Mood Swings

[bluburd]

I'm having nasty mood swings today. At times I feel like I can conquer the world, and at others like the world is conquering me. i'm with my family at my parents lake house, and it's so hard to conceal my resentment that everyone is drinking but me. Seems like no one understands how torturous it is for me, but then again if everyone were to not drink because of me I would feel ridiculous. Give me a boost someone I feel like I'm fading.

[Sober Visitor]

Mood Swings

Hi Blu,

Good for you for checking in. Here's what worked for me:

1. Mood swings are just a normal part of the process. This too shall pass and you will soon feel on top of the world again if you don't drink. Just ride it out and accept that this is just a moment in time. Make the best of it.

2. There's no need to feel resentment about other people swallowing poison. Just because it's legal to drink doesn't make it any less of a poison. You will wake up in the morning feeling so proud that you didn't drink. They will probably wake up with a hangover wishing they were you. I'd rather be you in that scenario any day of the week.

3. Feel proud that you're not drinking and doing something healthy for yourself, while they are not. I actually felt empowered drinking my club soda and lime because I knew what an accomplishment that was for me.

4. Be creative and make yourself a yummy non-al drink. There's lots of mixed drinks that are just as good without AL.

5. If the pressure of everyone else drinking is getting to be too much, come up with an exit strategy. I'm sure they'll understand. I wasn't able to be around AL for the first 90 days. It just wasn't worth the risk to me.

Good luck! You can do this!

Sheri

[bluburd]

Mood Swings

Island fever

Sheri

I dont think an exit strategy is an option (the parents place is on an island, and my boat ride is staying the night). Kind of the worst time to start my AF run... stranded on an island with lots of alcohol. I guess god has a strange sense of humor. I will make a mocktail and try to keep strong. At least the sun is shining.

Thank you!

[Kradle123]

Mood Swings

Hi Blu:

I ditto head everything Sober said.

Other than July fourth party, I haven't found myself in an AL part group with NWO (pun intended)
I did bring my I pad and just went in a corner and connected here when I didn't feel good. I also kept a private place in the fridge for all my mixers..lemons, cranberry juice, tonic. This really helped.

Can you do me a favor? Can you keep track of what works and what doesn't (in the it's not helping sense- not the I m now doing to drink sense) in your individual situation ?

I'm asking because I want to have parties at my home this summer again but the thought of being 'trapped' because I am the hostess makes me not want to do this. Which sucks because I throw great partys!!! - and I don't mean AL party great. I do themes and games and gifts and we have lots of kids that come.

So anyway, can you keep track and let us know because the Summer will be over soon and....Well, you know? :h

This is your mission! Should you choose to accept it...
This post will now self destruct in 5 seconds...

:l

[bluburd]

Mood Swings

Mission accepted :specs:

[TheSunFlower]

Mood Swings

Bluburd....I commend you on your strength. I am ducking out of the annual family get together at the lake in NY next week. I blamed work. My hubby is taking the kids up and dropping them with my parents so that they don't have to miss it.

Last year I went and everyone drank ALL day long. And I drank with them. What resulted was a huge family fight....my sister and I have not spoken to each other for a year.

I am nervous about being home alone. But, I have a plan in place. Being home alone is dangerous for me.

[mauritiusdodo]

Mood Swings

bluburd you are doing remarkably well to stay off the AL I am always the most drunk at family get togethers and I hate that! I agree with what the others said, try and focus on how good it will be to make it through the event and come out the other side sober

[Kradle123]

Mood Swings

bluburd;1353162 wrote: Mission accepted :specs:

Well Done.
:h

[bluburd]

Mood Swings

Why thank you Sunflower.
I wasn't sure I was going to make it through today AF, but I'm learning a little willpower?combined with food, and the supportive people here?goes a long way! :h

Ouch... Family feuds are horrible, especially the ones that involve big fallouts. I don't blame you for ducking, If I knew I would be attending this occasion sober I would have tried to duck also. I committed to being chef for my Mom's birthday a month ago however. That will be tomorrow :eeks:
Luckily I have gained some new strategies today that should help me through it ( I will debrief the mission after the whole ordeal is over Kradle )

Home alone is an enemy of mine also. What is your plan?

[bluburd]

Mood Swings

Thanks Dodo. I am always the most drunk also. My family is in shock that I am sober. I think they are making up for my "absence" by drinking my share. I feel slightly guilty.... Oh well.... I cant wait to come out the other side feeling fresh.

[mauritiusdodo]

Mood Swings

do they know why you aren't drinking? are they aware of your problems with al? I think whilst my family know I love a drink they don't know the full extent of my problem and I haven't told them I am attending AA

[itsmytime]

Mood Swings

You can do it! As hard as it is - I hosted a BBQ the first Saturday after quitting and I was feeling worse about not drinking before but stuck to it and feel amazing today for not drinking. Alone is a challenge for me as well, going to keep busy and know that the longer AF time we have the thinking of drinking does go away.

The fact that your family knows is half the battle, I am in the early days and haven't told anyone but my hubby yet. I drank NA beer in a glass so no one questioned. There are lots of great mocktails out there, I will be checking them out for sure.

[bluburd]

Mood Swings

Yeah my family knows. The only thing they don't fully understand is what is actually going on in my head. My Parents (Mom and Step-Dad) drink a lot of wine, but they don't seek oblivion like I do. They have a hefty investment in their wine cellar that I'm sure they will never be willing to sacrifice. So while they admittedly feel the side effects of their consumption I think they will never be able to wrap their heads around the concept of giving up AL. We used to drink wine together nearly every night (we live close) so there is still a big disconnect, and a sadness that I'm no longer in the wine drinking club with them. My younger siblings also act supportive, but they are at an age where their only concept of a drinking problem is finding someone to purchase it for them. I have tried to explain myself to my little brother many times while I was drunk, but he would just call me a dumbass for drinking so much, and would disagree that I could call my problem a disease. Now he is on edge that it is a struggle for me to stay sober. "God it's not that hard!" are his words of support while he calmly sips a beer. We come from different fathers so I don't think he will ever pick up the AL bug?Thank God. OK I'm just ranting now because I'm up early and everyone else is in bed hungover

Wishing you all luck today! Wish me some!

[mauritiusdodo]

Mood Swings

How old are you blubird - if you don't mind my asking? what are your plans today?

[Byrdlady]

Mood Swings

Here is my age old fallback strategy...eat too much. Yes..eat so much that the thought of anything else going in is repulsive. Hey, I know it's not pretty but it works!
Also, remember this isn't about everyone else, it's about you...on a plane, they say, put your oxygen mask on before helping others...that's what you are doing, you are getting yourself to safety. I hope you are doing ok...stay full and that will help a LOT! Good luck, we are ALL pulling for you! B