Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

[InnerStrength]

I had this idea....
We have a lot of new members right now, and I have seen some people a little frustrated and feeling like they are failing or feeling like they are having trouble getting "back on track" after the holidays....so I was thinking, why don't some of our members who have found some success - it doesnt have to be "perfect" success by any means - we are all works in progress right? - share with everyone a) what they used to drink b) what they are drinking/not now (whether it be abs or mods) c) and what they have felt have been key to their success.....and if you feel comfortable, go ahead and share....then newbies or people struggling can perhaps pick up tips/ideas...what do people think????

For example (while I am not nearly one of the more successful members nor do I claim to be...)

1) I used to drink every single night - maybe I would skip a night if I was too hung over to drink. I would drink a 1.5 litre bottle of wine per night or 6 - 10 beers....or 6 beers and several shots....hung over many times per week. I could not go longer than day 2 without drinking.
2) Now - I am AF during the week days, with very few exceptions. I have not been hung over at work since September 2006. I am still working on the weekends where I might tend to binge but in October and November when I was at 200mg of topa I did not binge. I am now only just at 75 mg of topa again (I had gone off of it at the end of November).
3) For me, breaking the HABIT and finding other things to do, as well as topa and the supps are key. I like the SAMe and the L-Glut particularly. You have to really really want it too....of course.:h

Jen.

[wwbarb]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Good idea Jenneh.

1) I used to drink a beer followed by two scotch and sodas (doubles) during the week. On the weekdays, a beer at the bar followed by three scotch and sodas (doubles) and a couple at home, maybe a beer.

2) Present plan - AF for at least 30 days (day one yesterday) and will go from there - my ultimate plan would be AF Sunday through Thursday with one or two on Fri and Sat, but I am not sure this is attainable.

3)The hypno CDs are essential - you need to reprogram your thinking and really want to do this deep down in your brain. You have to want the benefits of AF more than the fun of the booze. Right now, I am taking topa - it is a great tool but I am not sure how long I am going to use it. Finding other interests is essential - I have developed many non-drinking hobbies and friendships that, when I participate, I honestly don't think about drinking. Some of the supplements, like I glut, are helpful, and using some aids to help me sleep once in a while are helpful. I would rather change my mindset than take a pill, tho. Another added benefit I am looking for is to lose ten pounds.

[Accountable for Me]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Good idea Jenneh!

1. I was drinking a bottle of Vodka or a BIG bottle of wine almost every night - at home for the last 6 years minus pregnancy. The only days I didn't drink were those when I was absolutely hung over.... which were rare - because I also did the 'Hair of the Doggy' at times to kill the hang over.

2. I have decided to completely abstain. I know in my heart I cannot moderate. I am known as a 'binge drinker'. I drink until I pass out and have no recollection of events after 8pm in the evening. (thank god little one was fast asleep by then - although I HATE myself for thinking this behaviour was OK). I am currently on day 18 and going strong. I have no doubt in my mind that this is the path I will continue on for the rest of my life. There is such beauty through sober eyes.

3. What is working for me and is keeping me going is POSITIVE self-talk, having NO alcohol in the home and lots of good food/water and vitamins. I am now acting like a parent my child deserves. I am able to respond to any emergency if my child injures herself. It is a GREAT feeling to no longer have the FEAR OF EVENTUAL DEATH (which I really was heading down that path - no lie!!) due to alcohol inevitably leaving my child alone to face the world without her mom. I also stay away from liquor stores. Distract myself whenever the urge comes on. I also, in really tough moments just sit back and breath........

Just know as time goes on, with me anyway, the urge really does subside. If you can break the habit of picking up that drink by doing something else day after day, then eventually the habit will be replaced with something else.

(((Sorry guys, I had to edit the last paragraph a couple of times today.... cannot get my grammar correct or my brain functioning properly I have been up since 4am this morning and 3:30am the day before - child with cold = CRANKY CHILD & TIRED MOM. LOL)))

[Changeling]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Good thread.

