serious now

[Tipplerette]

serious now

You go too Library Girl. Love your happy faces !! Feeling cautiously optimistic. Felt that way before so I am still on guard against that sneaky beast.

[LibraryGirl]

serious now

resrchqueen;1279753 wrote: I wish I had the answer to that one.... I can drink socially and keep it within reasonable consumption. My problem lies in the happy hour period from 3-6pm when I at home alone. My poor husband is sick of coming home to a stupored wife several days a week! I am thinking that abstaining altogether may be best for me. That's my initial thought anyway!

One of my sneakiest AL tricks was drinking "socially" when I had to go to drop-ins or social gatherings with alcohol served. I would have only one or two glasses of wine, then refuse anymore. I "appeared" to be in control, and I was, for that bit. I always left early to go home (things to do, tired, need rest, etc., lol) and drink the REAL stuff--RUM and diet pepsi, my favorite.:hitme:

[downunder]

serious now

Tipplerette;1281345 wrote: Way to go Downunder. I'm at day four. I'm right behind ya! Let's kick the wine to the curb and enjoy life as it was meant to be lived; clear headed and real.

:goodjob: It really does help knowing that other people are in this with me, don't feel like I'm doing it on my own anymore. I hope this will be the motivation to carry it through this time. just having somewhere to record my little achievements is helping and they don't feel so little when I know that you guys know just how hard it is.
Keep up the good work Tipplerette, it'll all be worth it when we can go a couple of days and realise we haven't even thought about a drink- that'll be when I'll know I've achieved something!!

[downunder]

serious now

LibraryGirl;1281399 wrote: One of my sneakiest AL tricks was drinking "socially" when I had to go to drop-ins or social gatherings with alcohol served. I would have only one or two glasses of wine, then refuse anymore. I "appeared" to be in control, and I was, for that bit. I always left early to go home (things to do, tired, need rest, etc., lol) and drink the REAL stuff--RUM and diet pepsi, my favorite.:hitme:

Hey I've done that too! I've been to social gatherings and not touched a drop as I was driving, but then when I get home drunk half a bottle of vodka and orange (my fave) and no one has any idea about it. I guess that's when you know it's a problem, when drinking alone is better just so you can drink as much as you like without anyone knowing about it.

[downunder]

serious now

and now I just have to find something to occupy my mind for another evening.... does anyone else get really agitated wondering what to do? i can't concentrate on anything now, it's so annoying!!

[Unwasted]

serious now

DA, I felt that way at first but now I can stay very busy and content doing just the smallest of things. I read, watch TV, go for long walks, work outside, do lots of cooking and baking, take nice, long hot baths, keep my house up, play solitare on the computer, read and post here, read TONS of stuff on addiction - on the internet and in books. And, I never thought I'd do it because it's not really my style, but I've started going to AA meetings, and it's helping to be around other people who "get it" and can offer support.

Best to you - it's SO worth it to get alcohol out of your life......it gets easier and better if you can hang in there.

[merry]

serious now

I aso am serious this time need to quit and start a new life

[Guitarista]

serious now

downunder;1281787 wrote: and now I just have to find something to occupy my mind for another evening.... does anyone else get really agitated wondering what to do? i can't concentrate on anything now, it's so annoying!!

G'day Downunder, Here you go. From a post by our beautiful One2many. How are you going there?

G-bloke.

150 Things To Do Instead of Drinking

1. Read a book
2. Take a walk
3. Play a musical instrument
4. Knit
5. Clean your closets
6. Research your genealogy
7. Cook a gourmet dinner
8. Write an article for your local newspaper
9. Go take some pictures
10. Clean the mildew in your bathroom
11. Start writing that book you've been planning
12. Plan a garden
13. Plant a garden
14. Play with a pet
15. Read to a child
16. Visit someone in an old folks' home
17. Watch a news special on TV
18. Set up a family budget
19. Make a web site
20. Take up archery
21. Exercise
22. Go to an online recovery meeting
23. Surf the internet
24. Call your mom
25. Learn a foreign language
26. Write a poem
27. Play golf
28. Take a bubble bath
29. Draw
30. Teach a parakeet to whistle
31. Take a nap
32. Listen to music
33. Paint
34. Clean your desk
35. Start a stamp collection
36. Go window shopping
37. Browse in a book store
38. Go to an art gallery
39. Go for a drive
40. Paint a room
41. Watch the clouds go by
42. Play darts
43. Do target shooting
44. Do home repairs
45. Clean your garage
46. Sort your photographs
47. Make a scrapbook
48. Climb a tree
49. Plant a tree
50. Make marmalade
51. Make a list of things to do
52. Write a letter to the editor
53. Volunteer somewhere
54. Take a hike
55. Take a college class
56. Try yoga
57. Meditate
58. Get a massage
59. Make fruit smoothies
60. Bake cookies
61. Do a crossword puzzle
62. Go to the gym
63. Plant a color bowl
64. Sharpen your pruning tools
65. Change your engine oil
66. Sew
67. Groom your dog
68. Go see a play
69. Write a sonnet
70. Sort your recipes
71. Play solitaire
72. Go bird watching
73. Write a letter to a friend
74. Read a poetry book
75. Repot your houseplants
76. Go to a movie
77. Mow your lawn
78. Put up (or take down) your Christmas lights
79. Make pickles
80. Go jogging
81. Watch sitcoms
82. Plan menus for a diet
83. Do a jigsaw puzzle
84. Play chess
85. Write a country-western song
86. Watch a video
87. Go for a bike ride
88. Plant an herb garden
89. Start an online journal
90. Dye your hair
91. Go to a restaurant
92. Lift weights
93. Bake some bread
94. Learn a martial art
95. Polish the furniture
96. Make a flower arrangement
97. Read the newspaper
98. Start some seeds
99. Sort your magazines
100. Do some laundry.
111. Take a nature walk
112. Play with your kids
113. Volunteer at a homeless shelter
114. Volunteer at a school
115. Pick up garbage in a park
116. Tickle your kids
117. Play basketball
118. Volunteer at an animal shelter
119. Read to a child or pet
120. Sign up for obedience training with your dog
121. Take a walk and pick up litter you see on the way
122. Spend time at the librarybr />123. Sort all your digital photos and make an album to print for holiday gifts to family.
124. Help your kid organize his closet.
125. Figure out the melody and chords to your current favorite tune on the piano.
126. Practice your holiday cookie recipes
127. Make crackers from scratch (that one didn't go so well).
128. Make tortillas from scratch (better).
129. Reread a book you haven't read for years.
130. Tango
131. Learn about someone else’s religion.
132. Reread one of your college textbooks.
133. Key out a wildflower.
134. Do your nails.
135. Do word puzzles.
136. Play a board game.
137. Burn CD’s of some of your favorite music for a friend.
138. Plant a bonsai.
139. Play Mad Libs.
140. Speak only in heroic couplets for an hour.
141. Read poetry online.
142. Ride a stationary bicycle.
143. Set up a domino topple.
144. Play backgammon.
145. Build a house of cards
146. Make an entry in Wikipedia.
147. Read a world almanac.
148. Publish a family newsletter.
149. Throw cards at a hat.
150. Go to bed.

