ODAT - Friday

[Bessie]

Really pleased to catch up with everybodys positive posts yesterday. You're all stars!!
Made me feel a bit small as I am not doing so well but I am working on it. I know I will feel tons better with a couple of AF days under my belt so I'll keep on, keeping on.

Sometimes I don't want to log on here when I haven't done well but making sure I do gives me a focus and a boost of determination. So if you are a newbie feeling you can't post for the same reasons, get typing! It's the ODAT thread so only one day to concentrate on at a time!

We have no wine in the house so I feel quite safe today.

Wishing you all safe days.

Bessie xx

[patricia]

ODAT - Friday

Hi everybody,

Been a while since I logged on and Bessie you are SO RIGHT - sometimes I don't feel like logging on either because of the same reasons. Not doing so good either - probably drinking five nights out of seven but it's still a bottle of wine and still far too much. So here I am again and I'm going to do it just for today - it's the 'witchin hour that gets me. I can be so determined one minute and the very next second I've okayed it with myself! I have so much clarity in the morning and become deluded as evening draws on . . . . . . good luck everyone.

Px

[tylyr]

ODAT - Friday

I've just posted on another thread, which I don't think is the right one - never mind. I fell again yesterday, and can't understand how easy it was to give in to the temptation. I just didn't try to fight it, yet I knew how I'd feel today. I find, that once I get a few days AF, then I don't log on, it's as if I feel that I've cracked it. Yet, it's only a matter of time before I give in again, and then it all starts up. O dear, will I ever get this out of my life. The craving is there all the time, I want to stop thinking about wine. This is a rotten way to live. I know that I have friends who possibly, probably drink as much or more than I do, but they don't seem to crave the alcohol in the same way. They can last out until evening or skip a drink if they're thirsty, yet once I have it in my mind, I have to drink it - sorry for rambling Tylyr

[patricia]

ODAT - Friday

Hi all

T, feel pretty much the same as you - sometimes in the clarity of the morning I feel absolutely free when I say to myself that alcohol is out of my life but what on earth my brain is doing when I click over in a second by around 5. Unless I'm doing something in the evening I always open a bottle of wine when I come home. You sound a lot like me - we keep trying to drink but really our heads can't cope with it. I'm going to make a special effort this time . . . . . want to join me?

Px

[Blue Sky]

ODAT - Friday

Hi ODATERS

Well day 3 today but this is not the result of any determined effort on by behalf. No, to my shame it is the result of such a binge on Tuesday evening that I haven't felt at all like drinking. Feeling better today and as the weekend is rapidly approaching I know that temptation will be back soon. Like you Patricia, I know how it is to feel strong in the morning but by 6pm I'm thinking "just one glass of wine will be lovely" and before I know it the bottle is empty and another one started.

One tool I've learnt is to play the fast forward game. So when you think of that one glass of wine you think about the likely consequences (i.e drinking the bottle). Then think of all the things you want to accomplish that evening or the next day and how drinking that 'one' glass will effect your plans. I really wish I had done this on Tuesday evening because Wednesday was a total write off due to my greed and stupidity.

[patricia]

ODAT - Friday

Hi all,

Only meant to sit down at the computer for a few minutes - its now an hour later but an hour well spent I think!! Thanks for the tip - it's usually feeling dreadful that springboards me into a few days AF as well. What has also worked for me in the past is that when it comes to six I think well it's only three hours till bed and then in the morning I'll wake up without the dry mouth and feeling guilty. It does work sometimes and you know, I generally enjoy the evening far more . . . . I think I'm going to have to log on lots and lots today . . . . . Good luck all

Px

[SarahH]

ODAT - Friday

Crap, I turn my back for two days and it's whole new crew on ODAT. Where is everyone from a week or so ago?
Anyway, still hanging in there, still AF. Good luck to all.

[Cinders]

ODAT - Friday

Good mornining, ODATers,

I know well about the fight inside the brain. That is what addiction is. Our rational thinking brain knows that drinking is not good and needs to stop but the part of our brain that gives us impulses for survival has been affected by our drinking. That part of our brain tells us we need to drink. This has been well studied.

It is an internal war.

On top of that, when we abstain, certain chemicals that our brain has been manufacturing to deal with the excess alcohol continue to be over manufactured, causing us to feel antsy and restless. Other chemicals that our brain does not produce enough of because the alcohol has replaced their function are not ramped up immediately and we miss those chemicals, they make us feel good.

Some people have done more damage than others. I believe that is why some people can actually get back to moderating in time and others simply cannot.

