Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

[Fresh Hope]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Thought this would be a good place to reop I line .Very moderate today, only 2 glaaes of wine and 2 days af last week. Moderation seems to be kicking in. It helps if I have the Sleelptime tea ready at 6 PM because I can just go warm it up and skip a drink.
Thanks for all of stories, very encouraging.
...I love this site, we all really do have somehwere to go and feel accepted and peaceful about our future
FH

[Loppy lugs]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

I can't believe it has taken me so long to come across this thread. I have mainly been on the just started out and monthly abstinence sections and just missed it.

I have been AF now since 1 May and been having a tough time of it, but after reading all 20 pages of this thread in one go I have so much good advice!

I can really see where I have been making it hard for myself. Not remembering to take my sups, not having any avoidance plans for when the cravings hit. I have been exhausted the whole time so have been going to sleep instead of keeping busy. Have also been avoiding everyone because I don't feel myself or good company to be around, so a bit lonely and no wonder I have had a major case of the blues. I haven't even been posting much and have only just got access to the chat room.

I also found it interesting what everyone was saying about sugar rushes. I have never had a sweet tooth. However I found myself dashing out for a tub of icecream just before the shops shut on Sunday. It was really odd it was as if I had to have it. Almost felt like that dash to the shops for another bottle of wine that often happened in the old days (last month).

After reading all this I feel so much more encouraged. I think it is time for me to go away and make a list of all the things that might make sobriety hard for me and another list of useful tips on how to make it easier. Perhaps making it the obvious will mean I follow it.

First on the list for when I get home tonight is a long hot bath rather than a quick shower. I think I'll start small.

Thanks to everyone for all your good advice. I'll let you know how I get on

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi Everyone

NTC I'm glad you had such a lovely mothers day - you deserve it. I'm sure your family loved you even more minus the mimosas.

Thankful thanks so much for the encouragement. I hesitate before presuming to offer advice, especially since I'm so new at this myself. But I figure I might as well share my experiences in the hope that it might strike a chord with someone somewhere down the line. Thanks for checking in on us - with WW out of action this week you're our resident voice of experience

Frogz it's great to have you on board, and I hope day 4 is a good one for you.

Fresh Hope - welcome. Sounds like you're in a good place and moderation is working for you, which is really great.

LVT, Peanut, Ollie, 1morechance and any others who have slipped or may slip in the future (including myself!). My counsellor (therapist to you guys in the US) says that dealing with an alcohol problem is like learning to ride a bicycle. Unless you're superhuman it's inevitable that you'll fall off the bike at some stage, but it's important to see that this is almost an integral part of learning to ride. Remember when you were a kid and fell off the bike? Didn't that teach you about balance? Like Thankful said, it's not the fact that you slipped up that's important, it's the fact that you pick yourself up and try again - after having examined what lesson/s can be learned from the fall. Sorry I don't mean to sound preachy, just repeating what the counsellor said - I remember it well because it made sense to me.

Loppy lugs welcome, so good to have you on our thread. Oh, and I love your name! It's funny, a week or so ago I saw one of your posts on another thread and meant to invite you to this one but forgot. I went AF on 1 May too and I've also been feeling somewhat blue, and I've found that posting (on this thread and others) really helps. Sometimes it helps me directly, and sometimes it helps me to feel that I may have helped someone else if you know what I mean. I've also been having major sugar cravings and crashes and I think I'm probably hypoglycemic. There's a thread on that and it's relationship to alcoholism in the holistic healing section if you're interested.

Not much else to report over here. On day 13 and going fairly ok. Still need to distract myself at poison o'clock which is why I'm currently the champion Umbrella Trick player on the MWO games arcade :H

Other than that I'm already thinking about what I'm going to do post day 30. Part of me wants to see if I can moderate and part of me says go for more AF days before attempting mods. I guess the sensible thing to do would be to leave that decision till day 30, given I'm not even half-way there yet. Always trying to get ahead of myself...

