Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

[stirly-girly]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Hello Army and a belated Happy New Year to all !
Thought it about time I dropped by the barracks and after a short read back - I guess I picked a good day!

First of all - good job to both Tony and RC for being on Day 1 and doing the smart thing by coming here to post. MWO in general and the Army in particular has always been a great source of support, advice and inspiration and judging by the posts, nothing has changed. Great advice given as usual by the troops and best of luck to both of you. As KTAB said - it's hard but it is so worth it!!

To KTAB - huge congratulations on your one-year AF mark. Great job!! Another fine example that if we want something bad enough, we can do it. Very proud of you and as you said - being AF is truly life-changing in such a great way. I just wish I'd known years ago what we know now!!

Molly - congratulations on the new grand-daughter and on her Mom's continuing education. Brilliant news on both accounts!!

Mrs. A - Happy Birthday to you and my best wishes for many more to come. Again - another example of what can be accomplished when Al is out of the picture!!

Satzy - don't know what to say about young Satz. Wishing you the patience and courage to get through this til he finally makes the decision that he can't drink again. Admittedly not easy at his age. Not that that is any excuse but there is so much peer pressure as we all know.

Jackie - hoping that Jenny can distance herself from the ex and make a new start. We all know from your pasts posts that she is a strong young woman. As you said - better now that some years down the road.

Mr. G - keep on keepin' on!! So great to see your progress. It can only bet better by keeping Al out of the picture. So much to do , to see and to experience in our world.

Hiya Rusty! I get to do the airport run next weekend when younger son and his family return from 15 days in freezing, frigid Canada!!

Mary - best of luck with the cranky teenager. I'm glad I don't have to deal with that. Mind you older grandson will be there in a few years but his parents will get to deal with it not me!! I love my grandkids dearly but one of the good things is you get to send them home to their parents.

Hello to anyone I've missed and again wishing you all a happy, healthy and productive 2018. And of course, make in an AF one!!!

[tonyniceday]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Along with all the other things suggested Tony - just tell yourself it's an impossibility to drink -- today -- just today - don't frighten that poor old head by anything more than that - but today -- NO - not possible... give it a go -- once I left .000001% of an option there for myself - I was screwed -- only a matter of 'when'

Well it's 2pm and I'm still dry...never done this without meds before. I'm just telling myself it's now just 8 hours till the shops can't sell alcohol and 9 hrs until the pubs close...been out for a walk and am hoping we're going out for a late lunch soon...I've never known day 1 to be so so hard before

[stirly-girly]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Well it's 2pm and I'm still dry...never done this without meds before. I'm just telling myself it's now just 8 hours till the shops can't sell alcohol and 9 hrs until the pubs close...been out for a walk and am hoping we're going out for a late lunch soon...I've never known day 1 to be so so hard before

Hey Tony - good job!! As others have said - just one minute, one hour at a time. Don't look too far ahead. Just do as Molly said and tell yourself you can't/won't drink today.
I still remember the first night I went without AL. I didn't sleep hardly at all but I got up in the morning feeling great and so proud of myself that I had made it through the night without drinking - something that I thought I could never do again after many attempts at staying AF. But I did it and that night I told myself that if I got through the night before, I could do it again. And that's what I did every night. Not much sleep but I got up with the most wonderful feeling of relief that I hadn't drank and so proud that I had managed another night without AL. Just one step at a time. You CAN do this. Keep yourself occupied even if it's to play mindless games on your computer or watch trash TV. Whatever it takes....

[RunningCourage]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

howdydoody Arsey - - it is a gorgeous day here too - cold but sunny - it would be great for the two of you (Tony and yerself) to support yourselves through the day...

oh and btw - Jilly (daughter - don't think you met her) is doing her Masters in Education - she'll be finished in the summer all going well - she's just after having a baby tho so it's tough on her.. always think of you when she's talking about teaching - it's like she was born to do it.. bit like yourself xx

Yup - twa scots laddies daein day wan thigither. Or summit like that!

Tony - hope you're having a braw day. I need to get off my arse... tho doing lots of reading re AL... just trying to get my heid in the right place.

Did i say I was doing a masters also - similar to Jilly, hoping to finish by summer... though the amount i've done vs the amount i've to do does;t bode well (at least there are 6 clear weeks in the summer to write... which actually wouldn't be so bad... kinda like it when i get into it).

Off to hoover, then off to feel the cold.

[RunningCourage]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Well it's 2pm and I'm still dry...never done this without meds before. I'm just telling myself it's now just 8 hours till the shops can't sell alcohol and 9 hrs until the pubs close...been out for a walk and am hoping we're going out for a late lunch soon...I've never known day 1 to be so so hard before

So far so very good.

