Are You Going Crazy Without Alcohol In Your Life?

This is a question for those that have had an addiction to alcohol and have then found sobriety. "Are you going crazy without alcohol in your life?"

I know as far as my life with my own addiction to alcohol, it was indeed very hard to make that decision to stop drinking alcohol forever.

When you have had alcohol in your life for so many years and it become a huge part of your life it is so hard to just say goodbye, I have had enough of this torture

I have to admit in the beginning of my journey to living a life of sobriety it was hard and I was truly going crazy, because I didn't know what to do with myself.  I was so used to having a beer in my hands and now I have nothing by maybe a coffee or water.  Those two things gave me no buzz as you might know.  I longed to get that buzz I was so used to, but I knew if I broke and took that one drink of alcohol I would be right back to where I was drinking and abusing alcohol each and everyday.

I can relate to all those that are going through this torture.  As time passed by it did get easier having no alcohol in my hands and I started to think of things that would keep my mind off the alcohol and the buzz I loved to have.

Here is what I think about when those urges and cravings come about to have a drink of alcohol:

• I think of all the bad things I said and did while being drunk.
• I think of how I felt each morning I woke up after drinking all night.
• I think what I put my family through each and everyday I drank.
• I think of all the money I spent on something that was killing me slowly.
• I think of my physical appearance and how it declined each day that passed.

I could go on and on about the negative things alcohol brings upon a person, but I am sure you know what it does not only to the alcoholic, but the ones that love and care for the alcoholic, such as your spouse, children, parents and close and dear friends.

Once you and I have gotten sober it is then our job to stay sober no matter what life throws out way. We can not break and turn to the bottle just because something didn't go right or a problem has come up.

Whatever the case may be we all can handle it without alcohol, because as you all know alcohol fixes nothing, in fact it only makes things much much worse than they really are.  So, get and stay sober no mater what happens in your life.

There will always be times that you are going crazy without alcohol in your life, but you will survive and that craving will pass as long as you don't give in to the demons that are knocking at your door to get back into your life.

Are You Afraid Of The Holidays Coming Because Of Your Past Addiction?

Well everyone, the Holidays are right around the corner, and for those like myself, it is tough to watch others drink and have a good time during these upcoming Holidays, or is it?

Are you afraid of the Holidays coming because of your past addiction?  I bet you are, just as I am afraid.  Yes, the temptation is always there, and everywhere you look people are at Holiday parties, in bars, clubs etc. drinking and having a so called a good time, till the next morning right?  That is something I will never miss, those massive hangovers.

Listen everyone, I know it will be hard for all of us that have had a past with battling our addiction of alcohol, and for many others, drugs.  We are battling our addiction every single day, but we all have to be stronger than the addiction that once ran and almost ruined our lives, and the lives of the very ones that loved and cared for us, and hopefully still do.  I hope and pray we all got sober before it was too late.

I have been clean and sober since October 27, 2009 and have gone to many parties, bars and other functions that alcohol was at my hands reach.  In fact, my daughter got married and even though I bought all the alcohol for the reception, I had not one drop, not even a toast, because I know myself, and know if I were to take just that one sip and taste what alcohol feels like back on my tongue, I would be doomed and right back to my drinking and abusing alcohol once more.

I can not do that to myself and ruin all the hard work it took to first off, stop drinking, and secondly, the work it takes to stay sober each and everyday.  It truly isn't worth that one sip or that one drink my friends.  I hope you feel the same way and have the strength and willpower to say NO Thank You, I don't drink anymore.

Be proud of your sobriety, and tell those that may ask you if you want a drink during these Holidays, or any day for that matter, No I stopped drinking, but Thank you anyway, I'll pass on that.  

I love to brag about my sobriety as you should too.  After all, we worked our ass off just to get sober and still working each and everyday just to stay sober. 

Don't be afraid of the upcoming Holidays.  Just sit back and enjoy yourself SOBER.  You will thank yourself for not drinking, or even having that temptation.  It is not worth it, for that one more and probably many more buzzes ahead if you are too weak and break.  Be strong and proud of your sobriety.  Your body will indeed thank you too.

I have learned since I have been sober, I have more fun at parties and functions that alcohol is being served than I ever did when I depended on alcohol to make me think WOW I had a blast at the party last night, etc. IT IS FAKE FUN REALLY.

Never Lose Hope On A Life Of Sobriety

Many people that have an addiction to alcohol want in the worse way to be sober, but their addiction is holding them back from getting and staying sober. Many times the alcoholic is simply not ready for sobriety to be back in their life.  I was one of them. For many years I tried to get and stay sober with no success.

I did get sober twice in the years I drank.  The first time sobriety lasted for about a year and the second time I tried to stay sober lasted only two years until I went back to my old ways of drinking and abusing alcohol.

The reason for these two failures of trying to stay sober was that I simply wasn't ready to stop drinking and live a life with long term sobriety, BUT I never gave up hope on myself.  I knew sooner or later I would finally admit that something had to be done with my life and live with long term sobriety.

You can never lose hope on a life of sobriety.  The road to recovery is tough when you have an addiction to alcohol or any drugs for that matter, but if you continue to keep hope alive you will achieve that life you wished for.

If you truly want to change your life, and know that you indeed need to change your life, than anything is possible in life, and that includes long term sobriety.

Like I said earlier, it took me three times to get and stay sober, but I never gave up hope that one day I would finally surrender to the one thing that was running and ruining my life, and that was my addiction to alcohol.  The third time was the charm for me and I thank God each and everyday for giving me the hope, the willingness and the strength to get sober and stay sober.

You truly need to love and believe in yourself in order to have a wonderful life of sobriety.  You also need to get out of that negative mood you are in because of your addiction.  For myself, I was a very negative person and always wondered why nothing would ever work out the way I wanted it to.  Once I became sober and changed my attitude in life to nothing but positive, everything I wanted and dreamed of started to become a reality for me.

As hard as it was to finally make that life change and become sober, it was worth every bit of hard work, and my life shows it now.  I am a much happier person.  I continue to keep a positive attitude even when times are tough, and I never once reached for an alcoholic drink just because things were a little rough.

If you never give up hope, your life will indeed change as mine did.  Sometimes it may take longer than you wanted it to take, but if you continue to try your very hardest to change your life, it will happen.  Like I said before, it took three tries before I nailed sobriety and got rid of the demons that were in my life for so many years.  Three is a charm so they say!

