Time to make a big decision.

[fresh-start-at-36]

Hi.

[boozehag]

Time to make a big decision.

Hi 36
Welcome. You will find plenty of support here. I am on day 24 today and its been fantastic. My main concern at the outset was that I wouldnt be able to socialise any more with my gang of big drinking/smoking friends and I would have to join a nunnery or something. But that is just so dumb (on my part) and obviously its the AL trying to talk me out of doing it. After the first week or so I have been to every social occasion I normally would. I have been to the Pub, wine bar, bbq, movies etc all involving alchohol for others and have a big 50th party tomorrow night. You know what it was frightening at first as I didnt know if I could do it but its totally all in the mind. I had such a good time at each and every one and I remembered everything the day after and I didnt have anyone to apologise to. It is totally possible to enjoy oneself without drinking to excess. I know that now. I hope you too will discover this. I am so looking forward to the 50th tomorrow night as I know I wont drink and smoke and I know that as a result I will actually have an even better time than if I got pissed, smoked a pack of fags and ended up with multiple UDI's (unidentified drunken injuries that is). Why dont you just tell them you are giving up for a month just to get fit and then as the month passes you can just say you feel so well you think you will stay off it for longer or some such. Once you get a few days or weeks under your belt you wont care what anyone thinks.
ANyway good luck, keep posting.
BH

[fresh-start-at-36]

Time to make a big decision.

Thanks BH Great effort.

Hey BH.

You have done so well. Gave up the fags as well...

Damn good effort if you ask me. Keep up the good work.

I know what you mean. It is nice to actually remember the events.

Don't worry about the kids, they'll get over it.

Cheers (can I still say that?)

Brett.

[FloridaBoy]

Time to make a big decision.

:welcome: :new: too,

Good for you Brett! If you read a lot of the posts here you will find that what most of us have in common is that we cannot/should not drink...and should never have. *I* think I had this issue with AL from birth but AL is so socially acceptable that saying 'no' is not easy.
Some people can handle drinking....but I am not one of them. If it gets a little tough try the Kudzu from this site. I used to be drawn to the beer section in the grocery like a magnet.
After using the Kudzu and finding this site I don't even think about it.

[fresh-start-at-36]

Time to make a big decision.

Thanks FloridaBoy

Thanks for the warm welcome.

I too think that I had a problem from birth. I'm a very addictive personality.

I drink, get hang over. Take pain killers, get hooked on codeine.

Such a vicious circle isn't it?

All my friends & family drink. Many to excess. None of them think they have a problem.

How long have you been AF?

I'll take your advice and give the Kudzu a go.

Thanks again.

Brett.

[Wooflet]

Time to make a big decision.

Hi 36, well done on 2 days AF :goodjob:

I'm going AF next week (1 May), and while I know you wanted to hear from people who have actually done it already, I wanted to say hello to a fellow Melbournian.

Re the family birthday, I think BH's suggestion is a good one (no need to shock them all at once with the news that you're quitting for good). I've been telling my friends and family about my decision to go AF for a while (at least), and there have been very mixed reactions. Mostly supportive, some surprised that I have that much of a problem that I can't just cut down. Yesterday though one friend (who doesn't have a drinking problem) told me I shouldn't try to go AF because it's too hard and because of the social implications, ie socialising without drinking will be boring for me and make me boring for others. It kind've shook me for a minute, and then I remembered why I made the decision and everything I've read on MWO, and that AF is the only way to go for me (for a while at least). So, I guess what I'm saying in a long-winded way is that you might get mixed reactions from people, but stay strong and remember why you're doing this - to realise your full and amazing potential. And post here if you need support.

BH yay on day 24 - the big three-oh coming up soon...

Wooflet

[tlrgs]

Time to make a big decision.

hi there..:wave::hello2::colorwelcome:

[fresh-start-at-36]

Time to make a big decision.

Hi Wooflet.

Great to hear from you. Congrats on your decision fro next week. Good to hear from a fellow Melbournian.

It's amazing isn't it the reactions you get from people. I actually went AF last year for about 2 months until boxing day.

It was the best Xmas day I had had in years.

I think it was all the negative reaction I got from people on Xmas day though that set me back.

My brother in law basically told me that it was socially unacceptable not to drink.

I saw a cousin not long after and was greeted with "I see your back on the booze, I knew it wouldn't last".

People are great aren't they.

Anyway... Thanks again.

Good luck and have a great 30th.

Brett.

[fresh-start-at-36]

Time to make a big decision.

thanks tlrgs

[FloridaBoy]

Time to make a big decision.

What Woof said. *We* just cannot drink. There is another post that really hit me. It said
that when I/we drink my brain cannot or does not know how to stop...until we essentially pass out. Hey, they put beer in 6, 12, 18 packs etc. and that is how many my brain decides to have....nothing in my mind succeeds like excess..and I am a champion.

I have been AF for 30 some days. Done it B4 for months but after finding this site it will be 4 ever now. I finally realized that it was going to kill me and or make life completely miserable. I just told my friends that AL just did not work for me anymore and that I had
a monster hangover even after just a few. True...but not completely. I'm 56 and have been struggling with this since I was 16. I would stop for a while...go to a party and just get wasted. Then I would get depressed and the cycle continued.

The real issue is that people that do not have this problem cannot understand what it does to *us*. The advertising is insidious. The message is that you have to drink to enjoy life and have fun. We know we should not but we do to 'fit in' and it is to our detriment. It took me a while to get this through my thick scull. We Yanks are not too bright...look what we have for a President. :durn:

[Mia]

Time to make a big decision.

