Quit over a year
Hi Hors Controle,
First, for full disclosure. I quit almost 3 years. Had a lapse last year (due to not think properly). I am back on track again now.
The critical element for successfully stopping for me was changing my thinking. Once I figured that part out, quitting was actually not hard at all. I genuinely mean it. Once I started thinking properly, it was not hard at all.
I listened to an audiobook by Allan Carr called Easy Way to Control Alcohol. This book was really helpful. It helped me get clear in my own mind what benefit alcohol was actually giving me. Alcohol is the biggest confidence trick in the world. It does the very opposite of what it pretends its doing. So for example, when you think a drink is helping you quench your thirst, its actually dehydrating you. When you think alcohol is helping you relax, its actually making you more nervous and depressed. In other words, its a scam. To me, its the biggest scam going in society right now.
Lately I have listened to a great podcast. Her name is Rachel Hart, and her podcast is called Take a Break from Drinking. She talks a lot about the Think-Feel-Act cycle, and about the fact that focusing on our THINKING is actually the essential element in successfully stopping. Incidentally, I listened to her about 2 months before I figured out her podcasts were for women. But whatever, it worked:).
I also did listen to a friend on this website. He recommended an AA meeting. I went and haven't looked back since. The guy at the meeting gave me a Sobriety Coin and told me "The next time you think about taking a drink, trying swallowing this first!" I oftentimes think about that and have a chuckle to myself!
Give yourself a break from it Hors Controle. You deserve it. You will not regret it. And I can assure you, once you start thinking about it right, its not hard. Just get your head in the right space. Maybe Rachel hart is the place to start?
Take care. I hope to hear from you soon
Gus
