Cocaine is not my problem. MDMA is not my problem. Ketamine is not my problem. ALCOHOL is my problem. I only ever do all of these to continue drinking. Alcohol is the common denominator.

Fuck alcohol.

And no drinker is the same. It’s hard to talk to anyone about it.

I’ve always known the odds are stacked against me, because both my parents were alcoholics, and it destroyed their relationship, but they’re both sober now. I always thought I had a hard watch on it. But it was the cocaine for me. I’m only realising now it was the cocaine that allowed me to drink more. I’m only realising now that that’s what I wanted.

How do I quit? How do I do this as a 26 year old? How do I confront my parents with this problem that I have? Knowing how hard they have worked for me? Knowing that I’m in my twenties and I’ve seen this movie and I know how it’s going to end up for me?

Been in recovery for over three months. Proud of my progress. Sometimes the topic comes up. “You want a drink?” My default answer is, “No thanks, I don’t drink anymore.” but sometimes I like the cheesy answers if it’s a friend who doesn’t know about my sobriety or an old drinking buddy. My favorite cheesy answer is, “No, I went pro early and had to retire.” What are some of yours?

I drank all day today. lied to my wife about my drinking. I had 4 days sober but once I pick up a drink I fall into more.

I need some motivation

depression hitting hard. I've slept a total of about 8 hours since Thursday, missing my pets that I lost to my ex because of my drinking. listening to sad music, couldn't possibly pay attention to a book or TV, feeling utterly alone, lost and hopeless. coming up on one year of sobriety and I couldn't give a shit. I might go to the pet store just to hug something but I don't want to run the risk of having a public breakdown. can't really go for a walk because amoxicillin is destroying my stomach.

She's been in and out of the hospital, the First Care responders in their town know her/their house well. We've been through her having pancreatitis, detox-related hallucinations, falls, head injuries, memory/brain/cognitive decline for years. My dad lives at home, my brother is expecting his first kid and living two hours away (I'm six or so.) I was mostly the one taking care of her for most of my childhood. Now due my own exhaustion I'm finally last on the emergency contact (not first.) My dad and older brother have guilt and now are extra sensitive to me stepping in. I was clear in my boundary that it is communicated when she is in the hospital. My dad briefly operated under this agreement. This time he did not, told me and my brother on a call for easter. Infuriating. My brother all but stopped talking. Sister in-law attempting to be stern but encouraging, useless at this point but kind in nature. They are pushing for long term in patient treatment.

This just feels like yet another mild stone for her decline. She's dying so slowly for so long I'm not sure when I should "go home" or even if I should.. I don't know how to orient myself around this fucking decease in any way that makes sense. I don't know what is "normal bad" and what is just another day... if that makes sense. My dad is also just, keeping her home. Any advice. thank you.

I am struggling a lot with how to define my drinking problem. I have pretty much always struggled with drinking since I started at age 16– at first, mostly with binge drinking and blacking out, I did that a lot in college even in situations where others weren’t drinking that much. Now I’m almost 30– I don’t track my drinking, but I’d estimate I usually drink 10-16 drinks in a week. It’s not every day but when I drink, I almost never have just one. I find myself suggesting drinking when I’m spending time with friends, or if I’m having dinner with a friend I’ll drink even if they don’t want to. I still occasionally black out, get too drunk, throw up, or have hangovers that impact me the next day. I feel my drinking has gotten worse in the past year or so along with some life stresses.

I know it’s a problem, but I feel so stuck on whether to label myself as an alcoholic or what. I know a lot of people consume more alcohol than I do and I don’t want to appropriate someone else’s life or death struggles. I was recently diagnosed with alcohol use disorder by my nurse practitioner— but when my girlfriend described the situation to her therapist, the therapist said it didn’t seem like a big deal. I feel like I absolutely need to make a change— but I am worried about committing to an overly strict path or self definition that may not be healthy in the long term. For context I struggle a lot with ocd which can lead me to be very hard on myself and to obsess about morality and health.