Wishing much strength, wisdom and courage to us all

Wooflet x

[Kiri]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi all,
Today is day 20 for me and going well. I have chosen abstinence. I believe most who were drinking can really afford the tapes because they did manage to afford the drink. Hope that makes sense without sounding judgemental. In addition to not drinking and being able to sleep I have lost 8 pounds which is a nice amount on my 5'2" frame! No real cravings for surgar. I am on 25 of Topa twice a day and working lots on various projects. I make a list of the things I need to do each morning and stay flexible. Only thing I don't get to be flexible with is the alcohol. So I am finally "free" to be me. It is worth the money and I hope you let yourself invest in yourself in this way.
I have recently read a book "The Brain that Changes Itself" it is about neuroplasticity which is just a fancy word for saying that we can learn new ways of doing things. ie, we can rehab but it is awkward and all consuming at first. Keep your eyes on your goals and keep your strategies near. Address this problem on as many fronts as you need to to improve your chances for success. It is your call if you are "all in" or just testing the waters. Good luck to all
Kiri

[wakupmom]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

A Very good morning to you all!
Its tues at 7am here in the UK,and i thought i would drop a line or 2 before i get ready for work.
Well its day 13 for me,and i have to say that i know its not a race for time but i feel it is going slowly.I don't wish to wish time away as i know how precious it is.Its just that i want the 30 days soo much.I am concentrating on changing that thought process.Does that sound "Mad"?On a more positive note i am really enjoying the soberness of it all.not rushing,and taking notice of the little pleasures that i suppose most take for granted.

Thankfull,Thankyou so much for checking in on us with all your support.It really is priceless xx

WW,Hope you are well and your finding some ME time with all that work xx

NTC,Congrats to you,and i agree with keeping the focus on whats really important,and learning from the most simple of experiences xx

LVT/Oli/1 More-Thats the spirit,get straight back on track.I can't count how often i have done that.Whats important is the not giving up xxx

Frogzter,a warm welcome to you,hope you stay around and let us now how your doing xx

Peanut,I hope that UTI has cleared up ,and your feeling better- they can really bring you down.Yes i agree, the cranberry is a must.Well done on your run by the way.That is awsome exspecially as you were not the best health wise.xx

Loopy lugs,Nice to see you here too.Great on the 13 days.Yes i am with you on the strange existance,low moods etc.I just try to ride out each day as it comes.I too get the need for sweet treats.I think we deserve a little treat!!Love your idea of a list xx

Wooflet,Go girl-great job on your 13 days too!I was sad to hear about your Dad.It is so painfull to loose a parent but at such a young age with so much life unlived.Sending a big hug your way xx

Kiri,20 days!! Fantastic-Keep going your almost there xx

Anyway must dash.I will be back again soon take care everyone xx

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi there wakupmom, great to hear from you and to see that you're feeling angelic :lilangel:

Congrats on your 13 days too - hey we're really doing this!!

I know what you mean though about wishing we'd get to day 30 sooner. I'm just hanging out for the time when it gets easier in the evenings. Not that it is so very hard, but I just want to get to that first milestone and prove to myself (and the world) that I can do it.

Thanks for the hug, it is most appreciated :l

Have a great day

Wooflet x

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Wooflet;325206 wrote: On day 13 and going fairly ok. Still need to distract myself at poison o'clock which is why I'm currently the champion Umbrella Trick player on the MWO games arcade :H

Other than that I'm already thinking about what I'm going to do post day 30. Part of me wants to see if I can moderate and part of me says go for more AF days before attempting mods. I guess the sensible thing to do would be to leave that decision till day 30, given I'm not even half-way there yet. Always trying to get ahead of myself...

Hmmm, I've just found another benefit to posting - reading your own words on the screen can make things much clearer. I mean what was I thinking saying on the one hand I need to be distracted at wine o'clock and on the other I'm thinking about moderating. Clearly I'm just not ready for that, if I will ever be...

