Joined Yesterday

[kriger]

Joined Yesterday

Thanks to Wild, Healer,Tlrgs,KBCE,Wally and sothankful,
I didn't make it through last night without AL but I did sit with my husband watching him drink for three hours before I had my first beer. I haven't told him what I am doing (I plan to in the next couple of days); I know he noticed. We both have a way of coming home and "pounding beers". I drank far less yesterday than the day before and I think I will cut even further today. I have to taper off day by day, not cold turkey. I woke up this morning and did not drink before work-that is making a huge difference in my day. Today I will get started on ordering all the supps and cds I need to really jump into the program. Thanks again all of you for your warm and supportive welcome. I plan to be an active participant. kriger

[kriger]

Joined Yesterday

Thanks to Sheep, vlad, astraia and vera-b,
I didn't see my second page of welcomes before I wrote the last post. It is such a warm feeling to know how many people are heartfully "rooting" for your success. I feel as though I have a long way to go but now I know I'm not alone; thanks for giving me that feeling. I know my husband will be supportive and I think it will even help him cut down. If I can quit and he can cut down I know we will have a very different life indeed! Thanks again guys and have a GREAT day!

[AstraiaJ.]

Joined Yesterday

Way to go, Kriger. You know, I started back in June and assumed I would be AF and that would be it. In reality, it's taken a little at a time, in fits and starts (although everyone is different of course). At first I would go 2 days AF before I would have a drink again. I thought I had failed, but then got more encouragement from people on this site (the "sticky-just like a swimming pool" thread has been incredibly helpful in thinking about that -- just because you go back temporarily doesn't mean it's over). Then I could do 3 days in a row, then 4. Right now I'm up to day 9, going on day 10, a new record for me. The total effect is that from the beginning of June until now, I have been drinking a LOT less and I'm beginning to see the results. I'm not on the "my way out" whole program as designed, but I have read the book, am taking supplements, and l-glutamine seems to be really helpful for my system, anyway, for the cravings.

I agree with vera-b, we have to pull out all the stops and give it our all. Every little bit can add up! AstraiaJ

[kriger]

Joined Yesterday

I would love to say I could go 1 week without a beer, but so far I can't make it 24 hours. I did drink far less yesterday than the day before and I intend to drink less tonight than yesterday. I have cut out the morning and afternoon drinking both of the last two days. That, alone, has done wonders for my frame of mind. I don't have any supplements yet and I don't have the CDs (I really am hopeful about the hypnotherapy). I can get all that stuff when I get paid tomorrow. I am proud of you for your progression into almost 10 days in a row without "any" alcohol!!! When you go 9 or 10 days AF what happens to you after that- do you drink a lot or just a little and how long do you do in between before you start your AF days count again? I just can't imagine having no alcohol to put me to sleep at night. I have a mind that seems to wake up and start racing when my head hits the pillow (unless I have had enough to drink). kriger

[Dazedandconfoosed]

Joined Yesterday

I am in your boat with you here Kriger. I thought I would do the tough guy approach and just cold turkey with no help. I made it to about 20 hours and the physical withdrawl was horrible. I finally broke down and asked my Doc for a little help, he gave me ativan. HUGE help.

[kriger]

Joined Yesterday

Dazed,
Are u planning to get Topamax later? I hope you get through the withdrawals; if I recall correctly, you don't go back to work for a few days. Do you think that will work out for you? Will the environment be a temptation for you? This is So much harder than I thought it would be-do you feel that too? I'm glad your Dr was able to get you something that is helping in this totally tough time. When did you start your quest for sobriety? I'll be watching for your posts; we all need to hold each others hand (virtually) through this journey! kriger

[vera-b]

Joined Yesterday

Hi Kriger,

Good for you for all the inquiries into the program. The more we know, the better we can make sure it works for us as individuals. You mentioned the hypno cd's. This has been key for me. I believe if you tell yourself something over and over, it's got to have some impact (how many times did we tell ourselves NO WAY could we go without a drink?). And to direct the messages to our subconcious can only help internalize the message and make it feel natural, not forced. That's how it's worked for me, together with other aspects of the program and THIS SITE. There's just no substitute to connecting with a world out there who has felt every emotion, thought every thought, and fallen in love with a liquid poison that we have.

Good luck - will look forward to reading your posts!

V.

[mwo2]

Joined Yesterday

For me also it is the MWO program that is working for me.
Glad you are getting the book/supps/cds. Calmes which you can get in the starter package or at least read about in book will help with anxiety and sleeping.
I am day 33 AF and am going to just keep on keeping AF!

Drink lots of water with lemon or lime! (I'm the water police) It really helps flush everthing icky away.

