Anyone in the First Week of Their Unpteenth Quit?

[Lizann]

Daisy, even though there was a relapse, you still have all that sober time! Don't put yourself down. This is an up hill journey and any[/B] day without al is a major achievement, in my book anyway.
Have you guys heard about these places where your at? I guess it's like ceramics, they show you how to paint a particular picture and you bring your own wine. You're right daisy, I can't paint when I'm sober!
Have a good one. Check back later.

[All done drinking]

Good morning folks,

We are in Southern CA on vacay and went to a tavern type restaurant for dinner and they were having a painting party next door. It's those things in life where quitting can have moments of feeling really challenging because it is the concept of (bring your own bottle and have fun painting) and I struggle with viewing it as a fun thing without drinking.

I also have had a headache almost every day. I know with severe drinking one gets so dehydrated that the body absorbs water from the brain! My episodes of severe (once a year) were 7-9 drinks so I really don't think I have major health issues from drinking. I quit because I knew I had loss of control at times. Loss of control is the true hallmark of alcoholism. So anyone not admitting they have a problem or fighting the fact that they do, needs to take a good, hard look at that. Are they in control of how many once they start always? I used to observe people without problems like my husband or my girlfriend Brenda. They will have their one glass (maybe two) and then they are all done. No craving or severe urging for more. No sneaking a 3rd drink once home because there's a left over bottle of wine in the fridge and they just can't say no.

Bri, sometimes I fantasize that maybe I could just have one glass when we're on one of our fabulous vacays where we have access to an executive lounge. And then reality hits how that "one" glass would put me on the path of back to where I was. I have shared that I quit for 7 years back in the early 90's. The first time I drank was a pretty controlled environment (family around the dinner table and had a glass of wine with them). I then made the decision I could be a controlled drinker as (after all, I had been able to be abstinent for 7 years!) The first night I really drank was a GF out event. I had 6 glasses (I am tipsy on 2, drunk on 3) so I was very drunk and told the driver her husband was a D$%^. Well, he was, but I never would have said that if I hadn't been drinking. You think I would have gotten realistic that night that drinking and I are like oil and water. But I didn't. I had taken that first drink and I was back on the highway to hell. Bri, I hear you beat yourself up here and there about your relapse and I just want to share that I believe we are all here in life to educate and help each other. Your relapse helps me now because it is such a wake up call of how we can have good AF time under our belt and fall victim to that (stinkin' thinking') AA term I do like. So, keep up the good fight with us Bri! Even my decision to quit is the same in the fact that I could beat myself up that I couldn't moderate and feel bad about it. I choose instead to look at it as a lesson for others and maybe someone else will get realistic to the fact that they are being delusional like I was. When they get that DUI, or have that life event that they wish hadn't happened because they blew it that one night, because they couldn't control the amount of drinks they had once they started, maybe it will be easier for them to say "I'm all done."

And with that...I am all done drinking...that's for sure.

Addy (All Done Drinking...Yes!):love:

[ToMyHealth]

Just dropped by & saw your question, Bri, about CBT. Don't know what that is. Only thing I can think of is Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and no, I do not.

TMH

[briseus]

Thanks Addy - you're right...what is the point of continuously beating myself up for the relapse? It doesn't change the fact that I was sober for most of 2014...it doesn't take away anything that I learned..it doesn't take away all the productive things that I did...it was a slip...brush it off and move forward, right? Geeze, I do like to dwell on the past. Man oh man.
I think it's because I was doing so well...and now I have to start over...and with each time it gets more and more difficult...and right now I am dealing with a lot of "issues"...and I am feeling overwhelmed...it's almost as if I am "afraid" of sobriety...afraid of being successful, afraid of moving forward because all I have ever known the last 5 to whatever years is that I'm a crappy person and this and that and everything else negative under the sun that I could say about myself. I'm ugly. I'm fat. I'm stupid. I'm a failure. Etc etc etc.

