Unsure of how I will continue being sober

[Rivermonsters]

I am turning 18 in a few months, but I am worried about how I will keep being sober. For a bit context I have had alcohol issues in my late teens. For example, when I was 15 on holiday I drank around 3 bottles of wine over a week and gave myself diarrhea. I won’t go into detail (it’s a long story) a few months before my 17th birthday I got so drunk at a hotel and the morning after I had a religious experience and decided to change my life for the better and become a Christian. My issue is that I’m scared when I become a legal adult the temptation will come back as it seems like people my age just want to get drunk and do drugs, my only hope is that the career path I want you have to be some what clean (think security services etc) . Any advice

As someone who started drinking at 15 and then continued drinking -a lot -for another 30+ years I would say that you sound very sensible to not want to go down that route. I’m now 20 months alcohol free!
Some people can’t have one glass or wine or one beer and find, once they’ve had one drink, just keep going until fall down drunk so are better off not having a drink at all.
My teenagers friends seem to fall into either not drinking at all, because it doesn’t interest them, or drinking to excess and ending up in a state.
Maybe just choose the friends, and the places to meet up and socialise, wisely. Or always drive to meet-ups so you won’t be tempted to drink.

Think of it this way. A large glass of wine could be around £7. You knock it back then you pee. You have nothing to show for it but a headache. You wouldn’t Chuck £7 in cash down a toilet & flush it away. Save your money & your liver!

@Oldhabutsarehardtobreak proud ur 20 months free have some cake . I’ll take your advice into consideration, as I always say, abstinence is the best policy

Oldhabutsarehardtobreak

"Think of it this way. A large glass of wine could be around £7. You knock it back then you pee. You have nothing to show for it but a headache. You wouldn’t Chuck £7 in cash down a toilet & flush it away. Save your money & your liver!"

Thank you. A great bit of reinforcement there. Such analogies are really useful in building defences against cravings & triggers. I'm collecting them!

Rivermonsters There is another thread called Alcohol Explained. It's based on a book that deals with the subject in a most compassionate manner, I thoroughly recommend it. Rather than becoming daunted by the long term think of the many advantages of not drinking, the big one being health & how highly desirable it is to maintain that state. Its all about self care.

I'm not sure what you're describing in your post in an alcohol problem, just bad experiences with alcohol. What helps me to cut down on my drinking is thinking how much money it saved (glass of wine at the weekend cost me £7.50!) and I can wake up in the morning looking fresh as a daisy.

@Rivermonsters you have a wonderful sense of self-awareness. This is really good news.

The other thing is that you are in control always. Every single drink is a decision. It doesn't matter what temptation is put in your way, it doesn't automatically follow that you will give in. I know it can feel that way, but it doesn't have to.

One thing that helps a lot of people is to think about why they don't want to have drink in their life and keep reminding yourself of that. I suggest it's not something vague like "to be healthy". Make it something really super compelling which you want MORE than you'll want a drink.

@LondonQueen I could spend half a page going on about stuff I did/felt. I nearly lost my best friend because of it plus failed my resits. Sorry if that came across as ranty

Rivermonsters Not at all, it's important to express how you feel. Be encouraged on this journey. I really do recommend the book Alcohol Explained. I listened to it on Audible