How long did it take....

[flyinhigh]

How long did it take for you to finally get "THERE"?

To the place where you were able to go continuous days of no drinking?

I did 13 non-con days AF in March and so far 13 non-con days in April...but I seem to get three/four days in and then BAIL! I am taking Glut and normally have a will that is so strong, but it seems the more I think about AL, the more I want it! I am hoping to have a 30 day spree soon, and hope for more than that in the future.

I am surrounded by REALLY GREAT people here who are AF and MOD. Thank you all....

Though, I am curious, how many times did you fall before you were able to pick yourself up and get back on the wagon and get that seatbelt set right?

I want to fly...but seem to have clipped wings.....

[Accountable for Me]

How long did it take....

I think it varies for people. I believe that one day you just say 'this is it, I have had enough of this garbage'.

The only thing I can say is to keep on trying. If you are bailing after 3 or 4 days, which seems to be the norm for many, then try to add another day on and then so on.

Keeping busy is also important.

I am not a good example for giving you any advice. I had over 5 months of consecutive AF days last year, but I have fallen a few times since then.

Just keep telling yourself you deserve to be free, and keep on trying.

[4theboyz]

How long did it take....

Flying,

For me not only did I have to want to get "there" and I had to really want to *stay* there. That was the defining moment. I toyed with the idea of stopping for over 4 years and never had the courage to take the plunge. It finally got bad enough where I needed and wanted to stop. Both were acutely strong motivators and I don't think I could have gotten this far with out that intensity of those desires which outplayed the desire to drink.

One other component in retrospect was a real distraction was the concept of moderating. Moderating was something foreign to me and still is. As I read about people moderating a drink here or there, only added to the extreme burden I was undertaking. I could suggest you give yourself a bit of a distance or break from your mod associates as their ability to do what may appear easy, we all know can be all but impossible for many including myself.

You can do it and it only requires effort one day at a time which will quickly add up to many! Good luck!

[FallenAngel]

How long did it take....

The best part is...we can get "there' from "here"

flyinhigh;315461 wrote: How long did it take for you to finally get "THERE"?



I want to fly...but seem to have clipped wings.....

My sweet Flyin :h... my my my... you ask the hard questions sometimes! lol
For me...it took till the end of my drinking days to get "there". One night it finally dawned on me that I was "there"...that this was "it"... and I was finished with drinking. Of course I was scared, frightened & worried about what was in store for me... but I knew one thing: I WILL NOT DRINK...not matter what. So bring on the tantrums, the crying spells, the loneliness of feeling like I lost my best friend... bring it on... I might not handle it with grace 100% of the time, but this is a promise that I made to myself that I will not go back on. You see, I have broken so many promises to myself over the years, I really didn't hold myself accountable for anything anymore. When I finally quit smoking, I learned so much about fighting addiction, that I grew into a new person... one that was strong...determined... and one that could keep their word. When I quit drinking last July, which btw, was the first time I have ever decided to quit... I knew that I had to keep this promise... it's more than a promise of sobriety... it's a promise that I have made to the most important person in my life... me. And if anyone thinks that sounds arogant.... you are mistaken. Recovery is a very selfish act.... at first. We must take care & love ourselves first & foremost... before we can pass that on to others.
There can be days when my sobriety doesn't seem that important... but my promise always does. I can't even imagine how I would feel if I ever decided in a weak moment that this promise meant so little, that it could be broken . But, that is something I never have to worry about... my mind has been set on nothing less than success... I take it one day at a time... and I always keep in mind of what the big picture of my quit means...the promise to myself, and also how it is dedicated in someone else's honour... a promise made to them too, which I must uphold for my remaining years on this earth.

Maybe we get "there" when we realize the truth of what we are really doing to ourselves, and know that "this" is the time to finally quit the madness & do something about it.


maybe not "clipped', maybe more like feeling "grounded" for once in our lives

[My New Beginning]

How long did it take....

Flying
I know it took me many many slips before I could even reach 3 days AF. I'm now at 10 and it's not easy but I'm determined and the support here is wonderful. It helps me if I take a Kudzu around 5 p.m. which is the trigger time to drink wine for me.
All I can say is to just keep trying and you will get there. You've got to want it though. Let's just do ODAT together for today. After all, today is all we really have anyway.
Be strong.:armsaround:

Love and Peace

[hotmom]

How long did it take....