[LostButFound]

serious now

DU
I'm pretty much in the same place you are.
I haven't told anyone either, except my psychologist who thinks I don't have a problem. sigh
The questions you ask are the same I have; to think of not having a drink again seems scary and/or not fun. Drinking too much is obviously not fun.
I've cut the 'drinking activities' from my life a few years ago but here I am, too, wondering how do I cope? How do I either quit or modify?
And I like what you said about being a 'normal person'. Yes! Remember when we were kids? Alcohol wasn't even a factor and we got along, day to day, our escapes were so different. Alcohol isn't a necessity - I guess that's something we truly need to learn.
I wish you SO much luck!!!
LBF

[Guitarista]

serious now

Hiya Lost,

Get cracking with above post # 24! No excuses or whinging is there? lol

Take care, G-bloke.

[LibraryGirl]

serious now

LBF, we have other members who's therapists would not label them as alcoholics. IMHO, you are only responsible for yourself, and only YOU know what is right for yourself. No one needs a label to quit a problem behavior. There is no doubt that AL/drinking is a problem behavior for you. From what you've told us, that much is clear. If someone asks you why you don't drink (if you choose to quit), say I can't drink without getting drunk, and I can't get drunk without getting a hangover, and I can't get a hangover and function normally.:H

[merry]

serious now

Hardest time is 5 o'clock when you have finished the day and want to relax
Have to find something else to put in my hand
Usually had enough tea and water
can't have sweet drinks or gassy drinks

[downunder]

serious now

LostButFound;1282289 wrote: DU
I'm pretty much in the same place you are.
I haven't told anyone either, except my psychologist who thinks I don't have a problem. sigh
The questions you ask are the same I have; to think of not having a drink again seems scary and/or not fun. Drinking too much is obviously not fun.
I've cut the 'drinking activities' from my life a few years ago but here I am, too, wondering how do I cope? How do I either quit or modify?
And I like what you said about being a 'normal person'. Yes! Remember when we were kids? Alcohol wasn't even a factor and we got along, day to day, our escapes were so different. Alcohol isn't a necessity - I guess that's something we truly need to learn.
I wish you SO much luck!!!
LBF

Thanks LBF, these last few days have been tough and I can feel my resolve weakening sometimes- I think maybe if I could just do a few months without then I can go back to drinking normally again, or wondering if I was ever that bad really...
It doesn't help when people tell you you don't really have a problem when you clearly do, especially a psychologist!! I'm pushing on through though and hoping it'll get easier soon
Good luck to you too, and maybe think of finding a new psychologist...?!
DU

[downunder]

serious now

Thanks for the list of things to do Guitarista. Solitaire is featuring rather heavily at the top of my list at the moment, it's great stress relief I find, but the way I'm going I'll have to find another support group soon to quit that too!!! Still, at least it doesn't make me say stupid things and no matter how much I play it I'll still be safe to drive the next day

[Guitarista]

serious now

downunder;1283685 wrote: Thanks for the list of things to do Guitarista. Solitaire is featuring rather heavily at the top of my list at the moment, it's great stress relief I find, but the way I'm going I'll have to find another support group soon to quit that too!!! Still, at least it doesn't make me say stupid things and no matter how much I play it I'll still be safe to drive the next day

Lol. No worries.

Hey, Solitaire, croquet, stamp collecting....whatever it takes to get us distracted and through the early days. :goodjob: