THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

[adaptable]

This is my 3rd day AF and I hate waking up early and with a terrible headache. Is it the Topa?

It's not only beer that's the drug of my choice, but pot and cigarettes. My husband hates that I smoke cigarettes but beer and cigarettes go together. Well, all of it goes together really. So it's day 3 AF for all 3. My husband is away a lot on trips and works 24 hour shifts so I have a lot of time to play and party on my own or with friends. 8-12 beers every night, pack of cigs, get high, space out, just feels so good, you know.

Yesterday hubby called from work and said he won't be home till Saturday morning, so I thought, hell.... we have a keg of my favorite beer in the barn, pot in the drawer so why not? Just one night wouldn't hurt. But how many times haven't I had that conversation with myself.

What do I get out of it?

1) Low self esteem
2) Fat stomach
3) Ugly skin
4) 10-15 extra pounds
5) Less money in my wallet
6) Unhappy husband
7) Unhappy friends
8) Less energy
9) More likely chances of getting lung cancer
10) High blood pressure
11) I smell bad
12) Bad mood
13) A feeling of shame
14) Feelings of humiliation
15) Feelings of embarrassment
16) Forgetfulness
17) Less connected with family and friends
18) Can?t drive my car
19) I miss a lot of parties and family gatherings
20) I miss a lot of shows
21) I miss a lot of things that I actually love doing
22) Bruises on my body from falling
23) Cigarette burns on my clothing
24) Paranoia
25) Depression
26) Lethargy
27) Less sex drive
28) Anger
29) Self loathing
30) Procrastination

It?s amazing that Id want to ever drink again after reading this list. I think I?ll hang it on my mirror so I can remember.
:new:

[nancy]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

there's also a significantly higher risk for breast cancer from excess alcohol intake.

[imatree]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

Good morning adaptable, and welcome. This list of yours is great - good motivator.
May I recommend that you also make a list of the positives of not drinking - could just be the same things in this list turned around - like improved self esteem, lose weight, clear skin, save money, etc. I truly believe that there is so much more power in positive statements.

Congrats on making the commitment to change your life!! I'm fairly new here too, still haven't reached my goals but feel more postive and hopeful than ever before.

About those headaches - are you drinking tons of water?? Quiting 3 toxins at once - your body is cleaning house.

[Gargykath]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

Hiya

Fantastic list - I relate to loads of those. Would also add for myself that my flat is always a tip as I am too hungover and paranoid to tidy it.

Am 4 days AF and really really want a drink. It is a Friday which is my normal party night. Looking at your list is helping me stop going out for some booze.

Best wishes

Kath

[Gargykath]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

Yes also agree with imatree - I saw my mate last night who is a spiritualist healer and he told me I need to drink loads more water which I dont normally.

[cke123]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

Hi adaptable-

I can relate to all the things on your list. I was 5 days AF, then blew it last night. Beer and a ton of cigarettes. I am so pissed at myself, but I guess its better than drinking for 5 days straight, right?

I still think its progress.

I want to print your list on stick in on my forehead though, just to be safe!

[zincityzen]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

Excellent list adaptable - good reminder to us all if we go back to our old drinking habits. I think imatree had a great idea about turning that list around to positive statements ... also something you can use for suggestions and visualizations for hypo CDs if you are using them.

[adaptable]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

I've been reading here for a while before going AF, been listening to the tapes, taking Topa, nothing was working, I was getting depressed, so I decided to stop. Since I wrote this morning I've been a mess. I have so much to do, but I can't seem to stop crying. I don't even know why. Is that normal?

Thanks everyone for your posts. Even they made me cry though, go figure.

[zincityzen]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

Hi Adaptable - Magnesium helps for headaches as does water. Drink your water. I think it is perfectly normal to feel sad without knowing why for everyone, but especially those of us going through change. And you're planning a change, undergoing a change in a big way, physically, emotionally, spiritually. You should be proud of yourself on being 3 days AF. As imatree said, your body is releasing 3 toxins, so right now a lot of feelings are going to keep coming up, feelings that those toxins numbed. Drink your water. With hubby gone, it might be easier to get back into listening to your tapes while doing your stuff and planning a routine. YOU CAN DO THIS. Drink your water.

