Anyone in the First Week of Their Unpteenth Quit?

[Ginger999]

Great thoughts, ABC. Hope all of you have a great Monday. Nothing big on my list today so I'm going to just putz around the yard.

Weather around here will be triple digits by Friday so I'm thinking of heading to the mountains for a few days. The lake will be warm but the outside temp will be 10 degrees cooler than my area. And there's lots of hiking

Jackie, Min, AG, Bri and anyone else that I've missed, PM me if you want to hook up via Facebook. Most of us here are connected there as well.

[jane27]

Just a note before I get going to get my week started. Even though it sounds like Ginger, BG, and yours truly are merrily skipping down the sobriety path, we have our tough days as well. I try to let my optimism that everyone can get sober shine through on the bad days. And all of us on this thread are committed to one day being AF. That day will come for all of us. Reading the posts over the past few weeks, I've noticed a fiercer determination in everyone to make their quit stick. I know you all can do it, and I'm proud to call you all my friends and my quit buddies! Have a great day my friends, no matter what life throws at you today, no quittin' eh!

:bigwave: Thanks for this gem ABC! I'm putting it in my pocket. Being sober isn't utopia, life ISNT utopia.
As my drinking days came to a close, I felt every bit imprisoned, depressed, unsure, out of control, ashamed, doomed, pathetic, guilty, and worthless.
I once heard someone say that the relief you feel after taking off an uncomfortable pair of shoes is so great that it makes wearing the uncomfortable shoes worthwhile. I wore grossly uncomfortable shoes from ages 27 to 42. Comparatively, the view from 18 months sober feels like bliss. Maybe that's one of the special rewards that lies in wait for the addicts that roll up their sleeves and fight their way out of the dungeon. The work is equal to hard physical labor that is laden with challenges & requires razor sharp focus. That kind of work would of course seem worthy of something gratifying at the end. The reward has been so much greater than anything I was hoping for in my greediest of daydreams- so much greater, that its almost embarrassing.

Wishing everyone a peaceful day. When it doubt, keep it simple. Avoid the social situation you'll be tempted to drink at, say no to the extra work assignment that will make your stack collapse, pass on splurging for the new whatever when the debt is only going to lead to greater stress, order a pizza instead of resenting cooking dinner. Look for ways to be kinder to yourself, and try to work on identifying the times when tension runs though you like a tight rope because you've signed up to do something, you don't want to do. It all starts there. Love to all

[JackieM]

Hello Everyone-

I spent my weekend doing major cleaning and organizing. I did manage to get my dogs out for a walk or swim everyday also.
While I cleaned I listened to the Bubble Hour. I don't know if anyone else here listens but it is really helping me. It is comforting to listen to others talk about their addiction to alcohol and how they escaped the trap. My mindset has changed from wanting to quit (I have been in that phase for years) to feeling more like I am entering the recovery phase. The thought of never drinking again used to fill me with dread. Now it sounds pretty awesome. I guess I have finally had enough.

Briseus-

I too ate a lot of crap food over the weekend. We can deal with that later. It takes our bodies time to adjust to the lack of alcohol and for our blood sugar to stabilize. I don't know where you are with your quit (I am starting week two) but it would really help me if you stay here and do this with me. I have dealt with anxiety and depression most of my life as well. If you need someone to talk to I am here.

I might be one of the few people on the planet who doesn't Facebook. I don't for reasons having to do with my family. Long story.

BG-

Are you on a Northwest beach? The photo you posted looks like familiar territory.

Cowboy-

It seems like you always have words of wisdom. Thank you. It's nice to know we are all in this together.

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

Jackie

[Bandit]

Hi, hope u don't mind if I jump on in here. Totally feel at home with many of the entries here, I think the first person who started this thread had joined in 2008 and had tried to quit so many times. I too joined in 2008 and ditto to the rest of that sentence. I am still here like a mouse on the wheel who never managed to get off, 8 weeks the most I managed so far in that time and that was due to something I don't even want to discuss.

It seems so incredibly easy, to be so in control of something that only I can do but yet have not achieved it despite the obvious repercussions, the husband at the end of his tether, the 2 beautiful children who shouldn't need to know, the family who would probably rather I wasn't there, the embarrassment, the black sheep. The mortgage arrears, the house that needs a shit load of work but haven't been able to do it, the knowing glances and snide comments, the bloated face and weight gain, the lack of job and lack of confidence to even try.

The list goes on and on. However, I am inspired by some of these posts, that I still can do it. I have so many times felt that I hit rock bottom, swore to quit, to only drink a few days later. I can't do this anymore. I am running out of chances and fast. Only I can solve this and I intend to, despite my quitting tendencies I know deep down I am a fighter and I have a lot to fight for.