Wooflet x

[Fresh Hope]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Still not there, but only 2 glasses of wine last night then I switched to tea and I think tonight I will start with the tea .
My avoidance plan ( thank you to LL for the reminder) will be garden work and spa stuff; nails, facials etc., then hopefully I will be ready to sleep and no chance to veg in front of the telly with wine. :h
FH

[LVT25]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hello everyone!!

Another new day! Laid my body down to do the clearing cd yesterday and woke up 2 hours later!!! Ooops! I must have been sleepy! The cd kept running, so I heard most of it off and on. Pretty unmotivated other wise that's what I hate about drinking too much!!

Waiting for the weather to straighten out so I can start my garden. Too chilly, Sunday was nice, but I wasted that afternoon pretty much!

I'm taking a good friend out for lunch today for her 50th birthday. We've had some issues, so we're still mending our friendship. Hopefully she won't feel the need to drink--I know I won't. I'll have a good excuse since it is lunch, and I have to drive.

Have a great day/night all!

[Ollie]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Wooflet and wakeupmom, great job on 13 days. You are doing awesome.
Day 2 and feeling much better than yesterday. Don't you love the way our mind starts to forget all the pain we just went through?
I will not drink today.

Ollie

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Just heading off to bed and thought I'd check in here first - this is becoming my new addiction!!

LVT enjoy lunch with your friend.

FH have fun with the pampering stuff - I'm making a note of that, it sounds like a great avoidance strategy.

Ollie thanks for the encouragement, and I'm so glad you're feeling better today. I guess that selective memory loss can be good and bad. Good luck for today/tonight.

Love to everyone
Wooflet x

[Peanut]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Greetings and good morning (or goodnight Wooflet and all you on the other side!)

OK - another day 2. Feels like deja vu?? I wonder what the acupuncturist did to me?? No craving for wine AT ALL last night, although not much sleep either. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I slept until past 1pm yesterday - in bed for over 12 hours!!! I guess I needed it! I have these little patches in my ear with needles in them, and he said he would deal with both my insomnia problem and the alcohol problem at the same time. I feel like one big experiment! The patches I have become more accustom to and I think I have to tap them a few times a day - so strange. Will go back for another treatment on thursday.

Sounds like some of you are having success modding, and other with great AF streaks (13 days?? 20 days?? be proud, very proud!). For me it is ODAT, but have no plans to drink anything, not today, nor tomorrow. My daugher wants me to go to Calgary this coming weekend, but with the price of gas and all the stuff I need to get done around here, it will have to wait. Besides, I want to try another AF weekend, and that will never happen if I go there!!

LVT - you reminded me of the CD's. I must get into those again!!! Not sure if they help, but the subliminal one is sure relaxing!

I am not being very productive here at work, so I will have to sign out and check in with you all later!
Good luck with whatever you choose to do today, AF or Mod, as long as a plan is set and you aim to succeed!!!
xoxox Peanut

[Thankful]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hey, folks!

Wow, a lot of slips this weekend. Was it a full moon or something?? Not trying to sound judgemental. I'm disappointed for you all, but never disappointed in you.

Ollie ~ guilt and paranoia lead us down an ugly road. Please do not feed negative thoughts. Chin up, move on!

1more ~ you obviouly know what you have to do - repeat whatever is working during the week EVERY SINGLE DAY (this includes weekends)! We can never let our guard down.

Peanut ~ Yes, I agree you need to go to the Drs, but I doubt it's the supps that are putting your body out of whack. I was very sick (over 2 months) when I first became sober. I think AL sometimes supresses viruses and germs that just need to run their course when we finally go AF. This will pass. Remember Al is what makes our bodies go out of whack not the supps! Good luck with the acctupunture - keep us updated.

Fresh Hope ~ good job modding. Is that what your goal is? Btw, I love Sleeptime Tea. Been drinking it for years. Chamomile really helps with anxiety and jitters without making you sleepy too.

Loppy Lugs ~ welcome. It's so important to have a plan laid out. Supps and CDs are only tools. Sobriety still requires work. Good for you for reconizing that. We have to figure out what are triggers are so we can avoid them in the future. This process is so key in our success. I can not stress this enough!