[weemelonhead]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

Hi Adaptable....first off...GREAT going on the 3 days...to stop 3 vices in one go like this certainly takes a bucketload of determination so the melon bows down to you!!!:H

You are changing the substances you are putting into your body and will be going through quite a detox, so don't panic too much when you have some unpleasant side effects..don't forget, these will all gradually disappear as your bod gets used to it's lovely clean living and you WILL feel better and better, unlike the way you would feel if you made no attempt to change your lifestyle! Tree is right, when undergoing any detox, give yor body a hand and give it plenty of water to flush itself out, white grape juice is an excellent detox drink, and eat well dear...plenty of fresh foods as opposed to processed stuff..this will all help the clearout be that much quicker.
Your moods will also go up and down, It took me a long time to feel stable after I stopped drinking, but with diet, exercise and a hefty dose of anti d's and a good hard look at my life, I am really coming right now, and feel better emotionally than I can ever remember!
Problems do not go away when you abstain...you certainly lessen the ones that are self inflicted, but you now have more energy to deal with the ones that were always there that we, as addiscts, tend to mask with our substance of choice.
Treat yourself well love, rest, and just take things easy during this transition period...give yourself (if Possible) as little outside stress as you can, and use your energy for staying sober...it all evens out after a while!!

Stay strong...you've made such a fabulous start!!!
Weemelonhead

[Accountable for Me]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

adaptable - try not to be so hard on yourself! You are quitting 3 huge addictions all at once and your body and mind are going to be all over the map! Have you thought about possibly quitting one at a time? I initially stopped drinking and smoking for about 20-something days in November and it was way too much for me! I ended up smoking and drinking more in the end because I seriously thought I was going insane! So I decided the alcohol was the biggest problem in my life so I have started with that. After a few months of being AF I am now thinking about ditching the cigarettes. I have been tapering down to only 3 a day max for the last couple of days.

I am an all or nothing gal - and I place WAY too much pressure on myself most times. I have come to realize I need to address one issue at a time in order to be successful in what I accomplish. Something you may want to consider? My husband was a fellow binge drinker/pot smoker/smoker. He dumped all three for a VERY short period of time and it wasn't good. Please don't think I am saying you can't do it - I am trying to give you some insight on mine/hubby's experiences.

And crying is perfectly normal and healthy BTW. I cry more now than I have ever. I never knew I had a heart that pumped any emotion. My tough exterior has crumbled since quitting the drink and I like this kind, sensitive person I am becoming. Be patient and kind with yourself. And sorry for the long post. I tend to go on and on and on........... need a life I am thinking LOL!

[MDBiker]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

Welcome adaptable. Come on in the water's fine. Glad you have taken the plunge
Bear

[retteacher]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

Hi Adaptable:
I'm glad you posted your list. I just came off 2 heavy days of drinking after 6 AF. Why did I start again? Who knows? Anyhow, I need to see, in black & white, how destructive drinking is for me. Thank you for posting the list...it took courage.

[adaptable]

THIS IS WHAT I GET OUT OF DRINKING!

Zincityznen, I took magnesium and drank a lot of water and it helped with the headace, thanks.
Accountable, I’ve quit many times and it works best for me to quit the 3 together. Thanks though, and thanks for the long post. I just let myself me a mess yesterday.
Weemelonhead, Retteacher, MDBiker Thanks for the welcome.

I got through day 3 ok even though I went to a premier last night and met a lot of friends that wanted me to go out with them after the show, which I certainly was tempted to do. I felt deprived, but went home and on-line and read some posts here instead and cried. It helped. I know I’ll get better. I’m going to visit girlfriends this weekend in BC who will mother me. Thanks everyone. Lol.