Quitting for family- what about those of us without

[Hotdiggity766]

Keep quitting and then just going back to drinking as I get fed up of people in books /podcasts talking about how they are doing it for their kids or when they think about going back to it they think of their families and that gets them through, or now they've quit they are a much better mum dad or partner. Makes me think sod it just die young and enjoy drinking while I can! Id love to have my own family but it hasn't worked out which is probably one of the reasons I turn to drink, what else is there? I have lovely friends but I'm not.much different when I do or don't drink, in terms of support to them etc.

Hey. I hear you. Things haven't panned out for me either and I feel like you have described sometimes. Often actually. But at others I feel just as deserving as someone who has kids to not feel crappy in the morning, pass out on the couch, eat crap food...etc. I guess it all depends on what the impact of drinking is on your life. It sounds like you are concerned about it, possibly, if you have quit before. I understand what you mean about the available quit literature. The only ones that have truly resonated with me are Catherine Grey 'The Joy of Being Sober' and William Porter 'Alcohol Explained'. I'm definitely still battling with my troubles but also feel like I am getting there. Every sober stint gets me a bit closer.

Is there a particular reason you have been looking to quit? You deserve to live a long, healthy life as much as the next person.

You don’t quit for anyone but you. That’s enough. Yes, being sober makes me a better, happier parent. But it also makes me better and happier overall. No one who is quitting for someone else is going to stay quit if they don’t do it for themselves. Could a little bit of it be looking for an excuse to not stay stopped? A bit of fatalism, oh, well if I’ve not got anyone to stay sober for, might as well drink, as you say! That’s your drinking brain talking. It likes to find excuses for why nothing needs to change. But you want to do it for you, don’t you? You’re enough.

Sobriety is something you have to do for yourself. Other people may benefit from sober you but it’s about telling yourself you are worth it. I describe my sobriety as the best gift I ever gave myself

Have you ever sat down and written a list of the pros and cons of drinking? If not try it out and quit for your own benefits.

Don't use "I don't have family" as an excuse to get pissed!