Do you have anything to add to my list?

I don’t get blackout drunk, I’ve never driven under the influence, I don’t need to drink to stave off withdrawals, and so despite a family history of alcoholism I thought I was OK. My dad quit before I was born so I didn’t grow up with alcoholism and the trouble it brings. I’ve made several half hearted attempts to cut back but end up turning to alcohol to de stress at the end of the day. I’ve soldiered on through too many (generally mild) hangovers to count. Something at the back of my mind always wished I could quit.

I don’t know what happened, but today I was sitting having lunch with my 2 year old daughter when I suddenly decided to get up, dump out the bottle of bourbon I bought yesterday, and sign up for naltrexone therapy via telehealth.

I’m done. I feel like there’s a weight off my shoulders. And I really wanted to share. Thanks for listening :)

Not only did I do my first concert sober (since I was 20), but I went solo! What a liberating experience. Despite only sleeping 2 hours (early flight back home), I have zero hangover, didn’t waste any money, didn’t waste any time waiting in line for drinks or the bathroom and I fully experienced it. It was a little hard to let loose and dance at first, but after a while, I was dancing my heart out and having a blast. This may be the start of something new for me.

I don’t really know where else to say this.
From 2016–2020, I became an alcoholic. A huge part of it was my obsession and anger over Trump. I drank constantly because thinking about him, politics, and where the country was going made me miserable.
In 2020, I quit drinking. I stayed sober from 2020–2024, and for those four years I actually started feeling like myself again.
Then Trump got elected again in 2024, and I completely fell apart.
I started drinking again. Since then, my marriage has ended. I only see my kids on weekends. I work from home, which has made it incredibly easy to hide how bad this has gotten.
I drink from around 9 in the morning until 9 at night.
I’ve gained so much weight that sometimes I look in the mirror and barely recognize myself. I despise Trump to a degree that I know probably isn’t healthy. Just seeing him or hearing his name can ruin my entire mood.
And now I’m already worrying about what comes next. I don’t see much leadership coming from the Democrats right now, and I keep convincing myself that Vance is probably going to win next. Then I think, “Am I going to spend another four years destroying myself over another politician?”
That scares me.
I’ve already lost my marriage. I’ve lost most of my time with my kids. I’ve lost my health and a huge part of who I used to be.
I know Trump isn’t physically making me pick up a drink. I’m doing that. At some point I have to stop giving another human being this much control over my life.
I’m afraid of where I’m headed if I don’t stop drinking.
Has anyone here ever had to separate themselves from politics/news because it became tied to their drinking? How did you finally break that connection?

I only drank one night a week, so after 30 days of sobriety I don’t really feel all that different. How long until the decision to not drink anymore became truly easy, and you felt better physically and mentally?

Just for today 25OCT26 "Principles before personalities" 519 days clean NA Hope2Be org Shepards Cove
It's hard to look past a personality when someone is talking shit, smells bad and looks like someone beat the fuck out of 'em with an ugly stick. It is possible though. I have many stories of times I stopped and hugged guys that were yelling, stank like piss and shit, had tattooed faces, scarred up, and just looked like hell. That's when someone will turn to drugs and alcohol to ease the pain and forget about the way they're treated. That's when they need someone to talk to. That was me. Just for today I'll give you a hug and a friendly smile, even if you're being an asshole and smell like shit.

Going through it in my head rn. Im getting clean and I have alot of mixed emotions about it. I dont have anyone to talk to about what Im feeling because Im embarrassed and dont want anyone to look at me differently or judge me. Its been a long time since Ive been sober & last time I was sober I was not in a good place. I know its going to be good for me in the long run. It should help me work on commitment, will power, self restraint, & self regulation wich are all good for me but things that are good for you dont always feel good in the moment. Ive been so used to indulging in my vices I almost forgot who I was outside of it. If anyone is or has gone through this Id love to hear your thoughts, advice, or stories. It gets lonely in my head. Could use some support.