Hi, 2 weeks off now

[darokane]

" weeks off alcogol now, know it might not sound a lot but ive been drinkin practically everyday for 12 years and im only 28!

Doctor has me on librium, it helps a little but still have lots of cravings and anxiety
he said ive to come off them in a week and im just wondering what the next step is?
dont think the anxiety is going to stop in a week and the cravings definitely are not.

[Doggygirl]

Hi, 2 weeks off now

:welcome:

Congratulations on 2 weeks alcohol free. (AF around here) I was a daily drinker for over 30 years and I understand how truly amazing it feels to be without AL for that little stretch of time when previously, I couldn't go a day without it.

It sounds like you have a supportive doctor and that is good. Have you downloaded the My Way Out Book? It's only about $12 US and you can get the electronic version immediately from the Health Store. You might find that interesting in terms of suggestions for next steps.

Strength and Hope to you,

DG

[tlrgs]

Hi, 2 weeks off now

nicely done on two weeks af... everything counts in the game .. for every step you make forward you learn and will get stronger in time ... and you are still young and so glad to see that you are willing to help yourself before it gets any worst .. keep it going.. hangout here at the site read and post and learn your way out ..we are here for one another so lets learn togethyer ... stay strong and keep thinking positive ..

[Choochie]

Hi, 2 weeks off now

:welcomearokane - If you can take the time to read throughout this website, there is a lot of information that will help you. Here is something that Sheri posted that I think will be of help.

What worked for me is following the program outlined in the MWO book with the exception of the Topamax. Taking the supplements and following the diet recommendations was absolutely crucial for me to succeed because my body was so run down from all the years of abusing alcohol and my liver needed all the support it could get. I also wanted to be sure that I was giving my body everything it needed to minmize the withdrawals and make it past the first few crucial weeks. I purchased the 6-week starter pack on this website which made it very easy for me to follow. The program was put together based on a lot of research and with the guidance of a medical physcian so I trusted their recommendations. I also drank tons of water with fresh lemon (not the fake stuff) which helped so much with the cravings and detoxing and ate only healthy food (4-6 small meals a day).

Some people find that they need to keep very busy to avoid their triggers, but one of my triggers was being very busy, so the best MO for me was to limit my external stimulation and sensory overload to the extent possible. I basically squirreled myself away to focus on nothing else but my sobriety and read a ton (slight exaggeration) of books during this time:
The Easy Way to Stop Drinking by Allen Carr (highly recommend
Drinking: A Love Story by Carolyn Knapp (highly recommend)
Dry by Augusten Burroughs (highly recommend)
Seven Weeks to Sobriety (highly recommend if you're into nutritional healing)
Sober for Good by Anne Fletcher (highly recomend)
First Year Sobriety by Guy Kettlebach
Terry: My Daughter's Life-and-Death Stuggle with Alcoholism by George McGovern (a very touching story)

I learned something from all these books and sources and they kept me occupied and focused on my goal to be free of drinking. When I wasn't reading, working, walking, eating healthy, or do other mandatory things, I was glued to this website.

The most important thing I did was to set firm boundaries for myself and a zero tolerance policy for drinking. Drinkiing alcohol was simply not an option for me, period, end of story! Therefore, I also did not allow conversations in my head to continue on if they were not in line with me not drinking because drinking was simply not an option. I started each day as soon as I woke up with affirmations about not drinking, not wanting to drink, I can do this, I deserve this, drinking sucks, alcohol is poison, and so on, and repeated them to myself throughout the day like a broken record whether I was craving or not. I came to view alcohol as the enemy it is to me when I drink and did not allow any exaggerated glorification of it to take place whatsoever. Likewise, I only allowed positive thinking and self-talk about sobriety. It's not that I didn't have negative thoughts and junkie thinking, I just didn't allow it to continue once it started because it always led to no place good. Basically, I became my own traffic cop of my thoughts and BS. Those that were in line with my goals got the green light to continue on in my head. Those that were not were stopped in their tracks and not allowed to continue and pass go. />
The other important things for me were to keep my expectations in check and realistic, and stop the all or nothing black and white thinking, and take it one moment at a time. The worst of my symptoms included a constant dull headache, zapped energy, and being in a fog for about three weeks, plus ongoing cravings which got less and less over time. Sleep took a bit longer for me get straightened out, but all in all, what I went through was nothing as bad as the life I was living drinking every day or what would have happened to me if I continued.

Jewels, you are still young and have your whole life ahead of you. Don't throw it away on alcohol like I did. I wished I would have found this site when I was your age. I wished I would have had the advice and wisdom and support of all the people here like you do that have walked much farther down the path you're currently on. Your life will NOT get any better doing what you're doing and what you have to give up (alcohol) to have a better life is not your friend. You just need to stop viewing it that way and see it for what it is.Just do it and give yourself a chance to see for yourself how much better your life can be.

And, here are some links to helpful spots on the site:

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

Link to Newbies Nest:
https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...est-30074.html

Link to Sobriety Plans:
https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...lan-41280.html

And, there is much more - scattered about.


Best of luck - we are here for you.

Choochie:l

[darokane]

Hi, 2 weeks off now

thanks a million guys

[one2many]

Hi, 2 weeks off now

Whooohooo thats fantastic! KEEP it up!

[madmans]

Hi, 2 weeks off now

welcome Darokane i'm on two week's my self. this is a great site with great people only willing to help

[Wagoneer]

Hi, 2 weeks off now

Congrats Madmans!!

[Soulsearcher]

Hi, 2 weeks off now

Welcome Darokane!
Our stories may be different but we are all here looking for our answers... Just keep posting and telling your story. It's a warm, loving, safe place to share! The incredible insight will come pouring in. Good luck and be very proud of your 2 wks AF.:goodjob:

[madmans]

Hi, 2 weeks off now

thank's Wagoneer