Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

[Peanut]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hey Rusty - congrats on day5!!! Well done! Another day 5 for me too, and I am so relaxed about it. I think maybe the Topa is doing something for me, as I feel so good! I even went for a run at lunch time! I do hope you sleep tonight. But even a short, sober sleep is better than a pass out sleep.

Loopy Loppy - I hope you feel better tomorrow.

CS04 - good thinking about attacking a 30!!! But take it one day at a time - you can do it. And you are not alone in your corner - we are here with you, sitting back, sipping soda and cranberry with you. Hey - does hubby drink the same drink you like? I am fortunate that my BF does not drink wine, otherwise I would be in big doodoo!!! I won't let anybody bring that stuff anywhere near my house this month!

1morechance - what is this habit busting program you are on? This interests me, as I am such a creature of habit. I think that is at the root of my drinking problem actually. I get into a habit, and that's it. Like smoking. The two a day - not such a physical thing, but such a strong habit. A drink - a ciggie. A book - a drink. My swim routines never change. Yeesh - I'm like a robot!!!!

I think I learned something today about vertigo and alcohol. I have always had these attacks of vertigo when trying to go down escalators, primarily when I have been drinking particularly large quantities of wine the night before. My kids would laugh at me when I would get stranded at the top and have to go find the elevator to go down 1 floor! But it happens all the time on those open grated stairs!! I used to run at lunch time quite alot, over one bridge, down the river and back over the train bridge and they built a new set of stairs up to the train bridge a couple years ago -metal, open grate stairs, and I could never, ever go up them (neither could my dog!), so I always took the old wooden stairs. Well - today I took those stair, and although I had a bit of vertigo, I actually made it to the top with only a little discomfort!!! And I have had no trouble on escalators!! Plus, my right eye has stopped twitching!!!

My conclusion is that vertigo is intensified hugely by alcohol - not an earth shattering discovery, I know (what a scientist!!!), but it made me feel quite proud getting to the top of those stairs, smiling like an idiot of course!

OK - time to get down my basement stairs and get some work done!
Sleep well everybody!
xoxox Peanut

[Ollie]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Just checking in. This thread is on the second page! It can not be.

Good job to everyone! We are adding up a few days here.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Ollie

[ntcentral]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi all, It's Friday night and I was kind of moping, thinking that I don't like being sober and I don't like being intoxicated so what's a girl to do? Duh. dink on the internet.

Thankful, I'm drinking a non-alcoholic beer as I type this. My poison of choice is wine, the hard stuff will do in a pinch, but this n-a beer isn't too bad. As my dad would say, it's about as exciting as kissing your sister, but hey, I'll still be awake by ten, something I typically couldn't say on a Friday night.

Loppy, I will never complain about my rabbits again. Sounds like you handled the incident with your brother well. I have a big family reunion coming up at the end of the summer and I'm already dreading it. The photographs from the last one (and it's just my immediate family and their families) shows us bleary eyed around the table, with the table top literally being covered wall to wall with glasses and empty wine bottles. The difference between me and the rest of the gang is that they can hold their liquor and remember what happened the next day while I'll fall asleep sitting upright at the table and then I am clueless the next morning about everything that happened after that third or fourth or fifth or sixth glass. Unfortunately, that kind of drinking behavior hasn't been confined to the annual reunion (((And this is what I'm pining away for tonight? Puh-lease.)))) Any way, what I'm dreading are the inevitable questions of why I'm not drinking, what makes me think I have a problem, how come I don't suspend this abstinence nonsense for just one night, does this mean the rest of us have a problem, etc etc etc.

I've been going to yoga more regularly than ever before, now that I'm AF in the evenings. I think it is helping with the cravings in that it is a great stress releaser. At the very least, I can now touch the floor with my legs straight. I'm still no pretzel-queen, but even the instructor has noticed a change. Last night she commented on my skin, wondering if I was wearing make-up because it looked "lovely" (yes folks, she said LOVELY). I couldn't bring myself to tell a YOGA INSTRUCTOR that I wasn't getting plastered every night so my skin was regaining its color. Instead, I mumbled something about meditation and zen awareness. And somewhere, the great Budha rolled over in his grave.

