My acceptance

[spiderpig]

Hi everyone,

Well here I am actually coming to terms with things.

I have accepted that I have a problem and it needs action.

I have ordered the book and am awaiting its arrival when I shall read and go from there.

I have told my wife and she just agreed with me.

I am sitting here with a beer, and will not take any drastic action until book arrives except a subconscious desire to reduce.

Not sure if I will mod or go AF yet.

I know it wont be easy, but hopefully things will be good, maybe I will sleep better as not slept good in years, hopefully feel better and not be a threat to my health.

I'll try best to stay on 'wagon' as it was called in my forces days, but if I fall off it, I'll get back on again.

I expect to have a few attempts, I stopped smoking about 15yrs ago and that wasnt a first time thing, but i was successful in end.

My type of drinking is only at night and if only 1 or 2 fine, but then I get taste and after a few more I'm just hungry for more and more, its like an appetite I cant suppress.
I never have just 1 or 2. usually 7 or 8!

I have only had about 2-3 AF days in last 5yrs, so 30 days may be hard, but lets face it, any AF days is better than present.

My wife says she will help, I told her of this place so she will prob lurk n read my posts, which is fine, she may even post herself, which would be nice.

ok I'm now also looking for any others who may be lurking and want to start and do this with me.

I'm thinking on 1st Sept as my attempted start date, dont know what day it is even, but its a fresh start and easier to count from 1st month, and also time to psychologically prepare.

So anyone thinking on doing it, chip in and lets get some momentum going to build up confidence for D day.

September club now enrolling.

I owe this to my 2 daughters, to be a good father, and to be a better husband to my wife.

SP

[vlad]

My acceptance

Hey, spiderpig - wanted to wish you all the best in your plans - I've been on the site since June and I'm trying to pysch myself up to go AF September. Been AF twice before for 50 then 40 days, been trying to mod... admittedly I've managed to go from drinking several beers and half a litre of vodka every night to just 2 beers (that's still nearly every night!) but I know when opportunity arises I will still drink too much. Trying very hard to be AF today.

[gyco]

My acceptance

hi pig,wow recognition,im not bein sarcastic,gosh you sound like me,hahaha,the only thing is i dont have a problem stoppin,its stayin stopped,and like u,i still,even after bein in a hospital[sanitarium],1000 miles away from home,30 days,dont no if i even want to stay stopped,i do sympathise with you tho,been thro AA for years ,good for som,not for others,even tells you that on page 20,but when your in a sanitarium,you dont get the rt to make a lot of decisions any more,u just tend to agree,so you can get out,tht my freind is what can happen,when the booze gets to much of you,i tht id rt this little senario for you, i owe tht to you and others not because im unique,,and by the way,you cant and probably wont do it for the kid and wife, they like mine hope you dont die tryin,and that my freind is the worse senario,i just got over the nie month hump,as i call it,not that ive looked,i havent found a better site and they havent kicked me out yet ,hahahha great place ,stick around here ,it can only help gyco. ps leave a message if you want to chat on chat or send emails ,it works just to unload somtimes

[gyco]

My acceptance

yo pig,you cot my attention,i noticed you also cot ones, and vlads to,if any thing try modding,1st,up to sept,comin off booze is not what its cracked up to be,i had seisures in the end b4 i stopped,i would hate to see somthin happen to you,and i dont even no u,and there are a lot of people tht can advise u, im not a doctror,and by the way if you happen to get a doctors opinion on yur alchohol use,ask them how much time in class they spent on it,most get very little gyco gees i hope this makes u sit back and think

[Bandit]

My acceptance

Hi All,

Can I join the September club too?? - September 1st is a Monday I think so good day to start a 30day AF stretch!

I had been trying to go AF for 30 days there recently but had a few drinks after about two weeks. I have so much on this month, holidays, parties etc. that I had been thinking that September would be a good time for me to start again- kids back at school, back to normal routine etc...

I am interested in ordering the supplements and the CDs but probably won't be able to do that until first week in August (pay day!) - has anyone any idea how long they might take to arrive to Ireland??

:h
Bandit

[LVT25]

My acceptance

Hi Spider!

I'm glad you decided to join us. I started here the end of February. I had read My Way Out, purchased the supplements and cd's. Everyone recommended 30 days AF, but I thought I was ready to try moderation right away. And I did cut way down--from 8-10 beers almost every night to that many a couple of times a month. Then a very near DUI when I should NOT have been driving at all--I decided that was it, I just can't control my drinking in a social situation. My main objective was to quit smoking--and it is absolutely necessary for me to stay off the AL to remain Ciggie free.
Anyway, the mere thought of going 30 days without any AL kind of sent me into a panic at first, but here I am on Day 57. Now the thought of drinking again kind of sends me into a panic. It feels so good to be AF. In so many ways. I'm starting to entertain thoughts about having a beer once in awhile, but so far, the desire just hasn't been there.
It's great your wife is supporting you. My hubby drinks quite a bit of beer--he seems to stay away from me more lately. But it will be ok. I'm enjoying my sober time with my kids right now!:h
Welcome and nice to meet you!