So my advice to all those that are suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol is to NEVER give up hope on yourself.  Your life is so precious, and all of us were put on this Earth for a reason.  All of us should enjoy the life we were given and not destroy your one and only life with an addiction.

Lets everyone try our very hardest to make that change, and take Massive Action in order to make that change.  Some of us may have to stay distant from our friends that we drank with in order to keep that temptation and urge to drink again from coming over us.  As for myself, I did just that, and in the long run I lost many friends because now we had nothing in common such as drinking and getting drunk with each other.

It seemed like they all ran away because my life was now much different than their life was. I was sober and they still had their demons running their lives. I never preached to them about sobriety, although they saw that I was a new man because of my sobriety.  My hope is for one day they see the light as I did back in 2009.

NOW LET ME TELL YOU WHAT THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN MY LIFE BECAUSE I NEVER GAVE UP HOPE!

• Even though I had lost many friends because of my sobriety, I gained many new sober friends in the end. Great sober friends are really awesome.  To be able to speak a conversation with out blurring your words, and to not get in any drunken fights because the alcohol is altering your thinking and acting is a wonderful thing.

• Back when I drank and abused alcohol my relationship with my wife and children started to decline, although we still loved each other very much, it still wasn't the same when I drank.  Today, now being sober the relationship with my wife and children are unbelievable.  It is so amazing how being sober and happy can change so many lives that are in your life.  People now are excited to be in my company and I get along with each and everyone of them.  No one wants to be around a drunk person unless that person is also drunk. Misery loves company so they say, and believe me I was very miserable when I drank.

• When I had a couple of drinks there were many people that stood and talked to me at parties or other occasions, BUT after those couple of drinks as I continue on my way to getting drunk I started to feel the effects of the alcohol and then people would shy away from me because they knew what the future hours would bring as far as my continuing to drink. Now being sober I still go to those parties and occasions, but without a drink in my hand and still have those conversations that last the complete night without anyone walking away because of me getting too drunk. Sober conversations are always the best believe me.

• I truly believe, and I hope that I am a service to many people that read my articles here on my blog and on so many other websites.  I write just about everyday regarding alcohol addiction and ways that I have found that helped me get and stay sober since October of 2009. Writing has been my life since 2009 when I got sober.  Each article I write gives me more hope knowing that maybe one of these articles will touch someones life and will help them to understand that having an addiction of any sort is not the end of their life.  Never give up hope on your new life.  All of you that have an addiction have the chance to make that life change.  The only thing you have to do is to want your life back no matter what it takes to get it back.

• Writing about my alcohol addiction experience indeed helps me to stay sober each day.  Some may wonder how writing keeps me sober and my answer is... as I write, I think about the way my life was years ago when I abused alcohol, and then I think as I write, how many people I maybe helping that have been suffering with their addiction as I was for so many years.  It brings me great joy and happiness to know I may help someone in the world, even if it is only one person. 

I pray for all those that are suffering with an addiction, and hope everyone can get clean and sober and live that one and only life they have with happiness, contentment, love and sobriety. 

How Having A Positive Attitude Can Change So Many Things In Life

For someone like myself, living with an alcohol addiction for so many years, I didn't know the words, "Positive Attitude."

I lived each day with a negative attitude, and feeling sorry for myself because I knew deep inside that I had an addiction to alcohol, but I just didn't want to do anything to change my life. Now being sober, I know how having a positive attitude can change so many things in life.

There is nothing worse than thinking and acting negative.  You will never get anywhere in life with that kind of attitude. It took many years for me to get straightened out in my life, and once I did, Positivity took over, and life looked so much different with my new attitude, not only towards myself, but life itself.

Here are just a few things that changed in my life once I got clean and sober and began thinking and acting with a positive attitude.

• My entire married life my wife's and my dream was to live by the Ocean, but no matter how hard I tried to make that dream into a reality, nothing worked out.  I truly believe that my addiction to alcohol held me back in so many ways, along with my negativity that came with my addiction.

I got clean and sober in October of 2009, and everything began to work out, and the reason that is, and my beliefs are, that I was not willing to help myself before, and when things didn't work out as I wanted them to, I just drank more figuring alcohol was the fix all. I am now writing this down the street from the Ocean. My dream has now become a reality!

• My marriage and family life was falling to pieces slow, but sure. 

Now sober, I couldn't ask for a better family life and marriage. My best friend, and also my wife stood by my side through thick and thin when I was addicted to alcohol, and now I am proud to say I have sobriety, and we live with nothing but positivity in our lives.  I now realize that your attitude in life can change so many things, for the good or for the bad.

Our attitudes can make or break our lives, so get out of the negative world and start living with that Positive Attitude.  You will be amazed of how your life will change, just by you changing your life, and your attitude towards life.

Why It Is So Hard To Stop Drinking Alcohol

There are many reasons why it is so hard to stop drinking alcohol.  The number one reason for so many alcoholics is that they are just not ready to stop drinking and start living a life clean and sober.

As for me, it took many years to finally realize I was slowly killing myself by drinking and abusing alcohol. If you truly want sobriety back into your life, you will need to first get yourself out of the denial you have been living in for so long.

I know that I lived in denial for many of years, thinking and saying that I had no problem with alcohol whatsoever.  Once I got out of denial and admitted that I truly had a huge problem with this addiction I had, it made it easier to stop drinking and start to live the life I was put on this Earth to live, and that was living sober, not drunk.

Many people just don't want to change their live, or they are simply afraid to get sober worrying about what might happen if they gave up alcohol.  They worry about if they would get sick for not having alcohol in their system, something they are so used to having.

They may worry about losing their long time drinking buddies, but do they worry about dying or losing their family because they pay more attention to the addiction to alcohol they have then their own spouses, children, fathers or mothers?

When I finally got clean and sober back in October of 2009 I never realized just how easy it was once I made my mind up to quit drinking.  The thing is, that you must want to stop and not be made to stop drinking.

I have to admit though, it was hard in the beginning when I stop drinking alcohol, and the reason being was, I was so used to having alcohol everyday of the week, and to go from that to nothing was a hard adjustment to make, but I made up my mind that I had enough of the life I was living and I wanted a new life for not only myself, but my wife and children as well, and that was enough for me to stick to my guns and never go back to the old ways of drinking and abusing my body anymore.

