90 days ago:
- I had been drinking every day , gradually increasing the amount for 15-20 years. My *regular* nightly wine intake was between 1/2 to 1.5 bottles (averaging about one bottle per night). And that was just for week nights. Every weekend day, the BF and I would drink 5+ bottles of wine & champagne together. The morning after, I would have to have a beer with breakfast just to feel OK and to not shake.
- Every night was a sweaty battle to stay asleep after waking up thirsty at 2-3 a.m. -- a fight that I often lost, and laid in bed, riddled with anxiety. And did I mention that when I did get to sleep, I used to drool on my pillow? Lovely.
- I humiliated myself and my boyfriend on several binges, and trust me, I did it spectacularly.
- My memory was getting really awful. Once, I forgot to retrieve my card after using an ATM machine. The memory loss was starting to affect my work, too. I joked that it was because I was "getting older" but deep down, I knew it was the AL.
- I was getting weird pains in my abdomen, and was afraid to get them checked out by a doctor.
Then, I quit. I quit because my life had turned to hell. I quit because I was overweight, disgusted, embarrassed, depressed, and anxious all the time. I quit because all i looked forward to was another drink to make me forget about everything for a moment. I quit because I didn't want to die young or lose my health (which, to my horror, was happening before my eyes). I quit because people like you showed me that it can be done, and you offered me your hand without any judgment.
Today, I have my Life back -- my health, memory, vitality, and happiness are restored! It's like waking from a bad dream. No more pains or anxiety. I sleep like a baby at night and wake refreshed.
I hope that, if anyone out there is thinking of quitting, or is struggling, you'll read this and know that you can do it, too! If it doesn't work the first time, get up, dust your feathers, and have at it again. Don't ever doubt that it's worth it.
:h Love and thanks to everyone, here. I have come to cherish you all.
LilBit
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