Ashley,

AWESOME is how it feels to be in control and it is a control that I never want to lose.  Right now I think I would be “ok” having an occasional drink or two but I also know that I don’t want to lose that power that I have gained.  

My fear is not knowing when alcohol has gained power over me rather me over alcohol.  Rather than taking that risk I choose to take the safe road, the road that has freed me from the stress associated with alcohol.  

Thanks again for all that you do!  

Lynn

Hello Julie!

Yes, you and I began our journey around the same time.  I believe you became AF a few weeks ahead of me, you were a great inspiration and gave helpful advice!

You are so right, abstinence is so much easier than moderation.  In the past, the few times I tried to moderate I could only think about the pace I was drinking and then looking forward to the next time that I could drink the way I wanted to.  Wow, how things have changed!

How are things going with you?  

Hello Ashley,

I wanted to stop back in and tell you once again, Thank You!

A year ago I was a frequent visitor to this site.  I would post some but mostly read of success and failures, wondering if I ever tried to stop drinking what would I end up being.  

I had not really tried to stop drinking before, it was hard enough not drinking for one or two nights. Then I made a decision that I would not drink for a week, something I had never done.  The first few days of that week were so hard but by the end of the week I made the decision to go for another week which was easier than the first so I thought, “I will go a month then re-think everything.”  

Your advice then changed my life!  You told me the addictions counselors advise a 3 month break and then reassess.  That was NOT what I wanted to hear but I gave it a shot.  That was almost a year ago, August 3rd will mark one year since I have had a drink and to be honest, I am glad that part of my life is over.  I reflect back to all the thinking, planning, wondering I used to do about drinking, so much time wasted and it is just really not worth it!  

At this point I don’t think I will drink again.  I think that for me it is easier to not have a drink than to wonder how many is too many, etc.  and that is fine with me :)  Life is so much better alcohol free!

Thank you again!  

Lynn