MARCH MOTIVATORS

[K9Lover]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi SL -
Just remember how badly you want this, for yourself and for your girls. I know how much you love your girls and how you want to be a good example. You know you can do this, but I know it's not easy. I've been there/done that too. You're stronger than the Beast. Don't let it rob you of any more time, money or life. Hang in there...I know you can do it!
K9

[mylife]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hello Guys!

Another end of the day post for me. Another incredibly busy and stressful day at work. But I'm sober and it feels good.

UW - I like that you said you're rewiring your brain - I think that's what happens inevitably as we re-experience life sober. It's just an adjustment period as Jason says when we get used to doing things differently and hopefully some day it will be our new normal.

WW - Good job on saying good riddance to bad business! And good luck with getting a new and better client. I'm sure being AF will only improve your chances of success.

SL - I'm so sorry to hear you're struggling! I can definitely relate which is why I finally had to break down and try the antabuse. I really recommend it - but I know it's a personal decision.

K9 - My pattern was to be horribly hung over and then spend a couple days recuperating then start drinking all over again - it was a horrible cycle. I'm so glad it is over.

Daisy - great to hear from you - I remember you!

Sunshine, Alls, Choice and all others who come - thanks for the great posts - it's so motivating and inspiring to read everyones posts. I really look forward to it each day.

Have a great evening all!

[GingerDust]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

I'm sorry, but I'm so far behind that there is no chance of catching up tonight. We've had a stressful, busy couple days too and I'm very tired.

Everyone hang in there and have a good night. I'll get caught up in the morning.

[allswell]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hello everyone,

Tomorrow will be 60 days for me and I'm starting to get those awful "maybe" thoughts, the past 3 quits I've always buckled between 75 and 120 days. I told myself this time if I get close to that I'm getting antabuse and going start attending either AA or Smart. Don't know why this time period always seems to do me in. Going to order the antabuse today I think. Stay strong everyone!

[sunshinedaisies]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Good Morning Allswell! Awesome on your approaching the 60 day point - I went through that down around then - so I think maybe it is that the 'newness' of it has worn off, and the realization of the whole thing hits us! We tend to think we have it beaten, or that seeing as we have done so well, maybe we can have 'just one'......I know that if you get through this then it will be plain sailing for a while - until we hit the next road block. Just stick close to here - I know everyone helped me enormously with support and advice when I was going through my down - which it would have been so easy to have picked up a drink then - but I just KNOW I CAN'T. I AM going to make it stick this time - and SO ARE YOU. I started again after 8 months - and will not let it happen again - you just have to think it through - when you get close to the point where you feel wobbly, think things through to the end point - the tomorrow - the starting again at the beginning. I know that sticking here helped me - and will continue to do so. you can and will do this - we are all with you on it...... hugs to you friend :l

No more time as I am off to work - have a wonderful day everyone - back later - and wherever you are on your journey - know that together we can beat this.

Sun X

[BlondeAFAmbition]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hey Guys! Kudos to everyone for their effort this month...we are already a week in! For sobriety, I am celebrating 2 weeks as of today. Thank you for all of your support on here! It really has made all the difference. Have a great day all!

Love, Blondie

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Good Morning Marchers,

Allswell, we are on the same page...I too ordered Antabuse and am prepared to take it if I feel close to cratering. I'm coming up on four months, but I don't feel bullet-proof by any stretch of the imagination! I'm not sure there is such a thing. I read and hear of people drinking after years. I don't think they agonize over alcohol for all that time, just suddenly have a weak moment. To me, the Antabuse sounds like the best insurance for a time when we're suddenly hit with the thought of drinking. Just keep in mind that it takes over two weeks to get a supply (I ordered from River Pharmacy). I also have AA as a backup........I'm not religious so I'm going to have to learn how to think of the group as a higher power...something along that line, but I'm willing to try it. I think we have to keep being active/creative so we don't fall into the complacency trap. CONGRATS on your 60 days!:goodjob:

Blonde, well done on getting going again - two weeks is a solid beginning!

Hope everyone else is having a good day.

[mama bear]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

still AF here peeps...at work...busy

[K9Lover]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi Marchies!

I can relate to the feeling of wanting to cave in after a significant amount of time. For some reason day 40 triggers me, and I have also caved after over 100 days. I guess it's the feeling that we don't really have a "problem" anymore...we can always stop again right? The thing is, each quit gets harder. Each "slip" lasts longer. Each Day 1 seems more daunting. Let's remember how hard we worked to get to where we are (whether it be day 2 or year 2). I know I don't want to start over again. Remember a bad drinking episode and replay it in your mind a few times, and then ask yourself if you still want to drink.

I am a big advocate of Antabuse, I truly don't know if I could have come this far without it. I like to think I'm strong enough on my own, but I just don't know. All I know is that Antabuse takes drinking completely off the table, freeing my mind to think of other things and stopping the daily inner-battle.

Well today is Wednesday and I am off at noon (furlough). I am so anxious to get comfy on the couch, read a book then take a nice long nap. The last time I had a day off, I got a call from my kid around 9:30am saying she was "sick" and I had to pick her up from school. I thought to myself "Can't I ever just get ONE day alone??" So I told her today to please leave me alone from 12pm-3:30pm (I'm a nice mother aren't I? LOL). I just want half a day in peace...jeez. LOL We'll see if I actually get it.