I did it when I thought it would never happen, and so can you!!  Keeping a positive attitude is a must my dear friends, and staying away from all temptations, and people that are still drinking is a MUST.

When Is it Time to Seek Help And Enter A Rehab.

While we all enjoy our alcoholic drinks, some of us don't know when to quit or don't know when we have had enough of the poison that just may kill us in the end.

When is it time to seek help and enter a Rehabilitation Treatment Center?  Many people that have an addiction to alcohol may think they don't need any help whatsoever and they think they can stop drinking alcohol whenever they want.

It isn't that easy my friends.  You may think you can stop drinking alcohol, but have you tried to get sober, and stay sober for any length of time?

The time, in my opinion to seek help is:

Can not miss one day without drinking.
Can not go anywhere if alcohol is not being served.
Missing work because of that horrible hangover.
Spending money you don't have to support your addiction.
Fighting and arguing with your family, spouse and friends.
Not remembering what you did the night before.
Blackouts from over drinking.
Appearance of how you are changing week by week.
Weight gain or loss.
Waking up in the morning and the first thing you think of is when you can have that next drink. 

I tried this before and it only lasted for a short time and the reason for that was, "I simply wasn't ready to change my life and live a life of sobriety.  I am very sure you know exactly what I am talking about.

As for myself, I was one of the few fortunate alcoholics that could stop drinking alcohol on my own.  Many alcoholics, or I should say all alcoholics should look into getting themselves admitted into a Rehabilitation Treatment Center for the correct and safe way to detox if they want to get clean and sober.



It can't be that you are forced into going into these Centers, although being forced into being admitted to a Rehab.Center might save your life.

I know alcoholics that went into Rehab. for a month or a 90 day stay, and found themselves staying and being a part of the counseling for others that have been admitted in that same Rehab. Center for the same reasons, being addicted to drugs or alcohol.

It has helped them to stay sober and kept them away from the outside world of addiction, and their  friends that are still using and abusing.

They are to this day helping others as they were helped during their stay in Rehab.

The name of the game here is to get yourself sober by entering into a Rehab. Center, and then help others that are suffering from an addiction to drugs and alcohol as you were. Then, spread the word of sobriety to help others realize there is always hope for anyone that had any kind if addiction.

FIND A REHAB. CENTER IN YOUR AREA.

National Alcoholism And Substance Abuse INFORMATION CENTER

If you have an addiction to drugs or alcohol, seek the Professional Help that will get you sober and by doing so in a safe and healthy manner.

You can read more of my articles right here on HubPages.

Here is my eBook right here on Amazon.

Will Sobriety Change My Life?

For all those folks that are addicted to alcohol often may ask themselves, "will sobriety change my life" and I am here to tell you that sobriety will certainly change your life in a awesome way that would you would never even realize.

The only way to find out just how sobriety changes lives, is to go for it, and get sober once and for all.  You have nothing to lose when trying this awesome new lifestyle.  You will be surprised just life changes when you are clean and sober.

I thought about the idea to get sober a few times in my drinking days, but I thought what the heck, it is probably too late to make that change in my life since I have been drinking alcohol for so many years and the damage is done so why even try?

I was dead wrong in that theory of mind, because in October of 2009 I made that huge decision to try and get and stay sober hopefully for the last time.  I made my mind up and picked my sober date and stuck by that day, which I might add was the day I made my mind up to get sober forever.

I thought, why wait and prolong my sobriety.  If I was ready to get sober then lets just start NOW and not wait a minute longer.  That made more sense than saying, "I think I will wait until Monday after the weekend is over and I can get plastered just that one more time."

You know as well as I know that wouldn't work, because that would lead to the next weekend and so on.  I had to be sincere and honest with myself and not let anything change my mind to get and stay sober on that day I chose to stop drinking alcohol.

If you are struggling with an addiction to alcohol you need to try your hardest to get away from those demons that are ruining your life, and other lives as well.

Make up your mind once and for all and don't back down for anything.  Sure, sobriety is going to be a tough thing to achieve, but in the end, your life will be wonderful as mine is right now, writing article after article in hopes that just one article will touch someones life, and they too can find long term sobriety as I did.

Nothing good in life is easy.  It takes hard work to make it happen as staying sober will be hard work as well, but worth every bit of work and sweat.  In the long run you will be proud of yourself and those that love and care for you will be just as proud or even more proud.  You will save your own life by just surrendering to your demons once and for all.

Never think for a minute that sobriety will come to you, you have to go after sobriety full force and not stop until you have achieved long term sobriety.  It can be done by anyone if that is truly what you want in your life.  To be able to live the clean life and live a happy and healthy life as well.



SO IF YOU ARE ASKING YOURSELF OR ANYONE ELSE, WILL SOBRIETY CHANGE MY LIFE, THE ANSWER IS A HUGE YES!!! YOUR LIFE WILL INDEED CHANGE ALL FOR THE BETTER!

Visit my articles on Hubpages for more info on getting and staying sober, and how to live a happy and simple life and so much more.

How I Made My Life Simple After Surrendering To An Addiction To Alcohol

How I made made my life simple after surrender to an addiction to alcohol was quite simple. Here is how I changed my life around with the decision to stop drinking alcohol forever.

Alcohol as we all know can be very addictive if we don't know who to manage our drinking and start abusing alcohol.

Many times people start off drinking alcohol just to take the edge off of their life and thinking by drinking alcohol things will get a bit easier and they will forget for that moment any problems in life they may have.  The problem for me, and the problem for many drinkers is that they thought by drinking everything will be just fine.

They feel as if drinking alcohol makes them feel great and they tend to forget those problems for awhile until they sober up the next day and that problem that didn't feel that bad is right back on their doorstep waiting to be resolved.

Drinking alcohol will never fix any problems in anyone's life.  It sure didn't for me as I am sure it will never fix anything for you.  Alcohol just makes things worse, and the trend will go on and on, day after day, because the way you felt being buzzed or drunk made that problem somewhat disappear, if only for a few hours of that day.

Today, being sober since October 27, 2009 my world and my life is amazing.  All the things I thought would never happen, such as my dreams and goals to move to the New Jersey Shore are now a reality.  I really believe if you want to help yourself and change your life then things will begin to go your way. You need to help yourself first before anything or anyone will help you.

I wouldn't trade sobriety for anything in the world.  If feels so wonderful to be able to wake up in the morning and remember what you did the day before and the night before.