Wooflet ~ you sound like you are doing great. I am very happy for you. Congrats on your 13 days! Try to keep in mind that there is no reason to ponder any desicions right now as far as staying AF or modding. You may see things completely different at 30 days AF. You're doing great!

Kiri ~ welcome and congrats on those 20 days and 8 lbs! I see your point regarding buying the CDs if you could afford the booze. But some people have very tight budgets and even live paycheck-to-paycheck. I know I never could afford to spend $98.00 at one time for booze. So it's the same with shelling out that amount of money for Cds or supps or anything else needed. But, however, if someone really wants them, they can save up for them seeing how they are no longer spending funds on drinking.

Wakeup ~ Congrats on your 13 days as well! Your thoughts don't sound "mad" at all. You are quite normal (whatever that is for us struggling with this addiction).

LVT ~ enjoy your lunch with your friend. Yes, Al can certainly zap all of our energy - which in reality is zapping our lives if you think about it. Yikes!

We can't let that happen anymore!!

Best of luck to all of you. Please stay strong. If you feel a slip coming on, please get here immediately!! Ask someone to join you in chat or post for help in "Need Help ASAP". Someone will always jump on quick. We can't help you if you don't let us!!

Love to all ~ Peace.

Love, Me
:l

[ntcentral]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi all, I'm sitting here with a box of lime popsicles and a shaker of salt and pretending that I'm drinking margerittas. I'm not joking. My kids think I'm pathetic and they may be right, buy hey, whatever works. I started Kurdzo (is that the right spelling?) yesterday. I think it may have helped with the cravings a little, although that conclusion does beg the question of why I'm pretending that this popsicle that is dripping all over my keyboard is really an alcoholic beverage. I leave for Nashville tomorrow so will be out of touch for my days 26-THIRTY. I'm going to have to survive a wine and cheese reception that's part of my husband's conference and then of course, our big 25 wedding celebration.

Club soda, club soda, club soda, club soda, club soda.....that's going to be my mantra for the next few days.

Wakupmom, I found days 13 and 14 really hard too. For the first few days, you feel kind of shell-shocked and deep in your heart you wonder if you really are going to do this. By day 13 or so the reality sets in that you truly are going to abstain, at least for a while. I experienced a "mini-grieving" process, as if I had lost a trusty friend. Trusty--yes, friend---me thinks not. Hang in there.

Kiri, you are so right that rehabbing is all consuming at first. Especially in the evenings, I find that thinking about getting over this habit of mine consumes an inordinate amount of mental energy. Congrats on making it to day 20 and now, almost to day 21.

LVT, Ollie, Peanut, & 1morechance, I hope you are securely back on the wagon. It's a bumpy road, no doubt about that.

Loopy Lugs, I found a research paper that showed that there exists a subset of drinkers who have abberrant sugar levels. One reason that they are prone to drink is that they need the quick shot of simple carbohydrates. When alcohol is withdrawn, simple carbohydrate consumption goes way up. I should probably add that the research subjects were a strain of mice shown to be genetically prone to alcoholism. But hey, we're all mammels, right? It might explain why some of us get huge sugar cravings when we stop the wine influx.

Wooflet, I always enjoy your posts. Hoping your day 14 (or is 15) is going great. Rosa, how's life?

Fresh Hope, hope the moderating is going well. Hello to all other evening birds, wishing you all the best, NTC

[Kiri]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi all,
Making it through my 21st day. that is awesome for me. I read once that changing a pattern took at least that long. I don't have any false sense of security but I do have some tools that I am learning how to use regularly and each time I use them I get more proficient and the craving-drinking pattern becomes weaker. another reason that I have chosen complete abstinence. anyway slept very well last night with 3 mg of melatonin. it really seems to make a difference and is apparently non habit forming
good luck to all. Sounds like some set backs for some but best thing is to analyze what happened, learn the lesson, then apply it again. There is a way out and it is only available to those who keep on trying.
Kiri