Dunno if this will help, but when I was training for my first marathon i spoke to another runner about hitting the pain barrier - a point some might give up - and he said, "just remember that this day too will end". Meaning no matter how shit a time you're having or are feeling, it will end. (And the next day will be better). Another running analogy is that with every step you take, you are closer to the finishing line - literally, one step at a time. Today, ultimately, I just want to go to bed without having had a single drink. One step at a time. One hour at a time.

Some reading, if anyone's so inclined!
I’ve quit drinking, and I’m happy to talk about it—but Britain still doesn’t want to | Prospect Magazine

The media has a problem with alcoholism – and it's stopping people getting help | Science | The Guardian

I like this one -
How I let drinking take over my life | News | The Guardian

[tonyniceday]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Yup - twa scots laddies daein day wan thigither. Or summit like that!

Tony - hope you're having a braw day. I need to get off my arse... tho doing lots of reading re AL... just trying to get my heid in the right place.

Did i say I was doing a masters also - similar to Jilly, hoping to finish by summer... though the amount i've done vs the amount i've to do does;t bode well (at least there are 6 clear weeks in the summer to write... which actually wouldn't be so bad... kinda like it when i get into it).

Off to hoover, then off to feel the cold.

Yep just trying to do things. I've applied for 7 jobs since 6 oclock this morning. Just so you know, though, I'm a fake Scot (Englishman living in Scotland). It does help being away from Mrs T. She just never wanted me to stop completely and we ALL KNOW where that leads...the friend I'm staying with is tee total and that really helps...but dealing with the end of a marriage at the same time is doublling the anxiety too

[Jude58]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Tony....tell that voice to shut the hell up! I saw a quote the other day which basically went something like this...."Let the past go to voicemail, it has nothing new to say." Sound advice I'd say. It won't be easy, but you are strong enough to do this!

[Pavati]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Hi, Army--

A bit of time this morning and I'm reading through your thread. Wanted to pipe in and say "HI" to Tony and RC to offer Day 1 support. I like the long, long walk advice as well as the chocolate. And Molly - that's it. There can't even be a 0.0000000001% chance of drinking, or I'd do it.

Happy SOBER Sunday!
Pav

[Seeker1]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Hello all, new to the Army, and been in the forum for a couple days and it is great! Glad I found you. On day 21, going abs. Anybody struggling just read some back posts and check out the awesome tools. Thanks all...

[rustop59]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Hello all, new to the Army, and been in the forum for a couple days and it is great! Glad I found you. On day 21, going abs. Anybody struggling just read some back posts and check out the awesome tools. Thanks all...

:goodjob: Seeker and welcome to the army. Wonderful supportive crowd. How are you this afternoon Tony? Hang in there, another few hours and it’s bedtime and Day1 is over. Off to the airport again :happy2:

[mollyka]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Jaysus rusters you'll need to just go live in d'airport!!!! Ah I know it saved you from yourself over Christmas - good on you
Seeker - you are so welcome to the army - we can talk shite but we can make some sense - all raving alkies in our day :egad:
AND great to see you pav - xx

[rustop59]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Jaysus rusters you'll need to just go live in d'airport!!!! Ah I know it saved you from yourself over Christmas - good on you
Seeker - you are so welcome to the army - we can talk shite but we can make some sense - all raving alkies in our day :egad:
AND great to see you pav - xx

I know Molly. Every time I’m on the M50 and I see the sign x minutes to airport I think it applies to me and half the time I’m not even going to airport! Back home and just myself and fur babies. Lovely having them all around but have to admit it’s bliss to have the place to myself. Feet up, mug of tea, roaring fire in stove and watching Dancing with the stars. Work tomorrow but glad to be getting back to normal. Sticking close in case I have any daft ideas of rewarding myself.

[JackieClaire]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Big waves to Pav and Jude and Stirls a :welcome: to Seeker

Jenny's found a wee house about 20 minutes from York and the Uni. She's just waiting for her credit checks and should be in by next Saturday.

[mollyka]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

I'm very rude had to go back and look - hadn't seen you stirly - howdy! And hope all our day 1'ers are heading soon to bed with happy sober heads - night all xxx

[IamMary]

Re: Join the Army Against Alcohol-January 2018

Evening,
Missed a day here and took me ages to catch up!
Arsey and Tony, hope your still hanging in there. Great advice from everyone here..
Heart is going out to you Satz... your head must be wrecked.

I like this one -
How I let drinking take over my life | News | The Guardian

Read that article yesterday, was actually thinking about it when Tony was talking about counting down the hours to the pubs closing.. he said:
Being sober made me think of chainsmokers whose craving disappears on long-haul airline journeys. They know they canÂ’t possibly smoke, so they just put the whole thing out of their minds.
If only it was that easy, but there is something in that.. Im a big believer in distraction for these tough days, do whatever it takes - then suddenly (or slowly), its bedtime.

Wave to all, lovely to see you Sirly and Happy birthday Anon!