Day one?

[Hippy Chick]

Day one?

Hi Little Owl. You certainly are in the right place. Everyone here is wonderful - and we are all anonymous. I have had only 10 days without a drink but the suggestions and support I have so far received have been incredible. It is difficult but so is waking up every morning with the hangover and guilt...
Good luck with your journey
Hippy

[jessie]

Day one?

:welcome:Hi lttle owl - in the beginning I was also so embarrassed, but now I've relaxed and starting to trust these wonderful people so much that I actually exchange photo's with some of them.

[savon19]

Day one?

Little Owl;791496 wrote: Its remembering things I've done and finally being honest with myself thats so difficult.

:welcome:, Little Owl.

I just wanted to say that your statement above is something I relate to VERY much. In fact, those may even have been some of the main reasons I drank - to forget things I've done and avoid being Honest!!

Kind of ironic, eh?

I have been AF for 5 wks now, and I just wanted to let you know that those memories fade a bit as you make new Sober ones. Being honest with yourself is hard - but if we're to make progress as human beings, this is part of the process.

And it's not like everything happens at once! You'll deal with things little by little.

I'm finding it helps to keep busy and stay in the moment as much as possible. Time heals... if you let it. Drinking does not allow one to heal - just keeps us suspended in a bad place that can only get worse.

I'm now laughing a little at my great Wisdom! Believe me, anything I've learned has been a matter of shoving my nose in it, it seems...

And I know that it would be SO easy to be right back where I started.

I just wanted to offer you encouragement. It seems scary at first, and you may have to come to your own conclusions, but it is worth it.

[Little Owl]

Day one?

Day two.

Reasons I drink: A busy stressful day at work. A boring quiet day at work. To get in the mood when I'm going out. I actually like the taste, tastes. I like the feeling from that first drink - but then I can't stop. When something bad happens to take the pain away. When something good happens to celebrate. Habit, having a glass in my hand. Boredom. To forget the past. To blot things out.

It would have been so easy to have a drink today. I spent yesterday hung over and guilty stuck in the house because I felt rough and it was raining constantly. I browsed on here a lot. I read the second half of a book I'd started. Watched a film. Today I have read a whole book and a magazine. The only way I can take my mind off it is to switch off from reality and keep my brain busy.

Good things in my life: My children (24 and 26, both working, kind generous and loving. I must have done something right!!). My job, I work with some great people, I started as a Post Clerk 7 years ago, and have worked up, I'm still only an administrator, but there is a lot of training going on and I'm still learning new stuff. My husband, he does all the cooking!

Bad things in my life: Mmmm. I'll get to that another time.

I think the most difficult time will be when I get in from work tomorrow.

[Little Owl]

Day one?

I can't remember why I shouted and tore down the curtain track in the bedroom on friday night. I hate not remembering what I've done. My husband replaced it today. I don't know what he has said to the children but they both rang me today.

[JackieClaire]

Day one?

Hi again Little Owl

Well done for starting to open up.

Having a little inward shudder there about all the times I've shouted and cried and not remembered one solitary thing. (and too scared to ask any one)

Be kind to yourself. Take it a day at a time.

J x

:l

[fluff]

Day one?

Little Owl- I can't tell you how many embarrassing things I've done and things that I cannot remember- but you must carry on and not dwell on it- forgive yourself-we've all done things like that. It's a big step you took coming here- I believe it will help you. You will start to feel better and not guilty either-you will see.
Luv, Fluff

[dancelot]

Day one?

Keep hanging in there, Little Owl - it will get easier.
You've made a huge step already - now keep taking small ones - they add up.

It's good you are aware of all the reasons (and times) you drink. All yours are just like most of ours! Knowledge is power. Knowing why, or what excuses we do use allows us to face up to them. The more we understand what we are dealing with, the better we can.

We've all done things while drinking that we wish we hadn't. I urge you to think of these as the past. Forgive yourself - you are human. By choosing to be AF, you are choosing to live a better way.

Have an alternative plan in place at all times - anything to keep you busy. Take it an hour or even a minute at a time. I found having a glass of something in my hand, especially in the evenings was a big thing. The habit of actually drinking something. I kept a supply of flavored sparkling waters and non caffeine teas (for evening) around at all times.

Eat good, get a little (or more) exercise (even a quick walk around the block is good), find ways to stay busy. Clean out a drawer or closet.

Remember you are not alone in this. This forum is a safe place to share, or vent if needed. We have all been there. We understand. Take care! :h

[allswell]

Day one?

Little Owl,

Dr. Wayne Dyer says don't let the wake row the boat. Keep it all in the rear view mirror, learn from it, try not to repeat it, but don't spend too much time on the past, only the improvements you are making today. Do you feel better on day 2? I hope so, try to continue and there will be clarity to follow that will make each day easier to deal with on it's own terms.

Best to you

[The New Me]

Day one?

Hi Little,

We all think we are alone, isolated, scared and also painfully aware that we are on a very slippery slope. This place is such comfort for me, a source of inspiration and support.

I am very much like you - a glass of wine was such a constant companion, to enhance celebration, to sooth you after a hard day, to help you go through a rough patch. Sounds great, heh?
Except when one wakes up one morning and the magic line from enjoying alcohol has been crossed to needing alcohol. We desperatly would like to turn the clock and go back to the enjoyment, but in many cases it is not possible, as some attemps at moderation would indicate (including mine)

You have a lot going on for yourself. You may like not drinking more than you realize.
It is worth giving a try...

[lodestar]

Day one?

Hi Little Owl (love your name!),

So glad to see you came back today. Hang around, take your time ~ there is no pressure here. Just be you and stick with us. You'll find your way through this. I'm very new on my journey, but things have changed so much for the better. I didn't believe I could get through an after work hour either...now I can't believe I drank every night to "relax." It did anything but relax me, but nobody could have told me that. I had to come to it on my own through experiencing it.

Keep posting! Lots of support here, no matter what.

Take care of you.

[Hippy Chick]

Day one?

I just wanted to say thank you to all who have posted on Little Owls comments. For me, they have been a huge help. I hope so for you too Little Owl.
Allswell - I love the quote from Dr Dyer..... that is just so good to hear.
HC

[dillybar]

Day one?

I am new here

Hi all
I have been going to AA meetings for about 4 weeks, taking Campral prescribed and still having trouble with cravings and sometimes relapse any words of encouragement or help would greatly be appreciated. This is hard. I lost a dear friend several years ago and started the drinking current dear friend that happens to be a horse purchased with lots of cash had to have surgery for arthritis at about the same time first soul mate died. Drinking started getting really bad and for 2 months kept teling myself to get to AA which I finally did and felt at home. Problem is despite the meds and AA continue to slip any advice. Should I get antibuse?

Pam

[JackieClaire]

Day one?

:welcome: dillybar,

Just wanted to say hello.
Sorry, the only thing I know about antabuse is that it really should be prescribed by a doctor.

Some one may be along with a better answer.

Keep reading, keep posting. Let us get to know you.

You're not alone any more.

J x

:l

[Tulipe]

Day one?

LO,
How are you doing now? I just wanted to send thoughts, hugs, hope.
- Tulipe