Curious, how do y’all know when it’s time to “quit” (specifically something like alcohol)? I know there may not be one answer, but want to get some feedback from those on the other side as someone who’s considering it.

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When I couldn’t stop without intervention, despite wanting to. I got to the point where I was drinking a lot every day (around 375ml of bourbon daily, more on weekends), started hiding it from my family (they knew, they saw the empty bottles of whiskey), and I couldn’t go a day without it despite trying. Ended up going to my first virtual AA meeting a year and a half ago and haven’t looked back.

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I tried to quit alcohol many times but I couldn't stay quit. Three times I made it longer than a year, 21, 26, and 30. But every time I went back to drinking it was a little worse than before. I didn't drink every day but once I started drinking I could not stop. I knew this and tried to manage my life and relationships around it. It was exhausting and becoming harder to manage. Toward the end (age 33- 34) I determined my problem was that I was trying to keep alcohol out of my life and it would be better if I could just introduce it into my life more. This is when I started drinking before work, during work, while driving. None of this is new but it became a regular occurrence. I was deeply depressed. Had suicidal ideation all the time. Nothing catastrophically bad happened. Fender benders but no arrests, missing work but not fired and no consequences, fights with my spouse but no threats of divorce. But eventually I could see where it was headed, I knew I couldn't fix this myself, so I tried AA and it's changed my life 2 years on. Really enjoy it and no desire to drink as well has fixing a host of other problems I have.

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The real threat of losing my job is what made me finally reach out for help. I had made the decision to quite many times before that, it wasn't until I got help that I was able to stay sober for longer than two weeks at a time.

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Similar to CC1. I just couldn’t change my habits without help. I also reflected and realized how much more I was drinking and frequently by myself. I also started hiding my drinking from my wife which was also a huge flag. My life hadn’t fallen apart but it was impacting me in a big way. I then white knuckled not drinking for a while but really hadn’t stopped in my mind. Did some AA for a bit but really just through that and even like reading on the poison that alcohol is… I just truly wanted this stop.

2 years in and zero regrets. Now I look back and think… why did I hang onto that so much? It was doing beyond nothing for me.

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Thanks for this. I can identify a lot with the hiding from my spouse and white knuckling going without. I find myself out at restaurants, esp work dinners, knowing I want to drink because something sounds good and everyone else drinks. But then by the end, I don’t regret not drinking at all even though I’m surrounded by it. There’s a certain freedom in it I enjoy, but admittedly still want to go back eventually (pending some health questions I’m dealing with)

I think people over complicate it. In part, that is because we try to compare ourselves to others which isn't even an easy comparison to see. And also denial is part of addiction. When you simplify it, it's just like everything else in life. If it's a problem, you try to fix it. If you try alone and fail, then you get help.

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As a recovering alcoholic myself, I can say that there's no single answer that fits everyone. When you're ready, you'll know it. Sometimes it will take some other catastrophic event. I was at one point putting down a handle of Crown every two days. I fell down at home and did some damage to my back and shoulder. I went to the ER and they took one look at me and started treating me for malnutrition and low potassium instead of the injury I came in for. I was told I was less than a week from dying. THAT got my attention. Been sober since.

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So many other good things happened to me this year - got married, got a puppy, moved etc, and yet the one thing i keep returning to is this decision as though i ruined my life. Ironically the only thing ruining my life is my outlook and yet i just can’t stop.

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Me. Every single day. Since I started practicing.

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So I get that in a corporate set up, you are supposed to be sharp and witty and think on your feet. Trouble is, I am extremely slow with comebacks. (Think Ross in Friends/Amy in B99) at the crunch moment, I generally end up not being able to give a good roast back. Unfortunately the best of them come to me like a few hours later (dinner/shower/TV) and I am left ruing and amazing opportunity to have gotten one back. I am awful at jibes and roasts.

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Any recommendations on fun things to do with a ~15 person team for work? (E.g. escape room) - trying to brainstorm ideas! Thank you!

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Hi fishes, I am new to IBM. Can anyone share when is appraisal cycle period in IBM? Unfortunately I can't get a hold of my manager to answer this basic question for me.

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Hi Fishes & Sharks
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What’s the average compensation for an Account Executive?

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Received offers from PNC and UBS. Same position. Same benefits. Purely seeking opinions on the companies. Previous experience at EJ. Left to get away from outside sales nature and isolation.

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Additional Posts in Addiction & Sobriety

I know everyone will have different answers for this but how did you know it was time to get sober? I think it might be time for me to find a new job and pursue sobriety, but I don't feel like I'm a rock bottom which is the only time I've ever seen people really commit to it (my father). Apathy isn't the right word but I just kind of feel numb about everything and I think being sober would maybe help.

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Acceptance is the answer.

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I messed ups no need help. Idk where to turn.

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Covid has been hard. March 2029- December 2020 I drank a lot to cope without realizing it. January- March I didn't realize I was depressed. March I came to terms with increase and ongoing suicidal ideation and needed help.

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1 week sober! Over the last 12 years (I’m early 30s) I’ve reached this point just a handful of times. Alcohol is deeply intertwined into my social life much like everyone’s is I imagine. Feeling clear minded and energized. Want to stay clean for my own mental and physical health and for the benefit of my wife and children. Just starting this journey so thank you in advance to this community as I’m ready to learn from you all and be a part. Let’s go!

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I joined a new team and have noticed something off with my Director over the last months (slurring speech, no show to calls or even full days of work). I finally asked a colleague about it today because I’m concerned about my Director. She confirmed that she’s noticed the same over the last few years, but no one ever says anything. In confidence she told me she can often smell alcohol. How can I help? I feel helpless. I’ve already lost someone to addiction and I can’t ignore this. Any advice?

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likeuplifting

Pause. Breathe. Proceed.
⏸ 🌬 ▶️

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Had a really bad day 😞 I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself. Things will be going well and then out of nowhere I get blackout drunk. I am tired of feeling sick and anxious from drinking. I don’t really even want to drink sometimes but do it anyway. Blacked out last night, and still feel sick now. I’ve never shared with anyone that I have this problem, until I found this message board. I have so much anxiety that I won’t be able to get this under control. I feel isolated and sad.

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Social media! I find myself mindless scrolling through LinkedIn and responding to random shit. I put the phone down and pick it up again without thinking.

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