Does anyone else here do SMART recovery?

[Chainfire]

1. No. About 20 years ago, while I was in the process of rapidly destroying my future with alcohol

I just decided to quit; drinking and smoking at the same time.

No meetings, no promises, no appeals to higher powers. Ending addiction, for me, had to come from the inside; I saw it as a personal battle. The problems that sustained my addictions are partly genetic (I come from a long line of alcoholics) and are still present, but I haven't had a cigarette or a drink since I made my decision.

After a few months the benefits from being sober became apparent enough to sustain sobriety without feeling like I was in a battle for my life. It took maybe a couple of years before I trusted myself that I would not backslide. Now the biggest problems I deal with are the guilt from being such an asshole when I was drinking, I haven't gotten past that, and the guilt still haunts my dreams. I have learned to deal with it.

Good luck with your goals. Use what ever tools that suit your personality. If group support helps, take it. Be assured, you can win, and the victory is sweet. I got a brand new life at age 50. Life is good.