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    #1

    The close call thread

    I don't know if it's kosha, but i'd like to start a close-call thread for anybody that has had a close call and has managed to avoid alcohol today. Perhaps you could tell us a bit about your close call and what you did to avoid it.

    Mine started out at 3.30pm. I'm not sure what triggered it, being alone perhaps, or a recent change in diet. Nevertheless, massive cravings (both physical and mental) continued unabated until about 7pm.

    How i managed it was: to think of all the times i have felt shithouse in the mornings; to remember i have goals and things to do and that i desire to action some of my goals tomorrow; to fill my mouth with food and a few fast drinks of the safe variety; and i went down to the video shop to get a few DVDs. The drive was nice! Once it got to 7.30pm, it had just about gone. Now, i am thankful and hope that it doesn't happen again for a long time. Strategy in the future might be to accept more shifts at work to distract me.
    One day at a time.. Sometimes it's one minute or one second at a time.. Most important thing is to look ahead and don't look back!
    Tags: None
    #2
    The close call thread

    what a fantastic idea!! and bloody well done on not giving in to it! I think eating something is a good idea but you cant always do that! BUt getting out for a walk or cleaning the bloody fridge or anything to keep busy!

    LAst wed I returned to my choir after the christmas break and towards the end of the session the drinking thinking started to creep in , you see normally after a session Id pick up some cans but I said to myself, no, I reminded myself that I reallly WANT to do this . It passed then but I know there will be times .

    GReat thread idea, lets keep focused!'

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      #3
      The close call thread

      What a good idea, often people want to know how to deal with those low moments and can't find the relevant comments.

      Today we had a BBQ, I always drank more and earlier in the day at such events so I had a snack well before I got hungry and nibbled all afternoon. I didn't eat as much of the barbecued food but I wasn't sad and empty from the old habit.

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        #4
        The close call thread

        this is a cool thread! its only 8:30 in the morning here now,but yesterday i had the urge after work,hubs is off saturdays and he drinks beers his breath made my trigger hit! i just had a pepsi a REAL one cuz i usually drink diet,then i made him take me out to an early dinner,all that food wouldve made drinking very uncomfortable in my belly,plus no buzz wouldve been achieved,so i didnt cave yay!
        I have too much shit to do today and tomorrow to drink:sohappy:

        I'm taking care of the "tomorrow me":thumbsup:
        Drinkin won't help a damn thing! Will only make me sick for DAYS and that ugly, spacey dumb feeling-no thanks!

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          #5
          The close call thread

          It's passing the old haunts. There's a small town here in Scotland called Dunkeld. I used to often come here and walk or climb a hill and would always finish this with a couple of pints looking over the magnificent River Tay.

          Today I was hiking and had to drive through Dunkeld, passing that old drinking haunt. I thought how nice it would be to have a pint. I thought too how I used to drink... that one pint was the beginning of an evening of drinking that would often culminate in waking up feeling a wee bit groggy... or, if I was trying to cut back, finding the evening frustrating because i couldn't just "relax and drink"...

          I came to thinking that I didn't have a drink to celebrate an achievement...

          ...I had a drink so as I could have another drink so as I could get drunk.

          Realising that, I kept driving. For I don't want to get drunk. I'll feel shite tomorrow and what's more I'm teaching first thing. It's not worth it.

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            #6
            The close call thread

            I'm in a state of confusion. I am wanting to drink a beer, yet the thought of the taste makes me want to gaga. The thought of the buzz makes me want to gag. The thought of the morning after makes me want to gag.

            I've narrowed it down to boredom & lack of motivation. But I knew that was an issue before I even quit.

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              #7
              The close call thread

              Everyone please keep posting....I need something that will click.:thanks:
              "Remember, you are responsible for creating your life by every thought, action, choice. Choose well." Oprah Winfrey

              Comment

                #8
                The close call thread

                AGREED

                I agree with RC-you have to think it through. To the end result and all it's consequences.

                To be honest I am not allowing myself to be in a situation where it can get to be a "close call". I'm staying far away from situations that make me want to drink, at least for now. I feel like I can't afford to get close.

                And as I always say, the antabuse makes it easier. I just take it and know that there is no option.

                In February I have a big work meeting coming up. Lots os people at the downtown Marriott with meetings all day, then dinner, drinks and all that. I REALLY want to come home after the meetings part, and I might just do that. My boss knows my whole story so she would probably help me get out of there. Just not comfortable for me.

                Happy Sunday everyone!

                Comment

                  #9
                  The close call thread

                  Thank you everyone for your support.

                  Limers: good idea about doing mundane things. I've always said "clean house, healthy mind"! You truly do feel better when your environment is clean.

                  Strategy: make a list of alternative activities you can do when you feel temptation and pin it on the wall! Eg, clean fridge, water plants, go for walk.

                  Other strategies involved:

                  1. Thinking first and planning ahead (Kuya) for example eating first or taking your own drink.
                  Ann Carolina;1443293 wrote: I agree with RC-you have to think it through. To the end result and all it's consequences.

                  2. Avoiding areas, physical locations or routines / rituals (RunningCourage). Drive a different way home, think about where you're going to drive and avoid tempting areas, think about which supermarket you go to and have a contingency plan in place, maybe not go to certain locations or events until you are sure you can handle it as there will always be something else to do or other opportunities to socialise.

                  3. Disassociating celebration with drinking. Think of another way you can reward yourself. Surely a good night's sleep is enough sometimes?! Or, buy yourself something special on the way home, or plan a good home cooked meal.