[Dazedandconfoosed]

Joined Yesterday

kriger;372980 wrote: Dazed,
Are u planning to get Topamax later? I hope you get through the withdrawals; if I recall correctly, you don't go back to work for a few days. Do you think that will work out for you? Will the environment be a temptation for you? This is So much harder than I thought it would be-do you feel that too? I'm glad your Dr was able to get you something that is helping in this totally tough time. When did you start your quest for sobriety? I'll be watching for your posts; we all need to hold each others hand (virtually) through this journey! kriger

I was supposed to go back today but my Doc refused to release me while I was on the ativan. I am hoping to go back on Monday. Make sure you get a Doctors note and document your time off btw. I started in earnest on Monday. I normally drink a 30 pack a day, since Monday ive drank 14 beers. The Kudzu has helped and the ativan has helped big time. I am no expert but getting past the initial physical shock is my main goal right now.

[gyco]

Joined Yesterday

hi kriger,your in the rite spot,if your pickin up to function 1st thing in the mornin ,your on the wrong track,it led me to a sanitarium,eventually your guard will come down,or the effects will over whelm you,even some of your co workers may get concerned and snitch,then wammo,thats where it took me,keep comin here, great place gycops i forgot the best part your freinds or even your partner mite leave you

[AstraiaJ.]

Joined Yesterday

Kriger's questions

Kriger,

At first when I would only go 1, 2 or 3 days AF I would go back to the normal amount of AL when I drank, which was a lot (see bottles crashing in the recycling truck post!) But I remember the first time I made to day 5, my husband and I went out to dinner and had a couple of drinks, and I thought about (craved about) getting more on the way home. However the night before I had finally had a halfway decent night's sleep, and I thought, do I really want to wake up again at 3:00 am all wide awake and sweaty? We decided we would both go home (he had finally decided to cut down too by that time), and if we really really needed something, one of us would run back up. Well, once we got home we were so tired we went to bed. That was a big milestone for me.

Speaking of tired, I remember askiing myself what you are asking yourself now: how will I get to sleep without it? At first that was just plain hard. My body seemed like it was screamng, "Are you crazy? Of course you can't, so just get over it!" Everything seemed like it was working against me: I was anxious, thick-headed, and all of the things the "My Way Out" book (what a godsend that was) said I would be. But, like I said, it got better. I couldn't believe it the first time I slept through the night. The little victories begin to add up.

This may sound like all I'm saying is that you need willpower -- I am NOT saying that. It does take willpower, but I also believe that my addition is physical (probably also hereditary in my case), and there is no shame in getting meds, supplements, hynp-CDs, whatever we need to get us through the hardest time. I don't hesitate to accept medication for the flu, so I'm not going to turn away from whatever is helpful for ME, now, because this is just as physical.

The final thing I did was to stop watching TV in the evenings at first (and still -- I want less and less to watch it). This is because TV was one trigger to drink. Instead I thought about all of the things I used to enjoy doing before AL took over my life -- even things I used to do as a teen. I am filling my life again with these things now, and I feel like I am getting my life back, getting things back that AL took away. I hope this answers your questions.

Keep on keeping on, you CAN DO IT!

[kriger]

Joined Yesterday

Astraia,
I don't think I ever saw your post until tonight and I have been drinking tonight. I am totally unhappy with my actions, but I do know that all of my friends here have no judgement. i an so grateful for that! Thanks for your encouragement- it is so appreciated. I will probably continue to drink tonite to my dismay, but tomorrow will be different. I don't have topomax kudzu or the cds. The kudzu is in the mail and I plan to order Topamax online. Maybe I will have a better Fri next week. kriger

[AstraiaJ.]

Joined Yesterday

kriger,
You've got the attitude -- just keep trying. We have ALL been there in those early hard days. It took me time to make it one day AF, then two days, then I kept building. You may do it that way, or find a different way -- we're all different. But it took time. As I said, you have the attitude to keep going, and you'll get there -- just keep it up. Keep your focus looking in that new direction, and if you trip once in a while, put on a fresh band-aid and just keep going!

[Dazedandconfoosed]

Joined Yesterday

Kriger, it sounds crazy I know, but going out in the heat is helping me alot. After just a couple of walks around the block I am so thirsty for water that beer is the last thing on my mind. I still drink a few beers later but not nearly as much. Today I got up and was of course bored so I started drinking, 3 beers later I felt better and used that better feeling to go walk the dog and do some yard work. It is almost 6 now and I havent had a beer since then. The kudzu is helping of course, maybe once you get your kudzu you can try this method. Just remember to drink alot of water, you are already dehydrated.