EvolutionHealth.care

Home
Main Forum
Managing Drinking
Introduce Yourself
New to this site

Advanced Search Form

New to this site

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 409

I LOVE the idea of a sobriety advent calendar! You know, Monica, you should design a super nice one and send it off to a literary agent. I've never heard of that being done before, and literary agents are always looking for something new. You might make some serious money.....

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 616

Good afternoon ladies....it seems everyone is having a great day today. It's nice to see that we are all in good spirits. I like your husbands idea about the wine Turquoise...lol. I can relate to the loss of control in all aspects too. I quit smoking so many times in the past and always started again when that first nice hot day of spring would arrive and we'd hit the deck with a drink in hand. I always said "just one cigarette for old times sake", but I always started again. This time I refuse to try even one. Dieting...oh yeah that one sweet treat always leads to a day of over indulgence. Drinking....well, I'm still working one. My husband and I have a golf date today, and I'm pretty sure I'll have a couple cold beer on the course. I do plan to keep it controlled and just enjoy myself while I look like a complete ass....lol...I am NOT a golfer.

The sobriety calendar is an excellent idea Monica, I think it's a grat way to reward yourself and it sounds like it became something you looked forward to every day. No idea is silly when it comes to ways of rewarding and reminding yourself of your goals.

Hope it's wonderful that you were able to control yourself while visiting your brother. How did you feel after you realized you kept it under control?

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 36

This is far out in left field, and probably only works for me, but I have promised myself that if I ever make it to 90 days, I will get my hideous wrist tattoos covered.

Once I made a sobriety advent calender. I put either a little piece of candy, or a photo of a loved one, or a homemade 'coupon' (like go out to lunch or a new book) in all the little boxes. It was pretty rudimentary and very cheesy but I did get so that I was excited to open the doors at night and was pretty sad when I didn't.

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 409

BP, control is a wonderful concept, but I know for me, it is a very slippery thing to hang all my hopes on. The problem is, when I "lose control" one little time, I beat myself up over it so badly that I spiral into binges. This is true for alcohol, and also for food, and used to be the same when I smoked cigarettes. Oh crap, I had a cigarette, I blew it, I might as well smoke the whole pack today. I promise to quit tomorrow. Oh, I broke down and had a bite of dessert. Today is obviously a goner, so I might as well eat the entire pan of brownies and start over tomorrow. I had a glass of wine! Failure! I might as well drink the entire bottle tonight, and then it won't be in the house tomorrow.

What other resources can you give yourself to succeed besides just the concept of "I have to stay in control!" Can you use rewards? This website is an awesome resource, I am finding out, so that's a huge help. But you also need ways of really motivating yourself in positive ways. What are some things you could think of to reward yourself for "control" and moderation that don't cost a lot of money? Any ideas, ladies?

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 409

Monica, isn't it strange how people can be about drinking? The subject ranks up there with sex and politics and money. Go figure. Ain't nothing about moderation in how drinking is viewed by ANYONE, let alone how it's "performed" by us alcoholics. Weird, huh? I am so proud of you for tackling this, after what seems to be a long, rough road. Take it one day at a time, and stay proud of yourself each time you succeed in not getting drunk. We're all with you on this.

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 409

So here's the helpful advice from my husband. He and I can each have one glass of wine together after we have sex, but that's the only time I can drink.

Actually, since my libido has struggled ever since the kids were born, he might be on to something, in a lot more ways than one...

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 36

Tons of congratulations Turquoise! Two weeks is a big deal. The virgin margs are a great idea. I had a job where we had to drink during our shifts and I made a 'fake' bottle of whiskey to keep in the cooler. I could keep my boss and customers happy and still make it through the night without making a fool of myself.

I think the worst thing about the last time I quit drinking was the akawardness people felt around me. My best friend (and only) friend, whom I have know since we were four, stopped calling me for six months. When she finally did she said that she was scared that talking to her would make me want to drink again. It is very hard to convince people that you are in charge of your own life and that someone having a beer in front of you is not going to be your demise. Sure its tough, but its everywhere.

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1853

Hi ladies,

Camiol - you posted some really great tips on how to avoid drinking, ones that work well for you.

Members, what other strategies or tips would you add?

Turquoise, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to you!!! So happy to hear you've surpassed 2 weeks - and even more happy to hear how happy you are through your post

. Be very proud of yourself, and keep up the hard work. You are an inspiration to others on this site. Way to go!

Wishing you all a very lovely holiday weekend!

Vincenza, Health Educator

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 51

Hi everybody and welcome newcomer friends!

I spent a lovely night with my brother's family last night and my newborn niece was wonderful. I have to admit that I had 1 beer and 1 glass of wine, but I dont feel guilty since I was in control of myself. I ended the night with coke ( there was still wine in the bottle and we didnt finish it!!!) and slept at 23.00 to be able to wake up to take care of my niece.

I woke up at 7.00 and spent time with the baby for 3 hours while my brother and sister in law are sleeping. I'm sure I wouldnt be able to wake up in the morning if I had 5-6 drinks the night before as usual. I read your posts regarding drinking responsibly just before I slept and it felt very well. I spent a wonderful morning with my ex collegues who came from different parts of the world for this year's reunion and now I'm in the airport again.

I definately will not give up and be sober in the next days.

I feel strong and positive, being here with supportive friends.

Turquoise, you are our hero! Pls keep on posting so that we are inspired by your determination!

Have a nice Sunday and happy Canada day Camiol! I remember being in Ottowa on Canada day while I was pregnant for my daughter and fireworks were amazing!

Have a nice Sunday!

11 years ago 0 +0 / -0 616

Congratulations on two weeks Turquoise! You are a very strong woman with determination I want to follow. Do you find that you're obsessing as much about alcohol? I think the gallon of margarita mix without the tequila is a great idea for the party. No one will know its virgin and you wont feel sick and hungover the next day.

I'm still struggling with what I need to do but I'm leaning towards total abstinence. I know in my gut that I am not able to control my drinking. Yes I did control it the other night, but that was a one night thing I think. As soon as I put one drink in me, I start craving more and more. I get halfway through the first drink and I'm already thinking about the next one. If I could keep my drinking to just special occasions or social atherings then I'd be happy, but I'm not sure that's possible either. I hate feeling so torn about this.

I am happy that since I've been chatting more in this forum, my drinking habit has changed dramatically, and that's a big step for me. I am also a huge carb fiend, I'm half Italian....pasta homemade bread and wine has always been in my life. I have been watching my carb intake for a couple months now. I couldnt seem to lose weight no matter what I did, yesterday I got on the scale and I'm down two pounds. Alcohol really does make me heavier. I have to wonder why some alcoholics I know are so bloody skinny, to the point that they look sickly.

Well it's time to get my day going...lots to do. It's Canada day here....fingers crossed I don't take a drink today.

Reading this thread:

today's top discussions:

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved

New to this site