I too would quit and get to feeling better then think I could have one or two and it never worked out. I found that I was just different when it came to alcohol. I have the desire when I have one to have many many more.

I found that what I have to do is to deal with all the reasons why booze was so good at making me forget. I found that the guilt and shame made me drink more.

You can give it another go and this time dont hold back. Do the peeling of the onion. Find those reasons. It is possible to get sober and stay sober. You deserve to be happy

1is2many

Ok, so your experiment in self-control did not work.... So "check" that off your list. You've probably heard the term "dry drunk"? In all honesty, I've always hated the phrase because it's often used as a label when you're not following someone' else's idea of the perfect recovery program.

BUT the description does have merit.... If you were miserable the whole time you were sober, maybe you didn't replace the drinking with positive and fun activities? Being sober should not be "hanging on by your fingernails"...... Ultimately, you need to fill that hole in your life with something better (just my personal experience).

When I first quit drinking, I went to meetings weekly for the first few years. Then I thought I didn't need meetings anymore. About 4.5 years after I took my last drink, I went through a divorce. Then I took a drink. Afraid that I was headed to a very bad place again, I called my sponser who totally understood exactly what I was going through, so I started going back to meetings.

One of the things my sponser told me was that good things happen out of bad situations. 3 years after my divorce, my ex and I get along better then we did when we were married so it all worked out for the better. Marriage was alot of stress for both of us. The Catholics call it Divine Providence when God allows something bad to happen to bring about a greater good. Most spiritualisl suggest that when we pray, don't ask for something to be reversed, but ask to be shown another way and that is what I do now because the other way, turned out to be better then getting my ex back!

Hope this helps.

God Bless!

You have to get up and try again. How are you going to go about this again? What have you learned? You deserve a healthy and happy life. Never give up!

There is no where to go but sober. One day at a time. Failure is just an excuse to succeed. I'm here should you need someone to talk too. Stay strong.

Don't feel like a failure. I know that for me, sobriety meant feeling things I didnt want to feel. I drank to check out --- so feelings ranging from boredom to anger were NOT welcome. I've been sober 5 years and married the entire time. Sometimes I adore my husband and feel blessed to be in this marriage. Other times I wish he'd dissapear. What is the common denominator? Me. I have to learn to live with the ups and downs and learn that I dont' have to drink with either.
You had 6 months. that is as pysically sober as anyone will ever be. So you know you can do it. Now you just dust yourself off and do it a day at a time. Don't beat yourself up. tomorrow is gone, all we ever have is right now. And we don't ever have to drink in the right now.

Nobody is perfect. Pick yourself up and start again. Commit to a goal and start working towards it. Don't beat yourself up it will only bring you further down. You got sober before, you can do it again. Now you know where your limits are, live and learn.
All the best.

You are not a failure quitting is bloody hard at times but you can do it, and be happy that you have.

Thanks all for your replies and sharing your experiences.
Very helpful.
i have grossly underestimated the whole addiction thing, thinking that I can just take it or leave it. I have been a regular drinker since I was a young teenager over 30 years so it is a huge thing for me to cut it out of my life.
I guess I will just start over and try again.

Hello FM -- You can do this brother. I am 6 months w/out booze but only 3 months "sober" as another substance (my daughter's ADD meds) beckoned me as an escape vehicle to replace booze. My marriage is hanging on by a few thin strands but I do know that I have to get sober for me and work on me and if I do that, I can handle any other issues that life may bring. I do love my wife and she loves me, but she is not "in love" with the guy who was an alcoholic and a chronic under achiever. I have to work on my fears and underachieving stuff for myself as that will keep me sober and strengthen my marriage for the long haul. If I don't do that, all bets are off... Yours in the journey, PG