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Posts created by Helena-Heath Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

Does it ever get easier?

Nonic,

I like how you've said that the addiction becomes irrelevant. Many of the members here have express that they smoked in order to cope with something or were using it to hide behide something. For example, if you were using it to relax , it became your relaxation tool. But like you said, become a non smoker, means your changing. You're no longer someone who uses smoking to relax. You changed into a person who does other thing (meditation, long walks, hot bath etc) to change. So why do you needs cigarettes now? Well, you don't!

Its a very powerful and insightful thought!

Helena

Helena, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

Just quit 3 days ago...

Congratulations Ellie on your 5K run! Helena, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

Weekend Prep

Have you started the program yet? Take the time to look through the program and see the difference it can make! The tips, tools and knowledge are essential within your preparation to get you started. Fill in the assessment and questionnaires and keep a copy for you files. Print out key information that will help you with your every day goals and milestones. Don’t get discouraged, take your time and watch yourself change and become a better and healthier individual. We are always here to help and assist, so post often and let us know how we can be of assistance to you.

Helena, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

I need to start somewhere

Hi Athena,

First of all, congratulations for realizing and verbalizing that you want to make an important change in your life. This is one of the most important steps to healing. So just know that you are strong. It was very brave of you tell your doctor and reach out for support. You mentioned that you don’t know where to start, and I hope you realize that you’ve have already started the process by seeking support.

I understand that you have young children at home and that your family is very important to you. If you feel you are the main support for them, the thought of leaving for a period time can be overwhelming. In addition, you’ve said that your husband would not be a helpful support. How could you communicate your needs to him? Who is someone whom you could ask to help care for the children in your absence?
It is important to consider your doctor’s recommendation.

Finding a support network is very helpful when you are trying to make big changes in your life. Making connections on the website can be very useful. In the Alcohol Help Centre, you will find a section which provides strategies on how to build a support network. It is called “Support Team”. Go to the Toolbox, and it found under the heading “Maintenance”.

Lastly, you’ve mentioned you’re fear of going to AA and seeing someone you know. Foxman, you gave a great tip by advising Athena to visit the website. Athena, you could visit the website and learn more about AA. You can further investigate, and see if AA would be the right path for you. It works for many people, but it is not for everyone. There are many paths to recovery.

What are the next steps you can take?

Helena, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

I need a plan

Hi Athena,

Thank you for your updates.

You've said that you know you need to stop completely. You know what you want to do, and are able to verbalize it.

Taking baby steps is great. You have a lot going on in your life. You have to raise two young children while overcoming an addiction. Making small changes makes the change more manageable. So take some time to congratulate yourself and make yourself feel good about taking steps to recovery. How did you feel last night?

Helena, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

day 4

Hi atthecross,

Congratulations on 4 days without alcohol!

Since you no longer have wine as a reward, what else can you have as a reward?

If you find something to reward yourself with, you can then look forward to that. Having something you can enjoy can help distract you from thinking about alcohol.

The help centre has tips on rewarding yourself under "Getting Started"

Headaches are a very common withdrawl symptom. Under the Getting Started, there also information about the first two weeks.

Helena, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

Newbie

Hi Courage,

Thank you for writing.

Congratulations on taking the step in your life where you've decided that you want to be yourself with alcohol. Thats a huge step, so feel proud about that!

You've been able to identify that voice that says "just have one more", and the power it has. You are aware of one of the triggers which leads you to drink.

What options have you considered for recovery?

Helena, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

Spouse of an alcoholic

Hi hotpeppers,

Thank you for writing!

We do have individuals on the forums who are seeking help for their spouses.

I encourage you to find information on how to support your spouse. Keep letting her know that you are here to support her, and that you love her and want the very best for her.

However, it is important to know that she will change when she is ready to, and when she recognizes that she has an addiction.

Helena, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

Changing your relationship with alcohol V

Members,
Do you have a problematic relationship with alcohol? Want to change it? In the coming weeks we will be giving you tips & tricks to do just that!

Identifying Your Triggers and High Risk Situations
Triggers are like strong “cues” that lead us to drink. Often triggers set off thoughts or cravings that feel so strong that we feel “compelled” or “driven” to drink.

Sometimes you can predict a trigger. If you used to have a drink every night before bed, you can bet that your body will remember and you'll get an urge to drink before you hit the sack. In that situation, a certain time of day is a "trigger". Before you refrain yourself to not drink before bed, you can expect to continually experience strong triggers around bedtime.

You can also experience a trigger accidentally, or "out of the blue". For example, if you bump into a friend that you used to drink with, you might experience a strong desire to drink (even if you don't plan too).
Another type of trigger is more of the learned variety. Throughout the course of our lives we often learn to associate alcohol with stress reduction, pleasure, reward, emotional comfort, making friends and a whole lot of other feelings. These associations have been ingrained in us; they bombard us with emotional and situational triggers to drink on a daily basis.

So a trigger can be something natural or a trigger for can be a mood, an emotion, a time of day, a particular situation, or even other people…

High Risk Situations

High risk situations might best be described as a particular situation, or event, where certain triggers are particularly strong or abundant.
Here’s a great example of a high risk situation:
A high risk situation: You haven’t had a drink all day and you need to show up at a good friend’s birthday party. Your friends birthday party is at a restaurant where there’s a complete bar. The bar also has pop, water, juice and other non-alcoholic beverages. For someone who is trying not to drink, this situation is jam-packed full of triggers. In this high risk situation, it would take super-human strength to not stray from your plan.

So what do you do?
Well, take a look and try to match this situation with the type of trigger. There are many triggers, some of which are VERY intense. Does this mean you shouldn’t go to your friend’s birthday party? Of course not! It just means you need to strategize a little. See which triggers you can reduce, which you can eliminate and which you need to manage.
For example, in the birthday party situation:
• If you know that you’re going to go to a high risk situation like a birthday party, create a coping plan beforehand!
• Depending on how close you are with your friend, perhaps ask your friend to choose a restaurant without a liquor license.
• Taking a close friend along who is also cutting down or quitting drinking – you both can add much needed support to each other.

What are your triggers?

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

Friday Support Pledge

Hi ~m,

Sounds like you're commited to your goals! By wirting your challenges your helping other memebers, like Athena.

How was your weekend ~m?

Please tell us about it!

Helena, Health Educator

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