I have always been a heavy drinker for my age but I assumed that came with the fact that I have always partied quite a lot. However, over the past 11-12 months my drinking has increased whilst my partying has decreased. I had insomnia for a long time and used to drink to pass the time. When I joined this site, a few people encouraged me to quit and I thought that maybe it was a good idea (even though i had never thought of it as a concern). So i quit for a while, but it was harder than expected and now I am going through a time of stress and I am drinking again - drinking a lot.
I still wouldn't call myself addicted but I want to stop before it gets out of control. I just don't think right now is the best time, i am under a hell of a lot of stress and i need this to continue. any thoughts?

[DePressMe]

There is never a "bad" time to quit....now is always good. It may seem like drinking relieves the stress, but if you stay sober for a bit, you will probably discover that drinking just makes the stress worse. The same problems are there the next morning only then you have to face them with a hangover. For me, I just had to bite the bullet and quit. I learned how to deal with the stress in a healthier manner. I hope you decide to get sober--sobriety feels really good.

[splitimage]

I used to think that way too - that I needed my life to be less stresssful before I could stop drinking. It was always I'll stop next weekend. But that next weekend never came. I finally lost my job due to drinking and that sent me on a bender that landed me in hospital. That was when I started to get serious about getting sober.

The thing is it may seem like alcohol is a helpful way to deal with stress and lots of people use it to relax. But like they say in AA there's no problem that alcohol won't make worse.

It sounds like you already know that you might have a problem with alcohol, so I'd urge you to quit before you seriously screw up your life like I did. Sure things are still hard and stressful in sobriety but at least I'm not trying to deal with them hungover or waiting for that next drink. I also find it better to face my problems and deal with them rather than by trying to escape from them through a bottle.

Give sobriety a try. It can be a hell of a ride. But it's the best thing I ever did for myself. And it's never too early to start.

--splitimage

[MyBestKids2]

((((hellishlygood)))

Theres a lot of steps before we get to the top of the ladder!

[BalishBun]

Well, there is a wrong time and right time for finally making an effort to get fit and go on a diet, or excersize, but as far as drinking, there is never a wrong time.

Thanks for all of the replies. It really helps to hear responses from people who have been through this. Thank you all.

I know there is never really a 'wrong' time but I just have a lot piled on right now and I think if i pile another thing onto my plate, i might drop them all and have more stuff to deal with??

[StarPonysMama]

I speak from experience:

To quit will help you face your problems head on.

When you drink you tend to supress them for later and "then" deal with it.

Drinking makes it worse and throws you into a vicious cycle and cloudy thinking. Not a good recipe to work out your problems.

If you don't really want to quit...that's your biz. But if you "think" you have a problem then, you probably do.

**good Luck**

[perniciousfirefly]

trust me there is never a right time to start. andn stress unfortunately may give us a 'good excuse' to drink or to not get sober, but i am looking back (im only 12 days COMPLETELY sober, and the drink added to my anxiety, stress, depression and basically mood swings. I dont think alcohol is my sole problem, like most alcoholics we have self medicated maybe for underlying emotional/mental health issues.

It will be hard, get as much support as you can before you stop, then do it,. do you want to continue like this? admit you have a problem, as i had to admit that i am an alcoholic, ontop of everything else that goes with it. my partying turned into drinking at home etc and it wont get better, i had a relapse and i just drunk faster and more because i had deprived myself and craved it.

I was bad tonight but i am in bed, didnt get a drink, but the physical and psychological feelings that went through me were intense.

I feel better in myself, less anxious and guilty because i have got through my 12th day of sobrierty. im going to wake up tomorrow with a clearer head, and try to do the same, not pick up a drink.

you can do it!!!! there is a light at the end of the tunnel. from hiding bottles in the bedroom, and lying, i am not being true to myself and others!!!!

stress unfortunately is part of life, it is how we deal with it that make us a strong person

good luck~~~!!!

[perniciousfirefly]

prioritise what is most important in your life,

if you can sort it out whilst drinking, fair game, but you will have to try and cut down for the time being, it a slippery slope.

Thanks, that really helped me. Yes, I am quite like you in that respect. It started off as partying.

[JayD]

There's never a bad time to quit. Maybe if you find something that you like that distracts and makes you happy, or try something that you haven't done before that doesn't envolve any drinking.

[crazy1]

I was told the only way I would be able to get through the stress was to stay sober and she was right although I didn't want to hear that. AA can be very supportive if you find the right people they are there for you 24-7. I am dealing with divorce, PTSD, dissociative, abuse to me and my daughters. This last year has sucked but i can deal sober if i drink ill be in a hospital or dead or in jail for that is where i usually wind up.

Good luck