It is so wonderful that you are not a prisoner to your addiction.  I can get into my car anytime of the day or night and head out onto the roads with not a worry in the world of being pulled over and given that great DUI.

The only worry I have is for someone else that has been drinking and driving their automobile hits me.

I keep my promise that I would never pick up and alcoholic drink ever again and I have stuck to that promise and will continue to do so until the end of my time here on Earth.

I live a simple life now and I am very happy.  No one needs alcohol to so called be happy. Think positive and have the will, determination and a strong desire to stop drinking alcohol and it will happen.
I finally realized after many years of drinking that alcohol does not make you happy, sobriety is the most important that will change your life and make you a happy and healthier person.

I was fortunate that I didn't need AA, or any meeting.  I did it cold turkey, BUT please don't do as I did.  You may need to get the proper help and medical attention to get sober.  I took a huge chance by what I did, and would not encourage to do it that way.  Get sober safe and have the right people treating you so that you can detox in a safe and healthy manner.

So if you truly want a better life for yourself and your family you need to get out of denial and take action to change your life around all for the better and stop drinking and abusing alcohol.

If you are interested in learning how to give up alcohol then Click Here to read more.

Here is my Ebook on My Life Of Alcohol Addiction that explains just how I got started with this horrible addiction.

You can read more articles I have written on HubPages regarding ways to stop drinking and the reasons why you should stop drinking if you believe you have an addiction to alcohol. Also in these articles are Hubs about living with a positive attitude and just living a simple and happy life.

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT BOOK ON - A SIMPLE APPROACH TO LIVING A SIMPLE LIFE

Sobriety Is Like Living In Paradise

For any person that has an addiction to alcohol, and has been abusing alcohol for a long time hasn't had the experience of living life sober for some years.  Yes, I was one of those people.

Having sobriety is like living in paradise I must say.  When someone has had an addiction to alcohol for years they tend to forget what it feels like to be clean and sober.  They are so used to having that buzz or being drunk each day they think that this is the only thing in life.

In my opinion there is nothing greater than sobriety.  To be able to think clearly each day, and to be able to wake up in the morning with a clear head and not have that horrible hangover we all know so well.  

When we depend on alcohol in our everyday life we tend to forget what life is really all about.  We don't see the beauty that life has to offer us because we are blinded by our addiction to alcohol.  We tend to breathe, sleep and live for alcohol.

I remember so well that the minute I woke in the morning even after feeling like crap from drinking the night before, the first thing that came to mind was, "when can i have my first drink of the day?"  That is so sad that I thought about how I could ruin my life even more than it already is.

To be able to think and want to self-destruct myself one day at a time.  Now that I have been sober since October 27, 2009 I can not believe those thoughts of drinking came to mind each morning I woke.

I know that many people that have this addiction to alcohol think the same way as I did back then.  Now, I write to help those that have an addiction to alcohol, and to let them know there is hope for all of us if and only if you want to get and stay sober and live that life of sobriety.

I have to tell you that you must try out sobriety for it is like living in paradise.  All you have to do is to want sobriety bad enough and work hard on staying clean and sober and you will too live in paradise as I do now.

Granted getting and staying sober will not be easy, but nothing good that comes out of life is easy right.  You need to work hard and not let anything or anyone stand in your way to living a sober life.

The longer you are sober the easier it will be for you as long as you don't cheat and say to yourself, "well I guess I can have one or two drinks because I have not drank in one month."  That is a huge NO NO!  Once you decide to get sober you must promise yourself that no matter what happens in your life you will not break and have that one or two drinks, because if you do you will be back to square one and day one of trying to get sober again.

Think of what you are doing to yourself and others that love and care for you.  Look into the your mind and see what is making you depend on alcohol each day of your life.  Read this hub I wrote called "looking into the mind of an alcoholic."  You will see how we think, or least how I thought about my addiction to alcohol.

Keep a positive attitude in everything in life, and that includes having sobriety back into your life and you will see, having that positive attitude, the will and determination and the power to say NO I don't drink, sobriety will be a part of your life once again.

                                                                                                                             
Read my Ebook on  My Life Of Alcohol Addiction

What Steps Are You Taking To Get Clean And Sober

So many people in the world have an addiction to alcohol, but they are too afraid to stop for many different reasons.  I know because I made every excuse in the world of why I didn't want to stop drinking alcohol, and told myself and others that I had No problem at all with my drinking of alcohol.

Who are we really fooling?  We are fooling no one but ourselves as we live in a world of denial day after day, month and year after year.  We are killing ourselves slow but sure.

If you have an addiction to alcohol what steps are you taking to get clean and sober?

First and foremost you must want to change your life and live it clean and sober before you can even think about long term sobriety.  If you don't have sobriety in your heart then you are fighting a losing battle.  If you are not willing to change, not only for yourself, but all those that love and care for you such as your spouse, family and friends you are going nowhere as far as getting and staying sober.

I can not stress enough in all of my writing how different my live has been since I surrendered to the demons that ran and almost ruined my life.  I had to stay up to the demons that had full control of my life and ruining my family's lives along the way.  The demons of alcohol don't care who the will destroy as they lurk in your body just waiting for the next drink of alcohol to be drank and when that drink doesn't come they make you the most miserable person to even deal with.  You know what I am talking about if you are a person that is addicted to alcohol.

HERE ARE THE STEPS I TOOK WHEN I DECIDED TO STOP DRINKING ALCOHOL FOREVER AND GET CLEAN AND SOBER.

• First I had to get out of the denial I lived in and admit that I was an alcoholic and needed to get help to stop drinking whether it be Professional help or doing it own my own.
• I had to get out of the poor me (negative attitude) I was in and change that attitude to a positive attitude, and keep it positive no matter what happened in my life from then on.
• I needed to put my plan into action and not delay sobriety for one more day.
• I made up my mind and picked my sober date which was (October 27, 2009).
• I told my family and friends that was going to stop drinking alcohol and said it with pride and happiest.
• I was proud of my decision to get clean and sober, and now it was the test of whether I could stay true to the promise to myself that I would never touch another drop of alcohol the rest of my life.

Sure many things happen in our lives that want to make you start drinking again (to so called ease the pain and fix the problems at hand), but believe me, alcohol fixes NOTHING!

I stuck to my promise that the demons of alcohol would be out of my life forever, and I am the type of person that never lies and especially never lie to myself.

