Abstinence Challenge

[JDizzle]

Abstinence Challenge

It counts for him not making 30 days. 29..... So close to go out like a chump and not even finish his beer.

[Juan BH]

Abstinence Challenge

JDizzle;1535399 wrote: It counts for him not making 30 days. 29..... So close to go out like a chump and not even finish his beer.

Who said 30 days? JDizzle and Emily did. Juan said 4 weeks! Check my first post on the thread if u want. Nice job on your 30 btw!

[Juan BH]

Abstinence Challenge

Lo0p;1535367 wrote: All I have to say is Juan is now officially a wussy. Give him credit though, he tried.

Does 3/4 of a beer even count?

The burger was good though. :thanks: Juan.

This coming from a guy who puts on a charade with the bartender about the fruity drink he orders being for his girlfriend?

[emily]

Abstinence Challenge

Day 30 for me, whoop whoop.

Huge thank you to everyone for their support and knowledge during this challenge.

I have now reached a place when I no longer feel compelled to drink alcohol at home, especially at the weekend.

Over at JD's 'old timers respond' thread this post by Fred the Cat absolutely totally nailed why this challenge was so important for me. I had hit an initial switch early on at around 80 mg and because I still drank at the weekend, I was managing to undo what bac was doing for me, I knew it, I sensed it but at the time just thought I hadn't went up high enough. Fred's post made me realise that I had to work in partnership with bac. Bleep had always said about doing a 30 days to give indifference a chance as well and a huge thank you to Juan for starting this thread. No more dancing with the devil for me!!

This was the post by Fred that gave me such clarity and also confirmed what Dr Chick had said about breaking the habit. Everything just fell into place for me. (just copied and pasted)

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________

"Hitting the switch is only, ONLY the beginning. Many of us have remarked that we've hit the switch more than once, and the cause is more or less this:

Baclofen changes your brain chemistry, but YOU must change your behavior.

My first switch was lost when I didn't want to shake the habit of eating out every night- and there happened to be a place that served greasy food and fishbowl glasses of beer within walking distance. Even though I was indifferent to alcohol, I still clung to the warm and cozy habit of getting to sit there in a facsimile social atmosphere while texting with s cold beer every night. It was just pathetic! I still cringe at what a sight I must have been to the waitstaff. And- word of warning- once you cross the threshold of 3 drinks you've lost indifference for the night and are good for 6. Keep the habit up and your maintenance dose is powerless to overcome it. Back to square 1.

By cutting out restaurants (except with my sweetheart) I took a major step in securing my switch for good this time. And- the fact that you made a mistake and recognized it means you're already on the path to correct it. In manufacturing there is an entire science dedicated to correcting mistakes, and an accurate appraisal of the situation is the first step.

Another word of warning- if you let yourself drink more than you're indifferent to to fit into a social gathering, the old you will come back out with vengeance. Baclofen doesn't undo your drunk personality.

So, in a nutshell, committing to erasing the habit (people, places, things) is the most important and necessary step you must take."

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________

I will no longer be drinking at home at all now but if friends come round or if I am out I, like JD, will be limiting intake.

AGAIN, A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to all mY fellow challengers for getting there also. I couldn't have done it without being part of this challenge.

[Xadrian]

Abstinence Challenge

Heep heep, hurray for Emily.
You did it!

Welcome to the 30-day club.

[skullbabyland]

Abstinence Challenge

emily;1535600 wrote: Day 30 for me, whoop whoop.

Huge thank you to everyone for their support and knowledge during this challenge.

I have now reached a place when I no longer feel compelled to drink alcohol at home, especially at the weekend.

Over at JD's 'old timers respond' thread this post by Fred the Cat absolutely totally nailed why this challenge was so important for me. I had hit an initial switch early on at around 80 mg and because I still drank at the weekend, I was managing to undo what bac was doing for me, I knew it, I sensed it but at the time just thought I hadn't went up high enough. Fred's post made me realise that I had to work in partnership with bac. Bleep had always said about doing a 30 days to give indifference a chance as well and a huge thank you to Juan for starting this thread. No more dancing with the devil for me!!

This was the post by Fred that gave me such clarity and also confirmed what Dr Chick had said about breaking the habit. Everything just fell into place for me. (just copied and pasted)

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________

"Hitting the switch is only, ONLY the beginning. Many of us have remarked that we've hit the switch more than once, and the cause is more or less this:

Baclofen changes your brain chemistry, but YOU must change your behavior.

My first switch was lost when I didn't want to shake the habit of eating out every night- and there happened to be a place that served greasy food and fishbowl glasses of beer within walking distance. Even though I was indifferent to alcohol, I still clung to the warm and cozy habit of getting to sit there in a facsimile social atmosphere while texting with s cold beer every night. It was just pathetic! I still cringe at what a sight I must have been to the waitstaff. And- word of warning- once you cross the threshold of 3 drinks you've lost indifference for the night and are good for 6. Keep the habit up and your maintenance dose is powerless to overcome it. Back to square 1.

By cutting out restaurants (except with my sweetheart) I took a major step in securing my switch for good this time. And- the fact that you made a mistake and recognized it means you're already on the path to correct it. In manufacturing there is an entire science dedicated to correcting mistakes, and an accurate appraisal of the situation is the first step.

Another word of warning- if you let yourself drink more than you're indifferent to to fit into a social gathering, the old you will come back out with vengeance. Baclofen doesn't undo your drunk personality.

So, in a nutshell, committing to erasing the habit (people, places, things) is the most important and necessary step you must take."

