Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

[Thankful]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

1morechance ~ Keeping busy is so key. Good job!

Wooflet ~ Seems like you have some good friends supporting you. Great job staying AF! Those are great reasons to stay sober.

LVT ~ Boy, you really took me back to childhood. I had a crush on David too! lol

Wakeupmom ~ Sleep will get bettter - promise! Stay strong!

Nojoke ~ you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't envy you. :huggy Hang tough. If you go, stay committed to yourself.

Great job everyone! Let's keep those AF days adding up!

Love, Me
:l

[Peanut]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hey Thankful,

Yes - I have been taking the kudzu since thursday (my day 1) and I was wondering also if it could be an interaction of sorts. I looked at my AF wine and it says less than 0.5% alcohol, so there was some in there for sure. I drank about half the bottle. In retrospect, drinking a drink like that is really not like drinking wine anyway, so why bother using the AF wine at all!!!! I think I cold just drink soda and cranberry - I will try that tonight and see if I get the same reaction. I started all the other supps today, so things might get a bit confounded - but whatever. I think I will save the AF wine for when I want to appear to drink just wine - like at the event tomorrow - that will stop people from asking. I didn't mind the taste of it on its own actually!! If the same thing happens, then maybe it is an interaction with the Kudzu (I hope not!!!)

Hey - can I still consider myself AF, even though there is a wee bit of wine in it. (?)

By the way, how much Al in the in the AF beer??? I wonder because a friend just called and we are going to stop by their place tonight - after my swim - to drop some things off, and he suggested we stick around for some beers. I told him I was AF in May, although I may have to have one mod day - and he suggested AF June instead. NOOOOO!!!! I am doing this now!!! Not some time in the future. I am very happy with my decision, and it doesn't matter which month or when one starts, there will always be challenges!!

Nojoke - I am the same way. I would have preferred just to say no to the invite for beers tonight, but I seem to me to be so darn boring without the wine and would rather not go out at all! All that music playing last night in my house, normally I would have been dancing, but instead, obsessing about myself and this program. I have to start carrying on and learn who I am again without AL. Very strange, but I think we can have almost split personalities with this stuff!! And I agree - it does get a bit dull hanging out with a bunch of drunk people. When pregnant I went through this alot. Makes you wonder what you look like when drinking - not really - I think I know!!!!! (Yuck!!) But I will look at it from now on from Wooflet's point of view - look at it as something amusing to observe??

OK - back to lunch prep!
And thanks again!
Peanut

[Thankful]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Peanut, I think it's roughly the same amount of alcohol as the AF wine. Be mindful to check the labels very carefully of anything that you plan on buying.

And I say yes, you are still AF. Some may debate this, but I see no difference weaning yourself off with AF products vs weaning yourself off with meds. If we started counting the AF products than we have to start counting anybody who takes Nyquil or cough syrup, etc. You see where I'm going with this.

Just be careful with how much you drink of the stuff. Too much of anything is not good for you. And some people have had adverse reactions to drinking AF products and it makes them want the real stuff more. So be careful!

I drink a lot of different fruit juices with club soda. I love them.

Good luck!

Love, Me
:l

[gelgit]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hello everyone!! Thank you all soo much for starting off my day laughing. There's no better way. I moved a lot of dirt and if you notice that I don't mention hubby anymore, it's up to you to wonder:alf::banana::undercover: I've just been watching too many reruns of "Desperate Housewives".
What GREAT thoughts you've been posting...I especially like realizing that the "good" stuff isn't anything different than Two$ chuck. and that, I really don't spend a lot of time thinking about marmalade, so what's the deal with AL. They both got too much sugar. Now chocolate, well...........
Forget the AF wine and beer. Besides having trace amounts of Al don't they taste kind of yucky? How about soda water with some really good (organic) grape juice? I love soda and lime. In India they put a pinch of salt in it: try some.
You are the most upbeat bunch I've ever hung out with and I adore you all xxxxxxx Getting up with clear eyes and head, hope in your heart and a smile, who could ever choose:H:headbanger: guilt and a hangover. At least now I clearly understand that when my mate drives me to the edge of insanity it's really him not Al.
Have a fine weekend whenever you are...on the planet or in your head :h g.

