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**gabby1go** · May 7, 2008, 10:11 AM

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Travis,

Come on, bore us! Sounds like you have a good plan. We had an annual wine tasting last week and I had been AL for two weeks. Luckily we had to cancel. You can do it and you have all the right tools. I will team up with you. Count me in. Gabby.

**Travis** · May 7, 2008, 11:10 AM

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OK Gabby - you asked for it. Does anyone do what I'm about to do here??? I feel like I'm going to stand up at an AA meeting shortly. I just was going to share a little about my story to see if someone else out there was in a similar position and wanted to try to work the program at the same time. (Thanks Tiny for your PM, I guess we'll put it all out here now). I am going to jump in with all the tools at once - the Supps, Meds, exercise, CDs, diet. I ordered it all yesterday and it should be here by Tuesday. Here goes...

I'm in my early 30s. I started binge drinking in high school. My dad's side of the family all struggle with alcohol addiction, so knowing what I know now, I should have watched it more closely. College was just more binge drinking - only more often and harder. After college, daily drinking was standard and in the past five years, it has gotten a bit out of control.

From the outside, I live a charmed life. Successful professional career, two lovely daughters 3 1/2 and 16 months, supportive wife. No one suspects that I have 12 beers every night when I get home, spend the first 5 hours of each morning at work racked with guilt and hungover, and the next 5 hours waiting to get home and have the next beer. The weekends are worse. I rarely remember the conversations I have on the telephone with friends and family if they occur after 3pm. Red beers or bloody mary's are standard at 8am on Saturday. If we are going out to meet friends, I certainly have two or three drinks before leaving the house. The only AF days I have had in the past two years have been those that I have been too sick from a hangover. I drive at the point where I know I would be ticketed for DUI at least once a week - with my kids in the car.

So here is the deal. I would like moderation to be my ultimate goal. It might not be in the cards for me. But here is where I would like to begin. Tuesday, May 13th, I would like to leave this life behind and begin one where I don't think about alcohol the way I do right now. I want to be able to take it or leave it, but first, I want to leave it for at least 2 weeks. Maybe after 2 weeks, I'll adjust that to 30 days. But for now, I want to be AF for 2 weeks. Feel better, look better, but I know I'm going to need someone else who is going through it too. So - anyone else out there who wants to come along with me and Tiny??

**FloridaBoy** · May 7, 2008, 11:24 AM

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Hi Travis :welcome: :new: My story with AL is similar. 14 days is a good goal, going for 30 is even better. You may be amazed at how you feel about yourself and life in general.

**KAT20** · May 7, 2008, 11:32 AM

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Travis, Hello and welcome. I have been a member here for about 8 months. I tried unsuccessfully to moderate and have begun my 30 days as of yesterday. I am here for any support or advise I can give. Some people here would tell you why wait till the 13, make it today. Even moderation till the 13 is a good start. Look for AF alternatives or try to busy yourself with other activites. Anyway you choose to begin is great though, you have taken the first step here. Oh, and my story is pretty much identical to yours with the high school to college drinking and driving when I should'nt. I'm 42 successful professional, happily married with no children, just dog children. Just thought I'd share alittle history.

**Peanut** · May 7, 2008, 02:39 PM

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Hi Travis,

If you need to have a start date in mind to work your way up to, I think that is fine. Or, if you have everything in place, you can always start sooner. No matter when you start, there is always someone doing with you. I know I had May 1 as my start date, but was AF on the previous monday, then used the next two nights before my planned start date to drink wine. I don't know why!!!! Probably because I didn't have anything in place in terms of supps and cd's to assist me. It is quite amazing how well they work.