My calendar says that I finished week 7 today. However, I've had two slips, including one a week ago today, so I'm still a bona-fide member of the thirty day club. Hello to all others, and esp. you newbies here. NTC

[Sam Handwich]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Wow ... this thread is enormous (must be a good one!). I'm chiming in, I guess, to tell my story and just be a part of this thread. I am not sober yet; but I have set my sights on Sunday (as I have the week off). AL is a crazy beast, as you all know. I've gone through life with the "I'll try anything once" mentality, while being very careful at the same time. Tried sex once - I was totally okay with it (ha-ha!) nothing better. Tried LSD ... good for a few spells, no problem there, loved it. Tried Marijuana ... meh, occasional foray, but really not my bag. Tried Cocaine; if someone offers, I might have a little, but not my bag really. Tried Heroin once ... too good, DO NOT TOUCH!!!! Tried Opium; god's gift, not gonna go there. Tried Sushi - totally going back for more. Tried all kinds of stuff, but NOTHING hooked me like AL has - and I was never a huge fan - saw too many stupid drunk people in my life to be "excited" about using AL. But, here I am ... what can I say? AL is super easy to fall into. I've proven it, even as a person who tries things and isn't impressed. So, how did I end up in this situation?

I'm a daily drinker. I drink probably (never really counted) 6-8 beers per night with a shot of some 80 proof alcohol accompanying each beer. Then, I tip over and start it all anew the next evening.

When I started getting "the shakes" and forgetting the previous night's details, I began to get worried, so I stopped. After 5 days or so, I thought it would be okay to have a couple, so I did. This led, eventually, to the same place; shaking in the afternoon and eventually hiding bottles from my wife. That's where the guilt sets in, right? So, now, I'm a big ball of guilt with a lousy aching liver and it's time to end this. that's why I'm here. I've been here for a week and I feel like my urges to quit are REAL and supported by everyone on this forum who has responded to me. It's huge. I'm so glad that I got the courage up to post. Anyone reading this as a guest ... please spill your guts; it's the first step and there are so many people here who know exactly what I have just relayed about myself.

Thanks for this thread, Wonder (you've created a MONSTER! in a good way).

Best to all veterans and newbies here ...

Sam

[Rusty-576]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

It is Friday night I had a rough day but still am AF thanks peanut andKate for the encouragement.

[Peanut]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hey Rusty - stay on track there! I am off to the pool for a bit of a work out. I am terribly sleepy though, as I did not sleep AT ALL last night!! Yeesh - I don't know what I am going to do about this sleep thing!

Welcome Sam - I've been reading your posts elsewhere, and will write a bit more later. Right now we have to run so the BF can pick up smokes before he hits the gym and I jump into the H2O. Hang in there buddy!

xoxo Peanut

[evie]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi there all,
I've been reading this thread and wondered if I could join. I've been trying to cut down the past 6 weeks with some success but the last 2 weeks the intake has increased. I have decided to try antabuse and took my first lot this morning so here goes!
Rather nervous as I haven't managed more than 2 days AF for many years,I know now that its 5 days for the drug to clear so its taken away the option. Scared at how crabby I'll get as its such a crutch and an escape from the monotony and tiring life I feel I lead.
I do hope I'll feel more mentally positive after a few days.
Eviex

[Peanut]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Good Morning Sober Livers!!!
(is that sober living people? or sober liver organs? hmmmm.....)

Made it through my first AF friday night since that first one in May, and it was A-OK. Not sure why this is so much better this month - attitute? Topa? who knows, but I sure am more relaxed and self-assured about things! But holy moly - I just want to eat for some reason, although I think this is purely hormonal!!!!

NTC - Yoga Queen with the Lovely Skin! You are liking the AF beer too, yes? And 7 weeks - with only 2 drinking occasions? That is exceptional!!!!! I think you started at the beginning of May too!!! Congratulations!!! You are such a winner!!!!

Rusty - you made it through your friday night ok??
Evie - sounds like Antabuse is the way to go for alot of people. I look forward to hearing of your daily success. And you will succeed! Feel good, exercise and eat well.
Thankful - you out there somewhere? Doing well, spreading good will around you as usual?? How are things in your crowded household?
Ollie, Loopy, LVT and everybody else - hi, hi, hi!!!