1. I was drinking wine 1- 2 bottles every day without exception. Usually 2 -3 at weekends.

2. I am now on day 20 AF (3 whole weeks tomorrow) YIPEE - plan to build a new life that has no room for
alcohol.

3. What triggered me was
a. Day after day waking up feeling like s**t
b. Never being able to remember what had happened the night before.
c. Hundreds of times I have said or done the wrong thing when I was drunk
d. Countless times I have let people down, including myself, due to drunkeness.
e. Many, many attempts at moderation - always failed

What keeps me focused is how much better everything in my life is without drinking.
I am with Accountable in that moderation has not worked for me - I was fooling myself, the only way forward for me is abstaining. In fact it is easier for me to accept that I WILL NOT, DO NOT drink.
I love the serenity and clamness I feel everyday when I wake up now.

[Pebbles]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Excellent idea, there's so much to this program it'll be interesting to see what's working.

1) I was drinking at least a bottle of 13% red wine nightly - maybe more and some times beer too. This had got to this level over 15 - 20 years.

2) Now - AF during the week, and have only had 2 or 3 drinks when out for meals over the last 2 weeks. Still a major struggle in the evenings at home though. Using the supps, the Cds; although not as much as I'd like as I'm rarely alone for long enough to do them and my partner doesn't know about it all. I've been up and down with the Topa, I got to 75mg and hated it. Back down to 25mg, not sure if it's enough to do any good, but I'm sticking with it at the moment. For me, it's this forum that's made the major difference this time.
Deal with the boredom !! Find something to do in your drinking time...I am working my way through my loft of old paperwork. Sounds dull (I am quite anal), but to me it's cleansing, making space in the loft and keeps me busy when I would be pacing around craving a drink.

3) Triggers to stop:
a) Weightwatchers ! (sounds silly, but it made me actually count how much I drank!)
b) nasty pain under my right rib - I thought it was my liver trying to get out for a rest!
c) fed up with trying to hide it from my partner and runnning round the house getting rid of the empties everytime he went out.
d) little boy now able to say "mummy buying more wine!" on a daily basis....
e) every TV documentary seemed to be about alcoholics !

Pebbles

[Rocky]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

This is very good!!! Keep the discussions going.... Very Helpful

[bounce]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Used to drink 3 to 4 cans of very strong larger a day or should that say night as i would start the first can at 4Pm and drink the last one at 7pm.
when i started this program i went up to 300mg of topa but it didnt work for me i still drank (no willpower).
So i started taking Antabuse and went 2 months AF Then Christmass came along , I stoped the the antabuse and i drank like crazy ,lost 3 full days ??? Never again:upset:
Anyway im back on the antabuse and i think im on day 10 AF not realy counting.

Phil

[Waves 2]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Good thread Jen,

I was drinking the best part of 2 bottles of wine everyday plus beer as a top-up when the wine ran out. Every day for 7 years.

I have done the 30 days in Oct-Nov and did great till Christmas. A major slip up then but getting back to it now.

I didn't like the way people stepped back when talking to me cos of the smell on my breath.

Exercise and supps help me.

[gabby]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Agree - Good thread Jen,

1) I was drinking 6 to 10 light beers nightly.

2) Now AF for over 7 months due to this program and topa and exersise. Topa tirated up to 200 mg and now back down to 100 mg.

3) Triggers to stop:

a) Teenagers at home and started to need to count the left over beers and worried that I was supplying them with a few plus being a bad model. Also seeing that they were starting to have their own issues with pot and beer and that I needed to be completely sober to be able to help them.
b) Having going through a divorce and actually hating drunks thought of not perceiving myself as such and knowing that I would only attract the same if I continued to drink at that pace. Figured I needed to get my shit together if I ever wanted to have a healthy relationship with a man which I have found has worked. (I'm in love) :l He is not a drinker by the way.

[shitzulover]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Great Idea!:goodjob:

Heres my abuse...

