I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

[IAD]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

Nobody knows how we end up like this.....it's cosmic destiny, but we can change it.......Hang around, lot's of good advice and help ! Welcome ! IAD.

[MyHeartIsDrenchedInWine]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

Hi Chard,

It's funny how wine is somehow accepted in our social circles, this means we need to be that much more careful. I would recommend you take baby steps and step #1 would be never ever drive after drinking any amount of wine. It could be a matter of life or death for your precious children and others including yourself.

I'll be thinking of you,

Myheart

[Alley]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

You're Taking the First Steps

:welcome: Chardonnay--
If you think you have a problem, you do, right? Despite all the wonderful aspects of your life. You've taken a giant step in coming here. So many wonderful and wise people. My best to you in beginning this journey back to peace. Alley

[Johno]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

Chardannay, I to have eveything, world travel,nice house,wonderful wife and kids, everything I need. This addiction drives me crazey.I wish I could drink normally but now Irealize this wont ever happen. You will find hope and understanding here, you are not alone.Keep logging on , take one day at a time, dont be hard on youself . We know the suffering and the agony of this damn disease. I am gearing up for the 30 AF challange. You may want to join in. johno I am a relatively newcomer to MWO.:welcome:

[LeBeaux]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

Dearest Chardonnay,

Ditto!

I, too, just stumbled upon this site and now I'm so glad I did. This is my first day to post replies.

We'll hang in there together!

[LeBeaux]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

Gearing up for 30 Days AF

Like Johno, I too am going to try the 30 days AF but I will wait till September 2. My husband will be here to support me then.

What is the difference between a heavy drinker and an alcoholic?

[jane jane]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

Chardonnay, I've been absent for a few months, but wanted to pop back in to welcome you, and offer total empathy! I'm a few years older than you, but your bio could have been mine, almost to the letter (except I don't run a business.) Plenty of everything good in life...including wine!

I sometimes think that the highly-functioning ones among us are really the unlucky ones: the out-and-out sloppy-passed-out drunks get thrown into rehab after family interventions! Those of us who have refined "hiding it" to a high art form can go for years before detection. To our own detriment, of course. And yet, drinking wine is so incredibly soothing and pleasant. Seductive. No point denying that!

I spent 10 days in the south of France a couple of months ago, and of course did "as the French do"--started with a chilly glass before noon, and sip right on until bedtime. It was a cooking course, but even when we were up to our elbows in flour, fresh produce, market-fresh fish, and chopping, mincing, sauteeing, whisking, and assembling---those glasses of local wine were never far away, and we ALL had a blast. I could not have imagined "going AF" for that week. It almost seemed unnatural. And at night, around our hostess' "sunset terrace" by the pool, we poured more...and it was wonderful.

I said to myself, "Well, when I get beck home, NO MORE."

Yeah, right.

[Chardonnay123]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

thanks for the encouragment - all of you!!

Jane Jane, sounds like my ideal holiday - france - food - wine and more!!

U may b right about the high functioning theory - i aim for perfection in all areas!! yeah right! must be the biggest fraudster going, because obviously I ain't and never will be 'perfect' with this thing hanging over me.

I am travelling to Paris 2moro as i mentioned earlier - years ago I would be so excited about the prospect it would have been unreal - today I feel worn out, tired, and would happily forfeit the trip - is that what AL does to u?? saps your vitality to the point when you just can't be bothered anymore!!

i need to conquer this, and sooner rather than later! I take massive encouragment from all of you, from all over this planet of ours, I will most never probably meet any of you in our lifetime, but take great comfort from the fact that I am not on my own in this!

Cheers all xx:thanks:

[Chardonnay123]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

My wanderlust!

Gia, just there - I am in love with that city and have had the pleasure of visiting many times before, but each time I find something else which blows me away!!

To me the most beautiful city in the world! I am determined to stay away from the vino and fully absorb the atmosphere - will let u know how I get on on Saturday when I return, x

N.B. Had lunch with friends yesterday and had tonic water and coffee - go girl!! - and really enjoyed it!!

[Chardonnay123]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

Are you telephatic gia, am staying in St germain de pres - as near to notre dame as I could -Rue St Bernardines - I just love that area! the lovely little restaurants, down the lovely little side streets, with the fresh air, the cuisine, and sat people watching!

I plan to walk and walk and explore 'gay paris' by foot - exercise in it's worst form.. I hope to return to my hotel and ask for a chilled soft drink?? let's see - wil let u know by sat...

[jane jane]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

Chardonnay, parlez-vous francais? Moi, j'ADORE le pays entier de la belle France! This recent trip was the first time I have not hit Paris while in the country, but it was easier to fly into Marseilles and rent a car to go to the *mas* where the cooking course was held. I have never driven in a foreign country before---usuallly I'm with Mr. Jane who is much braver---and it was quite an experience! I was smart enough to rent the car in Toulon, a much smaller town than Marseilles, but even so, leaving the parking garage and entering the coastal-highway rush hour traffic was TERRIFYING! My trusty little Citroen behaved, though, and even though I had not driven a stick-shift since college, I had no accidents and managed to survive.

Gia, it's true that the "slow-sipping" French never quite get drunk! And honestly, even though I was putting it away with them glass-for-glass, I never once had a memory lapse or a "sudden nap" (pass-out)---maybe it's because the regional wines of Provence don't have sulfites, and are a little lower in alcohol content?

I made a wonderful new friend during the week there, who has a big house in Venice with whole apartments for rent, so I'm going there for my next adventure. My younger daughter heads for college next week, so I'm definitely ready for some more "me" vacations. Might take Mr. Jane on this one, though---he likes Italy better than France anyway (silly man.)

[acadiaofmaine]

I'm here! - how did I end up like this??

Chard,

I'm new here, too, and know exactly how you feel. I don't have quite the trappings you have in your life, but alcohol seems to be an equal opportunity employer. I do have two fabulous kids who I adore, my own business, and a relatively happy marriage. Well, ok, maybe not so happy, but bearable.

I hope we can all support each other to stop making AL a treasure, a goal, something to grab onto, something to help us feel better about ourselves, something to relieve our anxiety. Surely there is more to life than this? I don't know, I've sure lost track of what used to make me tick. I think that must be the journey.

AofM