Bandit

[MinStar]

Hello to all and welcome new quitters!

Keep trying. This may be the quit!

I'm off to night feed my son and collapse in bed. Didn't sleep well last night.
Stay strong

[JackieM]

Hi bandit-
I am sure someone with some long term sobriety will be here later to give you advice but for now I will give you my two cents.
I think everyone here has ridden the stop/start merry-go-round. It is part of the addiction. For me what has changed is my thinking. I know without a doubt I have to slam the door shut on alcohol for good. My mistake in the past has been leaving that door open a crack. I realize I need to check my ego at the door and reach out for help. This time I need to stick with it and not slip away when I feel like drinking.
I am sorry you are facing so many issues in your life right now. I think that feeling of being overwhelmed is what makes us say "Screw it-I am just going to drink to feel better". Sadly the alcohol does provide a temporary relief-hence the problem we all have.
It is awesome that you have reached out. We can do this with the help of others here. There is no one better equipped to help than someone who has weathered the same storms. I have just started my quit but if I can help you in any way please let me know.

Jackie

[abcowboy]

Geez I hate typing on my phone! These things were meant for women's fingers lol. But I am excited to see new quitters joining our thread, welcome Bandit!

I am also known as the preacher/cheerleader in this group, sometimes you'll get sermons, sometimes you'll get a pat on the back and big hug.

Back home now and on a regular tablet! Now....where was I.... oh yea, preacher/cheerleader....

I also take it upon myself to explain the Quitter's Thread rules... there's only two...

1 - Keep coming back! No matter what!
2 - We never use the word can't, unless it's "I can't quit on my quit" then, you can use it as often as you'd like!

That's me in a nutshell, my name is Bruce and I'm a recovering alcoholic, and I'm not quitting on my quit! And welcome to all who are joining our group!

[Ginger999]

Well heck, Jackie, you said it perfectly! Welcome, Bandit. Glad you refound the thread. We are so happy to have you join us in our quit! When I found MWO I lurked around for two years starting and stopping before I joined and found this thread. It had my name written all over it! Make a plan right now and write it down. What will you do when a stressor hits? What will you do when a party or event pops up? What will you do when _____? Fill in the blank. If you have a plan for as many triggers as possible, you'll be ready when they hit. Revisit the toolbox and see what you can find there. You can do this and we will be right here to help you make this your last quit!

Jackie, ABC didn't have FB either but I wore him down. LOL This site was pretty iffy for awhile and I wanted to make sure I had support in the event the site went away. FB was my connection to several people. I love getting to know the "real" life person behind the avatar. I know that's not for everybody though.

Hope everyone had a great day!

[BeachGirly]

9489 steps- gotta go around the block agsin

[Eddie196067]

Hi I come from Scotland and have stopped and started many times in the past this is day two of stopping again in the hope of that this time I can stop for good before it kills me regards Joe from Scotland

[MinStar]

Wow lots of new quitters on board- I think strength in numbers. Welcome Jackie M, Eddie and Bandit. And Of course anyone else I've missed.

Cowboy- hate typing on phone or iPad. I always have so many typos. Lol

Hope everyone is staying strong. Just came to lurk and every time I do I have to post ... Even though I haven't time to say much :-/

Back later guys. Keep strong.

[abcowboy]

Welcome to our thread Ed! Would you prefer Ed or Joe? It's nice to see another male join our group, I was greatly outnumbered! But all the ladies here are fantastic, you couldn't find a better group of quit buddies! Congrats on Day 2, keep coming back every day and we'll help you add and add to that number!

Edit: Sorry Min, missed you on the x-post! Come and lurk everyday, and keep posting! It does help!

[Ginger999]

Welcome, Ed! Do you have a plan for this quit? Head on over to the toolbox and read through that thread. (link in my signature line) It's chucked full of great ideas to help you through triggers that could spark the craving to drink. Stay close and read/post/read. The support you will find here will really help make this your last quit! And ABC could use a guy around to balance things out!

Hi Min! Glad you keep popping in. You are one busy lady so swing by whenever you can.

Morning all..... Another hot day in Central WA! Stay close and protect your quit like your life depends on it! It does!

[paulywogg]

Hey guys, welcome to the new people to the thread not much going on in my neck of the desert, just getting my steps in and keeping my head screwed on straight, wish SS would check in! 108 yesterday, let's see if we can top that today,luckily heat doesn't bug me but being cold does,so bring it on! Hope we all ha a Terrific Tuesday

[JackieM]

Hello All-

Welcome to Bandit&Joe.And hello to Minstar-I don't think I have had a chance to say hi to you yet.
Pauly-if you want another FitBit competitor I am in.I do better on steps when someone throws me a challenge.
I am at work so have to keep it short.

Have an awesome day everyone!

Jackie