Hi! New Here.

[FlaMomof3]

Hi! My name is Frances, and I have been contemplating and checking out the My Way Out program for about a year now. About 2 weeks ago, I ordered the book. I saw so much of myself in RJ's story, I knew this was the path for me.

Growing up, I saw my Mom pop open a beer as soon as she walked in the door from work, so I thought that was just a part of being a grown up. Once I set out on my own, I started the same pattern. First, it was just a couple, maybe three beers. I am 37 years old now, and I am up to 9 or 10 beers a night. I have known for a while that I had a problem - I can't go a night without drinking, it is pure hell if I do. I have tried taking naltrexone and kudzu, but not together. I guess I just wasn't ready to really quit. I'm not drinking during the day, only when I get home at the end of the day - so I can't be an alcoholic, right? The only times that I completely quit was when I was pregnant. I have a 10 yo DD and 5 yo boy/girl twins, and it finally dawned on me that I am setting a really bad example for them, just like my Mom did for me.

I am not only doing this for my kids - I am doing it for myself. My stomach is a mess - I have pretty bad gastritis due to drinking. I wake up every night at 3am (when the beer wears off) and can't get back to sleep. I have gained a stupid amount of weight and the diets I have tried have failed due to my drinking.

I went to my Dr today and talked to him about the program. He was on board and gave me the Topomax script. I am going to Las Vegas next week for a industry conference, so I can't start till after I get back. So - next Saturday is it. I am really excited about doing the program I have ordered the starter pack and it will be here next week.

So - hi everyone! I am looking forward to getting to know all of you and getting to know the new me!

[Lavande]

Hi! New Here.

Hi Frances,

Welcome to MWO, this is a good place! You probably already know that if you've been visiting the website for a year! It's great that you've read the book & have your Doc on board.
Just be sure to make a good plan for yourself - have you seen the Tool box (in the Monthly Abstinence section)? It's full of good ideas to help yo make your plan.

Please join us in the Newbies Nest for some extra support, we'd love to get to know you better.
You sound very motivated - I wish you the best !

Lav

[UrbanFool]

Hi! New Here.

Welcome Frances!

That first week is the hardest. It's smoother sailing once you get past the withdrawals. I also drank on a stupid amount of weight with beer, and it wasn't even because I was over-drinking. It was just good beer! I think I miss that the most (A Sierra Nevada Pale Ale) --and margaritas.

[My New Beginning]

Hi! New Here.

:welcome:
It's good to have you here, Frances. MWO is a wonderful place for support and friendship. Glad to meet you!

[sdlovespackers]

Hi! New Here.

Welcome!!
Our stories are SO similar it's scary!!!! I started the same way....having a couple beers when I got home from work (saw my mom do the same thing from time to time....didn't think much of it)....got up to about 10 a night. I have an (almost) 8 year old son...I thin the same thing...what kind of example am I setting? DO I want him to grow up thinking this is 'normal" or even have to have these kinds of struggles with it? I'm not on the Newbie Nest thread anymore but it is a GREAT thread to be a part of...I've joined the December Determination (something like that)...you should hop on there as well...we'd love to get to know you-- it's a great bunch of supportive people!!!
Good luck on your journey!!
SD

[Tulipe]

Hi! New Here.

Hi Frances,
Welcome to you. Just like you, I thought it was normal for adults to drink every night. Now I am learning that most people don't. Good for you for taking the first step. You can do it. It is worth it. You will feel so good about yourself. Like you, I have a 9 year old daughter and a 6 year old son who need me to set a good example.
Like UF says, the first few days are the hardest. I look forward to getting to know you.
Don't let yourself go wild at the conference! See you soon.

[dlw]

Hi! New Here.

WELCOME, TO YOU! NO ONE IS HERE TO JUDGE, ONLY TO OFFER POSITIVE SUPPORT!
STAY CLOSE WHEN YOUR BATTLE SEEMS TO BE GOING UPHILL
WE ARE ALL HERE FOR EACH OTHER

[FlaMomof3]

Hi! New Here.

Thank you everyone! I am really looking forward to getting to know all of you!

[KateH1]

Hi! New Here.

FlaMom, Welcome! We are all happy that you are here! Remember, all of us started with Day 1!! I too related so much to RJ's story and I can tell you that her book and this sight put me on the road to sobriety as it has for so many others!

I hope to see you around here often!
Best Wishes!
Kate

[shirazgirl]

Hi! New Here.

Hi FlaMom,
We are all in the same boat as you. I too, never drank until after work. You will be surprised the difference in your health and energy once you get going. As far as sleep goes, you may encounter a few sleepless nights. Any exercise you do will benefit in your sleeping pattern. My doctor gave me a sleep aid and I no longer take it every night. I started weaning myself into half of the pill and then every other night, etc. etc. Do whatever you have to do. Be careful in Vegas, it's one of the only times in my life I ever came close to getting arrested ( and guess what, it wasn't because I was drunk, it's because I was trying to help a stranger who was and she became violent). Vegas promotes intoxication. They offerend me a wheel chair once for one of the people I was with in the hotels. I think cutting him off before he got to that point would have been the better thing to do. Have fun and win big!

[FlaMomof3]

Hi! New Here.

Thanks all! I am going to be careful in LV - I kinda wish I did not have to go so I can get started!! My DH is going too, so I am going to have "the talk" with him while we are there and tell him what I am going to do. He drinks, too, but not as bad as me. He has always been very supportive, and I expect he will be supportive with this, too. I just need him to keep the kids busy while I do the hypnosis CD's! LOL! Plus, my Dr wants him to keep an eye on me for crazy actions due to the Topamax. He said he has seen some crazy stuff, and people don't even realize they are acting crazy.

I have only told a couple of very close friends what I am doing. My Mom is going with with us to LV, too, so I will probably talk to her while we are there as well. But - she is an alcoholic (can you say "genetics"?), so I don't want to seem like I am judging her, KWIM?

Anyway - I can't wait to start - I have everything bought and/or on the way here. I am looking forward to not having that craving at 4pm every.stinking.day!

[planetjanet]

Hi! New Here.

Hi FlaMomof3,

Welcome and thank you for sharing your story, wow do I know about the unsuccessful diets due to drinking, sheesh....Be careful with the talk with Mom, my mother is a drinker with DENIAL with an attitude...phew oh boy oh boy....

Anywho, have a safe trip in Vegas. Oh BTW, what is a DD and DH?

[FlaMomof3]

Hi! New Here.

Sorry - Dear Daughter and Dear Husband. DS is Dear Son. (Can also be Damn Husband if he is pissing me off!)

[planetjanet]

Hi! New Here.

LOL :H

[PhoenixRising]

Hi! New Here.

Hi Frances.

I am an after work drinker, too. Sometimes I will start in the afternoons on the weekend.
My parents also drank every night (but not to excess). I grew up in Wisconsin where it seems like everyone drinks.

-P.