Sam - it's been nice reading about you on the threads this past week. Sounds like you have a lovely, understanding wife, who can probably be a great support to you at this time. I also am very fortunate to have a really loving, supportive beau, BUT he would run out in an instant and buy me wine at the first even inkling or squeak out of me that maybe I might think about possibly maybe ponder the thought that a small taste of wine might be so nice ....... so I have to watch my every word!!!! I also have tried pretty much everything - except the heroine, and of course the evil C.Meth - but that stuff is so much more recent?? And I would hope as I younster I wouldn't be that stupid and have talked at great length with my kids about it too. Coke? Could have been a problem if I had had money!! Pot - always, since I was 13. Funny thing with AL, and the problem with it, is that it is the one that is legal and socially acceptable but is sooooo harmful. Watching my middle child and her friends, all drunk in the basement and fighting and calling each other horrid names, girls wanting/threatening to beat each other up all the time .... it was disgusting and we had to call the cops many times and had beer bottles thrown through my window.... needless to say, a difficult time. Now my youngest child, 16yo, drinks some beer, but more of a pot head, and those guys are pretty darned quiet, subdued, no fighting, eat lots of chips mind you..... Now, what do I prefer???? Well, I wonder!!! I am not saying it is right, but why is it ok to drink and be an asshole but not ok to smoke pot and chill out???? I suppose this is not a point of discussion of this forum, but it is one I think about alot, especially when I look at the damage AL has done to so many people/friends I have known throughout my life, and still these people will not admit that maybe drinking has something to do with it. Time to open you eyes people!!!! But it is not my place to say so, is it...... hmmmm.... rambling.... I will be thinking all day now!

OK - I am procrastinating on my basement job. I swam last night and did only ok - 10:40 on my 500's, but I was tired and my arms were tired from dragging this 16' x 12' piece of carpet around my basement the night before. Must get back to the gym and strengthen these arms biceps of mine!!!

Have a super saturday everybody!!
xoxoxoPeanut

[jessie]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi everyone,
Day 3 is over and day 4 coming up tomorrow and I am already experiencing that feeling of continual "thirst". Bought 10 lemons today and will arm myself with a full 500ml bottle of water with lemon juice at all times. I find a few sips help when I have a craving.
As a pre dinner drink I have ginger ale with lots of ice - that helps a lot.
Jessie

[CS04]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

I am on day 4, wanting to drink. Worse than yesterday, though was crabbier and very teary yesterday. I most likely won't drink but tht doesn't mean that I don't want to. Maybe I should take my L Glut and B-50 before dinner instead of after. I also have many emotions going thru my head about hubby, his drinking, and change in general -- that is a lot of what is upsetting me. i am questioning where I/we have been and now where I/we am/are going, and it is VERY uncomfortable. My best friend tells me that we experience discomfort before we get to a comfot zone - I know this in my head, but ain't that the truth, and frankly I just don't want to go there sometimes. That is why it is so hard. And no, I don't want just want 1 beer.

I do want to check in and "be social" with the rest of you, but trying to keep my head on striahgt and keep an eye on baby here -- gotta run.

[Loppy lugs]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Hi all,

Just checking in before going to bed on a Saturday night. Still doing ok but still comfort eating. I'll deal with one problem at a time.

Don't laugh but I went out and bought a skipping rope today... The plan is whenever I get jittery I'll go outside the back door and skip until I can't skip any more (about 3 minutes at the moment) OK I will still be avoiding my feelings but in a less harmful way. Good plan but guess how many minutes I did tonight? Got it in one... Zero.

Rabbits chewing my shoelaces as I type but they look so cute how can I be cross.

Re Antabuse as I have said so often on this thread, I totally swear by it. This whole thing is so difficult that it just makes it easier. I'm not sure that I would have survived some of the really bad days without it. When things got rough I just had to deal with them instead of getting drunk and hoping they would be gone in the morning. Although I think going to bed and sleeping it off a great remedy for emotional turmoil. Strange how I seem to be one of the few who doesn't now suffer from insomnia. Lucky really!

Anyway off to bed now. Hope everyone has an AF weekend and that it is not too stressful.

[tlrgs]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

thats great cs04 you are doing it and a great plan.. keep it up...
peace and god bless

[CS04]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

Most of the craving has passed now but still a little crabby. Everyone says I have to want to do this - these are the times I don't want to do this! but I don't want the guilt and feeling like shit in the morning. I don't want to be a "dry drunk" though where I am in a bad mood all the time. Is it because it's still so early? Hubby is already saying "snap out of it."

[brittzak]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

CSO4.......you are grumpy...it ain't easy learning to live again. Hubby, kids, whomever can deall with it. You will get better!!!!

[Dolly Sunshine]

Days 1-30: Hello Sober Living

CS04 You are questioning things you just accecpted drunk. It's a good thing. Not easy(I know) but needed.

Loppy my bunny loves my shoelaces I also know I shouldn't let him chew them but it makes him so happy!