[Peanut]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hey Gelgit,
Yes - I probably won't be using the AF beverages too much - I just wanted to try it out last night, but what's the point of mixing it in to a soda drink, when juice is just as good (or better?) Must go pick up some exotic juices for myself!. I want to try the beer tonight, just to see (these people know what I am up to!), as there are many occasions which I really don't want to have to stand out. I remember trying the during my pregnancies and you are right - not that great!! Mambi-pami non-beer I called it!!!
I'm off!
Peanut

[FloridaBoy]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

wonderworld;320100 wrote: wakupmom - oh yes. I hear you LOUD AND CLEAR too. That romantic notion of a drink. Why is that SO very hard to let go of? Even after all we know, all our struggles, why? I honestly don't know the answer. Some say it's just the 'addicted brain' which causes you to have euphoric thoughts about drinking, long after your last one. On the other hand, it's a huge lifestyle/habit issue too. I mean - if you've been living that way for a long time (years) - how on God's green earth do you just 'stop' ?
The only thing I can think of ....... and don't hit me...........is saying 'day 1'. You may never feel 'ready'. But with all the courage you can muster......you have to scream....... NO MORE!!! in yourself. You have to fight for every hour if necessary. It WILL get easier. If you think about it - what is a few days of agony, followed by a few weeks of 'squirelly-ness', if the payoff is, as you said, getting your health, self-respect, and joy of life back?

I wish we could sleep through the withdrawals, but to be honest, the withdrawal is part of what's keeping me sober. I don't EVER want to go through it again. And that's why I feel so much for anyone in the first days. You know - you're going to get through the next few days one way or the other. What would it be like, if next week this time, you are 8 days AF, instead of 1? What kinds of changes do you think you might see in yourself? I know I said 'focus on today', but here is a 'positive' exercise in daydreaming for once ! Anxiety, Fear, AL the dumb beast, all tell us it's hopeless and don't bother. I couldn't disagree more.

Love WW xox

Once I realized is was not alone and and accepted the fact that my brain and body just don't process AL like other people it was much easier to stop. Much of it is in your mind.
I also realized that when I am into AL my thoughts are not clear. Oh yeah, YOU think they are but they are not. Once you stop AL and have a conversation with someone who is buzzed on it you will see how stupid YOU were. I just do not want to be like that anymore. I thought other things were causing problems. work, etc. but it was really the AL that was the issue with me.

The romance about a drink just does noy apply to people like us...and there is not a damn thing wrong with being the way we are...as long as we do not drink. O.K. Im done.

[wonderworld]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

A powerful statement Florida Boy. And I am with you.

Just have a quick second here and wanted to say hello. Will have time to catch up properly tomorrow afternoon - can't wait to read all these juicy posts . I know they're good! My day has been very good. Got everything done without too much stress and now winding down for the night. No complaints .

Hope everyone is feeling and doing okay :h -

Love WW

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Morning All

Peanut

Peanut;321019 wrote:
I am wondering if this was a bloodsugar reaction (most likely) but also wonder why this doesn't happen when I do the same thing eating-wise, but drink a litre of wine instead?!?
Peanut

I'm definitely not a doctor but from personal experience I think you experienced a blood sugar dive, and I think that the sugar (and other calories) in a litre of wine previously prevented you from having this reaction. With regards to the AF wine, I say yes absolutely you still count those days as AF. If it has 0.5% alcohol you'd need to drink about 25 glasses of AF wine to get the same result as just one glass of 'normal' wine. So you were nowhere near that amount, and I reckon it definitely counts as an AF day. Having said that, I think I'll do as you say and keep the AF wine for special occasions.

nojoke I feel for you - "Just don't drink"? If only it were that easy...As I said yesterday if it hadn't been a really good friend's engagement party I would not have put myself in the way of all that temptation, and will be avoiding those sorts of situations where possible for at least my first 30 days AF. So good on you for having the strength to stand your ground and do what's best for you.

LVT25 and Peanut I know exactly how you feel - the gap between those who are drinking and those who aren't really does widen exponentially as the night goes on, which is why I left at 1am (party only started at 10pm!). It also helped that there were two pregnant girls at the party so I had some sane people to talk to when I needed a break. We hounded the bartender to get us something more interesting than the usual lemon lime and bitters (assume you call it that in the US too?), so he made us these interesting mocktails which were quite yummy (eg strawberries, apple and mint pureed with ice).

gelgit we love you too, and you started my day with laughter as I imagined what you did to your hubby and his posh wine swilling friends :H

OK better go get some errands and housework done. Didn't sleep very well at all last night, and have come to realise that sleep deprivation feels much like a hangover :upset: Never mind, this shall soon pass (I hope).

Have a great Saturday night and Sunday everyone

Wooflet

[gelgit]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

yummy Woofie... would that be a lemon lime soda pop?? Angustura bitters? Yes?? That sounds delish. Hubbie is being ignored today. Until I feel more benign I'm leaving him to his own resources. My vegetable garden is coming right along. I'll post a picture when it's really showy:leaf::leaf::leaf: So far, there's only lettuce and green peas, well, chard and parsley too. I hope you all get a good night's sleep. I'm still depending on melatonin. We, who are recovering our health are low on it anyhow. But, I have been trying hops tea. Yeah, the stuff beer brewers use. It's very good for you and besides everything else it puts you to sleep. I just had a sample, but the local food co-op better have a big box on the shelf for me. Good night/morning you dear, dear people:h g.

