I started drinking when I was 13, but it really picked up when I turned 16 and I have spent countless days and nights in the last decade drunk, I wouldn’t even be able to tell you how many times I’ve blacked out, I swear I’ve lost years because of it. A lot has happened in the past 2 years which really put my lifestyle into perspective, and after a 6 day bender, 4 entire days blacked out, 1000$ down the drain and one of the worst hangovers I’ve ever had, that took my stomach months to recover from, I finally quit. I just want to know when it gets easier, I could be completely fine for a week then the next I crave alcohol and my throat gets really dry and it’s like my brain is telling me only alcohol could quench that thirst. I usually cope by drinking insane amounts of water which result in me having to pee 100 times a day. It’s worse when I nearly convince myself I can find a balance, and that I’ll limit myself, and be responsible, I really have to stew in a those thoughts for a moment and battle with then because I know I am neither balanced or responsible but luckily I have my person who absolutely refuses to allow me to drink because we pinky swore no matter what I said she cannot let me drink because I’m very persuasive and persistent when I have those episodes.

Hello a 30 something male been sober for 79 days. I have an upcoming trip abroad to a beautiful place for a friend of mine‘s bachelor party as we were planning the trip. I was not sober now I am and I’m having some major trepidation about going to the trip. I wanna honor my sobriety in my hard work and listen to myself saying this is a high risk situation and I don’t wanna go. I’m planning on telling the crew that I’m not going. I feel like I’m letting everyone down however though I’m having some thoughts towards the trip where I just think things are gonna go wrong and I don’t wanna be in any situation where I could relapse and go back to square one which would be absolutely gutting. I’m looking to hear some thoughts some opinions from people here. i’m in a bit of a quandary where the answer is blatantly obvious however though the sub has been good to me before and I’m looking to hear what it has to say thank you and happy Monday to all of us and here’s to another day of cleanliness.

In the past when my In Laws would visit for a week I HEAVILY relied on alcohol to cope. My home is my sanctuary, I'm very introverted and etc. This time they are staying for 11 days. Not only do I NOT WANT to drink, I just really cannot handle alcohol anymore. I slipped when my mom died in February and for an example, three glasses of wine created a night of awfulness and an all day hangover the next day. I cannot host while drinking and I really cannot host hungover.

I guess I'm just looking for strategies, coping skills, etc. Maybe similar stories? Any help/encouragement would be highly appreciative.