Popular Post silenttigercd 863 Posted November 25, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted November 25, 2015 (edited) As I've mentioned before, I have a serious alcohol problem. If I start drinking I can't stop and my benders will go on for days. I've even sat on a park bench with super strength lager a number of times. Drinking has successfully ruined every aspect of my life - relationships, finances, mental and physical health, jobs, criminal record. The list goes on. I started drinking regularly when I was 15 which didn't cause any problems. I tended to drink slightly more than my friends but it never got me into any trouble. I began working in a shop with a pub nearby. Every day after work I'd walk past the pub and see all the customers I'd served having a great time in there. Every day. I couldn't wait to turn 18 so I could join them. I thought they all got smashed every night so I did the same. Again for a couple of years this wasn't a problem - I had friends who would often join me in the pub, a girlfriend, a car and a flat. I could just about afford all of this. As I started to drink more I developed an addiction to alcohol. I remember the day I realised I had become addicted. My hands would shake until I had my first drink so I'd often drink as soon as I woke up. In hindsight the addiction had been controlling me long before this point but I didn't realise. Even when I did realise, I didn't care. My friends had abandoned me because of my constant drunkenness and my girlfriend was constantly nagging me about it. I got rid of the girl and didn't care. We had been together for four years but alcohol was far more important to me. As long as I had that I was fine. At this point drinking was no longer fun. I'd drink because I had to. I was physically and mentally addicted to it. I'd go without food so I could drink alcohol. I knew I needed to stop or I'd die but I'd always find an excuse to drink again. When I reached rock bottom I had to move back in with my parents. Whilst I was still drinking there they gradually reduced the amount I had access to so I avoided a formal detox. I was also seeing the 'Crisis Team' at my local hospital every day, an alcohol councillor and my doctor on a weekly basis. They helped me through it and I successfully stopped drinking for 18 months. My parents bailed me out of the debt I had accumulated. I decided to study a degree so took an Access to Higher Education Course at a college and was accepted into a university upon completion. I started working out and was really excited to start my degree and have a fresh start. I made it through freshers week without drinking and actually had no intention of ever drinking again. My birthday was the following week, I'd made lots of friends and we all went out for a meal to celebrate. Afterwards, we went to the pub where I was drinking lemonade. Then a girl brought me a Jaeger Bomb: "Happy Birthday Edd, I got you this. Oh shit! You don't drink. I'm so sorry, I forgot" in her drunken state she left the drink in front of me. I thought, why not? It's my birthday. I'll just drink tonight then stop again. Well, I drank that night and continued for the next two years of university. Again, got myself into £5,000 of debt, pissed everyone off and ruined my physical and mental health. I went through similar recovery and mental health services. Most of which were shit but I participated in an excellent course called Intuitive Recovery. This course has allowed me to say "I'm never going to drink again, and I'm not going to change my mind." A terrifying thought before the course! Anyway, today marks the day I've been sober for 1 year! This time around I have paid off the debt myself and cleared it in October this year. I also stopped taking anti-depressants in September and gave up smoking (using the Intuitive Recovery program) exactly 6 months ago. I still see my GP and a councillor regularly but have been discharged from the other services. The only negative thing that remains is that I've ruined my stomach from excess alcohol. I've been taking various medication for it which hasn't worked so I've been referred to the hospital for further tests. I'm also still somewhat socially retarded but I'm working on that! As you can appreciate, today is a really special day for me and I'm feeling really positive about things. If anyone wants to discuss addiction related stuff I'm open to do that, although I'm not into the 12 step programmes - admittedly they work for many people, they're just not my thing. Edited November 25, 2015 by silenttigercd 21 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xyon14 2,312 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Well done Tiger, addiction is a really hard thing to get through. As you know its not just a matter of quitting and that's it. So keep positive and look to the future You should be proud of yourself 3 Quote Crew Policies and Vetting Procedure Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121326 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lann 10,846 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Wow tiger!! Very impressive, and it makes me really happy to hear about what you are achieving. A brand new year ahead of you, cant wait to see the two year post. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121328 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninja 719 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Congrats tiger!! You did a great job this year keep up the progress! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121332 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraignbow 719 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Congratulations! It's only going to get better from here on out! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121334 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fido_le_muet 5,198 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Really proud of you Tiger. Seeing your post, I feel like you're doing great. Keep it up and this will be a far away memory. I imagine how hard it must be to finally be free of an addiction. You need a strong will to do that. Like Xyon said, look forward to all the great stuff ahead of you 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121335 Share on other sites More sharing options...
