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Hi I?m new and this is the first help I?ve ever sought

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2606

Hello Calixto,

Congratulations on making it through a potential trigger situation and staying strong. Thank you for sharing this success with us. How will you continue this positive momentum?

Samantha, Health Educator

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 5

Made it through the wedding without a drop!!

I was surprised that many of the guests weren't drinking or only having a little. This made things much easier. There were around 4 or 5 peeps pretty drunk.... they were having fun but, looking from sobriety, generally making dicks of themselves. And I was glad that wasn't me, especially around people I hardly know.

The tables were laid out with bottles of wine - and, oh no - my favourite label! I had to turn the other cheek.

To get through I drank OJ or soda water in a wine glass, to make me feel like I was celebrating.

So I have jumped another hurdle..

What I've learnt so far is that you have to truly want your goals if you are to give up the alcohol. You can't be half-hearted about it. Either you 'flick the switch' in your brain or you don't. My want to give up alcohol went hand in hand with wanting to lose weight. I 'flicked the switch' simultaneously for these two goals.

I'm a smoker, and giving that up at the moment would be a futile endeavour because I don't want to quit. That switch hasn't flicked yet. In time I might consider it. But I think that if you want to make changes to your life, choose the one thing that needs to change urgently, because it is affecting your life so detrimentally - and for most of us alcohol is the crux. Work to remove that demon.

I know at 2 months (and still on medication) I can't rave on about being cured of alcoholism. But if I can get this far, I know others can too. Don't give up... (on your goal, not alcohol!

Thanks for listening and your comments.

I'm wondering if anyone else here is on medication to help with their cravings? If so I'd be interested in hearing your experiences.

Oh, and in terms of weight loss I have now shed a total of 8 kg. Go me.

Calixto

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11216

Hi Calixto,

Congratulations on 7 weeks! It sounds like you are doing great. Good for you for working out too! A lot of positive changes to your health and you are just beginning to see the benefits. Stick with it and you will be amazed by how good you feel and look.

A wedding is certainly a potential trigger moment. We would normally advise to not attend risky events like this early in your quit but it sounds like you have a solid plan. Check out the emergency quit plan in the education section for more information. I like that you have a plan in place in case you slip but I would encourage you to not even give yourself the option. If you feel you need a drink you may want to leave a little early. Remember your health is of utmost importance and you have to put yourself first when it comes to battling this.

You ask a great question about what you want to say when explaining why you are not drinking. You could say a lot of things but it will depend on how honest you want to be. You could flat out lie and say you are on antibiotics or medication that doesn't allow you to drink as an easy out. Or you could be honest and say you are trying to stay away from alcohol for health reasons. You could say you are on a cleanse; that wouldn't be an out right lie. Or you could also be completely honest and just say, "I was drinking too much for awhile so I am trying to stay away from alcohol for now." I would think most people would be very understanding. But it is up to you, what do you want to say? If a friend of yours was in the same predicament what would you tell them to say?

Make sure you let us know how to goes. Have fun!

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 44

Hi Calixto!

Wow! you've done so well!

I understand about going to an event where social anxiety can make you want to drink. It always seemed to help me ease up a bit and be able to talk with others and enjoy myself. I'm thinking the same thoughts as you with many upcoming events.I think we need to learn how to talk with people without the aid of alcohol...stinks I know but I think if we can master that...the more we will grow!

As for when and if people ask you why you are not drinking...just tell them its not part of your diet right now. Im pretty sure thats what I'm going to do.

It's so nice to not wake up with a hang over or ask yourself:What did I do?"

You're doing really really well!

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 5

Reaching the 2 month mark and dealing with temptation.... with positivity...

Hi peeps!!

Calixto here, and it's been 7 weeks without a drink!! The naltrexone has helped dampen my cravings, but I find if my self-esteem drops I have to be extra committed. I have been very determined to do this and am proud of myself.

The benefits are that I go to bed earlier (often because I feel frustrated that I can't have a drink, and therefore may as well sleep!), and wake up feeling more positive. Obviously an absence of hangovers is great.

I have been exercising 3 to 4 times a week, and have lost nearly 4 kg weight. (Being overweight was one of my main reasons to give up the booze).

Now, I have a friend's wedding to go to this weekend. I don't know anyone else going and therefore it would be verytempting to drink to ease social anxiety. I feel I have done so well thus far that I should continue the same positive behaviour. If the night feels unbearable without the drink, I will just keep holding off, and holding off on that first drink for as long as I can, and then the night will hopefully be over

If I do slip up I will take it just as that and carry on without the alcohol as I have these past 7 weeks. However, I willnot take that as an excuse to slip up.

I need some advice. What could I respond with when people ask me why I am not drinking, or why don't I drink? I need something sensible but not negative or condescending. I don't want to get on my high horse. Previous social events I have been to everyone drinks, and if someone is not drinking, it's usually because they are pregnant or driving home. I am not pregnant and I don't wish people to assume so. There is a bus to and home from the event so I can't say I'm driving.

Thank you so much for listening, this post is a bit long I realise. Any suggestions for my dilemma are appreciated.

Good luck to all,

Calixto

Oh, and guess what, the wedding is at a winery.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11216

Congratulations Calixto! Almost at two weeks

You can post whereever you like; start a new thread or continue in here.

How will you be preparing for the wedding? I suggest taking a look at the Emergency Coping Plan in the Education section for a start.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 73

Way to go! That's great! How are you feeling?

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 5

Eleven days and still going strong!

My challenge will come in March when I have a wedding to go to.

P.S. Is this the right place for posting updates or should I be in another forum?

Calixto

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 73

Welcome Calixto. You've taken an important first step in acknowledging that you want to change and need help to do it. It's not easy, but it's worth it. I too tried cutting back. It didn't work for me, but I believe it works for some. It does feel great to say goodbye to those hangovers and wasted days. It's been about six weeks for me and I find that my memory has improved, my thinking is sharper, and I've got more energy. Little by little. One day at a time. We're with you. Please keep posting.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 5

Hello it's Calixto here again.

Drank too much over the festive season with my friends.

But now I have started taking naltrexone and doing well. It's been 8 days so far and I am going to keep this up.

I feel really positive!

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