When I stopped drinking I started reading a lot about spirituality/emotional health. One of the things that came up is loving yourself. For quite a while I didn’t know what that meant because I had become my own enemy.
That’s changed as my sobriety has become sacred to me. I hope you have this experience too. The thought of going back is insane to me.
The relationship with my wife and son has never felt better. I’m available now.
I did this on my own but I had help in the form of a work accident that allowed me a year off to heal. The time was a blessing to get my mind uncluttered. Make sure you take care of yourself and allow healing to take place.
It’s just today you have to not drink. Keep it simple.

I can relate. Alcoholism took both of my parents away from me and I was still a child when my mother died from her disease.

This is not an easy world to live in. Especially now.... so we all need alot of support, especially those who make that big, initial decision to quit...

There are no face to face AA meetings right now that I know of but it depends where you live. There will probably be no hugs or handshakes when they do start up again. The thing that I liked most about meetings was having the number of a sponsor to call when I got a craving due to something bad that was going on in my life, and that was a huge help, and saved me from myself on many different occasions, too numerous to mention.

It helps to have a plan like meetings or outpatient treatment for most people, or be very strongly motivated to stop.

We are glad you are here. We share our successes here and our failures so that people will know what works and what doesn't but ultimately, it's your choice on how you want to stop. So let us know how it goes.

God Bless

I glad to see that you have reached out to this group for support. I am also new here; seems like it will be a great place for people who are struggling. I am hoping that you can share your concerns with your spouse. Good to see that you recognize your self-medicating behavior and that it needs to change. Wish I had done the same many, many years ago, because that self-medication was the only thing that kept me going (such as it was) and it went on for all these years. Please, don't be afraid to go to your doctor with this if you find you can't stop by yourself. It can be done. Stay with us and let us know how you're doing.

Thanks to you all for replying. I know this is going to be a process. My wife is on board, my therapist is on board. I have the right people behind me, I just cant imagine why I didn’t have the ability to control my drinking. Just so I’m clear with everyone, I drank and love to smoke grass. Nothing else, my plan is to drink no more and still smoke. I know that’s not what’s best, but I have to start somewhere. What’s crazy, is I’m a successful person coming from a successful family. Why has this drinking taken over my life? I guess a question that can’t be answered now. Thank you guys. Again, I’m new to all this. I just said the hell with it. I’m jumping in and I’m going to fix it.

Life is full of addictions. I commend you for your desire to quit the one that is doing the most damage to you.

God Bless

All through my 20s I smoked weed. Grew it too. Had no taste for alcohol and if I had a beer it was never both. I always felt that mixing the two was trouble. Then in my thirties I had an emotional event that jolted me into putting away the herb. That’s when I began drinking more. When another event broke me physically I decided that it was time for another change. 30 months later I am thankful that alcohol isn’t part of my life. I’ve even taken it another step and eliminated coffee and sugar from my life. Only drink water and garden/fruit smoothies. Having complete clarity 24/7 is quite an experience. I love my state of mind and wouldn’t trade it for something as fleeting as a puff or a drink.
But that’s me.... I turned 50 last fall and I guess I’ve gotten it all out of my system.
I’ve learned to listen when a change needs to happen in my life. The reason becomes clear as I accept it. It becomes a step toward a higher maturity level.
Sobriety is so much more than not drinking anymore. It’s a life choice that opens up closed doors. How did it go today?

That’s admirable!

Well ok that is a crucial start. I too used booze to hide from death and fear. Not today. Keep coming around. Life without booze is freaking amazing 1-2

My father was an alcoholic. Maybe I can give the perspective of a young boy growing up with one like your son. First of all your son is 16 , he may be drinking already. Children of alcoholics often become one themselves. I am the exception. That's not to say I didn't use to have a drink every now and then. But for me I didn't let it control me. I actually hated it like I hated Football, because it took time away from my being with my Dad . Those were his priorities not me. I loved my Dad right up to the end, My Dad died in 2002 after being on dialysis for eight yeas for full renal failure. because of his alcoholism he was not a candidate for a kidney transplant.
Please find out about AA, Tell your son your sorry for putting things ahead of him ( if you have) Don't go down the same road my dad did. eight years 3hours every other day on dialysis, the days between were recuperating from dialysis days.You will be in my prayers.

I am new here as well. I just created my account today. I have been sober 2 1/2 days. I scared myself Saturday night when I drank almost 2 fifths and woke up with prescription pills on my desk that belong and were on my dresser. I counted, I didn't take any. What they were, would have killed me for sure. I've been in therapy for 2 years and never told her I have a problem with alcohol. I promised to tell her the truth about my life tomorrow morning. Please wish me luck as I am very ashamed and scared.

Welcome Lilliea. Two fifths is impressive. Have only had one in a day myself. Only.... ya it was a problem.
I don’t think you need luck when you have committed to honesty. Let it heal you by putting your past actions in the past. Shame is my biggest hurdle too. It’s important that we don’t believe that we are just the poor choices we’ve made. We’re also our potential for growing.
Make sure you drink Lots of water and even sports drinks and protein shakes. Stay hydrated.
Being honest with us and your therapist is good practice for being honest with yourself. We as humans are endowed with all the wisdom we need when we open up to what is inside of us. Be your own best friend and teacher.
Good luck on staying sober the rest of the day. And then do it again tomorrow.