But at least I am back here, right? I keep trying because I do want this in my heart of hearts.
Day 10 for me tomorrow anyway. And it's true, others can learn from me...from my successes and my failures.

Nothing is thrown away...it can't be erased...it's still there, just gotta pick up where I left off.
Thanks for that Addy. It was helpful.

[Lizann]

Just a quick check in for me. Cravings today but I managed to ward them off. Hope you're all keeping strong.

[Lizann]

Oh my, where is everyone today? Long day at work for me. Hubby came to lunch, so that was nice. about to take the dog for a walk. It's a beautiful evening here,
No plans yet for the weekend, and that's not definitely not a good thing. Was going to head to the beach, but I think it's gonna be really hot and the traffic will likely be bad.
What is everyone doing this weekend? Any suggestions for me?

[briseus]

How are you Lizann? Did the cravings subside??
I am not sure what to suggest. So am going to just throw some random things out there that I would like to do this weekend. Lol.
Strawberry picking! Are strawberries in season? Ok....anything picking! Lol.
Try a new recipe!!
Go shopping.
Go fishing. Start a blog. Organize something.
Get one of those coloring books for adults that are apparently calming. I totally wanna try that.

My...I don't have any real exciting suggestions. But it's a start!

[NoraC]

Bri - I love to color. It is relaxing!!

Liz - nice that hubby came for lunch. My hubby used to do that when he could drive.

[briseus]

That's that! I think I am totally going to go for it!! I just wonder if the markers or crayons or whatever comes with it.
It's funny. I remember when I got Barbie coloring books and they were $1-$2. Now I'm going out to get a coloring book and spending $15-$25!
Just crazy how prices have increased. But hey, anything to get my mind off my anxiety and off of alcohol.

[Lizann]

Thanks for the suggestions Bri! I love to color. When my kids were younger and we had to fly I would color with them as well. I was terrified to fly and it did relax me some. This of course was before my al days. My husband actually bought me an anatomy and physiology coloring book. I think I still have it. My favorite thing is colored pencils! Perhaps I will do that tomorrow. My sister is coming over and we will hangout by the pool.

[briseus]

That's a great idea!! I can totally see it now (if only I had a pool!)...make a big batch of some funky type of tea - iced of course...add some bubbly water to it with lots of ice cubs or frozen fruits (what I call my mocktails, lol)...sit by the pool, get my tan on and colour the day away while listening to some great music. Sigh...
Maybe I can do that by the river here near my place.

Also, that is a GREAT idea too!! An anatomy and physiology colouring book!? I am currently studying that...so think it would help me tremendously, going to go on Amazon now and see what I can find.

[NoraC]

Ok - I do seriously love to color. :redface::chuncky: I have an assortment. I have a big box of Crayola crayons. Must be that brand. I have a box of colored pencils. I have so many coloring books - color by number, etc, etc. It's really fun.

Oh and also an electric crayon sharpener.

[briseus]

I think I need to get me to the art store tomorrow for sure! Now I'm on a Doodle kick! Ready to colour and doodle the weekend away! LOL!

[Lizann]

Bri, that sounds like a wonderful idea, but I think I will make pink lemonade instead. I'm hoping she will bring the dog too so my Lucy will have fun too. My kids still color to this day even though they are in their 20s when we fly or sometimes during a church service, so I can "borrow" one of their books. Are you back in school? How exciting. Hubby and I are both in the medical profession and had to study anatomy and physiology. Honestly, it was a fun easy way to remember stuff, coloring. Let me know how it goes, may I ask what you are studying?
Nora an electric sharpener, I am jealous! Are you going to the gym? Sissy asked me to go with her this morning and I would've but it would be a guest pass and that turned into a huge deal. I will walk on the treadmill(ugh) or wait until the evening to walk.
I was feeling kinda down yesterday with the prospect of nothing to do. Bri and Nora, you guys made me smile and I thank you for that:love: Have a good one.

[open halo]

Have been away without access to internet, but I am AF and feeling ALOT better. Hope everyone is doing well, wishing everyone a great weekend. :hug: