Newbies in Need ODAT

[Taking Control]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Great thread.

I will not drink today.

tc

[The Londoner]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Hi Everyone
I like this thread, especially as I have reached what Finding rightly calls the vacuum-30 days, what now? So i will keep coming back to this place ODAT until I decide what to do with myself (to drink or not to drink etc). I wish all the newbies all the luck in the world and if I can help in any way, even if it's just to listen, I will be checking in every day until I go to Italy October 4-9 so PM me. This applies to Oldies too!
FYI, I achieved my 30 days by going vegan, with sups but no meds-it worked for me, but we are all different!!
take care each and everyone-am going to send you all loving thoughts

Anna x

[retteacher]

Newbies in Need ODAT

I love the sharings on ODAT. We can do this for today.

[magic]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Hey ODAATimers.......

I am so sad you are all struggling with this. I wish I could wave a wand and make it all go away......

I know that rehab is not an option for some of you. I am truly sorry for that. If it IS an option, please consider it. It is a valuable tool in this fight in more ways than one.

We are all broken here, emotionally, spritually and physically. The breaks take many months, if not years, to repair. Our addictions have hidden them, or so we think, and once we come clean, the breaks we have tentatively glued, start to wiggle, and we fall apart.

Why do we think that now that we have 60 days or 90 days or 1000 days AF that we are any better able to deal with the breaks than we were before the demon alcohol suspended us in time?

Yes, we can break habits, we can fill our time differently, we can make new friends...all of these things are important. We can take medication to supress cravings! DETOX!

But until we look at ourselves closely, our close relationships, our environment, our stresses, our triggers, our childhoods and our own mental health and make changes where they need to be made we are doomed to make the same mistakes over and over again because nothing has changed, really. We are still that same broken person trying to glue together the cracks with flour and water.

It is SO hard to look at these things when you are standing, living, sleeping in the middle of it all. This is the blessing of rehab. You get away. You are with you. You are with people just like you, for real. In person! LOL. You are no longer isolated. You are better able to see your life as it really is, not as you would like it to be.

Change is scary. Really scary. I know.

So tonight, when you all have made it through another day sober, remember that Magic is proud of you. But I want you to tell yourselves something else. If you continue to drink you will die. A simple thought really but it worked for me. So I made changes, at all costs.

October 18, 2004 was the day I had my last drink. I didn't want to die.

I honestly wish that I could come and take each of you by the hand but I can't.
I honestly wish that I had all of the answers for you but I don't. I can just share my experience with you hoping that it may help.

Courage, strength and wisdom to all who struggle.

m. xx

[MyOwnWoman]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Wow. Thanks Magic. (I think)

[wantrealmeaning]

Newbies in Need ODAT

hi everyone,
i read a lot but don't post much. i keep trying and failing. hence having to start odat tomorrow. i have a lot to say about the many ways alcohol abuse has effected my life, not only my life, my childrens life. its all in my mind scrambling to get out, just can't find the words to articulate it. probably because along with cannabis abuse (which i don't smoke anymore) i have about 2 brain cells floating about in my mind and they're fighting with each other. the difference between everyone here and myself is that i believe you are functioning alcoholics/problem drinkers. i don't feel i am. if i don't beat this bastard soon i'll end up loosin more than my self esteem, which i don't think i have ever had. i really need to post in my story to help you understand where i'm coming from. its not a pretty story and i'm not looking for sympathy, please don't think that. i want to share with no judgement. you all seem to do it so eloquently and articulary. do any of you think it would be weird if i wrote like a life story in 'my story' in chapters. i need to spill my guts, so to speak. bet you all think i'm a right weirdo, well suppose i am a bit, i just want to share :l
i don't believe i'm about to post the above bollocks
i hope i haven't messed up this thread for anyone.
my main reason for posting on this thread is to say i'm gonna continue coming back to odat for however long it takes, but even more than that i want to let you all know, and i mean all, believe me i've been all over this forum. you are all such wonderful people, i cannot express how much so many of you have touched my soul, even people who don't post anymore, i find myself wondering how they are and hopeing and praying that they are ok. i'm not a very educated person as you can probably tell but i do care and wish everyone the very best that they can be. you are all such special people.:l
if i'm not too embarrassed i'll be back tomorrow for another day 1 af
please excuse any spelling mistakes
much love to you all
want
xx
:h

[Guest]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Hi want........post away to your heart`s content..........we`ve all been exactly where you are now. Look forward to hearing from you tomorrow.

Much love,

Starlight Impress x

[MyOwnWoman]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Wantrealmeaning... you have no need to feel embarrassed whatsoever. In fact, you can feel good about the fact that you are ready to open up and share your story and do whatever it takes to get control of your life.
Spill your guts... do it, you'll feel better and more ready to make the needed changes.
I'm glad you are here.
One day at a time....

[bloggy]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Hi Wantrealmeaning

We are all here for the same reason regardless of education, writing ability or articulateness- There! I bet that is not even a word

I for one have not been very functional for the last few years, I am only in employment now because my bosses are out of the country for 90% of the time, and I have managed to pick myself up a bit recently- believe me this time last year I was totally unemployable and totally non-functioning.

I too look forward to seeing you tomorrow and think it would be a great idea to do a 'My life Story'.

[magic]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Ssssshhhhhh......treeeeeeee

I know you know this. And you have made major, much needed, very scary changes.

You are a very brave woman and I applaud you! Your changes were costly but in the long run I predict a beautiful, blooming woman who belongs to herself and no one else!

Stand up, you guys, stare those people who harm you in the eyes and say "piss off, I will no longer allow you to hurt me in this way". Just like MOW did!

YOU are all worth it. You are all intelligent, warm and caring and the world awaits what you have to offer it. Your children love and need you. There are good people waiting to love you too.

m. xx

[magic]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Hey Want,

You know, you're a soul I think about often. And Marry too.

When I quit I wasn't functional at all. Some would argue I'm still not. Joke, sort of.

Keep writing, sometimes it helps to make sense of it all.

m. xx

I'll get off this thread now. :l

[Finding My Self]

Newbies in Need ODAT

This is such a lovely thread - such warmth.... I know you can feel it Want so please post your story..... shorthand, grammar...we'll sort it out and read it fine....we want Want!

Just ODAT firmly Anna for a couple of days and then you'll be back into your stride of 'normal ODAT-ing'!!! . I thought I'd fall off a precipice at 30 but it was ok....! Hang in ther

Love and hugs all round....
FMF xx

[Chief]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Great thread... I think we are all ODAT for the rest of our lives and I don't mean that to be depressing, just realistic. I think we HAVE to always realize we have the potential to slip at any time, whether we're 3 days AF or 3000.

Want: Please keep reading and posting..you can say anything you want here. No one is going to judge you or think you are wierd. We are all in the same boat and all have our own stories. Don't be shy. We love to help eachother because it also helps ourselves. Make going AF a challenge to yourself and know you can succeed with everyone's help.

Today is day 46 for me and I'll never forget how I felt and thought 47 days ago. I won't let myself. Everytime that dirty rotten Beast puts those glamorous pictures of drinking in my mind I think of how I felt, looked, and thought 47 days ago. That's all it takes. The Beast is caged.

I'm glad and proud to be a part of this group..

Press on everyone...ODAT

Don

[MyOwnWoman]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Wow Don, are you really at 47 days? I remember when you started and how you struggled. How inspiring!!

I'm feeling SO much better today (than I was yesterday when I posted OUCH OUCH). I get my daughter back tonight (she's been with her dad last 3 nights) and I can't wait to see her. Before I get her I'm going to my first board meeting for an organization that works to make affordable housing available to people in our community. I've been invited to serve on the board. I'm excited to be doing something new, challenging and rewarding (it's a volunteer position).

By the way, I am not going to drink today.
hugs to you all.

[Cinders]

Newbies in Need ODAT

Want,

Please post. Your story is so much OUR story. You are the same and yet unique. Do not ever feel ashamed or embarrased. We are here for you. So many came here in such sad condition and have boosted themselves out.

You can, too.

We are the hands reaching out to you.

You are one of the hands reaching out to us.

:h
Cindi