zmurko 7,622 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 That's great to hear, congratulations tiger! You should be proud of yourself. Keep it up! 1 Quote S U N D A Y R A C I N G L E A G U E Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121336 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beez 5,091 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Congratulations and thanks for sharing your story. Good luck in the future with this. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121339 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge 7,265 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 This type of stuff is always good to hear about. I have no authority for such things in the real world, but on this website, I grant myself the authority to give you this: 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121343 Share on other sites More sharing options...
grjkie 727 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I'm happy for you Tiger, happy birthday and best wishes for you man, I hope you keep it up 1 Quote www.ishare4free.com Please don't be offended, it's a small piece of my mind that I chose to expose... Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121348 Share on other sites More sharing options...
billysyntax 38 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Good job man. Congratulations, takes alot of strength to make it this far. And just as much to share the story. Thank you for that, and best wishes for your future. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121349 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggy 2,811 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Way to go, Tiger. I am so proud of you. You are very brave to open up about such a dark thing to everyone. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121358 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBump360 482 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Congratulations Tiger. Really impressed with what you have achieved! Keep going strong! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121360 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinister 2,583 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Congrats. Keep it up. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121365 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryannosaurusRex 1,173 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Congratulations mate. I lost a family member to alcoholism a few years ago after many many attempts to stop, so I can appreciate how much of an achievement this is for you and how proud of yourself you must be feeling right now. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121371 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fooking 34 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 That's fantastic Tiger! I myself partied very hard with drugs and alcohol in my late teens and early twenties so I know how this starts. I am lucky enough to have walked away without any addictions, however several of my dear friends weren't so lucky. After hard work and dedication a few, like you, have overcome the disease but unfortunately 3 of my other friends just can't seem to beat it. It's a hard road to recovery but the longer you stay the course, the stronger you become. Keep up the great work Tiger. I look forward to reading about year 2! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121388 Share on other sites More sharing options...
LN-MLB 2,583 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Congratulations, Tiger! These things certainly aren't easy, but to be able to overcome something like this says you're a strong person. Well done, and I wish you all the best going forward. Just remember one day at a time. A lot of people don't realize just how serious addictions are--I've been down that road myself, and it's one of the hardest things in the world to break yourself from. You're definitely on the right path, and things will definitely only get better from here. All the best. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121390 Share on other sites More sharing options...
G37 3,445 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Steps and by the book things aside, find whatever works for you. I'm glad you seemed to have done just that. It's amazing the things that can pass you by when life is lived under a bottle, or greatly encouraged by one often. Here's to you and finding those overlooked details. Cheers. 1 Quote "If you ride like lightning, you're gonna crash like thunder." - The Place Between The Pines Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121394 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Consigliere RichnLin 612 Posted November 25, 2015 Consigliere Share Posted November 25, 2015 Well done, Tiger. My father died of an alcohol-related disease some years ago - we weren't very close by this time - and he kept drinking until his dying day. So it's great to hear of someone who has successfully beaten alcoholism. Thanks for starting my day with a smile and I look forward to hearing about your 2 year sober. Keep at it mate! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121402 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyB 2,086 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Awesome job Tiger, I'm really glad you have made it to the other side. Stay strong and enjoy your day. No matter what any one says, this is an extremely great achievement that most people wouldn't be able to do if they were in your shoes. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121406 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savither 81 Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 Thanks for sharing Tiger. You should be very proud. Don't ever give up! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121409 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy 612 Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 Awesome work mate. It takes great strength to recognise, accept and fix the issues that lie within us all. Congratulations. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121455 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banketelli 3,655 Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 Huge congratulations, Tiger! That's some achievement. Keep up the good work, mate. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121462 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidCore89 7,404 Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 Good job, mate! Most people in your position wouldn't have had the willpower/courage to turn that around, instead they'd accept what their life has become and pick up another drink. Addictions are brutal, but I bet it feels good to have beaten it . I also don't drink and haven't done so for around 4 years, it often shocks people when I order an orange juice because the UK has a huge alcohol culture of drinking until you pass out, but I like to keep my wits about me (I also see the damage it does to others). 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121464 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronin 596 Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 Very brave of you to share your story ! Congratulations for staying sober for that long. I was a social worker in a previous life and some nasty things have happened in my own life. Seen enough to know you've pulled off a massive achievement ! And that's an understatement... Keep it up !!! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.rockstarsocialclub.net/forums/topic/7380-1-year-sober/#findComment-121471 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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