[A Work in Progress]

My acceptance

Good for you, spider, and all who are enrolling in the September club!! Best wishes to you and I have the greatest expectation that this will be a fantastic (difficult but WELL worth it) experience for each of you!

wip

[startingover]

My acceptance

Good luck SP. Looks like you have a plan and that is a great start.
I wish you well on your journey. You won't regret it. Anyway, most things that are worthwihle are tough to achieve.
Best wishes
startingover

[Doggygirl]

My acceptance

As a wise "Chief" once said to me while giving me a much needed swift kick in the rear...

"What's wrong with starting today?"

Not to poop on the party, but I really believe in our addicted minds that setting a "quit date" over a month away is equal to subconsciously saying "Whew!! We just dodged that bullet!! Now we can drink for another 1+ month!!"

At least that is the way my mind has worked for years and years of knowing I needed to stop, and not stopping.

DG the Party Pooper
Day 68 AFHF

[Theme2be]

My acceptance

Good for you~

The shipping took two weeks almost to the day as I recall.
Thank the heavens this site is few seconds away.
Amazing Grace.

I understand what LV is saying. Failed twice when I attempted to systemize it by a day and such. Yet, it was still a wonderful few day experience that in retrospect I cling to with hope to be in that place again.

I am happy for you that you have the support of your companion.
I am a late night(for the most part) off to myself isolated slam em' down drinker.
I often wonder if I had a partner, would it make a difference to have someone by your side. The only person that knows is a best friend that likes the drink as much. Yet, has not hit that level where withdrawls is so vile.

This is the only place that I feel safe enough to be open and honest and not be judged or pressured to put myself into a system that is rigid.
Wishing you the best there is, and I am hopefull as each day arrives that something will kick in and assist me to overpower this dreaded monster that lurks, stalks and awaits it time.

Good thoughts towards you, Spider~

[universal]

My acceptance

Theme2Be - i also have wondered many times if I lived with someone if I wouldn't slam em back so late at night on my own as I seem to self medicate the lonliness at that time also.

I too would like to join the September club.

Count me in.

Love and Hugs,
Uni

[iAmBecoming]

My acceptance

Spiderpig,

Congratulations for taking this first step to a better life. Between what you wrote here and in the other topic, your drinking history seems to be pretty close to mine. I'm certain that once you get over the initial hump and get some alcohol free days in you'll have an enhanced perspective on your relationship to alcohol.

Something to keep in mind: as an ex smoker who tried to quit for several years, I noticed my mind playing the same tricks on me to keep my alcohol habit going as it did with smoking. This may end up being the same for you so be watchful. Another thing to keep in mind is that if you screw up, don't fall for an all or nothing attitude. If you slip up, don't be too hard on yourself. This is going to be a process.

I'm really happy to see that your wife is aware of what you are trying to do. It's probably going to be easier on you to try to do this in the open instead of in secret.

Remember to visit here often. Even if you don't have time to post, reading can help to keep you on track.

[IAD]

My acceptance

good luck spider pig ! IAD!

[iAmBecoming]

My acceptance

Doggygirl;370824 wrote: As a wise "Chief" once said to me while giving me a much needed swift kick in the rear...

"What's wrong with starting today?"

Not to poop on the party, but I really believe in our addicted minds that setting a "quit date" over a month away is equal to subconsciously saying "Whew!! We just dodged that bullet!! Now we can drink for another 1+ month!!"

At least that is the way my mind has worked for years and years of knowing I needed to stop, and not stopping.

Everyone is different, but I tend to agree. When I was trying to quit smoking I used to set quit dates. Guess what this caused? It caused me to go overboard as a last hurrah until that day arrived, which of course just ended up feeding the cycle.

If a quit date must be set, I'd advise tapering down until that day comes. This will serve two benefits: 1) helps to keep the meantime from becoming a period of binges. 2) bad physical withdrawal won't be a worry.

[johannbaby]

My acceptance

Spiderpig good for you making the decision!! I would join you on 1st September but I made the momentus decision at the weekend that as of today I would drastically cut back my intake from a bottle of wine practically every night to one on a Frid and Sat only. If I fall of the wagon then I will let you know and can join you on 1st Sept though!!!!! I was at a funeral last week of a 21 year old outdoor instructor who I'd met in a Christian Activity Centre where he instructed. I was there with the youth groups that I help with. He was such an inspiration to me and his death has made me realise that you only get one shot at life and I don't want to waste anymore of it in a bid to knock back as much wine as my body can take. Last night being my "last night" before my new regime showed me that I really do have a problem because I finished one bottle and opened another one and drank all but one glass of it too - slippery slope me thought..............
Good luck for 1st Sept..............