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    #16
    Want to Quit

    Welcome Pronto!

    Just wanted to say I have full confidence in you getting through day 1 today -- if you TRULY want it you can do it!

    I quit drinking 135 days ago today -- and this site gets more credit than any other thing I?ve done to help me through. I don?t post a lot -- but I still read quite regularly. I can?t recommend this place highly enough!

    I do agree with what Nelz said about using distraction. I used a somewhat weird but very simple technique called EFT (emotional freedom technique/therapy) that I learned from my sister who is a therapist. She claims it works almost instantaneously for some of her clients. It involves looking at yourself in the mirror while repeating a phrase such as ?Even though I have a strong desire to drink alcohol, I completely and deeply love and accept myself?. You do this while tapping on certain points on the top of your head, face and upper body with your fingers. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it worked for me. I don?t really know that the tapping itself was responsible for eliminating the cravings, but it certainly calmed me down and helped to me to get through the initial first days. Anyway, you might want to google it -- if nothing else it will take up time that you might otherwise spend thinking about drinking! There are all kinds of instructions and free information on the web.

    I also used the MWO hypnosis cds as instructed for the first week or so. I still go to sleep at night listening to the ?sleep learning? cd? I don?t know how much credit to give the cds for my quit, but I?m not feeling secure enough to give them up yet?
    AF since 9/20/2011

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      #17
      Want to Quit

      I really, really appreciate the feedback. It's making me feel connected and pulled in.

      I went to the toolbox and read some interesting stuff. I really liked the way "wip" explained deprivation mode v. gratitude mode. I've always operated from feeling deprived, and feeling jealous if I couldn't drink. Instead, I'm going to try to look at it as being grateful that I'm not polluting my body any more. Grateful that it didn't take a serious illness to get me to stop. Grateful that I haven't lost my family or my business.

      So, as grateful as I am, it's still my first night, and I appreciate WickedMom's Confidence. I'm "grateful" that I'm not drinking, but I don't know what to do with myself. Maybe I'll take a melatonin and go to bed early.
      Goal 1: One day: DONE
      Goal 2: One week: DONE
      Goal 3: One month
      Goal 4: We'll see
      :new:

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        #18
        Want to Quit

        Also, the good thing is that tonight will be the last night that I feel like crap. Tomorrow I should wake up feeling like a new person.
        Goal 1: One day: DONE
        Goal 2: One week: DONE
        Goal 3: One month
        Goal 4: We'll see
        :new:

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          #19
          Want to Quit

          But even though I agree with what "wip" said about gratitude, I can't help but feel like I'm going to miss that alcohol feeling. Instant relaxation. But I just don't like the way I feel the next day. I guess I'll go make some bagels.
          Goal 1: One day: DONE
          Goal 2: One week: DONE
          Goal 3: One month
          Goal 4: We'll see
          :new:

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            #20
            Want to Quit

            Hi pronto - posted to you on another thread - I hope your night is going well.

            Did you know in rehab facilities there is quite often a chair beside the door? For when the addict is going to go home, they are encouaged to sit in the chair by the sponsor. For another 15 minutes. Another hour. And so on. Baby steps. And it works - this is the principle of the one day at a time. Minutes, hours and days of your life are saved this way - and is that not what we are all fighting for our lives? You sound very strong and commited - you CAN do this and will be just fine, good luck

            I'm going to try and copy and paste (im pants with computers) something about 'functioning alcoholism' I hope it makes some sense.

            something as an alcoholic as I progressed - gets buried deeper - the ability to be honest with yourself

            Always building walls and barriers to the outside world, keeping up a face. You become TWO people - the face to the world calm, balanced and in charge - and the true self, the one struggling with alcoholism and with vulnerabilities.

            The more entrenched with our drinking obsessions and habits - the harder it is to reconcile the two and find our true self, I think
            To see a world in a grain of sand
            And a heaven in a wildflower.
            Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
            And eternity in an hour.

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              #21
              Want to Quit

              Thanks, Lost Soul. I'll keep that in mind that if I feel like drinking, to wait a few minutes longer. And of course, I'll come here and whine.
              Goal 1: One day: DONE
              Goal 2: One week: DONE
              Goal 3: One month
              Goal 4: We'll see
              :new:

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                #22
                Want to Quit

                Pronto - as so many have said, your story is so similar - I managed to hold a high level job whilst drinking one to two bottles a night and sometimes more at the weekend. I came here to learn to moderate and after 9 months gave up and am trying to be AF. I am on 65 days and still have a way to go, but I go to work with a smile and singing, ready to have a fulfilling day. I have seen so many stories about moderators who manage for a little while and find all of a sudden that they are right back at the begining, and I don't want to lose the good feelings that I am finding.
                You are talking about the witching hour and it would be really good to be ready with things to do when the urge takes you so that you are not sitting thinking what on earth do I do now instead of drinking!
                It will be good to see you around the posts - good luck with day one...
                “The only courage you will ever need is the courage to live the life you want"

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                  #23
                  Want to Quit

                  Thanks, Lass. I am hoping to learn to moderate as well, but I have a feeling I will end up having to go AF. We'll see. Probably as I read more here I will make up my mind by the time day 30 rolls around.
                  Goal 1: One day: DONE
                  Goal 2: One week: DONE
                  Goal 3: One month
                  Goal 4: We'll see
                  :new:

                  Comment


                    #24
                    Want to Quit

                    great for you, Pronto, for coming to MWO--and thank you for starting this new thread.
                    it's always great to read others stories-- you've received some really nice feedback and we all benefit from it. all the best to you!

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                      #25
                      Want to Quit

                      HEY PRONTO

                      Happy Saturday-I'm hoping you got through last night OK. Hang in there!
                      You will soon also find that the time spent drinking, thinking about drinking, and recovering from drinking amounts to LOT of time. I used to get so drunk on Firday night that I could not function until I had to on Monday morning. Just ridiculous.

                      I suppose you have things you like-hobbies etc, or things you'd like to try. Staying busy with good stuff is nice. Then you start to realize things that you never considered before.
                      At least I did. When there are issues of self-esteem and felling bad about yourself (ME)
                      and drink it just makes it worse. You already feel like a piece of shit and drink to cover that up, and then have genuine guilt and shame from the drinking-and really feel bad in many ways. Downward spiral to nothing.

                      There are many theories about who becomess addicted to alcohol and why, and sometimes we ponder that kind of thing here. But the biggest thing of all is just don't drink. Do whatever you have to do but do not drink. I had several months and had a small slip and in hindsight it looks just as stupid as all the drinking before. I was able to see it as a small blip on my road and immediately move on. That was several weeks ago and I don't anticipate anything like that again. I am ever vigilant though as we all must be.

                      All the best to you. Have a wonderful sober weekend!

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