I hope you all have a great day and stay strong!

K9

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

K9, your posts are so helpful. You've tried different things and can speak to multiple issues. Many people here are now taking Antabuse. I think it's wonderful that there's something out there that can take the mental struggle off the table. Granted, you have to want to take the pill, but if you're serious about sobriety, you'll do that. Then, when you have those bad moments you're forced to take the time to analyze properly whether or not drinking would be worth losing all the effort you've put in.

I look at Antabuse like I do nicotine patches and gum. When I quit smoking I used them and they allowed me to get past the "having something in my hand" issue along with quelling the craving. I know they don't work for everyone, and I had to try quite a few times, but ultimately I did it. I think it's the same with Antabuse. You can use it to give your brain time to retrain. I think when you quit drinking and then keep replacing that "reward" with other "rewards" ultimately you can get on top of it. There's always the caveat, though, of "eurphoric recall" so we can't ever think we're 100% safe....but we can get really close and save ourselves!

p.s. I think it's totally okay and that you're still a good mom even if you need alone time. I couldn't do without it!

[Tipplerette]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

scottish lass;1274892 wrote: popping in & saying hello, having a really tough time for so many reasons, still checking in and reading. everytime i think things are staring to turn in the right direction, something else rears its ugly head - i think i have had almost as much bad news as i can tolerate!
will get there one day, but it isn't today.
well done to all of you who are succeeding, keep it up, i really need your posts! one day i will be riding the wave too.....

Scottish Lass, I am sorry about your bad string of luck. I understand how we read about others doing well and while we are genuinely happy for them, we really wish we had it in us to follow through on our desires, dreams and goals. Let's take it one day at a time my friend.

Just realized that it was few days ago you were feeling blah... hope things have improved.

[mylife]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hello Guys!

K9 - hope you get your free 1/2 day. LOL. I like my alone time too so I can relate. I also agree with you on the antabuse. It really just takes the argument off the table and I know I wouldn't have made it this time without it. I also agree with you that each time getting started again is a little harder - for me the antabuse was also the solution for that problem. So I am thankful!

Unwasted you are doing so well. I listen to everything you post as I know it's in my future! It gives me a better idea of what to expect so I'm not expecting more than I should. LOL.!! I really wish I could get the click Jason Vale is talking about and just feel so happy that I'm free of Alcohol. I am most of the time, but as you pointed out all it takes is one weak moment and it's all gone.

Alls - congratulations on almost 60 days!!! You have been here before and you know you can get past this difficult point! Remember to expect some ups and downs all during the first year.

Sunshine - glad to hear you're feeling more positive these days!

Mama, Blonde, Ginger and all others who come - good work on racking up the days!

I'm meeting some girlfirends for dinner. I know some will drink and a couple of us won't - and I'm not worried about it at all. Again, thank you antabuse for taking the argument off the table!!

Have a great evening all. :l

[mylife]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi Tipp! Cross post!

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Unwasted you are doing so well. I listen to everything you post as I know it's in my future! It gives me a better idea of what to expect so I'm not expecting more than I should. LOL.!! I really wish I could get the click Jason Vale is talking about and just feel so happy that I'm free of Alcohol. I am most of the time, but as you pointed out all it takes is one weak moment and it's all gone.

ML, I think it helps enormously to have someone ahead of you so you can learn what you might be in store for......of course we're all different but I think we have many more similarities than differences.

Now that I'm getting some perspective, I still have a very high regard for the JV book. However, I would say that it's a bit oversimplified and that we are lucky if we can embrace what he teaches without ever having a struggle after reading the book.

One thing that interests me is this and it ties to what JV says......do we make not drinking harder than it has to be? Probably. But, I think there is a physical component of rewiring that needs to be done. He doesn't address any of that.

I actually think it takes determination and work to some degree. One thing I've come to realize probably more than any single factor........you REALLY have to want it. If you do, you'll do things like I'm doing........go to AA when it's really not your style.........I'm having to get out of my comfort zone on that one. Of course there are tons of other things one could do besides AA, but the point I'm making is that you have to make an effort to change thing up.

Have you decided how long you're going to take the Antabuse? Just wondering....so glad it's working well for you! :lilheart:

[scottish lass]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi all, feeling good today, gearing up for witching hour! Contemplating antabuse, the relief it is bringing others to have no choice to drink seems to be so comforting....
Hope I can maintain this, because when it works, it really is so truly good! I slept last night, and am handling PT conferences with my ex with less stress than normal!
Went to enter River Pharmacy to be nosy - it takes me a while to take the plunge, but I could not get in - the link i found on MWO doesn't work for me - any ideas?
I might manage to do a UW - just have it in the drawer as a threat! I really don't wnat to take meds, but I also really want to stop drinking! I have a bottle of sleeping tablets in my drawer that I have never taken one, it made my panic about not sleeping when I left my marriage so much better just knowing the bottle was there!
Thanks for all the posts and the strong, positive help - it really does work