here we go

[skeeter]

I've been in denial about how much i've been drinking and for what reason. I really want to get control over this. I'm concerned that it will comprimise my health and I also want to be fully present and although the "fog" is a relief at the end of the day, I want to know I'm the one chosing.....and notbeing controled by a mood altering substance.
So, here we go. It's time for me to draw the line in the sand and make healthy choices.
I've been reading some of the comments and discussions. I see myself in some of them.
One thing I'm nervous about is any physical reactions to quitting altogether. This is making me give myself permission to keep wine in the house "just in case" and that feels like a cop-out on the other hand. Can you tell I also over think and anylize too much?!

[KAT20]

here we go

Hello Skeeter and welcome, Some more will be along soon, just wanted to say hello and that I think over analyzing is part of me problem anyway. So, your not alone. Talk to you later.

[fairyfeet]

here we go

Hi Skeeter

I'm only on day 2 but I know if I have any AL in the house I will drink it!
Thats just me of course, but I got some AF free lager last night, I'm a bacardi drinker myself
Have to stop thinking about it Arggghhhh! That bloody bat!
Good Luck to everyone today

[skeeter]

here we go

are you taking anything for withdrawl? I don't have anything yet and just found this sight this morning. can I really just go cold turkey? I just don't want to have my body go crasy on me.

[KAT20]

here we go

Skeeter, I take a multi vitamin, B12, vitamin C, Milk Thistle, magnesium, fish oil and now Cymbalta. I am by no means any expert I was a heavy daily drinker for at 10 years and a binge drinker before that. I did not have any withdrawals and I finally had to go cold turkey as moderation was no longer a choice for me. Find a good doctor you trust to talk about it. As well, look under the meds section for advice from the folks who really know this. Look up Beatles threads as well.

[Nia70]

here we go

Welcome skeeter, I drank quite a lot on a daily basis.

I bought the starter pack from here and I have been religiously taking the supplements now for 11 days with no withdrawal symptoms. I dont know what it may have been like without them to be honest. I have seen a couple of posters here who went completely cold turkey so they be able to share more about it?

I wish you luck and strength of mind.

[Ripple]

here we go

Hello Skeeter! nothing bad about going sober! its actually fun. (somewhat). you will laugh more than you ever did drinking, thats for sure! :goodjob: and welcome to sobriety!

[Lotus]

here we go

Skeeter

Welcome to MWO.

Start by reading the just starting out section. There are supplements that you can take to help craving for alcohol (kudzu and L glutamine). I'm not too sure on the medications side to help with withdrawal symptoms but I always say that downloading the book is a good start.

I personally wouldn't keep any alcohol in the house as I know that I would find any small excuse to drink it. My hubby does drink beer at home - but although I told him to not drink in front of me the first few days, I'm ok with it now.

Keep reading.

[skeeter]

here we go

mind battle

Thanks for the support. It's 5:30 and all I can think about is whether or not it's a big deal to pour a glass of wine. Might be a good indication of a problem....you think(duh).

So, who is in control of me? Me? or AL? I feel very stupid, and right now with the mind battle it is very dissappointing that I am in this situation.

Hoing for the best tonight.

[vera-b]

here we go

Hi Skeeter,

I'm a newbie myself. But I confronted my problem a year ago then went to the Dr., who put me on Campral. That worked amazingly well for the physical cravings. However, the mental part slowly crept back and I found myself back in the bottle. Then I found this site and got to work. To make any plan work, mix equal parts determination, tools, and support. The determination is up to you, the tools and support are right here. I found RJ's book and cd's to be particularly helpful. You'll need to talk to your Dr. about meds and whether or not supps are a good thing for you. Many of the posts I've read here are from folks who swear by the supps.

So, before you beat yourself up for not being a non-drinker (you're in good company!!), arm yourself and visit this place often. It's sure helping me. I've never seen a universe of such caring people. We just happen to care with a little dark cloud behind us at times.

V.

[Miss Behaving]

here we go

Hi Skeeter and welcome!