:welcome: 36. Nice to see another Aussie here. I am from Queensland and today the weather is beautiful I am just about to hit the beach to wash yet another hangover off. I am sick of drinking of it being on my mind 24/7!!!

I"ve decided to join Wooflet on 1st May to go AF.

Dont worry what people say about not drinking as someone said just say you are getting fit thats what I say and most people say goood for you!!

Stay on this site. the people are all so helpful and very kind.

[caseaday]

Time to make a big decision.

Hi 36! I feel that I have found my long lost twin brother! Our stories are so very similar in regard to drinking, friends, family and the role of AL in our lives. I decided to go AF last Monday due to the fact that everything was spiraling out of control and I was in fear of losing everything. I am now just completing day 11 and feeling much more positive. My mind is pretty clear, I have energy again, and pretty happy and optimistic.

I started drinking in my late teens and every year the drinking got heavier and heavier. Prior to 11 days ago, I was drinking about 24 beers per day but rationalized the consumption because I was paying all the bills and pretty much behaved myself most of the time. However, the mornings were so bad that I would get up and start drinking right away to feel better. I would then drink 2 beers per hour the rest of the day until I went to bed. Surprisingly I was pretty functional and kept my consulting business going.

I too came to the realization that the booze was starting to ruin my life and that eventually it was going to be the death of me. I looked back at my life and realized that everything revolved around alcohol. The people that I would hang out with, the places I would go, the time I would wake up and the time I would go to bed. It had way too much control over every single aspect of my life!

Congratulations on making the decision that you did...six years earlier than I did. You will get a lot of great advice on this site from the community. Read, learn, post, ask questions...someone is always there to help. Also, if you need anything from me feel free to pm me at any time.

Let us know how you are coming along and participate in some of the threads so we can get to know you!

[boozehag]

Time to make a big decision.

Hi again 36
Seeing as we are all addictive personalities and it seems to be all or nothing for most of us with AL isnt it possible that once we set our minds to it and just get a kick start on our way (whether that be here or drugs or whatever) we can not only kick that ALs arse but totally kick the crap out of it. Thats how I am starting to think anyway. Imagine to be able to say (even if only to yourself) I was an addict and I bloody well beat it. I cannot think of a better fight to win.
Mia and Wooflet I will join you for AF May (so that I can keep an eye on you Aussies!).
BH

[fresh-start-at-36]

Time to make a big decision.

caseaday;315523 wrote: Hi 36! I feel that I have found my long lost twin brother! Our stories are so very similar in regard to drinking, friends, family and the role of AL in our lives. I decided to go AF last Monday due to the fact that everything was spiraling out of control and I was in fear of losing everything. I am now just completing day 11 and feeling much more positive. My mind is pretty clear, I have energy again, and pretty happy and optimistic.

I started drinking in my late teens and every year the drinking got heavier and heavier. Prior to 11 days ago, I was drinking about 24 beers per day but rationalized the consumption because I was paying all the bills and pretty much behaved myself most of the time. However, the mornings were so bad that I would get up and start drinking right away to feel better. I would then drink 2 beers per hour the rest of the day until I went to bed. Surprisingly I was pretty functional and kept my consulting business going.

I too came to the realization that the booze was starting to ruin my life and that eventually it was going to be the death of me. I looked back at my life and realized that everything revolved around alcohol. The people that I would hang out with, the places I would go, the time I would wake up and the time I would go to bed. It had way too much control over every single aspect of my life!

Congratulations on making the decision that you did...six years earlier than I did. You will get a lot of great advice on this site from the community. Read, learn, post, ask questions...someone is always there to help. Also, if you need anything from me feel free to pm me at any time.

Let us know how you are coming along and participate in some of the threads so we can get to know you!

Hey Brother.

Great to meet you.

They always say that everyone has a twin.:H

I just feel so sick and tired of being sick and tired.

To be honest, I've wanted to give up for years. I've tried but that whole social thing got me back on.

I think though that I am now at an age where I don't really give a shit what people think of me anymore. I'm a bloody good bloke, if they can't handle that I don't wanna drink anymore, well then they have the problem.

I think things really hit home after my blood test the other day. Also about 2 weekends ago, I left all the bottles on the bench from the night before. (Normally I'd get rid of them b4 my wife saw how much I'd had). My wife actually saw what I had drunk and called me a piss head. I told her that she wasn't telling me anything I didn't know.

Don't get me wrong, she is very supportive of any decision that I make. I'm a very lucky guy. She knows that if it gives you a buzz, I'll get hooked.

That's why It's all or nothin for me.

When your doctor tells you that you will be dead by 40 if you don't do something, that's enough wake up call for me.

Anyway, congrats on your 11 days. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for taking the time to post.

Regards

Brett.

[fresh-start-at-36]

Time to make a big decision.

boozehag;315528 wrote: Hi again 36
Seeing as we are all addictive personalities and it seems to be all or nothing for most of us with AL isnt it possible that once we set our minds to it and just get a kick start on our way (whether that be here or drugs or whatever) we can not only kick that ALs arse but totally kick the crap out of it. Thats how I am starting to think anyway. Imagine to be able to say (even if only to yourself) I was an addict and I bloody well beat it. I cannot think of a better fight to win.
Mia and Wooflet I will join you for AF May (so that I can keep an eye on you Aussies!).
BH

Very true BH. All or bloody nothin.

I was hooked on dope for many years. GONE FOR MANY YEARS NOW!!! Thank god.
I was hooked on strong pain killers for many years. Gone for good.

You are right. It is a good feeling.

Now AL. Wish me luck wont you.....

I'm sure I'll be fine with great friends like you guys.

What's this keep an eye on us Aussies.

Pure as the driven snow us Aussies.....:H

Good luck for May.