One week sober.
I checked myself in to detox from alcohol. I was drinking an inordinate amount but I rarely did anything that would call attention to my addiction. I had to be helped to my car a week ago Sunday (no I wasn’t driving) but when my wife called me on it, I didn’t remember.
Truthfully I began drinking heavily when TFG was elected. I despaired over the fact that loved ones would vote for a man willing to take away my rights. Not to mention that I see him as an evil man. It isn’t that I didn’t drink regularly before that, but that was a trigger that pushed me over the edge.
I was up to approximately 18 ounces of liquor per day. I drank until I passed out and if I woke up in the middle of the night, I’d pour another. If there was still liquor in my glass in the morning, I’d,add it to my coffee. Really at my age, impacting my memory, my health and my relationships.
I finally said I need help. I’m cautiously optimistic because I think I have a good support system. Everyone I’ve told has at least acted relieved. I think they will help me back on track. I’ll be starting a PHP Thursday, hopefully anyway. I have a few major things that will, no must, interrupt some of those days. My MIL is on her deathbed and I am finishing cancer treatment. I’ll be starting AA as soon as I find a nearby group.
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Admitting to the problem.
Kudos for your first week on a better path.
It took me at least a month to finally recognize the magnitude of the problem. Best of luck! 
I’m going to do my best!
it got a little easier as the days passed.
A suggestion: Alcoholics Anonymous by Bill W. might be a worthwhile read for you. It has helped millions, me included. 26 years.
Was that I was rarely hungover.
I’ll be doing more exercising. I’m hoping that my balance will get better. I pulled out my Wii from 8 years ago, and am working on the balance games. 
And I have been walking a mile daily except when in the hospital. I’d like to double that.
My wife took over the cooking when she retired, but I’m going to take some of that back. And now that my hands aren’t shaking as bad, I might pick up painting again.
I’m so glad I did.
I’m very sorry about your sister. Losing a sibling is so hard. 
You can do it. I believe in you.
We're behind you!
Sorry about your sister.
Best thing that ever happened to me. I encourage you to get to an AA meeting as soon as possible. Go to one every day, or as often as you can. It works, it really does.
I'm always open for talking. 
You can do this. Much love.
and made it through your first week. Sober living can be really, really good.
life can be very messy. You have support of many, many you do not even know. I hope you have a long happy healthy life
Awesome.................
I'm in recovery. AA made a big difference for me......
Seriously. I'm a long time member of AA, and gratefully sober every day, one day at a time.
recognizing you need help and taking action 
tip for you cate94 - if you feel the urge getting overwhelming, POST HERE FIRST - someone is always here on DU and we care
It took me many years before I found the right combination of AA, meditation, medication, friends, and most of all with my wonderful wife I made it. 22 years sober now, and would rather die then return to what I once was.
Godspeed on your journey my friend.
You said this morning you were going to find a meeting. Have you done that? Did you go? When is your next meeting? How will you get there? Do you already know anyone in meetings? Contact them if you do.
You drank to fall asleep ("I drank until I passed out and if I woke up in the middle of the night, I’d pour another."
Don't be surprised if you don't know how to fall asleep. Don't worry no one died from lack of sleep when you're tired enough you'll drift off. In the meantime read a book (the big book is a good start), play mahjong online, watch videos of sign language, who cares just don't drink. You might have some tired days (in my case months) ahead of you. That's why there is coffee at meetings. I learned how to fall asleep now if it takes more than fifteen minutes for me to conk out I get up. It's ok I try again later and fall asleep.
You've mentioned that you're going to walk more, socialize more, whatever more. Getting sober is all about getting sober. I didn't get sober to save my job/girlfriend/spouse/family/bullshit/bullshit/bullshit. That shit doesn't work for me. When I got sick and tired of being sick and tired I got sober. You hit bottom when you stop digging.
You are moving towards a drink or you are moving away from a drink but no matter for me a drink is only so far away. When I first walked into the rooms 32 years 8 months and 29 days ago my drink was a 500lb block of cement on a heavy chain. I kept going dragging that shit. I moved away from it never towards it. As time went on that cement block wore down. One day it was 499lbs. and et cetera. Today it is a helium balloon on a one pound fishing line but it is still there. I know I've got more drunks in me but I don't know if I have another sobriety so Imma hang on to this one for as long as I can.
Did you take a drink today? If not then when tomorrow comes do what you did today. Don't drink. If you haven't found a meeting DM your zip code I'll find one. Happy hour is a waste of time go to a meeting. Go out for coffee afterwards. Be somewhat selfish with your time and get fucking sober. Go to meetings and spend time with the people who know how to be sober. If you're the tweeker in the room talk to those who are calm. Find those who know how to be sober and not relapse. Do what they do.
The goal is the goal and the goal is sobriety. Being sober lets me be a worker among workers and a friend among friends. Just remember if you think you have a problem with alcohol you probably do. People who don't have a problem don't think about it. When I was 3 years sober that was the longest I had been sober in my life. Now there are people who would never dream that Alpeduez21 was a blackout alcoholic pissing himself in an alley.
Getting sober is simple. Might not be easy but it is simple.
Sometimes, one minute at a time. I was having a meltdown early in my sobriety and called my sponsor in a panic. He said do your dishes, "I already did the dishes." "Do them again."
It does get better. 27 years sober last January.
And do something you wouldn’t drink while doing, such as the dishes.
You can do it!
I was actually 2 1/2 years sober when I lost my mother. My sponsor sat with me in the hospital, though she wasn't well herself - and I told her that she didn't need to stay, but she insisted on hanging in there with me. And at one point I ran into another friend from AA while I was looking for the rest room and she stayed for quite awhile and insisted on getting me a sandwich. My relatives drink, but the two cousins I'm closest to know I'm in AA and since we had a luncheon after the funeral and many of my relatives are from other states I had an excuse to only serve coffee, lemonade and iced tea. And several of my AA friends came to the funeral. My sponsor said I didn't need to drink over this and I told her I hadn't thought of it since I had so much to do.
And going back to meetings is a good idea now since you can talk about it with those who understand. I had 14 years in April, but there are times I still talk about it since it was an accident and unexpected. And most everyone has lost a loved one - and it can be done. Good for you that you've made it through the stress sober - especially being around those who were drinking. Support helps a lot, both at meetings and this group is always here.
I went to my second meeting in November 2008 where I met my sponsor and my sobriety date is April 30, 2009. But she stuck with me and told me what to do. That meant everything.
So having a sponsor early on is something I recommend. And I don't tell everyone that I'm in the program, but I had told the two cousins I'm close to (and were to my mother) and they understood and supported me, too. And it doesn't hurt to be proud of yourself, you had a tough time and you made it through.
I don't usually go to places where I know that there's going to be much drinking, but I find it helps to have something in my hand so nobody offers me anything. And if I'm asked if I would like something to drink, I usually say that I could really use a cup of coffee, because that's usually true! Usually nobody questions that. And having someone who has your back certainly helps, too.
Hang in there, you've made a great start! And I realize that I can do pretty much anything I want, the only thing I can't do is drink, and that's not all that much to ask. I consider myself pretty lucky.