Well I'm back.

[beagle]

from outer space.
I was fairly busy with enjoyable things over the past 4 weeks & have been learning a few things.
1) I was not bored - but still drank
2) I was not lonely - but still drank
3) I was not stressed or anxious - but still drank.

What did this teach me? It taught me that "triggers" are merely excuses.
There was & is, in reality, no "reason" for me to drink. Thus it is a deeply ingrained HABIT.
All this time I was having a subconscious pity party in my head almost forgiving myself to drink. In actual fact, I need to alter that mindset to say " I deserve to relax,feel happy, & not drink alcohol. I deserve that." To change the "denial" mentality into one of reward.
I will check in here as much as I can to document some personal thoughts, feel free everyone to advise/berate/scold me as you see fit. I'll try not to take it the wrong way!
But I'm not starting this thread in a selfish way. I don't mean to subtract from any else's very real traumas.

[Chillgirl]

Well I'm back.

:welcome: back Beagle! Nice to see you....

I'm totally with you on this one, I drank when I was happy, sad, lonely, busy, to celebrate or drown my sorrows, it didn't matter which. It had become as habit forming as brushing my teeth. There is a great book by Wayne Dyer called "excuses begone" not about AL but about excuses we make in general to justify our lives. I downloaded it on audio and listened to it everyday when I 1st quit and it help me enormously.

[Seethepony]

Well I'm back.

Yep, it's the same with cigarettes. If you ask people when do they like to smoke, you'll hear:
After sex,
When stressed,
When socialising,
When concentrating,
When tired,
When bored,
And about a million other things.

Amazing things, those ciggies! Perfect for every occasion!

[one2many]

Well I'm back.

BEAGS!!!

So glad you are back. I missed you.

yep, those old excuses will justify themselves in our heads if we let them.

I just to justify having a drink because it was Lotto night and if I won I would be already halfway celebrating...

Feckin MADNESS..

[Bella]

Well I'm back.

Thats a good post and very, very true. Bella xx

[Guitarista]

Well I'm back.

Well said Beag's. So true, and i'm glad you've had that revelation.
You sound fairly positive. Good to see you.

G-bloke.

[sapphire1]

Well I'm back.

Hi There Beags,

Good to see you! And i second everything that you have written. Happy, sad, relaxed, mad....its all the same....for me it was just about finding an "opportunity" and giving it a name. Years of paralysis by analysis....trying to find the "triggers' what a waste of time. It is fantastic when these revelations come about...a step closer to an al free life. Stay well my friend, Saffy xx

[Doggygirl]

Well I'm back.

Welcome back Beagle. I can sure relate to your post too. Waking up in the morning was a good enough excuse for me to drink. I too spent many years believing those excuses were "reasons." It's a great day and huge step forward when we see the excuses for what they really are. You are right - you deserve the reward of sobriety.

I've decided I won't be drinking AL today. Anyone care to join me?

DG

[Going Strong]

Well I'm back.

Happy to see you!

Beags,

We have all been there and used all those excuses!

How lame where we?

So happy for you and want to know what is happening in your life!

Keep us posted.

Take Care

Shas

[techie]

Well I'm back.

Hi Beags, I've missed you too. I'm so glad you're back. I can relate so well with the excuses. My list was much longer. I think you should use this thread as your journal. Unlike keeping one at home, here you'll get feedback. You DO DESERVE to be happy, relaxed, and fulfilled without alcohol in your life. I'll help in any way as I'm just a post or PM away...John xx

[mama bear]

Well I'm back.

beagle boo...I have missed you and have been worrying about you....dont do that to me again!!!
by the way ...started antabus on the 2nd of October and have not had a drink since...just a thought

[gyco]

Well I'm back.

once again

beagle;981980 wrote: from outer space.
I was fairly busy with enjoyable things over the past 4 weeks & have been learning a few things.
1) I was not bored - but still drank
2) I was not lonely - but still drank
3) I was not stressed or anxious - but still drank.

What did this teach me? It taught me that "triggers" are merely excuses.
There was & is, in reality, no "reason" for me to drink. Thus it is a deeply ingrained HABIT.
All this time I was having a subconscious pity party in my head almost forgiving myself to drink. In actual fact, I need to alter that mindset to say " I deserve to relax,feel happy, & not drink alcohol. I deserve that." To change the "denial" mentality into one of reward.
I will check in here as much as I can to document some personal thoughts, feel free everyone to advise/berate/scold me as you see fit. I'll try not to take it the wrong way!
But I'm not starting this thread in a selfish way. I don't mean to subtract from any else's very real traumas.

hi beags.:goodjob::welcome:back,weve all been where u are or were,it takes a bigger person to admit,powerlessness,you no you have a different family here , and usually always accepting, in time of need.:thanks:gyco

[K9Lover]

Well I'm back.

Beagle!
Glad you're back. My excuses to drink were too many to count! I'm glad you're realizing that the excuses and justifications are just the madness of the beast begging us to give in! Any day that ended in a Y was good enough for me!
The cycle CAN be broken, and I know you can do it. We're here to help you! Stay strong my friend!
K9

Doggy- I'm with you, I'm not drinking (or smoking!) today.

[mario]

Well I'm back.

Hi beagle welcome back, i posted this a while back it sort of relates .

I drank for happiness & became un happy.
I drank for joy & became miserable.
I drank for sociabitity & became argumentative.
I drank for friendship & made enemies.
I drank for sleep & woke up tired.
I drank for strength & felt weak.
I drank for relaxation & got the shakes.
I drank for courage & became afraid.
I drank for confidence & became doubtful.
I drank to make conversation easier & slurred my speech.
I drank to feel heavenly & ended up feeling like hell.

keep fighting the fight, nothing changes if nothing changes.

[Ringing Cedars]

Well I'm back.

Hi Beagle. Good to see you back.

Yeah Mario, good post. Thanks.