The steps you should take are outlined above, but remember this is what I did to prepare for my sobriety.  You may have different ideas about how you should go about getting and staying sober,

Never the less, I wish you all the best of luck in finding your own peace in life and live that life of sobriety as I am right now.  Believe me, you will be so proud of yourself that you could beat the addiction to alcohol as I did.

Stay focused, Keep a Positive Attitude and Believe in yourself. If you think you need Professional Help to get sober, then please ask for the help you need to get sober in a safe and healthy way.  I was fortunate enough to be able to go cold turkey, but I was very afraid and I took a big chance of having a poor outcome or getting sick or possible close to death experience, so do it the right and safe way.

If you think you can go cold turkey, my prayers are with you, but if you doubt you can, PLEASE get the Professional Help so that you can get sober in a safe way.  Don't do as I did and take that huge chance of something horrible happening.

How To Avoid The Temptation To Drink During The Holidays

The Holidays are coming up soon and there will be many of parties and get together s throughout Christmas and the New Years.

The problem for many people that have an addiction to alcohol is "how to avoid the temptation to drink during the Holidays."

The biggest problem for many with an addiction to alcohol is when they stop drinking just before the Holidays are coming, like I did over 3 years ago.  I stopped drinking on October 27, 2009 when Thanksgiving and Christmas were near by.  It was a tough time for me, but I was determined to stay sober no matter what the Holiday was and who I was with during those Holidays.

Once you make up your mind to stop drinking you have to stick with it no matter what happens in your life and no matter what the day of the year is.

If you have surrender to your demons, don't ever give in to them ever again, because if you happen to do so you will be back in the same boat as you were before, and that is drinking and abusing alcohol.  Believe me it will not be pleasant knowing that you gave into your demons the morning after.

AVOIDING THAT TEMPTATION TO DRINK

• Continue to think of how hard you worked to get and stay sober.  
• Continue to keep that Positive Attitude every second of the day.
• Remember how you felt when you drank alcohol and all the mornings hungover.
• Look at your spouse and family and think how disappointed and hurt they would be if you drank.
• Look at yourself and how disappointed you would be of your own self if you drank alcohol.
• Drink your soda or coffee and mingle with all those at the party just as if you were drinking right along with them.
• If they ask you why you are not drinking, be proud and say, "I stopped drinking and never will drink again."

If you want to stop drinking alcohol and live a clean and sober life, then CLICK HERE to read just how you can do it and live the rest of your life with sobriety.

So when you are out at your Holiday parties don't be embarrassed that you are not drinking and carrying on with the others.  Be proud that you have the strength to say no and that you don't need alcohol to have a great time.


If you are looking for cell phone information here is a link that may help you http://www.touristhaven.net/ . a blog from a friend of mine.

How To Get Ready To Walk The Road To Recovery

Here is my version of "how to get ready to walk the road to recovery."

First and foremost, you must want to change your life and start to live a life of sobriety.  Until you have admitted you have an addiction to alcohol, and need help, your road to recovery is not in the cards just yet.

You have to really want to live life clean and sober, and I don't mean for a week or month, I mean Long Term Sobriety. Forever without another drink of alcohol.  Do you think you can handle that, or do you think you will cheat while sober and just have a drink or two every now and then?

If you are sober now that is wonderful, but as the Holiday's are approaching us the alcoholic that has sobered up has that temptation and the urge to drink.  I know for myself it is a touch road when these Holiday's come around each year.

You see some many people drinking alcohol and just having a grand ole time while you sit there sober and drinking your soda or coffee.  The parties are everywhere around Christmas time, and then New Years Eve comes and the booze really is flowing at many New Years parties.

How can you stop the urge to drink alcohol during these times of big parties?

1. Remember just how hard you worked to get on the road to recovery.
2. Remember how you felt each morning after a heavy night of drinking.
3. Remember how you acted when you drank too much alcohol and made a fool of yourself.
4. Remember what you almost loss when you were addicted to alcohol.
5. Remember how much money you have saved from stopping drinking.
6. Remember the arguments and fights you had with your spouse or friend because of your drinking.
7. Remember those days you got behind the wheel being so drunk because you just didn't care.
8. Remember being pulled over and given a DUI.
9. Remember the horrible things you said to someone that meant so much to you.
10. Remember the buzz you had was only temporary, until the next time you drank.  It is nothing but a vicious cycle, day after day.
11. THESE THINGS SHOULD MAKE YOU THINK TWICE WHILE AT A PARTY AND YOU HAVE THE URGE TO DRINK.

It will take lots of work to get on that road to recovery, but once there, and you stay on that road, life will be so much better for you and those that love and care for you, such as your families and friends.  

HERE IS HOW I PREPARED MYSELF FOR THE ROAD OF RECOVERY.

1. I took a good hard look at my life as it was at that moment.
2. I looked around at those that loved and cared for me and wondered if drinking alcohol was worth losing all of this love and respect they have for me.
3. I had to get out of the mood of being negative and change that to Positive Attitude.
4. I looked at what I was depriving my family from my addiction to alcohol.
5. Preparing yourself for the road to recovery takes thought and the willpower to stop drinking alcohol.
6. You must have the willpower, determination and the strength to say NO MORE to the demons that have run and ruined your life, and when you see what they have done to you and what they are going to do to you in the future, you may what to think long and hard to stop drinking and get on that new road to recovery.

**Here is a great website by a friend of mine that will help you sober up and have long term sobriety back into your life.  He has great Pod Casts, and so much information on stopping drinking alcohol and turning your life around, as I have, and he has as well.  It is called Living Sober Sucks, (but living drunk sucks more).  Check it out for it will help you get on that road to recovery.

**As for myself, I wrote this eBook a couple years ago regarding how I started drinking and and my life of alcohol addiction.

So if you want a new life and get out of the addicted life of alcohol then here is what you should think about doing:
* Think positive, and continue to tell yourself that you can and will find long term sobriety.
* Have the strong desire and the willingness to change your life once and for all.
* Don't let anything or anyone steer you off the road of recovery no matter what.

God Bless all those that have an addiction to alcohol and want to change their life around.  Keep telling yourself that you can do it, and before you know it you will be on that road to recovery.  Stay strong, believe in yourself, and keep that positive attitude in everything you do in life.

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Living With A Spouse That Has An Addiction To Alcohol

Are you living with a spouse that has an addiction to alcohol?  If so, what do you do to try and make living with that spouse a bit more easier?