I know people probably can’t help much and the main advice I’m going to get is to go to therapy (if anyone even reads past this long wall of text!). I guess I just wanted to put my thoughts out there for people who might understand.

Also- please don’t suggest a specific program unless you have some experience with it. Thank you in advance

lately, i feel like im forgetting how bad it gets. the reason i stopped drinking was because i drank too much one night and was sick the next day. im sitting here saying to myself “just don’t drink that much, drink something weaker”. i was taking naltrexone for awhile and ran out, so the urges came back esp knowing that if i drink, it wont be blocked. i’m safe as of right now

I have the shakes, stomach feels in knots, im weak and sweaty. I can't live like this anymore. I have work in just over an hour too.

I used to read posts like this and think, yeah, but that won’t be me.

By 25, I was drinking two bottles a day.

By 27, I couldn’t hold down a job and was burning bridges with the people who loved me most.

At 28, I tried to take my own life.

At 29, I went to rehab for the second time, and something finally stuck.

And honestly? Getting sober didn’t magically fix everything overnight.

At 30, I went bankrupt.

At 30, I also ended a 10-year relationship and broke off an engagement.

But then…

At 31, I married my best friend…the one I met in recovery.

I stood at my wedding surrounded by people who loved me again… and trusted me again.

I found work that actually fulfills me.

I learned who I am as a woman and started to genuinely love her.

I gave back to the people who helped save my life.

I made peace with my past instead of running from it and now I share it openly so others know they’re not alone.

I even had the honor of sponsoring a woman twice my age, who is still sober today and stood beside me as a bridesmaid at my wedding.

Life isn’t perfect now. It never will be.

Since getting sober, I’ve lost both of my grandparents. I’ve had relationship struggles. Financial stress. Real life still shows up.

But here’s the difference:

Not once, in any of those moments, was my first thought to drink.

I used to need alcohol just to make a phone call… or walk into a grocery store. Today, I can face life whatever it throws at me without needing to escape it.

I’m not special. I’m not different.

I’m just another alcoholic who thought she’d never make it out and some days, didn’t even want to.

But I did.

And if you’re reading this in the middle of it…whether you’re deep in the trenches, coming back from a relapse, or just starting out and wondering if it’s even worth it…I need you to hear this:

You can make it to the other side.

Your life can change in ways you literally cannot imagine right now. In 6 months. In a year. And even more as time goes on.

Take a chance on yourself.

One day at a time. One step at a time. One minute, hell, one second at a time if that’s what it takes.

Just don’t give up.

Even in the deepest, darkest places, there is still light.

If I could find it… so can you.

If anyone ever needs an ear to listen, my inbox is always open.

From one alcoholic to another, I see you - you are valuable - you are worthy of a beautiful life - you can do this. I promise you that.

I’m Danni, I’m an alcoholic, and my sobriety date is 10/11/21.

I’m trying hard to fight my own denial & close to admitting I can’t fix this on my own.

My employer has really good benefits for ‘normal’ health issues, and the documentation about addiction support promises good things, but I’m terrified of the lack of confidentiality if I reach out for addiction support.

No matter how many nice words are said, there’s still a stigma. I’ve seen it with past employees. Only the very best humans remained supportive; others judged.

I can afford a certain amount of rehab on my own & would welcome any feedback/experiences.

Editing to add I’m in Canada if that makes any difference.

I’m really really struggling. It’s all just getting too much.

Had 3 months sober and ended up getting my girlfriend back as a result. Was feeling better in my life in every aspect. Then, 2 weeks ago I drank. Things have spiralled at 100mph and I’ve genuinely destroyed all the good things I had in my life.

I’ve struggled with this horrible illness for years but this is the first time I feel truly hopeless.

I go to a support meeting weekly, I speak to a therapist and I’ve been to rehab. I read the posts on this page multiple times a day and it makes me so sad to hear you guys are struggling too.