Waiting for my kudzu rescue for a month now. I'm a new member and I've been using the waiting as an excuse to continue my bad habits, wine every night, 3-4 glasses. I wish that stuff would come but I know that it's gonna take more than that. This nightly wine ritual is so engrained with me. I've been doing it for years; used to be 1 or 2, then 2 or 3, and so on. It's my reward and consulation for getting through the day, even if I had an easy day. As I get older, I know that this behavior will catch up with me. Funny thing is that I have become so health conscious in every other way, eating, exercise, vitamins, yoga. I really want to get rid of this monkey on my back. Word of wisdom?

[My New Beginning]

How long did it take....

Hotmom
I know exactly how you feel. You eat right, excercise, etc but continue with the wine. I am the same way. The Kudzu has really helped me alot. Did you order yours from MWO because I got mine in a week or so. Maybe it depends on where you live.
Just keep trying one day at a time. Try not to think about tomorrow or next week, etc.
Read alot here and post as well. Lots of support out there. Best of luck to you!

[Ripple]

How long did it take....

it took this long for me..

after 90 days things became lighter as the tension lifted and knew this was to be a life long adjustment. Was afraid to try drink due to so many medications..:boohoo: would have vomitted terribly. Commonly close to like kicking butts out of your life, 90 days things became much better. :wings: continued change is constant, it only gets better for those reading for serious help. :thanks:

[Guest]

How long did it take....

It took me some time(over 6 months) - I tried the Glut, Kudzu, Amino Acids, Topa but needed to get to the point where I had had enough. Went to Rehab just used low dose librium to prevent me going bonkers!

Since I came back I have started Campral, use some GABA and L-Glut most days. Hi-protein diet and back to my old fitness regime. Plus I love AA meetings at last!

That's my combination.

[tlrgs]

How long did it take....

hi fly..it took me a long time to get where iam today. to lose everything i love and wanted the most.to try to kill myself and wake up the next day. have try to many times .but the last time was what it took me.that night i woke up only to see myself laying there thinking to myself am i dead.and from that day i have never had any al to drink. it has been "THE LONG ROAD GETTING SOBER"and it hasnt been easy sleep is a bitch at times and yes it is all worth it at the end.it has only gotten better from day one.life is better now for me . sure am not rich buti have my life back and thing dont aways go the way you want to but its life. am still waiting for hand book to come out "LIFE FOR DUMMIES 101"but really there is no easy quik fix ..all we can do is this. take what we got and work on it make it better for ourself o one else .. one day at a time .

and if you start today for a limited time you will resea a life time of love from me and fallenangel and all my way outers... peace and god bless your buddy roger

[greeneyes]

How long did it take....

*am still waiting for hand book to come out "LIFE FOR DUMMIES 101*

That is a classic!

[flyinhigh]

How long did it take....

was just figuring out today that my idea of quiting was for my family, my friends, my students...then wham it hit me....i need to quit for me...i need to do this for me.....(gulp), how do i become selfish? this is a whole new concept....
then i got home and sat down to read my favorite magazine The Sun and this is what I read....

" But the important thing is not the finding. It is the seeking. It is the devotion with which one spins the wheel.....If this machine gave you the truth immediately, you would not recognize it, because your heart would not have been purified by the long quest."

whoa...then three seconds later I read:

"Enlightenment is not an attainment; it is a realization...."

Just thought I would share....thank you all for your insight...i truly get it...it's journey and I need to pack some snacks and good music 'cause I get the impression it's a long bumpy ride. Buckle up!

[cmhguy3]

How long did it take....

Flyin,

Great question and also great responses. Helps me today as well.

Guy
PS Life for Dummies, a much needed book!

[greeneyes]

How long did it take....

I think it's helensback's signature that says I wonder whey the frisbee is getting so big... and then it hits me.

[Captnjack]

How long did it take....

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Dear Greenie you have made my day never noticed Helens sig but that is just bloody wonderful as I have been the recipent of several large discs to the head that I did not see coming
am LMarse O. (Dear flyin there seems to be no start line it just begins and never ends a journey aptly describes it for me luv to you take care)

simply wonderful thanks
Cap