Today, day one of hopefully many

[scottish lass]

Today, day one of hopefully many

This is another great thread! Some good questions and answers - and some old friends as well as new - Hi Juja and Tipp!
Just to add my tuppence, absolutely cannot face the future AF - so I don't face it and just hope it comes. Likewise I cannot face the past full of AL (FA??:H). So I chose to face the present , and the present for me is everyday that is, is without alcohol and that is working for my mind.....

[hadit]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Hello Everyone, I draw on a lot of experience I gained when I gave up the cigs many years ago. I wonder whether it will ever work the same for AL. basically I looked back on HOW I got hooked on Nicotine. It was slow at first,1 maybe 2 cigs then 3 or 4 a day then over a few months a full pack a day! I went off them the same way SLOWLY cutting back my intake until finally the cravings were managable and I stopped! Never smoked again. It took discipline and wasn't easy but it worked.Just wanted to Share. Is it possible to slowly strangle al cravings until it is easy to say no more??? Hope everyone has a lovely af Wednesday.

[Rollerblader]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Happy Wednesday evening all! Another week half-over and the weekend in sight :-)

Flyaway & Kradle123 - thank you for those words of wisdom, just today I was thinking "my birthday soon... our anniversary... Christmas... new year... our holiday..." and how flat and ordinary all these things (and the rest of my life) will seem without booze. The point is of course I barely remember any of these sorts of events over the last few years - all that money / time / effort getting ready and I was always wasted, always a bit of a joke to my friends - and now these events are in the future that hasn't come yet. Where I'm at is now, and yes alcohol has definitely been a problem for some time. So for now I'm having a break from it :-)

Boozer - interesting you bring up the smokes, have you seen that "Never Give Up Giving Up" add on Aussie TV? That talks about your willpower as a muscle, and every time you say "no" to a smoke your willpower gets that little stronger, so even if you do slip up once in a while at least you've had that practice and know from the past that you can say no in the future. Ps - how was the birthday party?

Hope all are doing well, just wanted to say goodnight on my 3rd AF day and looking forward to a 3rd hangover-free morning tomorrow.

xxx

[Phin]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Good morning all!!!

How's everyone feeling this morning? I am feeling fine......I have a day off today which is wonderful. I am going to high school with my oldest daughter to pick up her grade 9 class schedule. Where does the time go?

I have another question to pose to you all. Has anyone used any of the meds discussed in the other section to quit? I am thinking I may give that a whirl. I know this isn't agreeable, but I have set a AF date of September 4. I am going to undergo a whirlwind transformation, for me. I will start back at the gym and lose the 50 lbs I put on thanks to beer and chicken wings--that I had last night :S.

Wish me luck that I don't breakdown in tears at the high school today!! Have a good one everyone!!!

ps. Thanks for all the encouraging pearls of wisdom, I will hold them dearly.

[girly wirly]

Today, day one of hopefully many

hey phin

good luck with your weight loss goal! no tears at high school now!

xx

[hadit]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Morning Everyone, Just about to climb out of the sack and head to work!! Roller, party was good thanks. Had a couple of beers uggh!!! Gearing up for a a/f weekend,whose with me?

[Slaythefear]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Hello everyone.

I am on day seven AF. I've been lurking here and there all week after finding this site to help me stave off the thoughts that get me in trouble. It's been a road through some heavy anxiety this week without having the alcohol to calm it down or at least numb myself to the fact that it's there. All of you have posted some wonderful helpful posts in this thread and many in some others I've lurked in this week.

"No matter what stress we will not drink." Love that, especially since I just stressed out last night and today and almost hit the store for something to calm me down. I opted for a pizza and this board as I am really aiming to conquer this monster that has done so much damage and unremembered fun?

I'll join you as I enter my second week AF tomorrow and work to slay this demon. Keep posting everyone. It does us all good to have the support at our fingertips.

[Phin]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Welcome Slay!!!

[Phin]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Welcome Slay!!!

Excellent job on your week AF! Also great work caving for pizza and the boards rather than the bottle!!!!

Boozer-don't beat yourself up regarding the couple of beers. I would live to join you for the AF weekend but I KNOW I wouldn't last. I am going to the cottage and there's a huge potluck dinner and well, I just can't see it happening. But I have committed myself to September 4th. I have a goal of a new and improved me by Christmas.

[hadit]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Welcome Slay, This is a nice group. And WELL done on 7 days!! I am looking for some buddies this w/e to attempt an A/F one! Are you in?

[hadit]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Scottish Lass, I also can't seem to get through to my al brain that I will never drink again!! I am hoping one day it will just happen. I have reduced my intake but could easily drop back to binging everyday!l ( I live in an area surrounded by 100's of wineries,restaurants and pubs. Booze is everywhere!! Anyways am trying for a af weekend. Wan't to join me? Hope you have a lovely af Thursday. Its 8.45 am in OZ

[Phin]

Today, day one of hopefully many

I am super stoked to reform myself. I can't explain how much I need this. Summer is always the hardest time for me. There's no structure and a huge boozefest. It's crazy. I will be devoting myself to taking care of me through the fall and winter.

I have other issues as well, mental health issues, depression, and bi-polar. I have an amazing family and they've justs witnessed too much. I haven't hit a rock bottom, but I'd like to change before then.

[scottish lass]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Hi Boozer - I live by Napa Valley and I really enjoy the area and wine tasting and when my off switch worked, it was one of my favorite days out - I do miss going there. I love AF weekends, apart for a few hours which are killers - if I can focus on what I manage to get done, how much fun I have, and how great I feel in the mornings, I can almost get thru the witching hours. All those other hours are amazing! I will do an AF weeknend with you! How about 72 hrs, Fri, Sat and Sun?? we can do it!!! PS it is 7:45 in Ca on Wednesday - so you will have to start us off on this challenge
There is another thread by Mauri who tried a reduction technique for giving up AL, think that's what you are talking about in terms of giving up smoking?

Hi Slay and welcome.

Phin - a high schooler - I have that pleasure next year - and already getting tearful, stay strong! Good luck with the weight loss - I know I expected the wieght to drop off the times I have managed to give up AL, and it hasn't always happened - mind you that might be the carbs I eat to get thru (like ice cream!!)

[Rollerblader]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Hi all and welcome Slay!

I'm looking for a bit of encouragement tonight, my hubster has gone off to his regular pool night and this was usually my "Thursday is the unofficial start of the weekend" night where I'd get in my pjs and curl up on the sofa with the dog, a book or DVD and a bottle (or 2) of wine (and be passed out when he came home, usually after writing something embarrassing on facebook)...

I've not really struggled so far (now is evening of AF Day 4) even last night when a neighbour came round and he & hubster had beer and wine, I was happy enough chatting along while drinking my cranberry juice out of a wine glass, but tonight I feel a bit... bereft... like where's MY weekend treat??? Childish I know.

Boozer - I'm WITH YA SISTER for an AF weekend, and am also in (possibly, roughly) the same time zone! Let's focus on our brief days off from the evil that is work being filled with fun stuff we actually remember doing on Monday, and let no part of our precious leisure time be contaminated with hangovers!

Scottish Lass - I'm with you two, but appreciate the time differential makes it a wee bit more complicated lol :-)

Anyone else taking the challenge???

[Slaythefear]

Today, day one of hopefully many

Morning to all and thank you for the warm welcome.

I'm in for an AF weekend, boozer (lol on your moniker name). The plan is to kick it completely. I don't know if I can be around the boards for much support, however, as things will be demanding my attention currently. Some times I have plenty of time and other times things get a bit more hairy. That's what I like about this site, you can scan through so many posts to give you encouragement even if no one is available to talk. You all leave such great messages, advice and tools to use. Kudos to everyone!! Maybe Sunday and Monday depending on travel arrangements of family.

I love quotes and find they help me gain some perspective and strength through inspiration.

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing." ~Abraham Lincoln~

My resolution hasn't always been fully ready to conquer this problem, but I think for many of us something just clicks right one day and we admit we have a problem, we get tired of the damage and we realize we are worth the work to change and help ourselves. We can love ourselves and slay all those negative thoughts that make us think we aren't worth loving...even those subconscious ones that have been there for so long. Stop the self abuse and self destruction and look that monster in the eye and tell it to go to hell!!!

Wishing you all success today, tomorrow and beyond.