quitting for me

[Unwasted]

quitting for me

Ginger, please don't think that..........it's crazy around here like Pinecone says......lots of names, one theme. I know I accidently leave people off the list........sometimes I don't even name people because I don't want to make someone feel left out. But, when someone is new, I try to address their post directly so they'll feel welcome. Believe me, we would never ever hurt someone intentionally.........

And, Ginger, what you're describing.....the feeling that something else is controlling you.......is true I think. My take on what we've done to our brains is that by drinking (daily in my case) over long periods of time, we've actually changed our brains and they think they're being deprived of something critical for survival.......like food. The good news, though, is that our brains have "neuroplasticity" and can be rewired. The trick is to force yourself into a long enough period of time to change your brain. It takes time, but is doable. From what I read we start to think less and less about alcohol. So, hang with us....it can be done! Oh, and Ginger, I think I had you confused with Gingerdust, so I didn't think you were new :lilheart:

Big hugs :lilheart:

[gingersnap]

quitting for me

I apologize for my childish behavior. Truth was, I had been drinking and was mad at myself, another Day 1-down the drain....but lashed out here like a little kid. I have got to get a handle on this before it kills me. Do any of the supplements help...kudzu-l glut, etc....??? I know they are not the answer, it is a behavior and rewiring my brain.

Your post made so much sense about how we have to change our thinking. I cannot understand why when my intelligent mind KNOW's all this stuff about alcoholism....do I stop after work and buy it, like I would buy a loaf of bread. I have always been a very in control person and now "it" is controlling me.

I appreciate everyones kindness and understanding. Ginger

[gingersnap]

quitting for me

I apologize for my childish behavior. Truth was, I had been drinking and was mad at myself, another Day 1-down the drain....but lashed out here like a little kid. I have got to get a handle on this before it kills me. Do any of the supplements help...kudzu-l glut, etc....??? I know they are not the answer, it is a behavior and rewiring my brain.

Your post made so much sense about how we have to change our thinking. I cannot understand why when my intelligent mind KNOW's all this stuff about alcoholism....do I stop after work and buy it, like I would buy a loaf of bread. I have always been a very in control person and now "it" is controlling me.

I appreciate everyones kindness and understanding. Ginger

[needingchange]

quitting for me

I'm just finding this website today and I already feel encouraged that maybe there is help for me. I've been drinking daily for 30 years except for the 3 times that I was pregnant. So I had 9 months of no drinking at that time. I'm so tired of feeling like I'm out of control and vow to not drink the next day, only to find about 5p.m. this is all that's on my mind. Having a beer. Then that turns into 2,3,4 and so on. At this point I would be happy to cut back to 4 a night. I don't think I would carry half the guilt, plus I know this is terrible for my health. My family knows I drink way to much and they love me anyway. I want to get this under control for myself as much as for them. I ordered the book today and probably need to go ahead and order the tapes and supplements. This has been a little overwhelming with so much information in the past few hours.

[caithnessgirl]

quitting for me

I just got home from work and found the bottle of wine that my husband got me for Valentines day. I am so tempted.... How do you let people know that you don't want alcohol without letting them know how much of a problem you have?

[Unwasted]

quitting for me

Ginger and NC, the supplements did help me when I first tried to stop. The L Glut seemed to help the cravings, along with the lemon water. I made sure I ate a lot, didn't hold back on the sugar, either. To me, it was by far the lesser of the evils! I still eat some, but not as much. I buy these really healthy dark chocolates and try to avoid gummi bears (my very favorite but unhealthy sugar fix.........all that fake coloring ugh).

Here are other things that helped me:

Reading the book Kick the Drink by Jason Vale (changed my perspective about alcohol)
Eating very healthy food - mostly vegies
Juicing vegies
Walking or jogging almost every day
Reading voraciously about addiction - here and in books
Finding t.v. shows I like.........they really are a great distracter from alcohol
Avoiding trigger places, bars, dinners out at first (strong association with drinking and eating out for me)
Reading and posting here A LOT

Ginger, don't worry at all about anything.......quitting alcohol is a huge challenge, and it makes us sensitive at times. My poor husband.........he now knows just how hard stopping is......I am really mean to him between 5 and 7 pm. It's just part of the process!

Hope some of these ideas help. Ginger, I see you now in the Newbie's Nest. That's perfect!

