Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: Newbie

Newfreeb, Thanks for your response to this post, sounds like things are working well for you... Think I might just go for it full board. They say if you devote at least 1/2 of the time to recovery, as you did to your "problem" , you've got a Helluva lot goin for ya... Sure hope that's true... Hugs Judie

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Response to topa & drinking

Hi All,

LM, you asked about drinking and topa. I didn't stop drinking right away on the topa, but at 50 mg, I noticed that I didn't feel the need to drink as much, and cut my drinking in half pretty easily. It stayed that way, except over the Xmas holidays, when I forgot my antidepressants, and was ingesting just about anything, including food and alcohol, to try to stay calm:x ! But once I was back home, I was right back. I stopped drinking on Jan 3, when I was up to 100 mg. topa. I'm now at 175 mg. The beauty of topa is that you can drink when you take it, but the compulsion is gone, or greatly lessened.

I had my first glass of wine last night when I went out to dinner. I actually left some in the glass (about 1/4 glass...NEVER, EVER did that before! Wine is way to precious to just leave like that!) when I left the restaurant. I thought it might be nice to have another glass later at home, but it was just a passing thought, and I didn't buy any wine or take it home. It means more to me to be on this program and talking to you all than risk going back to where I've been. I can see the alcoholic "stinkin' thinkin'" creeping in here and there, but when I look inside, it feels more like the result of many years of habit. I don't feel the physical craving to drink. I think I'm a long way from being free of this addiction, and I still hope I can be a "normal" social drinker someday, but I feel hopeful that I've made a good start. I think topamax is a gift, and I think that this program is a gift, as well as all the wonderful people on this site who provide support to each other.

I'm going out to a movie tonight! Sober! Yay!:lol

Hugs,
Kathy

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: Response to topa & drinking

Kathy - Have a great time at the movies.

Hey everyone - I got all my supplements today - Kudzu, All One Powder. Just need to get the script for Topa and I am on my way.

Here we are on another Friday (drinking) night. I am curious to see whether I can have one glass of wine with dinner and not have six. I have not decided if I will or not and am content now to sit here with my Diet Pepsi. It's funny - I have told other friends about my two best friends' intervention with me last week and they are incredulous. Even my hairdresser who has been doing my hair for 15 years said, "I have never even SMELLED alcohol on you!". My very best friend from elementary school (friends for 30 years - since we were 11) thinks it's ridiculous that I think that that I am an alcoholic. I told her I'm not concerned with labels - just that I want to cut back. I think my thing is during the weekdays. When I drink everyday, it just sets me up for drinking more and more. If I could just get away with one or two on the weekend nights......and be normal (?!) again.

I hope everyone had a good Friday. The weather here in D.C. was fabulous. A little touch of Spring. Nice to be able to enjoy not hungover. I spent the day with my "intervention friends". They were with me when I bought the supps and were very interested in them - especially the kudzu. I'm so lucky to have such caring and supportive friends. I don't know what I would do without them.

Let's keep in touch over the weekend. Go Redskins!!!!:rollin :rollin :rollin :rollin

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: Response to topa & drinking

Jane , Dont opt for the 6 drinks. you already know what the result of that is from experience, right? ( I sure do.) It has never once been worth it!!. Just play that tape all the way to the end in your mind, and weigh out the options, then you wont have to actually go there in real life! ..Just a thought. I wish I was going to be here to lend support, but I am leaving town tonight and will be gone for a week.

Youre right , you are lucky to have supportive friends, and you are lucky that you are able to be open about your goals and short comings and challenges with them and soak up their love and helpfulness. I envy that in a large way! For all kinds of reasons, I havent confided in any of my friends about being on this program yet. (hubby only).

And the trip I am going on is with my best friend ( a doctor) and we are both bringing our husbands and small children. We adults have done alot of (very fun) heavy drinking together,over the years,..... and I am sure it is anticipated. I wonder what everyone's reaction to the drastic reduction in my drunkeness is going to be? What will they say? Will they have as much fun? Will I?

Please wish me luck. I am bringing my CDs and all my vitamins, etc. I will report back next weekend.

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: Response to topa & drinking

Wow, Vida - That is quite a challenge! How old are your kids? Are they old enough to realize that you are drinking less? I think that when people drink, after awhile they don't realize what other people are drinking. You can probably nurse a few drinks without going overboard. It's great that you guys are all going to be together and you will remember everything that happens!

Thanks for the advice. I won't drink the six drinks, and maybe won't even drink one. I don't know. That's what I like about this program. I feel like I'M in charge.