I don't have all the answers, but I can tell you that my wife put up with me drinking alcohol everyday for years.  Sometimes when love is so true and unconditional, spouses seem to just hang in there hoping for a miracle that the person they love will see the light and stop drinking alcohol forever.

In my case, and I am sure millions of people throughout the world, have had the same problem.  They wish so bad that their loved one would stop abusing and drinking alcohol.  They wait and wait hoping they will quit drinking and start living a life of sobriety.

How long should you really wait until you just give up on your spouse surrendering to his/her addiction to alcohol?  I just think it depends on how much you love that person and how determined you are and want that person to see the light and stop drinking alcohol and get back to his/her real self without relying on the crutch of alcohol.

Life is so precious and we the alcoholics don't even realize what we are doing to the people that love and care for us so much.  We are not only killing ourselves, but we are destroying our families and the ones that love us.  Alcohol blinds us so much and runs our lives everyday, we can't see what we are doing to others,a and if by chance we do see it, we don't care because the alcohol tells us different.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP YOUR LOVED ONE STOP DRINKING ?

• You are helping your spouse by enabling him/her in their addiction to alcohol.
• You have to be strong and be able to say no, I will not give you any money to support your addiction.
• You have to be stern. but not so that you and your spouse begin to fight and argue over the addiction that is ruining your lives.  I have seen, and have been there, when my wife would approach me regarding how much alcohol I drink and that I should really stop.  I would listen as many alcoholics do, until the sober spouse has said so much that the alcoholic gets more upset and starts to drink even more just out of spite.  It is a vicious cycle, day in and day out.  
• You must talk to the alcoholic in a way that you make are making a strong point letting them know how unhappy you are and you want this relationship or marriage to work and not be ruined by the addiction to alcohol they have.
• I have found that talking in a civil manner helps more than screaming and yelling at your spouse.  Be calm, but stern about your concerns of their addiction.  Try to explain to them that they are ruining their health and destroying the love that they once had.
• I know from my experiences of drinking alcohol for years that no matter what a spouse says to the alcoholic, the alcoholic will never stop drinking until he/she is ready to do it on their own and not be forced into sobriety.  
• I had quit drinking a couple of times just to make peace in the household, but over time when I felt that everything had calmed down, I felt save to start drinking again.  I would start out with a beer or two and then BANG I went right back to old ways of pounding them down all night long.  I am sure many alcoholics have done the exact same thing.  To stop for awhile to just make peace.  It will never work, believe me. You have to want sobriety and until then no matter what anyone says or what Rehab. Center you may go in, long term sobriety will never happen until you have it in your heart to stop drinking and stop forever.
• It is really a hard thing to do if you fight it, but if you just look at your life and those around you that love you, sobriety will happen when you are ready and not before.
• Rehab. Centers are wonderful, but you have to stick to it even after being released and not think you can have a drink or two at a party, etc.  You will relapse faster than you can shake a stick, as they say.

**Love yourself and others enough to stop drinking alcohol forever.  Save your life, and save your relationship and marriage.  Don't let alcohol run and ruin your life.

Anyone can stop drinking if you put your mind to it and think with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE that you will get and stay sober.  Believe in yourself and love yourself enough to stop drinking.

Do You Know What Your Addiction Is Doing To You?

Alcohol does many things to the human body. First, and the most important thing is that it is designed to get you feeling good and drunk as heck.  That is the main purpose in my opinion, and it does a great job at it.

Many people that drink alcohol can handle them self in a sense that they know when it is time to stop drinking alcohol and then there are those, such as myself, that don't know when enough is enough.  When we start out experimenting with drinking alcohol many of us don't realize if we are not careful this fun time drinking can turn into an addiction.  Do you know what your addiction is doing to you?  I bet not, for the simple reason, this addiction to alcohol has been slowly creeping up on you and now you can't figure out why in the world must you have alcohol every single day of your life.  Many of us can not live without this harmful poison in their bodies. We would start to go crazy and feeling on edge, nervous, shaky and the whole nine yards due to the absence of this poison we call alcohol not in your bodies.

Many people live, breathe, sleep with alcohol continuously on their minds. I have the right to say this because the minute I would wake, of course after drinking all night, my first thoughts were not, " I wonder how my day will be today." "I wonder if I will be productive today." No, the first thing I thought of was, "when is it time to have my first beer."  How pitiful is that I might ask you? I am sure many people that have an addiction to alcohol the same and some might even crack open a can of beer or take a shot of booze minutes after they wake up to start their day and get their head out of the clouds from the night before drinking alcohol.

When you start to think to yourself, what is this addiction I have doing to my life and what is it doing to my family and friends?  None of us that are addicted to alcohol ever for a moment think about the damage we are doing to our self and the hurt and pain we are causing to others, such as you family, spouse, and your children.

So, what do you think alcohol is doing to your body? 

• Are you gaining weight?
• Do you look in the mirror in disgust?
• Are you not getting along with your spouse?
• Are you feeling useless?
• Are you short with your children and friends?
• Are you missing work due to being hungover?
• Are you spending money on alcohol that you don't have to spend?
• Have you loss your positive attitude?
• Is you self esteem gone?
• Are your dream and goals put behind your addiction to alcohol?
• Are you beginning to be a loner and drink by yourself person?
• Do you head to the bars right after work?
• Do you have the "I don't give a shit attitude?"

These few things can define what and alcohol addiction can do to you.  The fact of the matter is many people that are addicted to alcohol can't even see it when it is right smack in front of their eyes.

Wake up people, as I did, and see the light and lets try to change your life around for the better with a positive attitude and living life sober.  Sobriety will never hurt or kill anyone, ALTHOUGH, your addiction to alcohol will in time make you lose your job, your family, your children, your health and in the end losing your life all because of an addiction to alcohol that can be avoided and stopped.  The only think you have to do is take action and stand up to the demons that are controlling your life.  

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How A Positve Attitude Helps With Getting Sober

Have you any idea how a positive attitude helps with getting sober?  For many people that are suffering from an addiction to alcohol sobriety and getting sober is the last thing on their mind.  Why, you may ask?  When an alcoholic has been drinking for so many years they forget just how sobriety and being clean and sober feels.

They have a hard time with excepting that they may have an addiction problem, and don't what to admit that they are living in denial and think nothing of drinking and partying, just like it is the way of life for everyone.  Well everyone in our society and in our world drink and abuse alcohol to the point of getting addicted to it.

