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[Determination]

I have tried so many times to stop drinking. I think the best that I ever did was 5 days AF, and then I would relapse and then end up just giving in and stop trying.

I've been thinking for awhile that I needed to give it another shot. I needed to for my mental health, physical health and most importantly my children. I needed to stop finding excuses.

So, I am now on day 5 AF. However, my biggest triggers are stress related to my job. So, it was easy to be AF when I was not working. So, today is my first day at work on my AF journey. I'm very scared and nervous. I have a plan for after work, but I am still nervous. I really don't want to go backwards, and I feel wonderful AF. I've been able to exercise in the morning, my sleep is finally getting back to "normal".

So, please send me any strength virtually that you can - I'm going to need it!

[Bluejay]

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Hi Determination,

Congratulations on your 5 days. That's great you're feeling better and sleeping better.

Our journeys sound similar.

Stay strong!!

[retteacher]

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Deter: I struggled w/the pattern you described in your post. I would sometimes get weeks AF, & then something (often stress, conflict) would set me off. I came here to MWO in 2007 but didn't get completely sober until 2009. It's been 2 years of sobriety for me, but I don't take my sobriety for granted for a minute. In the 2 years I've been sober, I've had plenty of stress & challenges: my father died & my daughter was diagnosed w/breast cancer (2010). I could never have been present for my family while drinking the way I've been present sober. It's so worth the effort. I love MWO & come here every day. You might want to look in on the Monthly Abstinence posts. They are inspiring. In 2009 I joined AA which proved to be the magic bullit for me. It's not for everyone, but I hit a bottom that was both humiliating & shameful. I had to make a change & couldn't seem to do it myself even w/MWO. Everyone is different. The sober lifestyle is very worth the effort, so DO NOT GIVE UP. You might slip (or you might not), but just get up, dust yourself off, & try again. Feel free to PM me if you'd like some further info on my journey. Mary

[Nelz]

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Looks to me that with your name, and your Sig you have the right mindset.

ODAT always sounded kinda corny to me, until I actually applied it to my life, and now its paying off in many ways energy is higher, I feel GREAT, losing weight, and Im pretty sure, I wont wake up in the ICU again with no idea how I got there.


I guess that was my rock bottom, I dont wish that on anyone, but I am glad it happened, or Id still be drinking. I was even sitting in the hospital room with IV's, and monitors, and a catheter, talking to the counselor, telling her Id be fine, but thanks for the help.

However, after sitting in the room for a while, a few things happened, and I decided to give sobriety a chance....Ive been very lucky so far, no withdraw, and cold turkey.


Good luck with your journey, lots of great info on here

[Lavande]

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Hi Determination,

Congrats on your 5 AF days - great work!
Don't be scared - be determined to succeed

It sounds like you've really thought things thru & have a plan in place. I would suggest logging on here as much as possible for the community support. It helped me so much & now I'm addicted to this website

Best wishes on your journey. We are here for you, just keep checking in

Lav

[Newgrange]

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Congrats on day 5 determination. Keep it up. Work related stress is my trigger too. I changed my pattern after work and went for a walk which helped a lot. Way better than opening a bottle of wine. Best of luck.

[Determination]

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Newgrange;1123611 wrote: Congrats on day 5 determination. Keep it up. Work related stress is my trigger too. I changed my pattern after work and went for a walk which helped a lot. Way better than opening a bottle of wine. Best of luck.

That is exactly right - changing the pattern. That will be relatively easy over the next two weeks. I had a routine of meeting a friend at the bar after work for a few beers, but he is on vacation this week and I have so many work meetings next week that there simply is no time for beer.

So, for tonight, the plan is to go home, cook dinner and then walk the dog after dinner. That will leave me with 2 hours to bedtime, but I have no alcohol at home. So, I will most likely read a book and play Wordfeud on my Droid. Keeps my mind busy!

So far....no cravings....only 1.5 hours left of work for the day.

[Determination]

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Well, I made it through day 5 and am on day 6. I am optimistic today, but tomorrow has a hurdle. Tomorrow DH is gone in the evening, which usually meant "whoo hoo" I can have some wine without the guilt. So, I am working on building some things into the schedule so that I don't fall into my old bad habit.