Again - have fun and let us know how the weekend went. Maybe you can confide in your best friend after all. The support really does help.

Enjoy!!

Jane.:lol

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: Response to topa & drinking

why do people have to treat us with so little respect that when we try to confide in them re the possiblity of being an alcoholic they would belittle it, does it make them afraid? hmm theres a thot. way to go jane sounds like your almost there and youre right YOU are in control - I should be around this weekend will check in to see how you're doing - and remember, if you do decide to have 6 drinks, oh well, start next week, no one's here to judge, but vida did have some good advice as we all know how we feel after 6...... i am planning a date night with my wonderful man tomorrow night - steak and crab at a lake side restaurant and a bottle of wine - first sip since i started (at least of wine - have had a scotch ) but wine having been my drink of choice, little apprehensive. sure hope i can leave some in the glass too. good luck vida on your trip. and who cares how the others react. i dont know how you feel, but i seem to have just as much fun, in lots of ways, more at least more logical, fun sober as i did drunk. like jane says, as they drink more, if you just nurse one or two, they probably wont notice brenda did that in the book and she had a great time = she even drove home for the firsttime ever . be proud. and be free. have a great trip and will talk to you when you get back - jane, i;ll be looking for your comments have a great weekend. BF

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: Response to topa & drinking

Kathy, wanted to ask, have you been feeling any major side effects from the topa? any problems getting the high dose from your md? what movie you going to see? let me know if its any good. thats something I virtually had given up, always wanted to fall asleep half way through! duh wonder why. would be nice to see how movies actually end!!! hope you have a great evening !

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

> Re: Response to topa & drinking

Jane,
You are so close to taking this step and when you are ready you will know.. so dont beat yourself up, just listen to yourself and note when you are ready to start.


Good luck on your trip Vida

Brigid

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: > Re: Response to topa & drinking

Hi Ya'll, Finally got my Kudzu today ! I took 2 capsules like it recommends on the bottle, and felt really sleepy all of a sudden. Don't know if it was from that, or because I haven't been sleeping good (migraine the past 3 days). Feels like it might be gettin better? I made an appt. w/my GP on Mon. gonna ask about TOPA, since I have a seizure disorder & migraines, not to mention a BIG THIRST! Almost sounds too good to be real, but if it works, I'll be so, so very happy! Keepin my fingers crossed, & praying! Hugs Judie

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: > Re: Response to topa & drinking

anybody out there i f___k ed up on my 3rd scotch not losing it completely but feeling like my world is crumbling again been a really tuff day in august bought our dream home a beautiful place in out skirts with my pool and hot tob 5 acres of beautiful forest seller wanted it back offered us an indecent amount to get it back we never really thot he would really do it well he did today i should be happy we will be mortgage free why am i not tears are running down as i write this and its not the scotch although the old stand by does help the the pain did anyone else fail as bad asthis? i was on day 13 and going strong is there still hope am i still free?help.....

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: > Re: Response to topa & drinking

I'm here free,
How are you doing?

Marcie

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: > Re: Response to topa & drinking

OMGoodness!!! I can't believe this place. I have been looking for this kind of support for ages. Sorry to just jump in here but I feel like I've "come home". A dear friend sent me this site tonight and I have been reading for almost 4 hours now. I don't know if this is the right place to post this message but I've read so many great posts and this thread sparked me.
While reading I saw ME ME ME so often! I'm not special I guess. I want to control my drinking and take it from there. I am not ignorant to the fact that I might have to abandon it all together. I was a heavy smoker (2-4 pks/day) and gave that up. I have a cigar maybe twice a month tops...so i KNOW I have it in me to conquer this...or rather..GAIN CONTROL. That's all I want. Control. Over ME.

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Free

Free,
Take a deep breath. It sounds like it was a very dissapointing day. Try to think of how well you felt the last 13 days. So you had a rough day and drank a couple, that doesn't mean you aren't "free" anymore. Stop drinking now if you still are and consider it a new day. It was a minor setback and you will be back on track tomorrow.

Take care, I'll be thinking of you.
Marcie

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Re: Free

Free, you are my hero..mortage free ! Keep your head high..you're ok.

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Who's just started or really starting in the New Year?

Welcome Lilly

This is a great site with many great people who post on these boards. We all share the same issues with alcohol and with the help of MWO, we are all learning to moderate or abstain from drinking. I'd recommed downloading or buying the book and read more into the program.

Glad to have you here,
Marcie