Abstinence Challenge

[skullbabyland]

Abstinence Challenge

Juan BH;1616269 wrote: Hi Sam

You will know when you are indifferent. I can't explain it for you because it seems that everyone experiences it differently, but you will know, I am sure of that.

One way I know for myself is by seeing visual cues such as beer in the supermarket or billboards advertising booze. I used to get an automatic craving response from seeing those things, but now nothing happens. What I mean by craving response is like a little instant brain twitch. Not a longing, more of an instantaneous "I want that!" thought. It would be imperceptibly fast, but I could still "feel" it. Now if I see cold beer in the supermarket display, it's just like looking at anything else in the store like broccoli or cheese or something like that. The booze has no power to induce any thought or feeling in me like it did before.

I can't speak to what you should do re the bac. If you were drinking out of habit, just see what happens after being AF for a while and go from there.

I can relate to this, though I didn't realize it til Juan posted this... I don't seem to get drinking cravings much anymore from visual stimuli. I credit both the bac and maybe even more so the AB for this. Seeing signs etc for beer or even cutting though the beer/wine isle at the grocery store to get to the meat counter, I don't seem to stop and ruminate or feel a pull towards drinking. We had friends over on Saturday night, everyone had a few beers and scotches and I had my cran juice, nobody cared of course and it didn't bother me at all, it wasn't even a thought in my mind that I was missing out cuz I truly didn't feel I was. It used to be that I would salivate at the very thought of beer, now it (almost) never happens. When it does, it's just a little and I just dismiss it. It's nice to not feel like a slave to it.

[Samandkatharine]

Abstinence Challenge

Thanks Skull, Juan et al...

I'm indifferent 🎉

Hubby broke out my favorite chilled white wine last night. I looked at the glass like it was a piece of cheese.....mg

For now at 80mg I'm 10 days AF and watching netflix at 10pm...couldn't handle the bachelorette with my daughter! I hope this lasts...

Sam

[dundrinkn]

Abstinence Challenge

Day one down. I am indifferent. Was fairly certain of it from the weekend, but last night I picked my kid up at my ex's and her new flame was having a beer. It didn't trip the switch. I didn't feel the urge or craving. And I too can salivate at the mere mention of a beer. I notice when I am indifferent that I will have the habit come up -- 'I should stop to buy beer now so I can drink several before starting dinner'. But when indifferent, there is so much space in that thought that there is time to have another thought -- 'Hmm, I really don't want a beer right now'. And if I can let them both coexist there for a bit, I am good. From the last time I was indifferent I know this will continue. I just have to not drink over the switch. Therefore... on to day 2.

[StuckinLA]

Abstinence Challenge

That's one of the best isn't it, Dun? "I don't *feel* like stopping at the liquor store, I just want to get home and relax."

[Juan BH]

Abstinence Challenge

Samandkatharine;1616465 wrote: Thanks Skull, Juan et al...

I'm indifferent 🎉

Hubby broke out my favorite chilled white wine last night. I looked at the glass like it was a piece of cheese.....mg

For now at 80mg I'm 10 days AF and watching netflix at 10pm...couldn't handle the bachelorette with my daughter! I hope this lasts...

Sam

Yay for indifference! Yay for 10 days AF! :happy:

[Juan BH]

Abstinence Challenge

Welcome dun! Glad you found your switch again. Pleased to meet you.

[Samandkatharine]

Abstinence Challenge

Good job Dun! Before long it will be day 28 :shocked::shocked:

Thanks Juan, your support is heartfelt :l. It's starting out to be a great day 11. Last night I was waiting for the shoe to drop...daughters brakes weant out and rotors and pads needed. My hubby made my daughter help him replace them in the garage. Normally I would mask the yelling with wine but instead I took a long bath and then hopped into bed. Problem solved!

Have a great day.!

Sam

[dundrinkn]

Abstinence Challenge

Day 2 Dun! Was easy. Day 3 started with my lovely mother screaming at me on the phone for something completely random. I am 50 years old and do not need to be yelled at by my mother under any circumstances. Didn't think about drinking. Don't think I will. Won't be calling my mother back for a bit. Might take a page from Sam and take a bath and go to bed.

[StuckinLA]

Abstinence Challenge

Samandkatharine;1616937 wrote: Normally I would mask the yelling with wine but instead I took a long bath and then hopped into bed. Problem solved!

Have a great day.!

Sam

Aw man, too bad about the yelling - pads and rotors are easy! Especially if you have a garage! I have neither garage nor tools, so all car work has to go through a mechanic out here, sadly.

Good deal with the bath, though! Baths are great. I had one myself last night, actually. Bubbles, candles, Kierkegaard to read... Um, yeah that sounds really gay... :l

[Samandkatharine]

Abstinence Challenge

Hey, baths are not gay!!! They are very manly too:flyingunders:
Rotors look easy when you are just observing the process. My pretty, blond daughter will make a potential male suitor very happy...

Sam

[Samandkatharine]

Abstinence Challenge

:bath2:

Not gay... BTW, there may be either straight or gay on this forum and I am open to all!

Sam

[StuckinLA]

Abstinence Challenge

Samandkatharine;1617181 wrote: BTW, there may be either straight or gay on this forum and I am open to all!

Sam

Hmmm... I wouldn't mind hearing a little more about that...

EDIT: Oh lord, that joke might not fly. FTR I'm fine with whatever sexual preference anyone happens to be, too. Except gay guys. They are the worst! Any time I'm in a gay club I can't get one to even look my way, so I'm done with them.

[Juan BH]

Abstinence Challenge

Well I tried Kierkegaard in the tub. No bubbles or candles though. I don't understand the whole reading in the bath thing. You can't accomplish any cleaning really and it's kind of an awkward place to read. I made it through about 2 pages before the water got cold, but there was a nice passage from one of his journals I thought was worth sharing:

"And so I stand once again at the point where I must begin my life in a different way. I shall now try to fix a calm gaze upon myself and begin to act in earnest; for only thus shall I be able, like the child calling itself "I" with its first conscious action, to call myself "I" in any deeper sense."

[Samandkatharine]

Abstinence Challenge

Stuck, I meant I have gay and straight friends.. I live in CA like you..land of the fruits and nuts...

Juan, what were you reading? Sounds way over my head. Bac makes me hyper focused so it's hard to read anything that takes intellect. My Oprah magazine and MWO are a perfect combo...glad my Wine Spectator subscription ran out!

Can't imagine reading in the tub. My iPad has all my books on the kindle app and I can see myself dropping the frigging thing overboard.

Nighty night...

[dundrinkn]

Abstinence Challenge

Day 3 down. No problem at all. Feeling good today. I am trying to slowly switch over from liquid to pills. I have gone back to all liquid last two days. Hope that isn't why I am feeling better since I don't think Loop can ship from where he is. Will add pills back in tonight and see how that goes.