1. drink about 1-2 bottles of wine and sometimes a couple of shots in there to get the buzz going. This happened probably 3 times a week...but espectially on the weekends. Always suffered a hangover because did not eat dinner. So the next day I pig out to make up for the dinner I missed. (so eventually wait gain to add to the alcohol abuse) If there was a party that weekend...no telling how much I drank! Always would forget what I did and what I said of course...I would drink anything and everything they had at the bar too! What a way to live. Now its day 42 and I feel great...still think about it but not going to the store to get it. I fill my time with friends, family and trying to start new projects now! Everytime that drink sounds good I think about how it will effect my family. They are worth it!

[lorisunshine]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Oh, it's painful, but I will write it down.
Since 1987 I have pretty well drank a 20 oz. of Scotch together with my husband on a nightly basis, with me drinking the bulk of it. There has never been an AF day once, not even once.
On social occasions, we would drink the wine or whatever was offered and upon getting home had to have a nightcap of a double scotch.
I felt like s...t, every morning for the better part of 20 years. I knew I was in deep trouble, but didn't know how to fix it.

Then I came upon this site in July of 2006. It was so inspirational, that I ordered the CDs and the book and just quit. I felt as if divine intervention had disended on me. I was AF for one month and then my husband got diagnosed with bladder cancer. I was pretty cockey by that time and never saw it coming.
I flew off the wagon.
In November my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and I was in total shock. By December 13. she passed away and I was really busy and could not be too drunk and still get all my choires done.
Christmas my daughter and fiance came and I saw just how many beers she put away in a given day. The lightbulb went on.
Oh yes, I am such a horrible example and she looks so much up to me. If Mom can get plastered, then it is ok for her as well, isn't it.

January 1. I just quit once again and I shared that honestly with my daughter. She too has not been drinking anything since Jan. 1. It is a matter of life and death, that I stay AF, more for being a good example than just for saving my own butt. I do have a responsibility, I am a parent. This time around "humble" has become my middle name.

Now I drink coffee in the morning like always. In the afternoon, I have tea. Camomille, Black current, peppermint, rosehip etc. If they make it, I'll drink it. In the evening (5 to 8 was my worst time) I have Perrier on the rocks with a lemon slice, and more Perrier and another one and even one more. Before you know it it's bedtime and I grab another Perrier and go to bed. My sleep pattern has fixed itself remarkable fast and I actually have wonderful REM sleep again and I wake up in the morning rearing to go and without a hangover.
I owe it all to you guys, and that is the absolute truth. One day when the system was down, I actually had an anxiety attack and I am not one to suffer from these.
I hope this will help somebody. It breaks my heart having to realize I wasted 20 bloody years on the bottle.
Jenneh, on second thought, yes this thread is a good idea. It just hurts to put it in writing - no, it just about kills me.
Love to all
Lori.

[Java]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Wow...you are quite amazing, thank you for opening up and sharing that with us, i don't know what to say, but thank you,

with love,

victoria

[InnerStrength]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Lori
You are a beautiful person and I am sure your post will help people. You are already helping your daughter after all. And her drinking is not your fault, by the way. My mom has an issue with drinking and I KNOW she has always blamed herself for my drinking but she was never to blame. She is just starting to realize that. You are obviously such a strong person and so is your daughter. Thank you for sharing that.
Love and hugs
Jen

[Boo]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

Jen, this is such a great thread. Just what I need to hear. All of your stories are so inspiring. Thanks for sharing. Boo

[SKendall]

Idea - poll - what has worked for people?

I fouund this site and I found hope. I have spent far too many years of my life, drinking, apologizing, etc. Since I found this site, read the book, took the supps, and listen to the cd's I am drinking so much less. I haven't posted much because honestly, I'm afraid to commit to being sober and then having to fess up if I slip. That was my life in AA. My self esteem was never lower than when I had to go to a mtg and confess to failing.

I am mostly AF but just have the occasional drink. It has brought an incredible change to my life. I sometimes feel "bored" because I'm not dealing with a hangover or a drinking night.

Thanks to everyone on this site. I guess I should be posting more regularly on monthly mods before I go completely abstinent.

Hilary