When I finally said, "enough is enough" and surrendered to my addiction to alcohol is when I realized that a positive attitude has had a huge impact on my sobriety and has helped me to get sober and using that positive attitude continues to keep me sober as well.

Can you imagine walking around with that chip on your shoulder and thinking nothing but negative thoughts, saying why me?  How in the world can anyone get sober thinking negative and telling them self that they will never be able to kick their addiction and get clean and sober. Thinking is this manner no one will ever get sober.

Just think about it.  Negative thoughts give negative results and positive thoughts give positive results.  Sound right to me, how about you?

I can certainly say from my experience with drinking alcohol, and then getting sober, that my positive attitude helped me to get sober, and without thinking this way I would still be stuck in my little world of my own addiction and self destruction.  Our minds, and we all have one I might add, can and will do anything you tell it to.  If you want to live in a world of addiction and telling yourself you will never get sober than that is exactly what your life will be.

Now, lets turn the coin and say you are thinking nothing but positive thoughts and thinking with that positive attitude telling yourself that you can and will get and stay sober no matter what it takes to achieve your sobriety.  Which of the two attitudes do you think will work the best for you?  I have my answer, how about you, do you have your answer?  I think the answer is a no brainier in my opinion.

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Man Verses Addiction

Man verses addiction has been around for hundreds and even thousands of years and will remain in our lives for thousands of years more and till the end of time.  There is nothing we can do to make it ever go away except to stand up to the addiction and surrender to the demons that can and will ruin your life. These addictions will cause health problems and death if action is not taken promptly.

Many people with an addiction have been overcome by it and many have lost lives because of their addiction, but then there are those that have beat their addiction and became clean and sober once again and hopefully forever.  An addiction is nothing to laugh about and must be taken serious or people will lose everything they had worked so hard to get throughout their life, including, spouses, homes, jobs, families and friends as well.

Wouldn't it be nice to cure all addictions with a wave of a wand?  We all know that is not possible, although we, the sober ones can try our hardest to help those that are having a tough time in life with their addictions and offer as much help as we can through writing our own experiences with drinking alcohol or using drugs via the Internet, ebooks and just word of mouth to let every addicted person in the world know that there is always hope and to never give up trying to have sobriety be a part of your life again.

So in short, addictions to whatever it may be will be in our society and in our world forever, so the best thing we can do is to help those in need of help and make them understand that sobriety is waiting for them.  Addictions will never go away, but all of us that are sober or have recently got sober have to team together and help all those that have the same problems or addiction as what we have beaten. Let them know they are not alone and there is help waiting for them.  All they must do is to ask for it and we will be there with open arms to help them get and stay sober.

Understanding What An Alcoholic Goes Through Each Day

Do you think being an alcoholic is fun?  None of us set out on a giving day and just decide to start destroying ourselves with alcohol.

Understanding what an alcoholic goes through each day is what I have to try and explain in my own words, and possibly speaking for all those that are addicted to alcohol as I was over two years ago.

Life isn't easy being an alcoholic.  You can ask anyone that has or had any kind of addiction, whether it be drugs or alcohol.  We fear not having alcohol in our system for any length of time.  We constantly worry what people think about our addiction to the alcohol.  We fear if we stop drinking, will something happen that will harm us such as the DTs, shakes, tremors and anything that would effect the body by the absence of alcohol, or should we continue on our path to self destruction to avoid any health problems as such.  But, we know deep down we are doing wrong and sooner or later our addiction will catch up with us and it won't be a pretty thing for sure.  We are planing our own death in a sense and really on our own terms.  We know we are killing our self slow but sure, BUT it still isn't enough to make us stop drinking alcohol.  Sad, but true.

We wait for the right moment until we can have that first of many drinks of the day.  The minute we awake from our restless nights sleep, if we sleep at all, and if we do sleep, I would call it passed out instead, when we can open that can of beer or take that cap off our bottle and start the process all over again.

Many of us are great in hiding our addiction, so we think.  We want in the worse way to live a normal life and not be drunk each and everyday, but the addiction and the demons inside us grabbed us for good.   We are trapped in our own bodies and don't know how to get out.  We suffer each day with our addiction and many times wonder where we will get the money to support our everyday addiction to alcohol.

When we go out on a drunken evening of fun and morning comes, we often wonder to our self if we said anything bad to anyone that would offend them or did we do anything that might of hurt someone the night before.  We wonder these things because of being so drunk and not caring what we said or did until we sober up the next morning and try in the worse way to remember the evening before, but many of us just can't remember anything.  So, we may ask some of the people we were with that evening and hope and pray they don't tell us anything bad that we may have done.  Some of us are even afraid to ask that question for fear inside our self that we may have said or did something that wasn't right, but really didn't want to know the true answer, so we ask nothing.  we figure if we did do or say anything someone would most likely say something to us right?

We wake up in the morning feeling like crap and swear we will never drink alcohol again, until a little bit later in the day when we get our senses together and start feeling somewhat back to normal, if that's what you call it.  We wonder to our self, "should I have a drink or not after the night I had?"  Of course, it doesn't take long for the alcoholic to make up his/her mind to drink or not.  We take that first drink of the day in hopes it will help straighten us up and it does somewhat and guess what, we are right back in the same boat we were in hours before and drinking the day and night away.  A constant cycle, day after day, week after week, month after month.

If you never had the experience of being addicted to alcohol, then you are one lucky person, and saying that, clean and sober people should not down those that have this addiction and in fact they should try to comfort them and help them realize that there is a better life out there being sober.

For anyone that hasn't experienced an addiction in their lives I would suggest watching the TV show on A&E called "Intervention" and you will see first hand what a person that has an addiction goes through each and everyday of their life and how the families suffer right along with the addicted person and how they, the families try there hardest to get their son, daughter, spouse, friend, etc. the help they need to get their lives back on track and surrender to their addiction.



I have heard so many people stating that, " this guy or gal is an alcoholic and is worth nothing in life."  They are a total mess and a menace to society. If you could only walk in an alcoholics shoes for one day you will then realize that being an alcoholic is a horrible thing and anyone that is one can tell you that their life is for crap.  They don't know how to get out of the addiction that has grown to love them.  Their demons are very well settled in their bodies and it will take a lot to get rid of them once and for all.

