except that I feel like I will always have a "reason" to drink and it is frustrating me.
Maybe cold turkey and a strong resolution is the way to go?
I dunno anymore:(

I can remember the dr told me my liver enzymes were 155 and 0-50 was normal. So what did I do? Go to the bar and drink to not have to deal with it. That was over three years ago. My levels were normal after 6 months sober. I found a room of others that helped me learn how to manage the things in life that I used to drink over. You can too
1is2many

Oh and I never want to fotget that ach in my side / back. There were several things that pushed me over the line to get sober. My dad had a stroke and I was at the hospital to help watch him. One day we had to go look at Rehab places for him to get out of the hospital and into. Me and my brother went and I will never forget riding the elevator up to the 2nd floor and it was full of ppl that had had transplants. My liver was paining me so bad and I was looking at these ppl I remember almost collapsing in the elevator going back I was so shook up. But of course I went and drank. But that set the wheels in motion.

It is possible to get sober and be happy. The body heals and I'm greatful to be sober cmon!

1-2

I went sober for six months after an elevated liver count. Levels were normal, so I drank again.

I even had an internal specialist say to me, "what are you doing? You have a family and are young. Don't throw away your life."

That was a good 4-5 years before I quit drinking.

What an idiot I was (am).

Thank you everyone who shared ... I needed to hear that the liver can heal if I am sober; maybe it's not too late. I have lots to live for and great resolve.

Well, it was a good dry run. So now I begin again.

What happened to Day IV?

A very good friend, who we never see each other often enough, came through town. We always meet at the watering hole. It's a public space of safety. We share an intense mutual attraction while remaining absolutely committed to our spouses of decades. Without ever saying it, we sense that if we met in private, we might yield to physical temptation. Occasionally, the four of us get together and it's all always good.

I had two drinks. That is the public limit.

And now return again to none.

This is a private quest for me. Beyond this group, there has been no public disclosure of heading closer to absolute abstinence. Those closest to me are aware of the intention towards intense moderation, and that day is nearer daily.

That being said, New Years Eve was dry. That hasn't happened since the very early 80s.

The liver & kidney damage is a shared concern. My last physical said my numbers were normal, no improvement needed, but why consume any additional risk?

This all being said. Day Two is now in progress.