Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

[Thankful]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Wooflet ~ you just might be the most prepared person I have ever seen on these boards! Good for you! That shows how serious you are about getting your health back. Great job!

Twinsmommy ~ It's sad when we disappoint our family, but you have to do this for you. You have to be kind and understanding, tough and firm, and most importantly loving and forgiving to yourself. You can do this! I look forward to hearing your success story soon.

Ollie ~ WTG on DAY 2!!! Keep it up!

Booklvr ~ you don't have to do this alone. Please don't let anyone push you to the point of drinking. I did that for too many years and I will never relquish that control to anybody else again. You are going through a rough time right now, but you have us to lean on. And our shoulders are very broad. Take care of you!

I wish you all the very best. You deserve to be healthy and happy!!

Love, Me
:l

[Thankful]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

LVT25 ~ you are too funny! Groovy! Wow that one takes me back! lol

Keep the faith, hun. You'll get there.

Love, Me
:l

[bestlifeldms]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Great informative thread! Ditto, Wonderworld rocks! Welcome newcomers and support to all!

:h Best

[wonderworld]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

All I can say is ........ WOO HOO!!!

Booklvr - pull up a chair! (a screen ? :H). You just named one of my 2 worst triggers. Conflict/anger/frustration with people I am closely involved with in my life makes me want to run for the bottle like nothing else. Family, co-workers, bosses, spouses, close friends, can all drive you legitimately crazy - but how do 'deal' without AL?. This is a MAJOR part of the transition to "sober living' I think. You said it yourself - I'm mad at "them", but it's ME that takes the "poison" ? hmmmmmm.......... now where did I learn THAT coping strategy?
(p.s. my 2nd worst trigger - Friday at 5 o'clock :upset

LVT25 OF COURSE I can get you David Cassidy's autograph!! Hold on - he's right here next to me......... "Sweetie? Could you write out something nice that I can send to my friend LVT25? She's a big fan!". He said sure no problem. (shhhh..........I'm going to get himn to write you a song too). When I changed my avatar to Lori Partiridge, I got love letters in PM for weeks LOL!! And actually, it sparked my imagination/memory so I rented DVD's of the Partidge Family show on Netflix and immersed myself for a couple weeks in the bliss of my tween years. I also rented some of: Brady Bunch, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, , Bob Newhart and 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman' (!). I would be lying if I didn't admit that 1970's TV sitoms were one of my 'tools' early on! :H Whatever it takes.......

Morning Thankful, Kate, Bestlife - you old AF tanks !!!

Love WW xox

[BigMac]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hey WW, thanks for starting this great thread!! I'm on day 23 AF and in 8 short days I plan on joining your 'Day 31 and Beyond' thread. You, Thankful, Fallen, LivingFree and several others are members I really look up to and I'm always searching out your posts for inspiration.

For me I truly felt coming here to MWO had to be my last stop. I felt like I had tried everything else with very limited success and now that I have a somewhat clear head I think I can offer my opinion as to why this, MWO, is working for me. First and foremost, all of the available tools! You can't fight a war with a slingshot. And you certainly can't fight something as baffling as an AL addiction with 'a' pill or 'a' vitamin or 'a' book; you (I) need to assemble all the tools available and attack it from every front. So long story short, I use everything - RJ's book, CDs, sups, topa and most of all (IMO) the tremendous online support here at the MWO Forums.

When I first came here just 23 days ago I, like many of us, had a variety of medical issue that come with years of heavy AL abuse. Just to give you an idea of what's in store for those just considering giving up the AL and starting this amazing journey here what's happened to me in just 3 weeks:

-I had terrible anxiety issues to the point of occasional full blown panic attacks. With the exception of work and the grocery store (had to get my 'supplies') I had almost completely isolated myself from everything and everyone I cared about. Today: GONE. I mean GONE. I have no more anxiety and have slowly started to live again. My work has improved, my relationships with family and friends are being repaired and I am finally seeing glimpses of happiness that I have not seen in 10-15 years. This alone is obviously worth giving up the AL for.
-My Health - I was 260 lbs (5' 11"), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high liver enzymes,,, the list goes on... This will be a slower healing process, but I have lost 10 pounds and I see my doc in two weeks to get blood work done. I'd expect the other issues to be getting better as well.
-My Energy - OK, the first 4 or 5 days I was down and out for the count.. On the couch and sleeping at least 12-14 hours a day (when I wasn't profusely sweating or pacing the room..). Then around day 6 or so I was actually able to get a light workout in and today I am getting to the gym several times a week.

Anyway, this is just a short list of my AF journey to date. Thanks for this thread and best wishes to all of you.

[Determinator]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

heya cats n kitties!

groovy new crash pad here I see. I brought a lava lamp for us to "trip out" on.

