Drinking is never an option for me, no matter what my mind may think and at times i begin wonder, being here on the boards and looking at others and their struggles makes me wonder, but i am not willing to risk it at any costs. My mind tells me all sorts of stupid stuff all the time anyway - MOST of the time i never act on them (well not anymore anyway - lol) drinking is one of those things that creeps in now and then almost 16 years later - but the bottom line is that it's a choice - I can choose to act on those thoughts or choose to let them pass - and for me, I choose to let them pass.

Peace!

Ramblin-
I think that's where One day at a time, comes into the picture.
Today I won't drink. I can't say for tomorrow, but today I won't.
Forever is very daunting and hard to conceptualize for a great many.
But for today, I won't drink, one hour at a time.
Are you Rummie?

WhooWhoo....Yep, me Rummy. How ya been?

Thats what I had to do in the begining...to tell myself, just today I am not going to drink, maybe tomorow...or even, I am not going to drink until I get through one meeting, then I will see how I feel!!! It works! All you have to do is take it one hour at a time, one day at a time....
And when drinking comes to mind, and you really want to, like you said call someone in AA first and then rethink it...By no means do you have to think about tomorrow, only today...
It gets easier if you put the work into AA...or that is what I have found anyways! It took me a really long time to get where I am now! I mean like three years on this board too!!! I was always relapsing!!! But then I finally realized this disease really is a powerful thing! It not only controls our actions but also our thinking!!! My thoughts were insane! I had to totally give myself to AA and believe that since they had been sober so much longer than me that I had to believe everything they were telling me, even if it sounded crazy!!!! My thinking was just too messed up and I had to face that I did not have the will to do any of it on my own!!! I guess the program was my HP in the beginning!!

It feels soo good to know that it is not just my weak will power...that alcohol really is that powerful and their were others like me who could not do it with LOTS of help!!!

But in order for it to work for me, I had to get really involved, had to get a sponsor and take all of her suggestions!! I wanted it really bad! I was desperate to get out of the life I was living!! And it was not the physical stuff, i actually still had that...It was how I felt inside!!

Sorry to ramble, I am still pretty new, almost 5 months (but that is the longest I have ever gone and it feels amazing!!!!) I am far from knowing it all, but this is what helped me...I really hope you find the path that works for you! It is amazing to be sober and finally see life in a whole new way!! feels great not to HAVE to drink because that stupid alcoholic voice keeps telling me to!!! I do not have to listen today! :) and yes, if you like keep your options open for tomorrow!! All you have to worry about is today!!

Hey Chris, good to hear from you. Yesterday I went to a bar. Well, its the mexican restaurant i used to bartend at and we went for lunch and sat at the bar. I looked at all the bottles and I felt nothing. There was a time when there would have been no question that I would have a drink. But, my mind has changed. I never want to drink again. Im not feeling like Im depriving myself of anything. I feel like that is something i just dont do. I finally had enough and finally accepted that i dont want it. My husband said, "what would you like?" and I answered lemonade. He said, "what should I have?". I told him to have whatever he wanted. He ordered lemonade too and we were ok with that. I hope you get there Chris. I know how hard that thinking is.

Chris, I sometimes wonder what you hear when you are in meetings or talking to your sponsor.

You don't drink for 24 hour periods. It is just for today.

You might wanna quit nitpicking something that could very well save your life one day. Or maybe not.

xo

I recall spending what seemed like a life time playing games regarding my alcoholism and drug addiction. I enjoyed being the helpless victem and often played mind games with those attempting to help me. I thought it was clever to out think the therapist or the concerned AA member. Perhaps that why it took me nearly 17 years to get sober.

For me, it was a huge relief when I realized I was done with drinking. Forever. Just like when I quit smoking I was done with that forever One day at a time feels harder to me. Forever means I don't have to rethink about whether I am going to drink. I am not. Like Sarah, I don't feel deprived.

If I ever find I have those thoughts of wanting to drink and they don't just pass through my little squirrelly mind, I'll go back to not drinking this minute, this hour, this day.

Glad to see you back. How does it go? Work the program and the program will work.

Ramblin ,when are you going to stop fighting . Its your life that needs fixin.If you want to change the way you think you've gotta change the things you do. If nothin changes ,nothin changes

There are no loop holes in an AA program. No deals to be made, and there are no special circumstances where we can step outside the program and have a drink.

If we want to quit, we play by the rules. It's simple. Not easy, just simple. Why complicate it?

Augusta, makes sense.

Althoug, I can complicate something as simple as tying a shoe

Quitting forever? Try quitting for now, this moment, this second. For the next second try not to drink. And the quote you mentioned is one my brother used. And it goes like this: "I have a million excuses to drink but I cannot think of one good reason. If you can give me a reason to drink, I will join you." Rummie......a reason is different than an excuse and until you know the difference you probably will not stay sober, though I do hope you will not drink for the next second.

Glad you are back and safe
As long as your alive...there's a chance

Places hardest to find booze
Dead
Rehab
Jail
Mormon pot luck

yes the last line is a joke told by a baptized Mormon

Hi, Ramblin2!!!!
I think you should tell yourself whatever it takes to keep you from taking that drink!!! And do everything that you can, to keep from drinking!!! At least you keep trying!!! Keep it up!! I so hope you prevail!!!! (((((Hugs)))))