What makes a person want to get sober?

[romulus]

I've watched a loved one struggle with alcoholism.  Even after wrecking a few cars, destroying a family, they stay sober for a while and then go binge out.  I'm just wondering, what MAKES a person want to get sober?  How do you know when it's really going to happen and you don't have to worry anymore?

How did you finally know it was going to be your last drink?

[TiggerGrrr]

No doubt. The hardest thing for me was when I thought I was sick and tired of being that way and still defiant and self willed. What a struggle. I finally at my age am becomming coachable. Becomming! My mind still wants to think it knows whats best for me. Thats scary. I would not suggest relapse for anyone but it did get the wax out of my ears.

[ibizan]

i really thing that every alcoholic has to hit their own individual bottom with drinking.....b4 they decide to stop.....i work in the alcohol/drug field and they think well we bring their bottom up to them...no they bring their bottoms to us when their miserable!It was that way for me.......i was very physically mentally emotionally and spiritually SICK!

[TiggerGrrr]

Sometimes an alcoholic needs devastation. I hate to say it but it's true. Even that being said there can be drinking again. I did it after 12 years. I refused to go see a doctor for my ADHD and the quality of living sober became unbearable so I made it worse and drank for 3 1/2 years. Thank God I did not kill anyone driving or leave my children behind. I do have a different view of my life now since seeing a doctor and it's worth saving.

With kindest regards,

Tigger

[romulus]

Both of your insights were great.  I just hope my brother IS sick and tired of drinking causing so much trouble.  Last weekend was horrible for our family.  It's Thursday and I'm still exhusted!  I have tried alanon meetings but never found one I liked.  

[susieq87]

For myself, I hit bottom, so to speak, alcoholics sometimes run thru their lives like tornados and others lives and they can't comphrehend the destruction.  It has to be their decision and they have to just be sick andtired of being sick and tired of drinkin and being unhappy and causing problems.  Anytime driking causes problems you have the potential for an alcoholic.  If you pray, pray for the person, if you want to know how to help yourself in dealing with this person, they have Alanon meetings for people who care about an alcoholic.  Good luck

[ibizan]

thank u dear!not to mention all the $$$ spent on alcohol/drugs,coulda killed someone with my driving in blackouts..grateful i didn't!there is a big history of this in my family...i look at it like i don't have OFF switch and just need to stay the heck away from it.Love to help those who WANT recovery and r willing to work at it.On thursdays i have an Adult Recovery Group here average 9-12 ppl.they want to make changes....the hi-lite of my week!we have a good time and learn from each other!Look at our entertainment industry,arts etc.Some very brilliant and talented ppl in this world with substance abuse problems who have recovered...and those who left us...Heath Ledger being a tragedy.......self induced.

[romulus]

Thanks for telling me your story Ibizan.  I used to drink and party myself but only for fun.  It was easy for stop and now I have an occassional glass of wine and no desire to drink more.  I've had some wild times myself but for some reason could take it or leave it.  I guess it's just hard to understand why a person like my brother even wants to drink when he has so much to lose.  He drinks when he's depressed.  When I'm depressed I don't even want to drink, only makes me feel worse.  

Glad to hear you got out of it and are now helping others with same problems.  You sound like a strong and very smart lady!

[ibizan]

i got damn sick and tired of blackouts,hangovers,not remembering driving 128 miles round trip to go drink in another city and back home at 3am...the ping pong games with switching from alcohol and drugs....i drank so much and did so many drugs i felt like a backed up sewer..the high was gone no matter how hard i chased it.I felt like a pile of dirt.One nite i was in a club drinking and drugging with my chums.i was introduced to a guy who didn't know.....some scumball celebrity on the streets.His probably fake name was Tony Love.He trafficked in teen prostitutes and kiddie porn....i feel nauseous as i type this that i sunk that low with party ppl.I made a decision to get sober....talked to a counselor...went to treatment....worked hard to stay sober and 24 years later its so damn worth it...no more tony love's in my life....and none of the other BS that comes with drinking/drug use...that crappy lifestyle which is really self destruction.