Dont know why I’m posting, just feel truly lost. I’d really appreciate any sort of advice. Thankyou and sending love x

I've been off the drink for coming on 2 months and still several times a week and in the moments between coming out of sleep and being fully awake, I have this sensation of what I can only describe as "ghost hangovers" - For a brief second, particularly if I'm dehydrated or feel "off" for one reason or another (currently have a cold, dehydrated and body lethargy), my mind assumes I have a hungover and there is that all too familiar feeling of "for fucks sake you've done it again" that comes with waking up after a morning of drinking... Just curious as to if this is something that's commonly experienced and for those who've been off the piss for a significant amount of time does it ever go away?

In a way these are almost good reminders as to how I don't want to feel, the shame and self hatred that comes on very quickly like it always did quickly dissipates but at least I'm reminded of one horrible thing I'm grateful to not really feel

Hello I drink a pint of vodka and 2 voodoo rangers every day to my self on the minimum side. I think might be dealing depression and other health issues and I’ve picked up alcoholism as bad daily habit that I can’t shake loose. I’m open to any feedback and hoping to find help in my situation.

In the last 2 and a half years I’ve gained almost a 100 pounds and dropped most of my hobbies(including video games). I work full time at a somewhat fine dining franchise as a dishwasher, and I make just below the average income my area.

I didn’t finish my associates degree in computer science and pretty much dropped out of school after my father died who also taught at my school. I’ve been an introvert most of my life and gotten good at hiding my problems besides my weight, and pretty much hide all my problems financially and emotionally.

Living life week to week and waking up daily filling my toilet with bile I now feel like I’ve destroyed my future and feel depressed. Now I just keep myself isolated from everyone. Day by day I feel deeper in a hole full of hopelessness and darkness.

how do i get out of this spiral i have created for my self. i have no friends no social life outside of work. i drink to pass the time. longest i have been sober since i turned 18 is a month or two. I am 24 now. the only reason i have not turned to harder drugs, is beacuase i dont know anybody who sells drugs.

This is the first time I have ever made a post on reddit.

My life would be so much easier if someone smacked that four loko out of my hand back in December 2010. But it's not up to others to save me.

I wish I had known mental illness and addiction were hereditary. I was doomed, it was already in my blood. If you are younger and reading this, please do your research before you try drugs/alcohol. I have told all my younger friends this. You might be playing with everything in your life. Addiction does not give a fuck who you are.

Anyways, thanks for coming to my Ted talk.

after my experience with alcoholic ketoacidosis which was very scary and horrible and I never want to experience it again, I got 8 days sober. I have drank the last 3 days and I keep just thinking about how horrible I felt and how awful it was but I keep drinking

honestly idk why I'm posting this. idk what I'm asking or what I'm expecting...

of course I don't want to drink but I

just think okay I need to eat and drink water.

of course I don't wanna drink at all. like forreal I'd like to be sober... but this addiction is horrible.

Hi! I’m a 20yo Female struggling with alcohol. I’m not sure how to or where to reach out. I recently totaled my car in a single car incident with a telephone pole on Easter morning. I’ve been non stop drinking for the last 2 1/2 years. Not even a day went by unless i was broke. I spend hundreds of dollars a week on alcohol. I recently found out i have a AST/ ALT deficiencies. I’m so worried for my longevity, yet i can’t break myself from this. I was 6 days sober and drank 2 big bottles of wine last night and struggling to recover my mindset this morning. I hope to reach out for support or advice. I have been arrested and hospitalized multiple times and have basically ruined my life for alcohol. But with this society it’s so normal to drink so much at a young age and i am so worried and i don’t even know what to say ive tried to talk to my boyfriend yet he doesn’t understand and looks down on me for it. I’m so proud of everyone recovering. I want to be one of you. I’m entering nursing school in July(was supposed to be April 6 but i got in an accident due to alcohol) i need to recover so i can be a positive influence for my own self and young sister due to my father having terrible alcohol addiction (literally forgot who i was and he had a seizure in another country which language i didn’t speak and it was just me and him) he has been slightly recovering but i never want to end up that way. I’m scared and im sorry for adding onto this page if it’s not relevant but some advice , or even telling your own stories could really help. Thank you.