                  4. Reach for your medication if you have any.

                  I think the most resounding thing for me is thinking it through. I hope that i always have the resolve to do this, for example, thinking of all those negative things associated with alc, such as:

                  - Feeling physically aweful in the morning, including having a headache and feeling lethargic, is it all worth it?
                  - Feeling anxious, depressed and ashamed in the morning
                  - Knowing that you'll have to start from day 1 again
                  - Knowing that your goals have now been set back for at least another day or two

                  I also think it's a good idea to remind yourself of the positive things (benefits) of not drinking, for example, more energy the next day, more positive feelings and a clear head.

                  Perhaps we could create an acronym for "thinking it through"? Or, you could create your own? (something to work on).

                  Paulywogg: congrats on making it through. Perhaps you could avoid being close to hubby for the first hour or so after he's been out drinking? Or, ask him to carry breath mints so that you don't have to smell it (you could make a joke out of it)?

                  NewOne: i hope you find the motivation soon. Hint: a good meal (healthy) and a good night's sleep make all the difference. Start your goals off small, eg, maybe you could go for a walk once per day and start to clean the house more?

                  Juja: keep reading. Remember, the most important thing is to think ahead. Think of all those horrible things that you experience the next day.

                  I'd just like to say that i got up at 4.15am this morning for my usual trip to the bathroom and was so pleased that i had made the decision i made                   last night. The 4 hours of hard work in not doing it were all worth it!                   I also managed to watch a DVD last night, enjoy it, and remember it!

                  Keep going everyone, and please post your situation if you feel you need to get it off your chest or need feedback
                  One day at a time.. Sometimes it's one minute or one second at a time.. Most important thing is to look ahead and don't look back!

                  Comment

                    #10
                    The close call thread

                    Change;1443509 wrote:
                    Perhaps we could create an acronym for "thinking it through"? Or, you could create your own? (something to work on).
                    This is a great thread Change!

                    I'm not sure about an acronym, but I always liked the phrase "play the tape forward", to describe thinking it through. Of course the yung'ins may not know what 'tape' refers to lol.
                    AF since 6JUN2012

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                      #11
                      The close call thread

                      Most of us have a picture (or two !) of ourselves inebriated ....... Keep one handy and look at it when the urge hits, and the memories fade!

                      Comment

                        #12
                        The close call thread

                        Most of us have a picture (or two !) of ourselves inebriated ....... Keep one handy and look at it when the urge hits, and the memories fade! - Kuya


                        This hits home for me! Just "celebrated" my 50th and saw some pics and video that I don't even want to share with anyone!! To hear my voice while drunk was embarrassing and uncomfortable. My husband was showing me and laughing (we were pretty much all in the same stats). It just grossed me out!!
                        Live in the "NOW". :h

                        Deb

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                          #13
                          The close call thread

                          Hi Change,

                          I think this is a great thread! I was just reading a response by Byrdie (over in NN) to someone who had slipped. She related how she had 12 days, it was 8pm and she felt she had that day 'in the bag', so to speak. Her husband went downstairs for something and she found herself bolting to fill her coffee mug to the top with wine and chugging it down. Not a single thought of reason, restraint, or weighing things out. (Another reason to not have it handy, in the house!). I can see, early on in quitting, that one wants to have an emergency back up on hand. Big mistake.

                          I had a similar situation on Christmas Eve. It was day 23 for me. Everything was going ok, it was almost bedtime. I just finished posting on MWO. I happened to look at the clock and it was 10:30.

                          All of the sudden, like Pavlov's dog, I was ready to bolt. The last liquor store, open until 11pm, was going to close. All of the sudden, I was getting my shoes on. Need to hurry, get dressed again, shoes on, make it over there....keys, purse..... hurry! They will probably be closed tomorrow, Christmas day, so need to get enough......

                          NOT ONE restraining thought! .....that I had just gone through the most hellish withdrawal..... that I was blowing 23 days...... that I would feel like sh*t the next day...... that I would have to start over. Amazing! And scary!

                          Luckily, I thought to post about it, just to eat up the time until it was too late to go. I started to post, not knowing if anyone was even around. I ended up deleting the post, but the urge miraculously passed within a few minutes. Whew! That was a close one!

                          Thank God I didn't do it. I'm grateful I didn't have a bottle around the house. But I still would have had to go out, as one bottle would have left me in a panic that I would wake up on Christmas Day with none. And everything closed.

                          Maybe we need a thread, monitored regularly, for people who are on their way out the door and need to be talked down. LOL
                          AF since 12/2/12
                          http://hamsnetwork.org/taper/

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                            #14
                            The close call thread

                            I got caught unawares just about 2 hours ago driving home from the gym. It was if I had "forgot" that I had quite drinking and suddenly the idea of picking up a bottle of wine on the way home felt so appealing.

                            Had to quickly switch my brain into thinking about all the shitty things alcohol was doing to me and my life and had to remind myself that I don't need it for pleasure etc and how good life has been since I quit. For me, that's gonna be key to fending off cravings - quickly festering on all the bad shit v how good things are now.

                            It seemed to get my brain back on track, but that sudden desire for alcohol out of nowhere freaked me out, especially as I haven't been thinking about it all recently.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              The close call thread

                              almost free;1443788 wrote: Maybe we need a thread, monitored regularly, for people who are on their way out the door and need to be talked down. LOL
                              Ha, that would be a great idea! I wonder if we could get a sticky for that??
                              One day at a time.. Sometimes it's one minute or one second at a time.. Most important thing is to look ahead and don't look back!

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