Decision made - now what?

[mauritiusdodo]

Ok so today I have decided I am not going to drink anymore and I have been reading lots of info on here but the thing I am confused about is just HOW I am going to do this??? How do you stop doing something you want to do, love to do and have been doing almost every day for the past 20+ years I already feel defeated because I have NO idea how I am going to cope when the alarm bells start to ring God I am just hopeless!!!!!!

[Change]

Decision made - now what?

Well, just STOP and go through the withdrawals. I'm not an expert at "cold turkey", maybe somebody else'll chime in here, but imo, the only way to do it is to go through the hardship, which isn't really hardship at all, cos you'll feel better almost instantaneously.

[mauritiusdodo]

Decision made - now what?

thanks,

[mauritiusdodo]

Decision made - now what?

this might be a stupid question but what do you consider to be withdrawals, other than craving a drink when i have stopped before i haven't noticed any really?

[Kimberley]

Decision made - now what?

Before you even get to the 'how' of it, maybe you should make a list about the 'why' of it. If you love it so much, then why exactly are you quitting? What negative things has it brought into your life? Really know WHY it is so important for you to do this.

If you want to be totally Alcohol Free, then you can't just stop drinking - you have to learn to live happily sober. This will involve things like finding new fun and productive things to fill your time - new hobbies etc or a return to old hobbies.

You need to make a plan to deal with cravings as well - my way of coping with cravings is drinking hot tea and going for VEEERRRY long walks, as well as attending AA meetings.

Have a look at these threads to get some ideas and a perspective on being sober as opposed to drinking:

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...ing-22609.html

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...ndi-22388.html

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

That should start you off,
K x

[mauritiusdodo]

Decision made - now what?

thank you kimberley i was wondering where the tool box was that everyone keeps telling me to look at

[RudyB]

Decision made - now what?

as always, kimberly and change give great advice. i'll add that the l-glutamine seems to help people tremendously w cravings. and finding other things to delve into with all that alcohol-free time will be essential. find stuff you LOVE to do, and do it. i've become a bit of a gym buff (tho not buff yet), and that has helped on so many levels.
good luck! we're here for you.

[hillsidetime]

Decision made - now what?

Hi Mauri, you have received some great advice above for sure. It is very scary and intimidating to think about a life without alcohol. Like Kim says, the why is very important.

You might benefit from writing down all the bad things that alcohol does to your liver, your organs, your brain, your body in general, your mind, your soul, your productivity, your relationships, your confidence etc. List the bad situations you have ended up in, as a result of bad decisions you made while drinking. Write out, how your life will continue and end, if you continue drinking like you are.

Perhaps when you look at all that information, you will be more certain about the why. I don't think that many people succeed at going sober unless they are totally committed.

The how, well it is tough work. I quite cold turkey. It was hard, but with the help of people in here, and a lot of hard work (between the ears) I did it. You can do it too. It is a battle, but we can help you.

Hill

[mauritiusdodo]

Decision made - now what?

Thanks so much everyone, I have ordered some of the Kudzu recommended on here and filled out the sobriety declaration form thats on the nhs website I have decided to start on Monday to give myself chance to write down my reasons for quitting etc... which I plan to do this evening when DS is in bed (or maybe during his nap this aft)

I have read that lots of people drink lemon water - what is the theory behind that?

[mauritiusdodo]

Decision made - now what?

mauritiusdodo;1045693 wrote: Ok so today I have decided I am not going to drink anymore and I have been reading lots of info on here but the thing I am confused about is just HOW I am going to do this??? How do you stop doing something you want to do, love to do and have been doing almost every day for the past 20+ years I already feel defeated because I have NO idea how I am going to cope when the alarm bells start to ring God I am just hopeless!!!!!!

How very scary to come back and realise this post was over three years ago and nothing has changed with me
I am starting over and really need to get a plan together I am so sick of myself!!!!! :upset: I need to go do some family stuff now but I will be back later and plan to re-read all the info on here...

[available]

Decision made - now what?

Hi Mauri and welcome back. I came here in 2011 and was on and off, more off here than on till i realised mid 2013 that al was consuming more and more of my time. The planning, the drinking, the recovery and all to hit repeat by the end of work. I was not at my bottom but i was pretty close to finding it so i decided to stop. I had no plan except to not drink for that day and when i didnt drink that day then i planned to not drink again. I did not plan ahead, i did not think about tomorrow, i concentrated on that day and getting through it. I did not think about my holiday in a months time or that dinner i had to go to where al was involved, i thought about today. I also posted on here like a lunatic and kept mwo open at home and at work and i constantly read and posted when the cravings/urges hit. I ate some food and more food. It was not pleasant as a lot will attest but it was necessary to have the life that i deserved and now 5+ months later it is the best "form of torture" i have ever experienced. It is not easy to stop any addiction except with grit and determination and honesty and perseverance. To accept you are an alcoholic and that you can never drink again at all is the hardest part to accept but you will never ever regret not drinking.

There is a wealth of knowledge on MWO and we have all been in the same boat, head over to the newbies nest as there is always someone there when needed. You can do this Mauri.

[Lavande]

Decision made - now what?

Welcome back Mauri!

Glad you've decided to come back, we can help
Jump in the newbies nest, grab a twig & plant yourself there for a good long while.
Making a good working plan is a must! Making a strong commitment to make this you last quit ever is essential!!

We'll be looking for you over in the nest Mauri

Lav

[Samstone]

Decision made - now what?

Hello Mauri,
each of us has our own way of stopping (hence, MWO). I got a lot of support by reading how to books on stopping. Reading it continuously helped me reaffirm my commitment. I read several and each had something to say. I go back and still look at summaries in these books when the notion starts.
best to you
Sam

[j-vo]

Decision made - now what?

Mauri, good to see you back. If you see my start date, it's 2008. So I've come back many times. The trick is to keep trying, even if you fall, get back up and try again, read and make a plan, be accountable to others here. Glad you're ready to try again.

[scottish lass]

Decision made - now what?

Hi Mauri - just keep on trying till you find what works for you, and if you are determined one day it will happen!