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________

I will no longer be drinking at home at all now but if friends come round or if I am out I, like JD, will be limiting intake.

AGAIN, A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to all mY fellow challengers for getting there also. I couldn't have done it without being part of this challenge.

Wow, what a great post. Congratulations to you, Emily-- amazing progress, I am so happy for you! And, thanks for posting the great comments by Fred-- and thanks also to Fred for originally sharing those thoughts. All very great perspectives to keep in mind, and I found them very enlightening.

Best to you! Yayy!!

[Juan BH]

Abstinence Challenge

What happened to JD? I thought we were going to get some kind of report after the ballgame. Rangers 3, Yankees 0 as far as I know, so everything is OK there. If he's in jail I guess we'll have to wait a bit.

[Juan BH]

Abstinence Challenge

Your post was awesome Emily. I read it first thing this morning. Thanks so much for suggesting we do this. It gave me my switch and a new start at life basically. I am going to try to stay focused now and make good choices from here on out. Thank you for being here with us!

[Juan BH]

Abstinence Challenge

Juan BH;1522963 wrote: I am starting this thread for myself and for anyone who cares to track some AF time with me. I know of a couple of you Baclofenist are considering this right now, so if you want to make a goal for yourself and check in from time to time, this can be a place for you to do that.

My goal is to go 4 weeks AF starting today

(JDizzle- I know of you started a thread like this already. I thought about posting on yours, but didn't know if it was open to others. I borrowed your title as it was so appropriate. Hope you don't mind.)

This is for JD. I actually only set myself up for 28 days dude. I was hoping to hear about the ballgame today if ur out there.

[skullbabyland]

Abstinence Challenge

JDizzle;1535343 wrote: Holy shit. 30 days. When we started this, I fully thought I would not be one that made it to the end. My tickets to the game came through and I am ready to roll. I was making it a point to not put limits on my drinks last time. I wanted to just stop when I felt like it. I'm putting limits this time. 3 when I am away from home and 4 when I am at home. I think those r very reasonable. Ofc tonight will be 4 because those $15 8 oz beers are a joke. Anyways, I'll see how I feel. I think this will be the first time I actually eat some ballpark food and am not obsessed on what inning they stop serving beer.... And ok this is the last inning how many can I order at one time? We really need to leave early and go to the bar. Hahahaha I'm gonna have fun tonight. Thanks for the 30 days of support everyone. I'll report later tonight.

Also I have been stepping down my dose. I slept a little last night.

Yo, JDizz- congrats on the 30 days my man. A while ago, over on my thread, you posted-
"30 days seemed easy as hell to me at day 0. Now I'm at 17 days and the remaining 13 feels like 113. Hahaha I miss my beer. It has been worth it though."

Just as you said, and as any of us know, this shit ain't easy. And we all fall down and stumble. But with the right tools we can stay mostly on track. And bac may be the most powerful of those tools.

Well done man, and all of you on the 30 day challenge. Very well done and I hope very much to follow you.

[RedThread12]

Abstinence Challenge

I just have give you al a great big :goodjob: for your 30 days. And 29.5 ain't too shabby, either.:H

Not long after I quit drinking against my will almost 4 years ago, I did 30 days AF for a very specific reason. I had researched residential treatment centers while deep in a relapse, and, even though there was no way in hell I could have paid for the five week program, I was impressed by the treatment model at The Meadow, in Arizona. I ad actually done some study and workshops with Bessel van der Kolk, who is the Dr. that got Post Traumatic Stress Disorder entered inti the DSMVIV. He is among the world's experts and leading researchers and educators regarding trauma.

The program at The Meadows is about the only one that appeared to have viable potential, to me. SO, pretty quickly, I did those 30 days so I could attend a one-week "outpatient" there. And during that week, for residents and out-patients alike, the ENTIRE focus, discussion, and pretty intense individual processes, is on traumatic events from birth to age 17. Period. Stop. No further, no more stories of what happened later. Their premise, and I feel it has merit, is that those traumas in those years are the most potent triggers for addiction. Which was hugely evident for many people; I did not fully relate to it, but certainly gained a lot from that week. I'm not exactly sure why I'm posting this here, now. . . . although it has been very interesting to watch so many newly non-drinkers struggle with the challenges that remain, even sober.

Kinda' in line with "alcoholic thoughts," and many other comments and discoveries on this utterly awesome thread. There's more I have to say, but it will have to wait. But you are all inspirational, and I thank you for taking up this challenge and making this record that will help more people than you can probably imagine.

[JDizzle]

Abstinence Challenge

Well my night out went about as good as herpes. I've been recouping and will write more later. I still want to try a few beers at home this weekend, but being out did not go well.

[RedThread12]

Abstinence Challenge

Our disease is systemic - kinda' like herpes - but at least you didn't pass it along to anyone. You'll feel better if you take your pills and don't over-drink them for a day or two. Really. You will.

[StuckinLA]

Abstinence Challenge

The gift that keeps on giving...

Listen to Red. She's right.

[JDizzle]

Abstinence Challenge

Ok I wanted to try some beers at home. Worked just fine. I had two 16 oz and stopped. My head was peaceful when I stopped. My night out was just kind of dumb. I went to the game with two guys I enjoy drinking with. Waooooo nelly did I overdo it. Oh well. I was pretty down on things and had a three day hangover. But I knew the situation could have been the issue. I'm very happy about tonight. I had a peaceful night with a couple beers and no obsession. I crave drinks after one drink 100% of the time. So, I am more than confident this is my correct dose. So happy to be back here. Maybe I am just not meant to drink out on the town....which is ok. I don't really get out on the town much these days anyway.