I'm one of those who has learned not to think too much (or would that be obssess??!) about things as well. For now I'm trying to use my brain power for more productive things (like work - maybe I might make up for the years that I worked in a hungover fog!!!!)

Re physical withdrawl symptoms - I think there are symptoms and symptoms. If you are really concerned you should talk to your Dr. However, there is a diference between your body going crazy and it not being comfortable with your new life!!

I was really worried about withdrawal last year when I went on a self-development course that involved no alcohol/cigs/drugs/i-pod/cell phone - at that point I had been drinking heavily and on a daily basis for about 20 years. I managed just fine, and it was that experience that made me think I could get back in control of this horrible thing. It has taken me a bit of time to get to this point ...... but found this site not long ago and its the best thing since sliced bread!

I've felt a bit anxious, irritable, teary at times, a bit foggy in my head in the early days, some difficulty sleeping (even though I've been really tired) ...... but the physical and emotional symptoms have not been unbearable. Sometimes they have led me to have slips ... but with the support and encouragement of people here I've managed to find it in myself to pick myself up again.

The flip side of the physical stuff is that I'm finding that my energy levels are increasing, I'm making more progress with my fitness goals than I have done for years (I had been putting lack of progress down to middle age!!) and - joy of joys - last night I had an unbroken nights sleep for the first time in about a hundred years!!

Take a rain check on the wine for tonight! Try it as an experiment and just see how it feels. I can promise you that the feeling that you will have when you get up in the morning and know that you managed to do stay AF even if just for one day, will give you such a buzz!!! And knowing that you've made it one day will give you the courage and strength to do it again.

Have a good evening!!!!!

mame



for me (after about 20 years of heavy drinking)

[Cinders]

here we go

Skeeter,

There is a link at the top of this website about symptoms and when to seek help.

How much have you been drinking a day?

I agree with Lotus, download the book. It is the place to start. It is an inexpensive download.

It really does help to know some of the things we are going through physically. The mental part we all have to work on. It is great to alleviate the physical symptoms with the supplements, because that sure gives us the physical and mental strength to fight the mental battle.

Good luck!!

Cindi

[skeeter]

here we go

keeping busy

so now it's 7:30 and I haven't given in. my dh brought home mexican food (so I wasn't tempted to drink and cook - one of my favorite combinations.)

I've been trying to just move past the thoughts and stay present and busy with the family.
Many nights I already have a glass already in proccess and feeling the need to hide it.

I want to be on the other side of this. I want to be the "after" story. I guess that is going to take time and determination.

I keep logging on and ready and updating....whatever it takes.

[skeeter]

here we go

I was posting while you were. Thanx ladies.

The amount varied. sometimes I would wait it out but then I would drink 3-4 glass = 1 bottle fairly quickly. other times (more recently) I would pour a glass and just keep it like a slow IV through the the evening. Just enough to keep a fog relaxation going.

Yesterday I was stressed getting my house ready for our small group meeting and about an hour before they arrived I had started drinking wine (excuse=I wanted to relax and not be a stressed out hostess.....hmmmm)

[Cinders]

here we go

skeeter,

At your consumption rate it would surprise me if you have serious withdrawals. Still, if you feel them coming on, get to an ER. You don't want to mess with having a seizure.

I would have felt really proud if I had only had one bottle a night.

Of course, I did need to get meds to withdraw.

Stay strong tonight, you can do it. Your only issue may be sleep. Lots of us have trouble sleeping at first. There are many things you can do to help, though. Melatonin, L-Tryptophan, I take a prescription drug called Trazadone (I take half of one) but only if I feel I simply cannot sleep, Benadryl, otc sleep aids. (Not all at the same time, of course. You just need to find what helps you.) This gets better over time and suddenly you are sleeping through the night and waking up feeling really good. It is called sober. It is awesome.

Join us on the ODAT thread. (One day at a time) in Just Starting Out. Really good group of people there and we are all fighting this.

Cindi