Glad to hear things are going well. Well done on not drinking since Sunday! Giving your body a rest is a great plan and I highly recommend it. One of the realities we often overlook is the inseparable connection between our body and mind and we need to take care of both because they feed off of each other. So is it your mind that is completely tired\ fatigued from the 20 years of drinking or your body or both? We can't heal our mind if we continually contaminate our body AND mind with mood-altering chemicals! Maybe it's your mind screaming at you "Enough is enough! I have no space to resolve anything because you won't stop screwing with me! I need space please!". The problems, both big and small, continue to pile up but drinking too much keeps them locked down in place and it's really hard to move forward with chains on. We find temporary relief in the thing that has now become the problem. Something to think about anyway.
Not having a drink in five days after being a daily imbiber of alcohol is very notable. Have you not experienced any withdrawal symptoms? If not, your daily consumption must have been relatively low. The reason I say this is because I've never drank every day. For years it was just once a week and then virtually never more than about 8 or 9 beers. It escalated over the past four years to twice a week, then three times a week and then most recently I would drink 2 to 3 days consecutively with a few days AF in between. Each session I would drink a bottle of wine. Now I'm enduring withdrawal but I think I'm over the worst of it. I know I can't go back to it because I'm quite certain I have the potential to drink myself to death.
I sincerely hope you find success in whatever route of alcohol management you follow.
Hello TS and Patticakes. I have been away for a bit but have read a few of your post. I feel the same way as you TS, moderation does not work for me either. For me it is easier to go without than having one or two drinks. However, my goal is not abstinence (not at this time anyway). I have drank everyday for about 13 years so to go for a few days AF has been a step for me.
Currently I have not have a drink since Sunday. I do not plan to drink tonight. If this happens it will be the longest I have ever gone in over 20 years without alcohol. Until a few months ago I thought I was in control of alcohol because I would usually stop at a certain number of drinks but have recently realized that I could rationalize having "just one more." I was/am anything but in control. Waiting for the clock to tell me when it was OK to have a drink, if I went somewhere wondering if I would able to drink, alcohol controls me. Tired of it.
Good for you that you have such good self control. Educating yourself on alcoholism is so very important and will hopefully help you to reach your ultimate goal of abstinence. If you truly are concerned about your intake now, the sooner you stop the better as it will only escalate along with the self-loathing.
I personally cannot have a single drink without it turning into a drunk. Trying to moderate simply frustrates me and I find all sorts of justifications for over imbibing. Despite my own extensive research, despite working in healthcare, despite all the external negativity that I experienced, I still pressed on and on with my self destructive behavior.
Good plan to take control now Patticakes before it controls you.
Sorry I've been MIA. Since my last post I have had a few drinks but I have not been drunk ONCE. My goal is still abstinence though. I have been reading a lot about alcoholism and gaining a lot of insight into my issues. I also started Weight Watchers online ... when you have to count the Points in a drink it makes you think twice!
Hi Barb and welcome. We are all in the same boat ... let's row together ...
Good plan on being the designated driver. I seem to be the permanent DD now, which is fine with me. Self-medicating due to stressors is a recipe for disaster, at least in my experience. Funny enough, since I've stopped drinking the stressors have become less and less because I have the mental clarity to recognize them and take assertive and affirmative action to resolve them. Some are outside of my control but the the vast majority are.
You are right about it never being a good time- I can always come up with an excuse to put off starting, or trying or changing. I am feeling determined this time though, and having people to chat with definitely helps!
Hey Barb.. I have joined this site before and then dissappearred for two years and Im back now and my drinking is more than ever. I do think if I have one, I will have 4 more so Im trying to have none during the week to start. I worry about my health for sure. Today my husband went on work trip for several weeks so Im gonna use this date to try to start my program.. I play ball tonight tho and usually have a couple of beers after...see this is what happens..
Sometimes its hard to find a good time to start. espeically in the summer. Im gonna stay connected anyways and see how it goes.
Hey there, I am also new and very nervous. I have not sought outside help before but am determined to make this work this time. I have tried alone and failed too many times to name. Even writing this I am having a hard time believing I can do it, I don't trust myself. Reading these posts has already been helpful and I see myself in many of them
It’s been a while since you were active on this site. Please extend your session below
You have been logged out due to inactivity.
Please sign back in.
We use cookies to help us learn about how our platform is used and how we can improve your experience. To
learn more please see our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
