Can't get past 48 hours

[Guest]

Can't get past 48 hours

Hi guys

Just been away for the weekend to a festival and wasn't able to get online. Well done DB on 11 days. I'm on my 27th day. The weekend was difficult at first and I did wonder if I'd put myself in a very dangerous situation going there.....I almost went home the first night (when I say home I mean just stay in the accomodation with my Mum who had driven me over there, and not go to the socialising bits near bars). As it was it turned out ok and once over my initial nerves realised there were plenty of ways I could avoid being in contact with AL, whilst still taking part (like the fact there was a cafe right in the main venue where I could buy cups of coffee, camomile tea and Fanta!!! So never had to actually go up to a bar at all). Anyone tried moshing on camomile tea?

Well I've done it. Moshing being the only word I can think of to describe moving around and dancing to music at Goth Weekend........perhaps stomping might be better. Anyway it worked fine enough that by, last night I wasn't even thinking about AL as it just wasn't a factor at all. Whilst I was there I purchased some L-Glut tablets from H&B - didn't think it would be good travelling across the country with a tub of white powder in the car to a festival. Only took 2 x 500mg tabs so don't know if it was that or just my mindset that got such results.

24 hours at a time?Well I had an hour Friday lunchtime and 1 hour that evening where it was 1 minute at a time!

[DiscoBunnie]

Can't get past 48 hours

UK & all ~

Congratulations on your 27 days! A great accomplishment indeed! Another great accomplishment is how well you got through your weekend. That took a lot of strength and committment to get through that type of enviroment. It sounds like you had a wonderful time "moshing" with the inspiration of chamomile tea ~ let the good times roll!!

I travel with my glutamine powder but you do bring up a good point, I am sure curiosity would be sparked by anyone coming across suspicious white powder!!

I was just wondering myself, how much influence the L-Glut has on helping fight off the cravings. I'm also taking the inositol so not sure where the help to resist is originating from, but I am not willing to stop any of it! I believe it is a combination of supplements, my desire to be AF, and the support which I have found here...

Glad you are doing so well UK!

~db

[mollyka]

Can't get past 48 hours

There is a chinese herbal sort of shop in the shopping centre near where I work and I ran in a couple of weeks ago and asked them for something for anxiety. They wanted a consultation and all and I said I was rushing back to work so they gave me the 'anxiety' capsules, and I thought they worked well, went back to get some more and apparently my initial request got lost in translation and I had been taking things for migraine headaches!!!
Molly

[Guest]

Can't get past 48 hours

I prefer not to 'rely' on supplements to help me through as you can become reliant on them, ie you run out/forget to take them and can then become stressed out worried you can't cope without them.

A lot of it is in the mind although I will say L-Glut does seem to help with my carb intake, since it's fairly harmless and I already have it in my cupboard for my training it doesn't hurt. Learning to deal with anxiety is something we work on ODAT.

[spuddleduck]

Can't get past 48 hours

uk, thats fantastic going to festival. you must be feeling really strong.BRILLIANT

[Guest]

Can't get past 48 hours

I was pretty wobbly at first but I decided when I quit that I wanted to start going out and get a social life. Drinking kept me at home prisoner in the past. Tempted to go out this weekend but I know that would be just too much. Only so much exposure I think one should have to dangerous situations this early but thanks!

[Doggygirl]

Can't get past 48 hours

Hello all! I am so excited to read of the SUCCESS here on this thread!! DB, congrats to you on surviving another weekend AF! And double digits, one day at a time! You are doing great.

UK, you are braver than I would have been about the festival. But of course we each have to make our own decisions and the important thing is that you DID NOT DRINK! I think you mention a very good point about how you got more comfortable as the weekend progressed. I believe we have to "re-learn" to do things sober that we used to do with a drink in our hand. For me, I had to re-learn practically everything as by the end, I drank all the time.

UK you said something else I think is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. That was about your exit strategy to go to your Mom's place if needed. When socializing with AL, even to this day nearly 2 years sober I always always always have an exit strategy. If temptation feels to strong, what will I do to get the heck out of there NOW. Because drinking is simply not an option. "Leaving" is my pressure release valve if needed. When my husband and I go places where AL will be, we either agree to leave whenever I decide we need to, or we take separate vehicles so I can leave when I want to.

I would love to see some "moshing" pictures!

Hello also to spud and molly and snap and all other DiscoBunny Fans!

One minute at a time is awesome when 24 hours feels too long. Even one second at a time will work. Whatever it takes. I am willing to go to any length it takes to stay sober. How about you????



Happy Monday

DG

[DiscoBunnie]

Can't get past 48 hours

Hello everybody!! Thanks DG, I have hit the double digits ~ 24 hours at a time!! I will go to any lengths to remain sober just as previously I would go to any lengths to get that first drink... Sobriety is the priority....

UK, definately you demonstrate great strength! I don't think I am quite ready to hit the social scene yet... I know I wouldn't want to drink but I am still learning the skill of "exiting". That is also my plan, just "step away from the situation". I am more of a visual, hands on kind of learner so I definately need the practice of some role playing where I will learn not to offend anybody by a potential early exit. I am looking forward to mastering those moments! ...