I also am focusing on just how GREAT I feel - sleeping good, being able to get up to work out in the morning and no guilt. Despite sleeping well, I find myself extremely tired by the end of the day - not sure what is up with that. I also have been drinking a ton of water - at least 64 oz of water plus probably another 32 oz of caffeine free herbal tea at night - and yet, I still feel thirsty. Another weird.

Thanks for all the advice and support! I hope I can remain strong because I like how great I feel right now.

[damo180]

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Congratulations Determination.

You are doing so well.
Please, keep working on staying sober, you will feel SO much better each day.
Beware of the cravings, but they DO lessen in time.
Rooting for you here.

Damo in Dublin
x

[damo180]

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retteacher;1123431 wrote: Deter: I struggled w/the pattern you described in your post. I would sometimes get weeks AF, & then something (often stress, conflict) would set me off. I came here to MWO in 2007 but didn't get completely sober until 2009. It's been 2 years of sobriety for me, but I don't take my sobriety for granted for a minute. In the 2 years I've been sober, I've had plenty of stress & challenges: my father died & my daughter was diagnosed w/breast cancer (2010). I could never have been present for my family while drinking the way I've been present sober. It's so worth the effort. I love MWO & come here every day. You might want to look in on the Monthly Abstinence posts. They are inspiring. In 2009 I joined AA which proved to be the magic bullit for me. It's not for everyone, but I hit a bottom that was both humiliating & shameful. I had to make a change & couldn't seem to do it myself even w/MWO. Everyone is different. The sober lifestyle is very worth the effort, so DO NOT GIVE UP. You might slip (or you might not), but just get up, dust yourself off, & try again. Feel free to PM me if you'd like some further info on my journey. Mary

YOU are very inspiring Reteacher, as is everyone here who continue to help and support me and others here in their early stages of sobriety.
Heading for 6 MONTHS AF. I cant beleive I have come this far.
Thank You.

Damo in Dublin

[Hippy Chick]

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Stay focused Determination. Pop in here as often as you need to, to get inspiration to stick to your goal.
Congratulations on Day 6. That is nearly a whole week without giving into the evil that is alcohol.

Just remember that you "like how great you feel right now". And you can continue to feel that way too.

Good luck

Hip

[BlondeAFAmbition]

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Hi Determination! Congrats on Day 6! I am just starting out (again) and I hope to post my successes a week out from today. I remember the joy of waking up without the guilt and being able to sleep through the night without the early morning wakeup call that AL gave me. I am not too hung over this morning and ended up coming on MWO last night after I had a few glasses of wine. Just being on MWO was enough to make me get up and pour the rest of the bottle down the drain so I wouldn't have any left over for today. I'll be interested to hear about your progress and wish you all the best.

Zenstyle, thank you for posting the tool box...I had seen it a few times before but it is always worth reposting for those of us starting out at whatever stage in the game, so thanks! I just spent some time on there and feel even more empowered in my quest to kick the sauce.

[DriftyAlison0]

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Then do it Blonde. Having no AL in the house will help you in your sober journey.

[Determination]

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DriftyAlison0;1124519 wrote: Then do it Blonde. Having no AL in the house will help you in your sober journey.

Agree! Blonde - good for you on dumping it out - I don't know that I would ever let myself do that - I would say - well, tomorrow is another day. So good for you!

I made it through Day 6 - today is Day 7, where I know I have challenges. I have a plan for the evening that will keep me busy - and hopefully away from alcohol.

Funny (well, not really) comment from my DD last night - Mom, why are you drinking SO much tea! On the one hand - it shows how little Non-AL I was drinking previously. On the other hand, I was so glad to have her refer to the quantity of tea instead of wine that I was consuming!

Thank you all for your kind words and support. It is immensely helpful to have support from others who understand what this is like.

[BlondeAFAmbition]

Need Your Support

LOL on the tea! I plan to have a few cups tonight in lieu of wine. Maybe some diet gingerale as well since we have some in the fridge. My drink of choice without AL is seltzer with lemon. Need to stock up on that again.

Yeah, I will say that even though I was already buzzed, I thought twice about dumping away the rest of the wine but it was the first step in ensuring that I stay on the right path this time. And it felt good too!