Clean and sober people have to understand what the alcoholic is going through in order to feel their pain.  As far as anyone that is addicted to alcohol, we the alcoholics certainly understand, and always remember your not alone.

If we all decide to quit drinking alcohol we will see that there is a real life out there to enjoy.  So, let all of us that have this horrible addiction start to prepare for a life of sobriety.  I did it, although it was tough, but not as bad as I thought it might be. I did it and so can you. 

Get focused, get determined and get positive for the new life that you are about to start.  Never let anyone or anything stand in your way of getting clean and sober.  Be stronger than your addiction and get sober once and for all.

Quit Drinking Alcohol And Start Living

We are here on earth one time, and for some, it maybe a long time and there are those that choose to shorten their lives and not have a lenghty time here all because of an avoidable addiction to alcohol.

Quit drinking alcohol and start living the life you deserve and live it clean and sober.  I am sure your families and friends would agree that you are a much better person sober.  Do you think so?

Do you really think your life is a good one being addicted to alcohol?  Do you think you can do better with the way you choose to live your life, and if so, what are you going to do about?


Are you strong enough to beat your addiction, or do you think it is too late to surrender to your addiction and just let your inner demons destroy the rest of the life you have left here on earth?
REMEMBER: It is NEVER too late to change your life around and get clean and sober.

These are some of the questions you should really be asking yourself if you truly want to change your life and live it clean and sober. 

They are not hard questions at all to answer.  You have to be honest with yourself and just take a look at your life and see if you are living life or just surviving and being here on earth as a number.  Stand up to your addiction to alcohol and take the action necessary to get sober. Once you get clean and sober the work carries on with staying sober.  One day at a time and you will see just how sobriety can change your life and you will then begin to start living life like you should.

Life is all that you make it and you are the only one that has the power to change it, so what are you waiting for?  Start living life and enjoy every minute of it being sober because you never know when your life will be snuffed out in a second.

If you feel that you have a problem with drinking alcohol and wonder where to turn, then just look at the people around you that want in the worse way to help you quit drinking alcohol.  Once you have amde up your mind to stop drinking, then turn to those that love and care about you and ask for the help you need to get sober.

I thought over two years ago that sobriety would never be a part of my life again, but boy was I wrong.  I made my mind up to quit drinking and start living the life I was put here on earth for.  To be happy, healthy and positive in life is a wonderful thing, and anyone can do this if and only if you have the willingness, desire and the determination to get sober and stay sober.

Sobriety will never hurt anyone, although your addiction to alcohol sooner or later will get the best of you, one way or another.  Try sobriety and you will see a whole new life that you thought was never possible.

What To Do If You Are Struggling With An Addiction

Many people in our society and in our world are struggling with either a drug or alcohol addiction and can't find a way out. Here are my ideas on what to do if you are struggling with an addiction.

These ideas worked for me two years ago when I quit drinking alcohol and still work to this day.  Here we go with the first and most important thing in surrendering to your addiction to drugs or alcohol.

You need and must want to get clean and sober and will do anything it takes to achieve sobriety.


You can not just make believe to others that you are going to stop drinking or using and hide behind your addiction.


You have to be very serious about what you are about to do.  This is not a game you are playing.


You are dealing with your life and whether you will live or die because of an avoidable addiction.


Ask for the help you need to get clean and sober, whether it be your family or friends and if
need be, seek Medical help so that these trained Professionals can evaluate your addiction and find what proper steps to take for you to get sober, the healthy and safe way.

Don't be a shamed of your addiction.  Tell people that you are an alcoholic or a drug addict and    want help to get sober.  Don't hide behind the bottle!

Start to prepare yourself for your new life once you have admitted you have a addiction problem and need help.  Life is a beautiful thing once you are sober, and your outlook towards life will change so much you will even surprise yourself, as I surprised myself when I took that first step towards sobriety.

If you are struggling with any kind of addiction and want out for good, seek help and never be afraid to ask for the help you need to get clean and sober.
This one question, "to ask for help or can you help me" could be a matter of life or death, so don't delay another second and don't be a shamed to ASK FOR HELP!

Living Life Sober And To The Fullest

If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, you don't know what you're missing out on living life sober and to the fullest.

Living your life sober is such a wonderful thing, speaking for someone such as myself, that was addicted to alcohol for many years, and to live life to the fullest is something many of us do not even try to do or maybe we just don't know how.

I have to say from my own experiences drinking alcohol just how I was letting life slip away and really never even realized what was happening.  Being a drug addict or an alcoholic we tend to only have one thing that is more important than anything else, and that is our addiction. 

All of us are smart enough to know that we are all here on earth just one time so, you had better make the best of every minute of your life while you are here.  Live sober and live your life to the fullest every chance you get, because you never know what tomorrow will bring to you.

I have learned so much about life over the last two years being clean and sober that it is hard to even explain all the wonderful feelings inside I have and all the great things that have happened to me, my wife and my family, and all because I changed my outlook on life. The biggest thing was I finally surrendered to my addiction to alcohol.  Those demons will never run and try to ruin my life ever again and this should go for every drug addict or alcoholic.  Take a stand in your life and surrender to your inner demons.

I know it sounds easy when I word it that way right, but believe it or not it is very easy only if you truly want to live life sober and live it to the fullest. 

If you think you are ready to surrender to your addiction or having any worries of the addiction that captured your life, then do something about it.  So many people worry about their health, and I was one of those people.  If you are so worried about your health and your life then why is it so hard to quit drinking alcohol or using drugs?  I bet you don't have an answer for that question, except that you will say, "well I am addicted to drugs or alcohol and there is now way out of my addiction."  Does this sound familiar to you, because it sure does to me.

There is always a way out of an addiction only if you are ready to change your life for the better and surrender to that addiction.  Until you are fully ready and finally get out of denial and admit you have a serious problem you are going to be stuck right where you are drinking and using, unfortunately.

We all have the the strength, the power and the brain to figure out anything.  The problem is, that so many of us are just happy with our life and the way we are living it now.  I think these people are just afraid to change the lives or too lazy to work on the addiction and start a new life clean and sober.

If you have the willingness, the desire and the determination to get clean and sober than you are taking that first step towards finding sobriety.

I can tell you one thing, you maybe afraid of your health declining or your life being shortened by your addiction, BUT never be afraid of sobriety.  Being clean and sober is something that will help you live your life fuller in the end, so surrender and go for the life you deserve to have and enjoy the one and only life you have.