[BigMac]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

FloridaBoy, good to see you in this thread. You always seem to have good advice to impart, some of which helped me through those really tough first few days, so thanks. And thanks to everyone else on this thread who continue to post and share. If you really step back and take in what's happening here (not just WW's thread, but this entire site) it's really quite amazing, at least to me. People are getting sober; they are saving their own lives through the help and support of others that are doing the same. And it's all in cyberspace... Anyway, hope you are all doing well.

26 Days AF today.

[evie]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi everyone,
I guess this is a good thread to post on. I'm not doing great. Did without a drink yesterday, have had the worst headache imaginable, felt depressed and almost suicidal. Had a major fall out with my hubby, then we made up. Was determined to not drink tonight but had half bottle of wine left. Although I know I haven;t drunk loads I feel a total failure as I can't even do more than 1 day. I can't seem to cope with how awful I feel when my system starts to clear. I mean soo low...I had a period after my son was born when I took overdoses and soI get very scared when my feelings feel so out of control.
Is it better that I cut down gradually? I'm not sure what I should aim at. ODAT is def where I am but compared to most people here I seem to fall down alot more than the most. I would value any suggestions..
Another problem is that I lost my driving license 7 years ago for 2 years as I was in psychiatric hosp and was abusing alcohol (suffering as well from post natal depression) i didn't drink and drive but lost it on medical grounds. As a result of this I feel unable to be honest with my GP in case I lose my license again ( it is reviewed every 2 years).
I have bought topa and the supps on line and am using them most days.. they do help and I am certainly not drinking as heavily as before.
So sorry to go on. I am so amazed at how well people are doing on this program!:thanks:thanks for the encouragement your posts have already given me.
Eviexx

[Wooflet]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi Evie

I'm a newbie myself and I'm sure more experienced members will be along soon to offer better advice. In the meantime I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone, and that many have tried and failed many times before eventually succeeding. I've been in that vicious cycle where I've tried to go AF and had a slip-up, and then felt like such a failure that I 'needed' to drink even more.

I would say given your circumstances that it would be a good idea to get some professional help. If you don't want to go to your GP then perhaps a counsellor who deals with addiction? I started seeing a psychologist a while back, and he focussed on giving me the mental tools to cope with being AF, and this has really helped. After all, many of us start our problem drinking to block out negative feelings, so it makes sense that we need to learn to deal with these feelings in other ways or else going AF just won't work.

Good luck Evie, keep posting here and let us know how you're going.

Wooflet

[evie]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Thank you Wooflet
I suppose I only see the posts where people have succeeded.
I have made an appt to see a councellor at the end of the month(they were very booked up). I was hoping a miracle would occur and I could cancel it and say I was AF! Meanwhile I will keep trying... tomorrow I will start again on day 1- hey ho!
:thanks: I am always so amazed when someone replies to my post- thank you.
It gives me the energy to try again
Eviexx

[time2change]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Evie
First let me say that you are by no means alone. I have just read through this thread and I think that many who are posting here will tell you that they had many many day 1's. I know myself that I have been reading these posts for a very long time. There is no magic pill, which is what I really wanted. Wouldn't it be so easy to take a pill, go to sleep and wake up as a non-drinker. Well, its not that easy. Not for you, not for me and not for all the people on this site that have been successful That is why I am here. It gives me hope that I can do this and you can do this. Some days it seems like its the impossible. i know. The point to my post is that you can never, never give up. Use all the tools you can. Get all the support you can. Try over and over and over again. And if that doesn't work try again. I know your family will support you and I KNOW from experience that there are many here that will support you. So let us know what we can do and we will do it, but never think that you can not be one of the success stories.

I hope its not too late for me to jump on this thread. I have felt like Evie in the past, but I am on day 6 today and actually hopeful that I too can succeed. I want to remind all who may need some support that they should go to chat. I did that last night and not only did I laugh till I cried, I didn't give AL one thought.

WW- Thanks for this thread. i read every post and am feeling that there is so much postive going on here that I want to be a part of. Thanks again:thanks:

[LVT25]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Evie--I just wanted to tell you hello.

The forums are usually a little quieter on the weekends, but there is still lots of reading to do and the chat room usually is active in the evenings. I don't really have any advice that hasn't been given. Just wanted you to know you're welcome here!