Welcome. I'm not sure it notifies everyone of journal entries... I posted in the group, myself. Everyone here will help and support you, as I've found, including me (I am not strong support at the moment, though). :)

You can do it. You've taken the first big step. Believe in yourself. Count every minute, hour, day, etc. as a milestone.

Help is here, and given freely and generously. There are people with a lot of experience, and I'm sure they'll share it with you before you know it. :)

I do not abuse alcohol, but I do deal with many of the issues that often lead people to alcoholism, i.e. depression, anxiety, traumatic events. Alcohol just doesn't do it for me personally. But I do understand what would lead someone to drink. Anytime we try to escape our pain instead of dealing with it, we start on a dangerous path, and it's not so easy to get off of it.
That advice about taking things one day at a time that you hear so often... kind of good advice. For me, when I start thinking about the past too much or trying to "predict" the future, this is when I start feeling overwhelmed, and I just wish I had something to turn my brain off. (I imagine that this is when I would be tempted to drink if alcohol actually had any numbing effect on me.)
The only other advice I have is that if you do screw up, don't beat yourself up over it. It will just make everything worse. Just keep going from that point on, and try to put the mistake behind you.
So that is all I have. Good luck.

Thank you so much for the first 2 people who responded to me. I did mention it was a test since I just joined this website/group. Now I realize what I need to do to communicate and get feedback. Ok then, tomorrow, Tuesday, 12/3/13, is my first goal for my Day 1. I do realize I need support for this challenge, and I am very thankful for this website who brings similar people together to support each other. And so it begins.

Hi smallwonder, welcome to the group. People are not notified when someone new joins the group so reaching out as you have now will bring responses. There are many helpful people here at all levels of recovery and using different methods to achieve that.

Asking questions or posting your thoughts is a good way to let others know what kind of feedback you are seeking.

Welcome. Unfortunately, I don't check my messages daily. I will try to if you think it will help you.

A.A. is the best place to start if you want to quit drinking. There are so many people there that will help you and work with you in order to achieve sobriety.

Find a meeting in your area, google search, and go....you will see life in a different light.

Welcome. Sounds like you're in the right place

Hello and again, welcome!

Are you going to any AA meetings in your area? If not, i strongly suggest it as a means of reaching out and connecting personally in person with others who share a common problem. They have saved my ass more times than i can count. Find a sponsor, someone to help you work the steps and help hold you accountable and someone you can reach out to in a crisis. Have backup numbers to call in a crisis.

I check this website daily, most of the time a couple times a day...so feel free to shoot me a message if you want advice, or simply someone to listen. :) Good luck, i know you can do it!

Small, I responded to your post last night. the one you posted about trying to just cut down and drink on weekends. There are a lot of people in here and sometimes it gets hard to read everything by everybody. But please hang in there even if you do not get a response. And never take it personal.

I want to thank everyone who has responded to this first post of mine. That was Monday. I did a new post yesterday as an intro. I am on Day 2 now. Feeling strong and happy!

Welcome. Happy day two.
Remember we dont' get sober through other people nor do we drink because of them. Hopefully you will find support here. I certainly have.
It didnt keep me sober though. I needed to try it on my own a few times before alcohol brought me to a place of submission to...well...alcoholism. I stopped fighting it and realized I needed help. i personally found that help through AA in a sponsor, the fellowship and the steps. The steps led to an awakening that today will keep me sober. If I do the same things tomorrow, and the next day to stay in the middle of recovered, I have a great shot at staying sober a day at a time.

Welcome, glad you found us.

How are you feeling now that you are on day 2?

Welcome! Hope you are feeling much better and supported on day 2 :)

I have found that there are times where support was not found on this site. Don't take it personal though....people are busy with work, children and their own problems at times that it becomes difficult to take a minute and reach out to others.

There is always someone who is going through the same issues and there are times when your Higher Power is all you have.

Quit drinking for you.....greet alcoholism head on. We are there for you.