Not to derail, we can all agree alcohol is a drug probably the worst drug in society but I would appreciate a thread for people trying to get clean from other substances, Are other people struggling or is it a waste of time?

You could start a thread?

Definitely start a thread. Or I can rename this thread "Getting Clean and/or Sober".

I am an addict (pills/benzos) and I am also an alcoholic. I've wavered sometimes on whether they're the same thing. I know alcoholics who never had drug problems, and drug addicts who seemed to drink normally. So that makes me think they're different. On the other hand, I think differentiating is dangerous because somebody might say "oh, I'm just an alcoholic, I can continue to use drugs" (I did that for a while), or vise versa. And I think for most people that is no bueno.

The funny thing is that people see alcohol and other addictive substances as separate, I see them as the same. I'm not really ready to start my own thread but have a major drug problem which has spun out of control and am looking to get help. Would like to hear from other members who have got clean and are making productive steps towards a better life.

Edit; Might aswell admit it I'm a crack/heroin addict

Good suggestion, imo. Your expertise could make it work. Also I noted nobody posted for a month in October-November, a thread needs posts for functioning. But maybe the title could be "Getting Sober and/or Clean" for respecting the name the thread had close to a decade?

I didn't realise that the thread was made in 2009, changing the name may be a good idea but starting a new thread for other drugs might work too. As LFS made the great decision to start a alcohol thread I will leave it to you.

If you are comfortable starting a thread you should. I know there are a couple of other people here who were heavy drug addicts. One of the things I love about this thread is that I can look back over how much I've changed since I originally posted in 2009 when I was actually sick and getting sicker (although I didn't realize it then, really). Just opening up, even on an anonymous message board, is a huge first step.

But if not let's keep talking here.

Yea I will try and make a new thread buddy, hopefully I'm not the only person with a "drug habit" and even if I am I know there will be people on hear who can offer good advice.

I have started to close down my tasting hobby. The "tasting" possibility has disturbingly began to emerge as an option, the booze apparently always searches its way. So sobriety already excludes tongue, nose, and the effects. Next will be the physical literature, e-books, tasting glasses, nosing kits, club tasting e-mails, internet shortcuts. Total cost of the stuff being discarded is about one year of boozing.

I know symbolic acts like this have only limited effects. But still it's more than nothing. Getting out of tasting mentally kind of closes the back door from the devil.

So two weeks full of abstinence. Feels like I'm a burnt out alcohol consumer. The tasting hobby is mentally being closed down, small steps. Actually reading the e-book samples before deleting, gives perspective about what I've been up to. A big part of the tasting glasses went out today, as the smaller of my nosing kits.

Well done plaaynde, sounds like you're really changing things up. Good luck !

Thanks! I'm on the verge of becoming an ideological teetotaler. Already planning to get water from the water tap if at a party with nothing but alcohol to drink. This could happen in a couple of months. Somehow alcohol already feels like belonging to an earlier life, not part of the coming. It will not be significantly missed.

Will I fail?

No, no, NO!

Approaching the three weeks mark. Now the real fight starts. Think I'll win it. Good luck to all!

Approximately one month of total abstinence from alcohol. Actually had my first resemblance yesterday, alcohol free beer for example. Tastes as good. So the alcohol tasting is much about mythology. Was in an environment where most people were more or less drunk, no problem, nice to dance with full coordination . Who would have thought it would come to this? One adversary thing less in the life!

Will report next time in one month (if failing: earlier )

I'll have a year tomorrow. After the 1st month I basically lost the urge and haven't even thought about drinking in a long time. Feels good.

Well done! Sounds encouraging. Total abstinence kind of makes a magic spell you don't want to break. In the bottom is the motivation I never had to this extent before.

Congrats fuluck!

hey guys,

to be honest with you all, i am a functioning alcoholic and cocaine addict. i have been kidding myself for a while in regards to how serious it has got. mainly because i have hidden it from friends and family but i know how dark of a place i have gotten myself into. i am totally confused how i got here to be honest but i am struggling to get out. Mainly because i have done my best playing the lie. this has convinced me i am ok and just plugging along. but i am know deep down i am on the brink of destruction. i tried an AA meeting at the start of the year but didnt go back. mainly because it would mean telling my family and girlfriend. she isnt the type to understand and would most likely leave me. anyway keep going and remember how good life is. the best times i have are when i have a prolonged period soder and get involved with everything. it kills me i cant control myself. one day i hope i can. one day. To everyone out there, stay strong.

Welcome yDONKy. I would recommend checking out the subreddit r/stopdrinking. There's a daily check-in thread so it's a bit like going to meetings. Good luck.

Hi yDONKy! You have taken the first step: admitting. Now this comes: motivated?

Thanks guys,

I will try my best to keep posting. I think that will be linked to how i do in the battle.

Good luck!

I have been drinking with family and friends today. Had a cry in the toilet to myself. i think this is the brink or the bottom. I hope so anyway

How much are you drinking and how often?