spinning out of control

[geranium]

It has been along time since I posted anything. In the summer I really got my act together, stopped drinking, excercised, felt really good and in control. Since then its all started again and I feel so disappointed. I have a very long day ahead and I havent slept the night, racked with guilt. I feel sick and very hung over and this is the first time really since last May that I have felt this bad
Why did I do this to myself?
I just want to crawl under a stone and hide:upset:

[SKendall]

spinning out of control

Hi, first, stop being so hard on yourself, get back on the wagon and drink a lot of water and vitamins today. I do understand those guilty feelings, been there and done that, but I feel so much better these days.

[Boss.man]

spinning out of control

It's the AL talking, and the AL making you feel bad. Just get back up, go exercise, get through the first couple days and you'll be right back on track. IMO it's easier the 2nd, and 3rd time (and 16th... etc).

[geranium]

spinning out of control

ok, thanks for that. Have to get the kids breakfast and take them out. How long does it take for alcohol to leave your system???

[Tiresias]

spinning out of control

geranium;500065 wrote: ok, thanks for that. Have to get the kids breakfast and take them out. How long does it take for alcohol to leave your system???

Like metabolism, it varies from person to person.

Most find some relief from LOTS of water and your pain-reliever of choice other than alcohol.

Best of luck to you.

[Seacailin]

spinning out of control

Hi Geranium
I am glad that you are here. AL has a way of convincing us sometimes that we do not have a problem. I heard a guy at a meeting say, "I have a disease that tells me I do not have a disease". That is so true. You have had AF time before, and you can do it again. I think it varies how long it takes for AL to completely leave your system. The body metabolizes one ounce per hour. You can search it out on Google. We are here to help.

[Boss.man]

spinning out of control

geranium;500065 wrote: How long does it take for alcohol to leave your system???

I spent some time researching, and here are some of my results. I'm not a doctor or anything, but I'm a curious person who pursues a topic until it all fits together in my mind.

Alcohol leaves your system in less than 12 hours. The byproducts acetaldehyde, acetic acid (vinegar) and acetone (nail polish remover - really) can be maintained by your body for 24-36 hours. Your muscles can burn acetone which is also a product of fat metabolism so dieters burn acetone. If you've ever felt your muscles go "hot" after drinking, or find exercise bit different the day after drinking, you are probably feeling your body burning acetone rather than glucose (blood sugar) which comes from food.

Unfortunately, Alcohol suppresses natural serotonin production, and messes up your levels of dopamine, GABA and other key neurotransmitters. Your body is built to use very small amounts of these chemicals, and Alcohol tends to overwhelm the natural system. Once overwhelmed, your natural production can go offline, or into hyperdrive, or swing between them, depending on the chemical.

Low serotonin is associated with depression. You can't sleep with low serotonin, because sleep comes from melatonin created by your pineal gland from serotonin. Taking a melatonin pill can help sleep. You should also consider supplements to counter the "depression" of letting your body restart natural serotonin production.

For most people 7-10 days are needed to allow your body to come back into stasis. It's not unusual to take 30-90 days, and lighter drinkers do it in just 2-3 days.

For me, the key indicator is when you are able to go to sleep naturally, and sleep soundly, then your body is free from the after-effects of Alcohol.

I put together some notes in this document. I badly want to rewrite it now. But here it is anyway. It looks like I'll be snowed in tomorrow so maybe I'll get my chance to re-arrange the text a bit.

http://www.box.net/shared/static/t81snedyvi.pdf

[Ask For Help]

spinning out of control

HI Geranium;
I just wanted to add my "good job on coming back and posting". That's the first step to getting where you want to be. There is a lot of support here t counteract those negative feelings. I have confidence you will do well.

Bossman, great research. I love how many ways folks here reach out to help!

Fondly,

Ask

[Evie.Lou]

spinning out of control

Welcome back Geranium, I have been where you are and wanted to crawl under a rock and die.Thru this program, I am learning to LOVE myself again.Stay close and you will be able to find YOUR WAY OUT.

[BecomingMeAtLast]

spinning out of control

Hi geranium,

We're here for you :-) I hope you're feeling a bit better now.

Becoming

[Montana Mommy]

spinning out of control

Pick yourself up and try again. Sometimes Im so thankful for the depression the next day cause it lets me know I do have a problem. Good for you for coming back and trying again. Keep truckin' momma.
MM

[geranium]

spinning out of control

I know what you mean, maybe we do need to reach rock bottom again to realise that we are battling something. Just got up and didnt drink yesterday so feel good today........thanks so much for the support everyone, beats the lonely and isolated ....and shameful feelings.

[BecomingMeAtLast]

spinning out of control

Good for you for not drinking, geranium! Keep us posted and let us know how you're doing, okay?

You're not alone,
Be