And hello to Spud, Molly and Snap.. come out, come out wherever you are! ...
~db

[Guest]

Can't get past 48 hours

DB

Yeah I would not recommend what I've been able to do to anyone else in the first stages of giving up AL. I've had a particular set of circumstances and history that meant I could just about do it. I'm also lucky in that I have family that won't drink around me, my parents are TT and my best friend is TT (he might try a shandy once a month but that's it!). I also live alone so don't have complication of SO who might drink.

I can tell you this is does get easier and if you keep things simple it works.

Double figures that means you should be giving yourself a pat on the back.

[Doggygirl]

Can't get past 48 hours

:yougo::yougo::yougo::yougo::yougo::yougo:

The full array of cheering chicks is out in force to help celebrate double digits!!!

UK, you are doing fabulous! Keep on going!

DB, you have the right attitude to put your sobriety first and really think about activities and whether you can handle them. Until you feel SURE about an exit strategy, and feel SURE that you will exit long before you will take a drink, then it's not time to risk your sobriety. NOTHING is worth it. (at least nothing in my world is worth risking my sobriety over!)

I have found that most people really don't care whether I'm drinking or not. The "heavy drinkers" are just like I used to be - they care about whether THEY can drink or not. Also, we tend to think that all eyes are upon us, and frankly, people probably aren't paying nearly as much attention to us as we'd like to think.

One thing I learned from retteacher (she mainly posts in the AA thread) and I think it's true. The hardest part of going to an event where AL is being served is the first few minutes. Once we get past the part where we order a non-AL beverage and get that in our hand, it seems the rough spot is past. Of course all of these thoughts about events with AL are for when you are READY for events with AL. I was NOT ready for a long time. And I still won't just hang out in a bar where drinking is the main or only focus of what is going on. I find it no fun at all to sit around watching other people get drunk. (it's a sad reminder of me and I don't like it!) THAT is B-O-R-I-N-G!

DG

[Guest]

Can't get past 48 hours

I agree totally. It was the first hour of the first nightout at the weekend when I was in extreme danger - partly because I felt a bit intimidated. I had to sit still in a chair clutching a coffee minute by minute reminding myself I could call a taxi and leave if things got too bad and that would be ok, even though I'd look stupid and had forked out ?40 on the ticket.

Been out for a meal this evening with an old friend - he knows about my issues and we were both driving so we both ordered soft drinks and me first, that sets the precedence in a way and means I get it out of the way!

Dem cheerboys going to get terrible elbow trouble with all that waving.

[daybyday]

Can't get past 48 hours

Great advise and discussion on going out where AL is present. I have not had a hard time being around AL with close family who know I am trying to quit.

I'm more nervous about the next cocktail dinner party friends may have as they have always involved plenty of wine in the past.....that will be the difficult one for me. But as you've said it would probably just be the first glass declined that would be the uncomfortable one.

Anyway, not ready yet to put myself in that situation so it's ok but I like reading about your ways of handling it and getting past it.

[Guest]

Can't get past 48 hours

AL-free cocktails are rather yummy, I often look out for them in restaurants and even found a bar in Prague serving a completely seperate menu of these. You can buy recipe books just don't get yours mixed up with the boozy ones.

[Snapdragon]

Can't get past 48 hours

Hi everyone - and well done UK and Disco - FANTASTIC achievement :yay: :goodjob:

It's funny you all talking about the temptation to drink when you are out and around other people who are drinking. Things are upside down for me - as I can happily go out and socialise but not drink (although I don't generally go out socialising very often) I think I've always preferred not to drink in front of other people because I know I will lose control of myself.

I'm a lone drinker - when I'm at home in the evening on my own I find it really hard to stop myself - like this constant niggling argument that goes on in my head telling me it won't cause any harm, there's no-one around me who would know any better etc. I have had to try and change my habits at home - get out a bit more and do different things. Although I haven't been completely AF for the past two weeks, I've managed to cut back to drinking on just two evening - have gone out for walks in the eve, or spent the evening at my partners home where I know I won't be tempted. I feel much stronger in my resolve now and finally got my L-Glut and Inisotol on Friday so am going for total AF from 1st May (yesterday). I know tomorrow will be the hardest (day three - and the famous 48 hours!!) But I'm determined to do it this time so wish me luck.

Have a good weekend everyone - UK enjoy the bank holiday and lets hope this awful rain lets up!

Thanks DG for all of your support to us all - it's people like you who keep us plodding uphill - can't wait to reach the top!!

Best Snap X

[Guest]

Can't get past 48 hours

Thanks Snap.

Think I'd better clarify - I'm also used to not drinking at social events because basically for the last few years I only drank at home, mostly on my own since I knew drinking whilst out was just too dangerous (well I'd be uninterested in anything else as well).

The situation where I found myself worried I might drink did happen to be a social occasion but it was the fact I was so nervous about being somewhere new, with people I didn't know and who looked fantastic in their dress etc and wasn't sure what was going to happen next. At no point was I bothered by seeing people drinking - it was simply my own feelings that were affecting me.

Other than that I'm happy with a coffee, herbal tea or glass of pop as long as I'm feeling fine.