I am one of the cannots, btw.

The only way to heal is to abstain and let your brain start to get back into balance. Let your brain reduce the amount of glutamate it manufactures so we don't feel so nervous and antsy and wired without the alcohol, let your brain get its dopamine and seratonin production back at normal levels so we start to feel good again.

It takes time and patience.

I believe one of the reasons people relapse, sometimes after years of sobriety, is that darned survival part of the brain never really forgets that it "needs" the alcohol. I am sure over time it gets less and less important to it but it stays there. Once we start feeding that need again, we quickly ramp that part of our brain back up to telling us it needs it and we are back to square one again.

I can't speak to who can or who cannot moderate in time. I know some can and have seen it here. I know many can't and have seen that here, too.

Just try to remember what you are doing before you swallow that first sip. You are reinforcing in you brain with the chemicals that you need the alcohol to survive and you are not allowing your brain to manufacture the chemicals you need to feel good. You are not allowing the journey to begin that will let you heal.

Just my $0.02.

So, for today, I hope you can meet your goals, ODAT. I know that today, no matter what, I will not drink.

Much love and understanding of how difficult this struggle is. But, it can be won and there are many long term sober people here, in mods and abs, that lead the way.

Cindi

[clockworkorange]

ODAT - Friday

patricia;692634 wrote: Hi everybody,

I can be so determined one minute and the very next second I've okayed it with myself! I have so much clarity in the morning and become deluded as evening draws on . . .

Px

That's exactly the same as me. In the mornings I will be so determined not to drink and then by the time its about 9 pm, after my husband's gone to work and my daughter's in bed, that is when I think "One wont hurt..." a bottle of vodka later it's morning again. repeat. I am determined to have an alcohol free day today!! One day at a time. Thank you everybody for being so supportive!:l


Maggie

[tylyr]

ODAT - Friday

Wonderful thought Cindi. How long have you been AF? I am really struggling with this. I can do it for a few weeks and then back to square one, I think sometimes that I just don't have the willpower. My level of drinking has been the same for years, a bottle of wine a few times a week, some days nothing, some weeks nothing. But, I am worried. Patricia, I agree, we are similar. I'm with you. Will be here later and tomorrow too. On holiday next week, I really hope I can manage the holiday - I've spoilt days and days in the past just by feeling groggy. Thanks everyone, I don't always get a response, but it's such a help

[clockworkorange]

ODAT - Friday

I'll try and go AF with you guys too ill probably be on later tonight and definitely tomorrow

[andaz]

ODAT - Friday

Hi all sorry to here some are struggling, but it is really simple, do not even have that first drink you are only 1 sip away from being a drunk. ............
It has took me 16 years of binge drinking to eventually realise this. ................Infact, all the damage in my families lives, was caused from drink. All my scars and broken bones were caused by that 1 glass of wine....................... Hospital emergency admissions, arrests, and marriage problems ,were caused by this 1 glass of wine. You must fast forward ...............it's not the start.............. but the end where it will lead you. IT IS NOT WORTH IT...........

Good luck and stay strong

[Mstall]

ODAT - Friday

Good morning ODAT'ers!

I am heading into day 8 AF! Wow! I've lost just under 4 pounds and I'm really feeling good.

Today and most important, tonight i will remain alcohol free. NExt week will be my big test, more on that later.

have a wonderful sober and free day everyone!

P.S. I distract myself my walking my dog or even laying down for 20 mins after work. My "witching hours" are from 5pm to 7pm. I find once i get past 7pm, i'm good to go.

[clockworkorange]

ODAT - Friday

Wow Mstall, 8 days is awesome! Good job! this is day 1 for me and im a little nervous...



Maggie

[greeneyes]

ODAT - Friday

ODATERS!!!!

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...box-27556.html

Handy for use with the witching hour.

Hey, if your dour hour is in the early evening, I bet animal shelters could use an extra set of hands at dinner time! Get a friend, a friend's kid, whatever to go with so you don't make the dreaded detour whilst in the car. Or talk them into driving.

I had a good time with GF at the sushi place, especially since she treated! Thursday night 50 cent sushi. Think tea party size sushi rolls. Now make it half that size. :H What I'm getting at is that the fish in the roll was as big as a pimento. Maybe. Anyway, it was good.

Don't forget about l-glute for cravings. Dump a spoonful under your tongue. But also keep it and kudzu in your system.

Just today, GO FOR THE O!! (in your dirnk tracker)