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made it through:)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 12

the online support group has played a very important part in my recovery! it is soothing to know when im feeling lost i can log in here, read my personal diary, read posts from other struggling and succeeding members and share my ideas, thoughts, struggles and fears, conquers and consequences. it's nice to know, at the end of a stressful day, that i'm not alone. all the support from the health educators have been greatly appreciated.. the tips and tricks, thoughts and answers. without a support system, people would have no where to go in times of need, especially those who don't have access to local support venues... being able to log on and get support is widely appreciated and greatly needed. i have everyone in here to thank for my sobriety, from the health educators to the members themselves. 8 days and counting.. and i've never felt better.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2606

Hi Isabelle,

This is so wonderful to hear! Keep focusing your energy on all of these wonderful pastimes! Those family traditions are really great as well, keep us posted on this positive progress it is very inspiring!

How has this online support group played a part in helping you with your goals?

Members, what pastimes do you use to stay busy?

Samantha, Health Educator

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 12

man oh man.. i can't believe how much time i have on my hands! ive been doing my nails... walking the dog... working out on a regular basis.. paying more skin care attention.. the list goes on! also growing is my collection of herbal teas! trying to stay positive can be a bit of a challenge.. i find if i let my mind wander too much i can get into quite a funk.. but as long as i remember to focus more on my recovery and less on what others think of me it can be quite successful. gotta stay positive! i have even noticed a few of our family traditions coming back into play. tomorrow we are having our pizza sunday.. haven't in so long and i am excited. thank you everyone for all your support:)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 12049

Isabelle,

What determination you have!

You are on the right path and your doing an amazing job!

Keep checking in!

Josie, Health Educator

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 12

another successful night making it through work. friday night to boot. as much as i want to be very excited about these new positive changes, i am still keeping in mind that there will be tough times and taking what i have learned from the positive feelings and applying them to those times which i will be not quite as fortunate. i am engaging in daily afternoon meditations which i find quiet spiritually healing. it also gives me something else to think about. i find with the support of the forums, reading everyone's stories and relating to their problems in my spare time, i am able to keep my mind focused on what i should.. my sobriety. i thank each and every person who posts in these forums because it is by keeping in touch with those who are going through the same thing as me, that i am reminded of why i am doing this to begin with. day five! and still not smoking! have a great weekend, everyone :)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11218

Hi Isabelle,

Wow, I'm impressed! It sounds like you are doing amazing! You are making tons of positive changes and all of these will be incredibly beneficial for your health. Just promise yourself that if you ever get overwhelmed like you can't continue then no matter what you stay away from alcohol. All the other "unhealthy" habits are just bonuses it is leaving the alcohol that is the number one focus now.

For some reason many members mention the lack of spousal support is a common issue with cutting back or abstaining. How have you already approached this issue with your husband? How would you like your husband to support you specifically? How could you let him know this? A great way to get an unenthusisastic loved one involved is celebrating! Who doesn't enjoy celebrating? Celebrate each day you are away from alcohol and especially on big days like whole weeks or whole months. What are some ways you would like to celebrate with your husband? Also, ask him how he would like to support you. Get him involved in the process. Remember positive reinforcement often works better then negative. If he does something you appreciate let him know! You'll be surprised by how quickly he does something similar again

Looking forward to hearing how your weekend goes.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 12

thank you ashley and i greatly appreciate your advice. when it comes to smoking i considered it like this... when i am not drinking a pack of cigarettes can last about 4 days. when i drink, they last about an hour. as i am out on my deck smoking i have two little sets of eyes staring at me from out the glass and it adds to my anxiety. when i put aside the bottle, i did so by picking up a pack of patches and my thought for the day... i want my health back. in any which way or form. it wasn't as hard as i thought.. so long as i keep busy. it's been 3 days with only 2 cigarettes... and i am on my fourth day of sobriety. (first 4th day in over 8 months :) ) so far, my biggest challenge has been my husband.. who as much as he wants all the positive changes, lacks patience and support all the same. sometimes just being around isn't enough, you know? i remember that being the hardest part of the last time i tried to sober up. with each slip came madness from him which added stress and guilt and made it even harder on me. i have been reading my daily reflections, practicing new meditations, exercising more and keeping lots of healthy food in the house. i have been keeping myself busy by browsing the forums seeking support and engaging in alcohol recovery chat rooms. my big house and two kids help too, lol. now, if only i could get mr. man on board with a little more support and patience so i didn't feel so lost with him. oh well, perhaps in time. for now, it's just me. i am only in charge of that. i work again tonight. friday night. i have a full day of preparation ahead of me. for now i feel good. i will be in touch. :)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11218

Awesome work Isabelle!

Sounds like you are doing great. I do want to caution on you in one area though. Behaviour change is hard and when an addiction is involved it makes things that much more difficult. Generally it is recommend to focus on one behaviour change at a time or it can get overwhelming. Cutting back on smoking is great but be sure you know what your priority is. Make cutting back or abstaining from alcohol your ultimate goal and everything else is just bonus.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 10

wow isabelle, thats so great. Ive been made redundant so dont have the pressures of working, I can only think how many triggers are in your working life. And to only have 1 smoke.... thats great. Thats my next step, but its keeping me sane at the mo.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 12

i was so worried tonight. it was my first shift at work since i made the decision to stay sober. work is a constant trigger for me because i do the majority of my socializing there and the majority of my social drinking. not to mention i am surrounded by a full bar. as a matter of fact, i can't remember the last time i worked and DIDNT have a drink. i sat here today and did some stress management therapy (breathing techniques, stretching and muscle relaxation) while listening to some soft spa music.. and the whole time i was focusing on my coping plan. for me, what worked was thinking of how terrible i felt the last time i was hung over, the horrible withdraws and sweating.. the shaking and anxiety.. and how i DIDNT want to feel that all over again. it worked! (well, it did tonight) and although i am terribly tired from coming off my last good bender (six straight days of heavy drinking) i am proud to say i am on day three of NO drinking.. and i even managed to only smoke 1 cigarette today. today is a good day. thank you for all the advice on how to help manage my cravings.. and teach me a little to relax. now, for day three. :)

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