12 months alcohol free. I made it!

[Ramjet]

Well my friends I have made it to 1 year without alcohol.
I posted when I hit the 6 month mark and with all your support and encouragement I said I would post again at 12 months. Feeling very proud of myself and couldn't be happier. Every aspect of my life has improved immensely.

For those who haven't been around that long, I was having huge issues with alcohol dependence for several years. 12 months ago all I thought of was when I could have my next drink. Now I don't know why i did it at all. I don't miss it one bit.

Thank you to all the members who gave encouragement via posting, PMs and phone calls.

Special thanks to my lovely bride Marg who stayed with me through the darkest hours.

Thanks to the creator, (No not that one). Nugget who started this forum and was a great friend to myself and our family when our grandson became ill. He also made me a moderator of the forum which has been a real positive in my life. Thanks also to the forum members we met at weekends away chasing gold at Nundle.

Special thanks to my detecting buddy Rocket. I have enjoyed your company on our many detecting sessions and has been great therapy for me. You also put up with all my tormenting and teasing. Thanks mate.

So I believe I have put that particular demon to rest and look forward to a much brighter future.

I encourage anyone have similar issues with any substance to seek help. I let it go way too long and it almost destroyed me.
Please feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy to have a chat.

Thank you all again for the tremendous support and encouragement.

All the best

Rod
(Ramjet)

 

[AngerManagement]

Well done...

 

[jamie]

Well done mate, even tho i only know you as a friend though PA i can say i am proud of what you have achieved, keep up the good work Rod

 

[Diggertom]

Be proud of your self mate, takes a lot to quit substance/alcohol abuse and takes even more to share it publicly.

Good work on a year sober!

Tom

 

[Ramjet]

Be proud of your self mate, takes a lot to quit substance/alcohol abuse and takes even more to share it publicly.

Good work on a year sober!

Tom

Thanks Jamie, Mark and Tom. If my sharing helps just 1 person then I have done a good thing.

 

[MJB]

Well done Ramjet. you should be very proud of yourself my friend

 

[Jaros]

Great going RJ.
Jaros

 

[Chewy]

That's awesome RR, congrats mate. Great effort, keep up the good work.

 

[yobskin]

I knew you could do it mate...
Very impressive...12months.
I know from experience how hard it is and how better you are for doing it.
Big respect from me!

 

[Hotrob]

Well done mate....... I'm sure it would have been hell at the start but now you can look back with pride.
A gutsy effort to announce on a public forum but doing this may encourage others in similar positions.
Sounds like a lot of good support also helped you.
Congratulations.
Rob.

 

[Tathradj]

Good on you RR.
I have had a lot of my friends taken down by that Demon.
Then a few have turned themselves around and are better people because of their experience.
I was only talking to some one that has suffered a marriage break down yesterday over this.
I my self don't mind quaffing a few ales but if after a soaking don't touch it for a while.
It was part of the reason why I come unstuck at Tuena. Live and learn my friend.
Any way, Congrats and keep up the good work.

 

[SCROUNGER]

Well i wasn't around on this forum 12 months ago Ramjet so i had no idea of you circumstances. As a new member to this great site i've gotta say you've brought a tear to my eye mate. I've never met you but i'm extremely proud of your courage and strength to not only get through it but also to post for members here to read. I've experienced first hand the effect alcohol dependence from my late brother mate, and can only say that to beat it takes a huge amount of strength from the person themselves and their immediate family and friends. Again, well done ramjet, and although we've never met, i'm extremely proud of you and the way you conduct yourself on this forum.

 

[AtomRat]

Tremendous effort mate, well done for such a difficult challenge

 

[Oldfella]

Great work mate and I hope that life brings you much enjoyment
Cheers

 

[Magilla]

Congratulations RJ, inspirational stuff mate. I know too many guys that couldn't do what you have done and it ruined their lives as well as their families.

 

[silver]

All victory to you RJ,.... I'm still only toying with the wagon at the moment,.....but deep down I do know what needs to be done,....it's that perseverance at the start that seems so difficult,....even when you know it's just a state of mind needed to overcome it all(for me at any rate),.... Very glad you've had such a great win with it all.

 

[Metamorphic]

Thats just simply a bloody awesome effort RJ.......well done!

At least now when you have a good time, you will remember it, and you can lie on the floor without holding on!

Good work mate

 

[Sandta]

Good onya mate well done.
That is certainly an achievment to be proud of.

 

[Jimbob]

All victory to you RJ,.... I'm still only toying with the wagon at the moment,.....but deep down I do know what needs to be done,....it's that perseverance at the start that seems so difficult,....even when you know it's just a state of mind needed to overcome it all(for me at any rate),.... Very glad you've had such a great win with it all.

Dear Silver, if I can do it anyone can.

It can be done.
It happens one day at a time
If you can give it up for 1 day you can give it up for two
If you can give it up for two days you can give it up for a week
Months then YEARS
You will soon stop dying for a drink

If you fall over get up and start the process all over again.
If you fall over a few times the closer you are to beating it.
I reckon I went ass up about 20 times but I got there in the end.

Good on ya Ramjet, what a great effort, happy days.
I reckon Silver won't be far behind ya.

Life is mostly froth and bubble.
Two things stand like stone.
Kindness in another's troubles and courage in your own.

Good luck Silver, we have never met but we have been in the same place.

 

[Ramjet]

I thank you all so very much. I really would like to reply to each comment and I may try to do so when time permits.

Yes it can be done. I tried more than once. It was only when I sought and received help that I succeeded. There are many different methods available. Some will work for you, some won't. I got to the point where I would do anything to stop drinking. I booked into detox once. That worked for a short time. My last resort was a Drug and alcohol addiction specialist who put me on a drug. Antabuse. If you drink while taking it you will become violently ill. Between that and seeing a drug and alcohol counsellor, I finally gave it up. I haven't taken the drug for several months but still see the counsellor. I feel no desire to drink. I have been to pubs and parties where others are drinking but I stick to water mostly and sometimes a softdrink.