NC, not sure what to say about your wanting to cut down. Some people can moderate - most of us haven't been able to swing it.

Caith - I've had to be very honest with my husband. You can't have alcohol in the house early on in the process......go read Byrd Lady's post today in the Newbie's Nest.

Best to you all :lilheart:

[needingchange]

quitting for me

Unwasted..thank you for some more good advice. I'm not sure either if I can just cut down. I'm reading where this has worked for some people so I thought it was a good place to start. I'm going to buy the book you suggested.

[caithnessgirl]

quitting for me

I poured the wine out and I am still crying, I wanted to drink it so badly....Happy Valentines day to my drunk wife, Is that what he wants? He knows I drink too much he even marks the levels in the bottles in his liquor cabinet. I know how to get around that by watering down his vodka and rum and adding a weak tea solution to the rye. Does this tell you how awful I am and how disgustingly sneaky? I am so ashamed of the things I have done. I don't feel like I deserve your support, but I am grateful for it none the less.

[Unwasted]

quitting for me

Caith, do NOT beat yourself up. I promise it won't do any good - you have to love yourself to get sober. We've all made terrible mistakes related to drinking. I could write a book, promise! Re your husband, non-problem drinkers don't understand addiction and they don't want to lose their drinking buddy. It tood a VERY long time for my husband to get it. He no longer EVER offers me a drink. You'll get through this, it just takes patience and never giving up. You'll probably have to get real with your husband before he gets it. I had to pratically hit mine over the head with a sledgehammer.

NC, you won't regret reading the book - really helpful -- not a cure all but definitely a piece of the arsenal!

A couple of additional things I'm going to add to the list:

Meditation
MWO hypnosis CDs if you can buy them, or something to help you relax along those lines
Newbie's Nest here for support

:lilheart:

[needingchange]

quitting for me

Unwasted. Did you buy all the things recommended up front? Didn't know if I should just order the getting started kit with all the vitamins etc.... are should I wait and read the book and then try to get started. There probably isn't a right answer to this question. Just wondering how you got started. You seem to have some good tips and suggestions.

[Unwasted]

quitting for me

NC, I bought a starter kit from the store here, along with the MWO tapes and MWO book. I also did the powder for a short period of time. I think you get a free thing of Kudzu too. It wasn't until later that I ran across the Vale Book. I'd get both if you can.

[meggie]

quitting for me

Wow, everyone here is really great. I can relate to so many of you. In 2006, quit for a year. Then thought I can have one. Quit again last year for 6 months. Started again, I can have just one. I know I am losing so much by drinking, but sad to say as with Ginger, I don't have much more to look forward to. I do so enjoy the night to relax and slow down, and have that drink, that allows me to mellow out, to sleep, to relax.

[Unwasted]

quitting for me

Meggie, does alcohol really help you sleep? I understand it helping you fall asleep, but do you get restful sleep all through the night? That was my single biggest problem with Al. I would wake up between 2-3 a.m. and be fitful and unable to go back to sleep, which would absolutely ruin the following day! Now I sleep wonderfully. I can't believe it helped you! Well, I guess we're all different. Best to you. :l

[gingersnap]

quitting for me

Unwasted...thank you for your suggestions....I will read the book. I have a pile of books on AL. I will get some L-glut and some Kudzu. You want to hear a funny???? I am always afraid to take these supplements, because what if I have some wierd side affect? But I don't hesitate to pour AL down my throat and let it destroy my insides and rob me of my soul. I am going to make a plan today to follow....I do have a juicer and did find some recipies for liver cleanses, etc. Thanks and hugs to all for your support. I like the idea of being able to use my phone for this....so when I need to reach out, it will be easier.

[gingersnap]

quitting for me

Just a quick note about the sleep issue. That has become a big thing for me...I wake up about 2-3 each night and can't get back to sleep. Seeing others have this issue, I now realize it is part of the AL overtaking me. I normally get up at 5:30 so I am dragging all day. It is 3:45 am now, and have been awake an hr....this is nuts. I read recently the devil does not want to just mess up our lives, he wants to destroy us.....I am going to picture the devil, complete with horns and a pitchfork, laughing at me, every time I look at or even think about drinking. Today is DAY 1 - I will do it. Goodnight.