Free at last

[noodle]

Hello everyoe,
I came back last week, went on a course, and you can guess what happened then. But somewhere in the middle I picked up a copy of Alan Carrs Easyway to control alcohol. He recommends you don't stop drinking until you've finished the book, who am I to ignore recomomendations (:H) so that was an easy bit. Finding sober time to read it though was a wee challenge, though all the facts and thoughts were building in my head as I rolled through the book.I finished my last drink last night, and the book this morning. For the first time I can remember, I feel I can do this. The book focuses on what we percieve alcohol to be and do for us, and how easily we ignore what it does to us, our wallets and our loved ones. The thing I loved about it, was never rely on will power - which is what I'm guessing most of us are using, at least to start with.
There's some amazing advice and support AND friendship on this site, so I'd love to stick around. I'm setting my goals, starting with
I DO NOT DRINK - WILL NOT DRINK EVER AGAIN.
Wow, the first time I've ever written it, and actually believed it. Looking forward to my new life. The unknown is scary, but I feel its got to be a huge improvement on the one I've been living for the last 25 years.
Love and strength to us all, :h

[greeneyes]

Free at last

That's wonderful noodle!

[Anjicia]

Free at last

Well done noodle i have also read Alan Carr and Also Jason Vale which is similar. I found both very helpful but still working on shift in attitude. I find tis site and AA meetings quite helpfull i was sick struggling on my own. altho i had a few sliups my af time has been a lot more since coming here reading and AA. Alcohol is a legialised drug.

[noodle]

Free at last

Thanks everyone, Day 2 today and gonna write a long list tonight to keep me straight, though feeling so positive, Looking forward to getting healthy and sorted. Have been upfront with everyone and told them my plans, some baffled looks, and some "yeah right looks" but it's o.k. Gonna hop off to work now, first Monday morning without a hangover - woohoo! x

[damo180]

Free at last

Best of luck Noodle.

I have read the book, it is fantastic as is his easyway to quit smoking.
Keep the book close. I also have an abbreviated version of the book called "No More Hangovers" which is great for pinpointing the issues with staying AF.

With reading the book and staying on here , you have a great chance in staying sober and ENJOYING your new life.

I am almost 6 months AF after a small slip where I was 9 months, hopefully no more.
This site is a great support if you use it. I dont log on as much as I did as I also attend AA , but still log in when I can.
The members here, as you probably know will always help you, a great bunch.

I wish you well

Damo in Dublin
x

[pixie]

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You sound great noodle - your attitude is infectious! I hope the the best for you.

And thanks for the book recommendation. The title sounded familiar to me, so I looked around and sure enough sitting in one of my boxes was this book, which I bought a couple years ago but never even opened. I'm going to crack it open.

[noodle]

Free at last

Cheers Damo, I also read the reviews on the Amazon bookshop site, and was also inspired there by the results for Carrs book. It's certainly got me in a frame of mind that was impossible to achieve under my own steam anyway. Pixie - let me know what you think - I can't recommend it enough. I got this out the library, but I'm ordering my own copy so I can scrawl my own notes all over it, definately a keeper.
Have a lovely night! x:h

[Dory]

Free at last

Wow Noodle, your attitude is indeed infectious I am also on day two (that has come around alot)!! but I really want to do it this time. I must go and look for the book and look forward to ur posts.
and thanks all for the support on this great site, its nice to know you can say things here that you can't say to other's and get understanding ...
take care all
Dory

[K9Lover]

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Hi Noodle!

You sound great! I am so pleased to see you here with your wonderful attitude. You CAN do this, I know you can. I read Jason Vale's "Kick The Drink" and it really resonated with me. Monday mornings with no hangovers feel good, don't they? I'm proud of you...keep up your good work and keep us posted! I want to see your little dancing chocolate marshmallow all over the boards (WHAT is that thing anyway? It makes me laugh! LOL)

K9

[noodle]

Free at last

Well done Dory day 2 - stick with me and we can moan and groan our way to sobriety!
Thanks K9 for the tip - will look up that book too when I order my other stuff from Amazon. Yup Monday morning was awesome - well as far as they can be when you've gotta go to work:H.
day 3 and soldiering on, still really positive. Started briefly arguing with myself around 4, but talked some sense into myself and decided I'm not aguing with anyone especially my bloody self over whether I want to carry on poisoning mysef - crazy!!
Anyways - all good , Love and strength to all of you :thanks: xx

[Dory]

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Hey Noodle day 3 done for me (phew) I'm in Aussie .. I downloaded the Allen Carr books
so started on that !!! Damo what the one u r talking about .. That gd for these posts !! Take care all it's nite

[noodle]

Free at last

Hey Dory, hope day 4's going well for you my friend. I'm feeling a bit strange, but keeping on truckin' x
I think CatBelles with us on day 4 too - how you doing?
Have a lovely sober night and a sparkly morning!
See you on day 5 x

[Dory]

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Hey Noodle u r doing so well .. What do u mean ur feeling strange? I also suffer from fibromyalgia (not sure if u have heard of it) it comes with heaps of pain so day 4 resulted in two sm glasses of wine :-( stupid that it heaps with pain .. I'm so dissapointed. What way did the book help you.
Hope you & CatBelles r doing ok?

[noodle]

Free at last

Hey Dory, Hope you are still hanging on in there. The book has changed my life. Don't get me wrong, it's not a great read - I found it tedious in parts, but it was completely different to any other book relating to AL control, and the only one that has made me think that quitting is more than achieveable. The reason I picked it up, was for the fact it stresses that willpower is not the tool to use - so for me that was a winner, as mine's almost non-existant, or short lived at best. It focuses on how us and society views AL=great, relaxing, fun, sexy,tasty, luxurious ect. Then it gets you to really challenge those views, how many punch ups at weddings we've witnessed because of Al, the fact non of us actually like it when we start drinking, we keep tinkering with concoctions(fruity drinks, beers, wines) until we get to like it, in the end we'd drink anything. I also liked the fact that unlike the AA, he reckons alcoholism is a stage of drinking that all drinkers will get to, if they just keep on drinking, no other force is going to make us into one. All alcoholics strated out as 'social' drinkers. There's a LOT more stuff in there, that basically, by the time you finish the book, you realise that you don't want to drink, that you don't HAVE to drink, just stop drinking - easy. Sounds barmy - but there it is. Can't recommend it enough. I also stress though how awesome this site and it's folks are, again, another life line.
I think that we're all in this crappy boat, and just wanted to share what has worked for me, it may help someone else out there. x:hx

[Cat Belle]

Free at last

I'm still kicking and now on day 7. Been three + years since I had one of those. I may go out this w/ e to the Barnes & noble to see what books they may have to offer. Hey dory. Hang in there, we are all in the same boat, and here for each other, ya hear?