Ready for Change

[nodnink]

Hi. I am new to the community! I started drinking in college and now that I am an adult I find I am having a hard time leaving the 'partying' behind. I am sick of drinking because I dont have moderation control so usually I end up feeling sick the next day or doing something I wish I had not. I welcome any advice or friends as I really want to stick to my decision to quit drinking for at least one month and then try moderating. I planned my start date Jan 2, 2008.

:new:

[Mike with a dream]

Ready for Change

Nodnink, I also started drinking in college, but it got progressively worse. I'm now 50 and recently (5 days ago) once more stopped drinking. I CANNOT drink in moderation. Problem is, I don't get sick. That's a very bad sign. You're young enough that you probably haven't done any damage to your body. I wish I'd quit when I was 26, but it was only the start of a downward spiral. Quit if you can. Use meds if you think they'll help you to drink in moderation, I just know it's not a good idea for me. Good luck.

[betty boop]

Ready for Change

Nodnink, :welcome: to MWO ......

This time last year I started my real AF spell, January 2nd .......

Guess what????? It works......... I now moderate instead of getting hammered every day .......

But you really need to want it, If you really do, than with the help of the people here you WILL do it ........

Love & Hugs, BB xx

[Long Road]

Ready for Change

Do it Now

If U think that you are finding it hard to stop now, just read through these postings. People from all over the world are screaming for relief from this monster. You are on the verge; but you have a choice. Quit now. Any excuse will do: Allergy, contra-medication, or even better, "I feel like I might end up with a problem" That's an excuse that may help us all.

Help Yourself, help us,

Do It Now

[Mattje]

Ready for Change

Hi Nodnink,

Today's my first day here. I've been thinking that I need a change, that I need to sober up because I drink every day and well, except for a few years-years ago, have been for half my life. I'm 38. It's time to grow up, time to enjoy the other things in life that alcohol has kind of overtaken.

I'll match you day for day, starting January 2 if you like.

M

[Anthony66]

Ready for Change

Hi. I'm new here also, although I've been lurking, reading posts for several months now. I'm ready to quit for the last time. I have a good relationship with my doctor and he knows I've given up on AA so he doesn't expect that of me, but is willing to keep working with me. I had gone through an inpatient detox back in February and remained sober for 3 months going to SMART Recovery meetings and taking naltrexone. I made the mistake of thinking I could be sober from alcohol and get high every now and then on pot. Big mistake, that just lead me back to drinking and I drank over the naltrexone and then finally quit the naltrexone.

Previously I had gone through a 28 day inpatient 12-step based program when I was 25, that was 16 years ago. I tried AA several times but never made it to six months. I'm now 41 and am now much more aware of myself and seriously sick of the way I'm wasting my life with drinking.

Tomorrow is my start date. I'm not going to do the last big party on New Years Eve, I've done that enough times. I have four days off of work and I'm going to use that time to detox and focus on sobriety. My doctor has given me a few days prescription for Lorazapam to deal with any withdrawal symptoms and has also prescribed Campral. I've also been taking supplements for about a month; SAM-e, HTP-5, Omega oils, L-glutamate, b-complex, milk thistle and multi-vitamin.

I quit smoking nicotine last August and have made it a year kicking that addiction (with a little help from Chantix), and most agree that nicotine is a tougher addiction to tame than alcohol. I'm hoping that experience is a lesson that can help me because it took me 6 or 7 serious quit attempts with cigarettes before I was able to get a year. I've easily have had 5 or 6 serious attempts at kicking alcohol, I'm hoping this time is the charm.

[planetjanet]

Ready for Change

Hi Anthony66 & Nodrink,

Welcome & I too would like to join you guys on January 2nd AF day count. I have been with this program for a few months now and I too, fall into frustration of not being able to remain sober and then get discouraged and it's the old binge drinking episode....sheesh it's really getting tiring. Thank you for taking the right step in sharing you stories with us and I look forward to hearing your progress, as I will do the same....we can do it!!!!

Big hugs,
Janet

[Mattje]

Ready for Change

Hi Anthony,
I would say that nicotine is definitely the hardest thing to quit; I used to smoke, but it's been years. Looking back on how I thought of it, I always assumed it was part of my personality, part of my daily routine and habit. It was difficult, but I started new habits, new routines.

Beer has been a routine for me for way too long. I can have one or two hard drinks, a glass of wine, and be done, but beer...I'm a slave to it, I admit it. Part of it is the routine. I come home, open a beer. I can do chores while drinking beer. I can walk the dogs while having a beer. I can pretty much do anything--from the time I get off of work to the time I go to bed--with a beer.

And that's a problem. It's a problem for my wife, thus it's a problem for me. So I'm working on it.

Tomorrow's a good day to start, Anthony. I've been cutting back for the last week, and after spending some time on this site, I'm ready to go for 30 days alcohol free. I know I can do it, I'm looking forward to it.

All of those supplements sound like they'll help. I take a multi-vitamin, b-complex, omega, and drink plenty of water. That's helped me just feel better all around.

[Mattje]

Ready for Change

Hi Janet!
I'm really encouraged now. I feel like I'm about to run a marathon, and all of a sudden there are people with me that want to do it also.

January 2 it is.

M

[kingfisher]

Ready for Change

Ha nodnink i wish you all the luck in the world. My experience has been some people can moderate and others can't. If you don't have it now don't expect it to magicly show itself in a month without some outside help. I think I would try with some anti craving assistance.Good luck @ best of the season to you my friend.

[satori]

Ready for Change

MM;245722 wrote: ........edit......Part of it is the routine. I come home, open a beer. I can do chores while drinking beer. I can walk the dogs while having a beer. I can pretty much do anything--from the time I get off of work to the time I go to bed--with a beer.

That used to be me too!

But - as in the words of Guns 'n' Roses

"I used to do a little - but the little didn't do it
So the little got more and more"

Don't look at this as a marathon - it is more like interval training.

Lots of the time you will be doing things that mean you are not thinking about alcohol.
Now and then you will hit points where you crave alcohol.
These points are the only time you need to work hard.
Just concentrate on NOT drinking at these precise moments - a minute at a time if necessary - until the craving passes - and it WILL pass.
Then you are back in "cruise" mode until the next craving hits.

The good news is that the more time AF you get, the fewer cravings you get, and the easier they are to deal with.

Good luck

Satori

[Mattje]

Ready for Change

Good advice, Satori, thanks.

It is true that for me it is not a constant struggle, for which I'm thankful. I've been through the constant struggle, like a lot of folks have, and it is a slow process.

But, it's just like anything else. Put one foot in front of the other, be aware of the present moment, and do what you need to do.

[Shikakai]

Ready for Change

Long Road;245675 wrote: If U think that you are finding it hard to stop now, just read through these postings. People from all over the world are screaming for relief from this monster. You are on the verge; but you have a choice. Quit now. Any excuse will do: Allergy, contra-medication, or even better, "I feel like I might end up with a problem" That's an excuse that may help us all.

Help Yourself, help us,

Do It Now

Damn! Monster is right!

I wonder why is alcohol even LEGAL with all the misery it causes.

I had to take a traffic school course (driving without a seatbelt) and the booklet says alcohol is a DRUG! I didn't know that!

I thought drugs were illegal. I hate to think that everyone who are NOT alcoholics should be penalized just because I can't control my intake and go overboard, but what if alcohol was illegal as it was in the days of Prohibition?

I told my friend about it and he said it would be very quiet in America without alcohol.

[Shikakai]

Ready for Change

Anthony66;245715 wrote: Hi. I'm new here also, although I've been lurking, reading posts for several months now. I'm ready to quit for the last time. I have a good relationship with my doctor and he knows I've given up on AA so he doesn't expect that of me, but is willing to keep working with me. I had gone through an inpatient detox back in February and remained sober for 3 months going to SMART Recovery meetings and taking naltrexone. I made the mistake of thinking I could be sober from alcohol and get high every now and then on pot. Big mistake, that just lead me back to drinking and I drank over the naltrexone and then finally quit the naltrexone.

Previously I had gone through a 28 day inpatient 12-step based program when I was 25, that was 16 years ago. I tried AA several times but never made it to six months. I'm now 41 and am now much more aware of myself and seriously sick of the way I'm wasting my life with drinking.

Tomorrow is my start date. I'm not going to do the last big party on New Years Eve, I've done that enough times. I have four days off of work and I'm going to use that time to detox and focus on sobriety. My doctor has given me a few days prescription for Lorazapam to deal with any withdrawal symptoms and has also prescribed Campral. I've also been taking supplements for about a month; SAM-e, HTP-5, Omega oils, L-glutamate, b-complex, milk thistle and multi-vitamin.

I quit smoking nicotine last August and have made it a year kicking that addiction (with a little help from Chantix), and most agree that nicotine is a tougher addiction to tame than alcohol. I'm hoping that experience is a lesson that can help me because it took me 6 or 7 serious quit attempts with cigarettes before I was able to get a year. I've easily have had 5 or 6 serious attempts at kicking alcohol, I'm hoping this time is the charm.

So I may really have to turn to a drug to get over this, huh?

[Shikakai]

Ready for Change

planetjanet;245719 wrote: Hi Anthony66 & Nodrink,

Welcome & I too would like to join you guys on January 2nd AF day count. I have been with this program for a few months now and I too, fall into frustration of not being able to remain sober and then get discouraged and it's the old binge drinking episode....sheesh it's really getting tiring. Thank you for taking the right step in sharing you stories with us and I look forward to hearing your progress, as I will do the same....we can do it!!!!

Big hugs,
Janet

Yes, welcome to both of you... it is frustrating, Janet... it's almost like a roller coaster.

I better get a grip. See you all later