AF Army - 2nd September 2008

[Mad Mummy]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Hi O2M how are you??

[Popeye]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Good day folks!

I haven't posted here for a while, but I have been keeping up with most of what's going on.

I feel pretty bad deep down, drifting on a sea of self-doubt and insecurity but as usual, I try and keep optomistic.
I am having those weird dreams aswell. I enjoy them strangely enough. I've been AF for a while before and I know this'll pass.
I was sweating a LOT recently. I think it's the drink leaving my system, though it could be that I poisoned myself by drinking what I did, and my body is letting me know it's had enough.
Anyway, I hope everyone has a healthy and happy day today.

[vlad]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Oh O2M, my mum has the same problem with her mum (my grandma). No matter what my mum does my grandma always complains that 'no one ever does anything with her' - which I know isn't true, people are always visiting and inviting her out. And it's not old age, apparently she's always been like that. My mum says she used to really let it bother her but now she's learnt to ignore it.

I will be thinking about you seeing your counsellor tonight and good on you for having the guts to do it. Don't think I would. Think I'm too proud.

[vlad]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Oh man, you could do without that! On a funny note I weighed myself again this morning, that pound I'd lost, I've put back on... must be something to do with the packet of crisps I ate with the diet lemonade!

[vlad]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Right! I'm going for a walk!

[vlad]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Err... no I'm not - it's pouring down!

[vlad]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Someone offered me an umbrella but I'm not THAT motivated!

[Nurseindistress]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Feeling Pretty Good

I made it through day one, even though I had plans and went out for dinner and kept getting asked if I wanted a "drink". Usually I cave if I'm out and other people are drinking--but I kept thinking--"I can't cave on day 1!!!" So I felt good about that. Usually it is day 2-4 that I start feeling so tired I just want to sleep. Glad to see everyone is trying so hard. It is great!:goodjob:

[vlad]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Nurseindistress;398594 wrote: Usually I cave if I'm out and other people are drinking--but I kept thinking--"I can't cave on day 1!!!" So I felt good about that.

Great going! Know what you mean, I usually cave if somebody asks if I want a drink! But when you say, 'No!' you feel like you've conquered a mountain.

[bloggy]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

O2M- So sorry you are feeling so sh**e.
Good luck for tonight- you might be pleasantly surprised and find it even enjoyable- I think you will certainly find it interesting.

I have heard some bad news today, the mother of a friend has just died- a family from the UK who moved here 20 years ago. (Mum, Dad and daughter).

The mum was 68, smoked 40 cigs a day, and was an alcoholic, as is dad and daughter. Last week she had a leg amputated (she was told 2 years ago if she did not stop smoking it would happen) but she did not/could not quit.

I feel she is in a better place but so sorry for dad and daughter- they were always together and adored her.

Now I am off to the hospital to visit another friend, an alcoholic (67) who has just been taken in for tests.

There are many heavy drinkers/alcoholics who come here from the UK for obvious reasons- cheap booze, cigs, all night bars and drinking is widely accepted, even in many workplaces.
I know of many many people who have died of alcohol abuse in the last 10 years- I have lost count.

Sorry to put the thread on a downer, but it gives us something to ponder on the second day of AF September.

I do hope you are all feeling OK and managed to get to the chemist of doctor if necessary.

[Cinders]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Good Morning from the USA!!

It sure sounds like some of the platoon is really down, tummy flu, toothache and the usual first few days AF pains.

For those suffering from alcohol withdrawals, Chief always gave the advice that you should look at it like a flu. It will go away. And, it does!! After day 5 things really start looking up and by day 10 you are usually feeling amazing.

Please drink a lot of fluids and keep yourself hydrated. You need to flush the poison out of your system. Remember, your liver has been taking a hit and is probably not working 100%, so help it.

Pamper yourselves as best you can through this first week. Baths, fluids, rest (I know, sleep is tough), and whatever else you do to stay calm and serene.

I hope ALL of you make it through this first 7 days and next Monday I start hearing how things are really getting better for you. :l

Also, remember this week. Remember the discomfort.

Chief always says "it is easier to stay quit than to keep quitting." As you go through this week, keep that in mind.

I am doing great, myself, and starting into my 4th week. I can't wait until I can say I have done a 30 day!! I am having fewer and fewer urges but, of course, can't cave anyway due to taking Antabuse. This method is working so well for me. I am ecstatic, actually.

O2M, try the counselor. Don't be afraid. You are in control of the situation. If you don't like this one, find one you do. The fact that you are thinking about this means you truly feel you need to deal with some things. If you get a good counselor, you will be able to transform yourself into a better place.

Chelle, Vlad, Nurse see above. You can do this. Just pretend you are sick. If you had a flu, you would just have to plow through.

Gia, Popeye. It is so good to see you both here. I know absolutely you can both get through this week. You have done it before!!

Wally, Hi!!

Anyone I have missed and those to come, please have a wonderful AF day.

Life does get so much better sober. It really does. I smile so much more now than I did when I was drinking. It is awesome.

Love,
Cindi

[A Work in Progress]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

OneTwo I am sorry you are feeling so crappy! and I hope you won't back out on the counselor, even so... It won't be bad, just talking about what's going on, someone to listen to what feels out of sorts in your life right now. And, truly, if you do NOT like the guy, after 1 or 2 sessions, get someone else! This business really requires a good personality fit between therapist and client.

So many people feeling lousy (even those without toothaches!)... I was all annoyed this time around, getting off the alcohol, about feeling almost as if I were hung over, for a couple of weeks. Small price to pay, though, right all?

Yesterday KateH1 posted something amazing on the thread Cinders started about Changing Thoughts. I am copying it here for all of us:

I believe that getting and staying sober is ALL a MIND thing! After the first week AF, the "cravings" are not physical, they are mental and emotional, they are habitual. I used the supps religiously. I meditated morning and evening. Every morning I began each day by planning how my day would look and feel....beginning with, today I will live as a non-drinker. I will breath through my anxiety, and work through any obstacles...etc. When I would get an urge, I would dismiss it with thoughts of how good it felt at that moment being alcohol free, if the urge got stronger I would go walk and contemplate the pros and cons of having a drink.....the pros always won! I also read 2 great books about life transformation.....the first is called....A Year By the Sea.....the second was Eat, Pray, Love.

I would take a bath early, prepare some herbal tea and put on some great music and read.......at times, I would come here and read and post and sometimes I would go into chat. Most of all, I stuck with those here at MWO who were AF, those that I knew would offer me no excuses.....no..."It's OK tomorrow is another day"......I wanted sobriety, I was comitted to living as a none drinker!! Now, going on 9 months living as a non-drinker.....I am so grateful to have taken these steps...so grateful to have found MWO and the people that supported me during my process.

wip

[vlad]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Thanks Cindi - I'm not letting it get me down - I have another busy day, so plenty to think about. Not really craved much yet either, had a few twinges, last night as I was coming back from band practise (it was the start of witching hour), first thing this morning, and lunch time just - but each time it was time for another Kudzu tablet!

[vlad]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Thanks for re-posting that WIP! How's your day going?

[vlad]

AF Army - 2nd September 2008

Just remembered I hadn't started my Drink Tracker. I have now, oh it feels so good putting that first '0' on!