Did I Mess up My Progress??

[Vet1984]

Hello,

New member for here but thanks for everyone's honesty that I've read on other topics.

First off, this maybe a long post, as I need to vent and am scared.

A brief history on me, within the last year I have had a DUI, Medical Detox, and went to Rehab. I then lost my job due to the DUI incident and lost my house.

After all of this I went through total abstinence until about a month and a half ago where I had a work injury. The pain led me back to alcohol. Since then I have been drinking at least a pint of vodka a day along with 10-12 beers.

I knew I was "off track again" but can't afford medical treatment when I found out about the tapering off of alcohol. 4 days ago I decided to completely stop with the vodka. The first night really sucked, very bad shakes and sweating but I made it through it. The next day(2), I drank my normal amount of beer and had minor withdrawal symptoms. Day 3 I cut down to 9 beers and was shaky but okay. Day 4 today, and I started off great drinking the following schedule:

1 at 12
1 at 2
1 at 5
1 at 8
1 at 930
And was planning one at 11 tonight.

Now Ive had 3 at 1031 due to some family issues. My plan tomorrow was to then push it to 1 every 3 hours but it seems I messed that up. Any advice would help. I'm feeling so depressed as today went so well...

[kuya]

Did I Mess up My Progress??

You have still drunk substantially less. Go to bed now and continue as planned tomorrow.

Try to stop drinking AT people......it only harms you.

And :welcome: to MWO.

You CAN do this. Sleep now and read, read, read and post often to clear your thoughts and let us get to know you better.

This is a great community and people succeed in their sobriety. It is sooo much easier with support, my friend

[Siren136]

Did I Mess up My Progress??

Also, rather than drinking at regular intervals, only drink when the symptoms get so bad that you need relief. Try to really push yourself - if you are feeling fine, then don't drink even if you want to. Go do something else to delay the drink. This is a good way to start to flex your alcohol-free "muscles" again and to remind yourself that you are powerful over alcohol.

How long were you alcohol free prior to now? What tools did you use to stay sober? Can you write these down to remind yourself how to do this?

[YouKayBee]

Did I Mess up My Progress??

Yep, there's always going to be family issues, life problems and you need to try and break the link. Keep on reducing, tapering is hard, just keep on going.

[Vet1984]

Did I Mess up My Progress??

Thanks for the responses guys. I figured I would update you guys on my progress.

I was depressed the next morning but didn't want to give up, so I got down to 6 beers on day 5. I was shaky and night sweats the night before so didn't sleep well. I took the advice of just drinking when needed.

Today, I have had ONE beer! The urge is there and I'm still mildly shaky but am excited. Tomorrow, I'll leave 1 for a just in case absolutely needed. My plans are to drink none which I know I can do. I imagine the shakes will be there but probably even less and I can handle it.

It's amazing that 7 days ago I was drinking a pint of vodka and 10-12 Bud Platinums a day. Thanks to you all in this great community.

Edited: This may be to large of a step what I did. Most will probably need to go slower.

[kuya]

Did I Mess up My Progress??

Well done Vet.......you are well on the way now.

You won't need that safety net beer I believe, you are well out of danger IMO.

Welcome to sobriety.......it rocks!

[Vet1984]

Did I Mess up My Progress??

kuya;1509879 wrote: Well done Vet.......you are well on the way now.

You won't need that safety net beer I believe, you are well out of danger IMO.

Welcome to sobriety.......it rocks!

Thanks for the support!

It's been rough but I think I did it. I'm scared to throw out the safety net beer away, lol.

I know I should though and will do it, or at least try too...

I'll try to update tomorrow night if I can. Thanks again to all.

[YouKayBee]

Did I Mess up My Progress??

Vet1984;1509882 wrote: Thanks for the support!

It's been rough but I think I did it. I'm scared to throw out the safety net beer away, lol.

I know I should though and will do it, or at least try too...

I'll try to update tomorrow night if I can. Thanks again to all.

The closest relationship an alcoholic has with anyone is with the bottle and saying goodbye is extremely scary. I remember that feeling very well, and I know what it's like but you need to take that step, cut it off like a bad relationship and get it out of your life.