I was thinking last night about this program and how different it is from trying to not drink for other reasons. For example, I have been on detoxes, and one of the things required is of course to abstain, and I go bananas trying not to drink wine. But the purpose is no to quit drinking, but to detox. Like dieting, in order to stick to it, you really shouldn't drink. Or going on antibiotics - you shouldn't drink alcohol. I always have had such a hard time eliminating the wine, as the purpose of the abstaining is not to stop drinking, but to achieve another goal. Know what I mean? But, with this program, with all the tools available, the purpose IS to stop the excessive drinking - either completely or to a great extent - and detoxing and weight loss and health are the added benefits. I think that is why I have been successful to the small extent I have - wow - 6 days so far - like I am such a success!!!! But I feel pretty proud. Not sure I will make the 30 days as the temptation was almost overwhelming last night, and I have also an event this weekend that practically centres around drinking, but I was not willing to put my start date off any longer - I had to act as quickly as I could once things were in place - my stomach was really hurting! Let's face it, there will always be occasions where we wil be expected to drink, and start dates can be put off indefinitely!!!

Anyway, good luck, and post and read as much as you can - it really, really helps!

xoxo Peanut

**LVT25** · May 7, 2008, 07:12 PM

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Travis--sounds like you have a plan, I think that is soooo important!! I was wondering today why we started drinking alcohol as kids. It doesn't seem like anything has changed much with the education and awareness there is now. Thinking back (way back) and watching and listening to my sons, I guess the adults that drank were having so much fun. But even the kids that grew up with not so fun drunks-drank. then in college it just gets worse--cause we're on our own now. And I was legal age when I went. I worry about my kids. I've always told them there's nothing wrong with drinking responsibly when you're 21. Any thoughts on this?

**KAT20** · May 8, 2008, 10:56 AM

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Good morning, I'm checking in with Travis to let him know I'm still on board. LVT25, now you got me thinking. I'm 41 not sure of your age. I started drinking highschool and college as well. I don't know if things are much different for our kids today. I do think the TV and music actually glamourises it more. Look at all the young celebrities. Its like fashionable to go to rebab. I know when I was younger I just thought I was having fun and now look. I suppose I would teach our young people there is a time and a place and to learn to cope with stress and other triggers. I know my nephew is 22 and he tends to drink a bit and smoke pot. I worry about him but am not sure how to approach it as I was that age once and did'nt think it could happen to me.

**universal** · May 8, 2008, 11:36 AM

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Oh my god Travis, you just described my life. I'm in - 2 weeks AF - lets do it!

**jessie** · May 8, 2008, 12:51 PM

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Hi Travis,
I am on day 7 AF today and really (but slowly) beginning to feel better. And just like you I simply did not, or could not, commit to 30 days AF. I also said 14 days and yes, I'm halfway. And who knows, maybe I feel so good after 14 days that I might go for 21, and then 30?
Lovely to have you on board.
Jessie

**chiman** · May 8, 2008, 01:03 PM

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Hi Travis and everyone else. I am new to the site but not new to the story, all of yours sound like mine on this thread as well as others. Wow, I am glad I stumbled upon this. I can tell my story another day, but I'd love to give it a shot with everyone. Something about doing something as a group gives more motivation. I am embarrassed to say the longest I've gone without at least one glass of wine is two days in a row in the past 2 years. I need a break but can't get past the cues.

Anyway, I'm in as a newbie if you'll have me!

**Muddle** · May 11, 2008, 06:56 PM

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Hi, Travis and everyone else in the thread. I just found this website today, and want to join you in your goal. I've tried to moderate on my own in the past and do really well for a week or two and then it falls apart. Last night was particularly bad (and humiliating). I get so filled with self-hatred, which probably triggers the next episode. I haven't taken advantage of any support like this before. I'm going to order the book and supplements, but even without receiving them yet, I am determined to make tomorrow Day 1. Thank you for all being here. I'll be back tomorrow (and every day after).

**matthen** · May 11, 2008, 07:59 PM

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yes I would like to tag along too.

The most I have is 9 days so far (twice) but the difference in how much better makes me want more sobriety (permanent, I am an all or nothing drunk) and less booze. This site is great. Regards,

**Angelcakes** · May 11, 2008, 08:07 PM

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Hi Travis, We have a lot in common. This is my first time here:new:
...I'm terrified (of failing) and excited (about making a change)
I'm in...

**endgame** · May 11, 2008, 08:49 PM

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:new:

Just bought the book and the Kudzu Rescue as I am coming down from another bad Sunday morning hangover. Looking forward to making a fresh start.

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