[Determinator]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

BigMac, great post. I too had really bad anxiety and lived like a hermit. I didn't want to go out and engage in any social activities unless I could hide in the corner and get plowed. sure is nice to have calm nerves now....no shaking, irritability, nightmares. whew! Sobriety is a treat we give ourselves every day

[Thankful]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Big Mac!! That post is so awesome! If that doesn't inspire people nothing will. Before long my dear, people will be seeking out your posts for support and inspiration (if not already).

I am just blown away at how great you are doing. I am so proud of you!!!

Keep up the fantastic work!!

Love, Me
:l

PS And thank you for such kind words.

[keeta]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

morning all,

day 1 AF for me. (again...damn I want to stop adding that)
I start back to work full time today. Haven't been since late last year. I think it will help....atleast with the day time drinking. As I will be working until 7pm 5 days a week that will leave 2-3 hours left until I can't have access to the booze, after the store closes. I hope to spend that time with family, walking, or in chat...I want this SO badly.

I have to shower, but wanted to quickly check in.
I love this place!
Hope to catch up better with everyone on this thread tonight!

love,
K

[1morechance]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

God sent thread!

:thanks: WW for this thread, I was in desperate need of some encouragment and hope. Today will be my day 1 AF in two weeks. I've been binge drinking for the past 7 days and don't feel well physically, spiritually and emotinally. Reading this gives me new hope. I just have to get through the physical symptoms I'm feeling as a result of the beast that is AL. I will come back tomorrow and let everyone know how I'm feeling, and get some more support from this great group of people.

I have the supplements, read the book, but I can't really get into the CD's for some reason. Has anyone experience not being able to get into the hypnosis? -- Thanks

[wonderworld]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hey Keeta and 1morechance - You have me almost in tears. I KNOW how you feel :upset:. HUGE virtual hugs to you - and everyone else brave enough to say 'Day 1' :l:l. I've had several too. The hope/fear of trying one more time is excruciating. And yes - the physical withdrawal (especially days 3/4/5 for me) is NOT for the fain of heart. It's AWFUL.

KEEP TALKING. WHATEVER IS GOING ON!!!! This is not about 'looking good'. Don't worry about anything else but getting through today without AL.

And hey good idea - we can all meet in chat later if anyone wants to. Let's get through tonight no matter what, and no matter what it takes. It sounds like people here are already up to speed and ready to go!! If you need help ASAP in the meantime - you can post here, and/or on the 'need help ASAP' forum, and/or PM any one of us. (oh - and Wooflet, it's about 3:40 a.m. where you are. Hope you're sleeping soundly .


I am not a CD person either, but I know many people like them. If they arent' ringing bells for you right this minute, I wouldn't worry. They might a little further down the road (or not!). Whatever works (starting to sound like rain man - 'whatever works!.......whopner at 8' ..... LOL!!) .


OMG Big Mac! - brilliant!!! If EVER there were a reason to get AF - I swear. That post says it all. What a testimonial. Congratulations on 23 days my friend. Woo Hoo!! Clearly, you have much to contribute here ! So gald you jumped in too.

Love WW xox

[roamer723]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

hey everybody

I introduced myself on the just getting started room, but I figured I'd say hi here too. I am currently trying to get to a point to be AF. My main killer is at the end of the day just having something to make me unwind and relax to get ready for bed. Right now I am trying to wean myself off two very large whiskeys before bed by making them whiskey and waters. I know if i wanted to I could quit cold turkey, but I don't want to. So I'm hoping the want will go away with the wean.

look forward to hanging around and chatting.

[wakupmom]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Thankyou WW for starting this thread,it really is a great idea,and one that will bring hope to many.

A big hello to everone else who has posted -Good to meet you all

As you can see i have been around a long time too with varing degreees of abs,a few mods,and sadly some very awfull benders.I have accepted that for me i have to quit for ever and give up the romantic notion that i can have a drink and be "normal".More than anything though i want a life back,one of health,energy, inner peace,joy,to look forward and self respect.So i'll be checking in to see how everyone is doing and holding out a hand.
Staying sober today!! xx

[LVT25]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Big Mac--great post. It got me thinking how different, yet alike we are in this....

I have become more of a hermit since I started this "adventure." You see, I'm kinda shy and always feel more comfortable in a social situation with a couple of beers. It's just soooo much easier for me to not drink if I don't go out. Don't get me wrong, I was drinking at home a lot too, because then I didn't have to drink and drive. But for now, anyway, it's easier to just stay away from my drinking and smoking friends--I'm not strong enough yet.

I have utmost respect for those that can go out and socialize AF.

Gotta go.....renting some good old Partridge Family episodes from Netflix while I wait for David's song.

Isn't he dreamy??

[ame=

]YouTube - The Partridge Family - I think I love you (Original version)[/ame]

[wonderworld]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

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