Need a drink

[Daisy38]

Hi,
I'm feeling really stressed after a horrible few days at work the stress has lingered most of the week, I can't unwind. This evening I keep thinking of the times when a glass of wine would wash over me, chilling me out, It seemed to help get things into perspective. I'm nearly 10 weeks AF and just don't know where to go from here

[sweetpea29]

Need a drink

Daisy38;n2512439 wrote: Hi,
I'm feeling really stressed after a horrible few days at work the stress has lingered most of the week, I can't unwind. This evening I keep thinking of the times when a glass of wine would wash over me, chilling me out, It seemed to help get things into perspective. I'm nearly 10 weeks AF and just don't know where to go from here

Hi Daisy

First off- huge congrats to you on reaching 10 weeks :goodjob:

Like you, I used wine as a way to unwind/switch-off after stressful days in work, only to wake-up the next morning or early hours feeling even more stressed out and loathing myself to boot.

Have you checked out the tool box? It's in monthly abstinence section and full of ideas of things to do when overcome by cravings.

Can you think of something else you could do to help you unwind? Maybe a nice long bubble-bath, call a friend, go for a walk, treat yourself to a nice meal and something refreshing and tasty to drink, do anything but drink wine.

You wont wake up in the morning regretting that you didn't drink.

Think of this as a test to your sobriety, a means to build your AF muscles. Once you find new ways to unwind and develop new patterns of behaviour, the old way will be just that- OLD.

Wishing you strength xx

[Mick]

Need a drink

Daisy.....firstly ..ace that you got on here before doing anything!!...take a deep breath first..then there are several things you can do ...sit down and write it all down ..what has peed you off...break it down iinto little pices and see if you can deal with it in little pieces..have long drink of water ,tea coffee juice or anything while you are doing it.
secondly again write down the fors and against having that 1 drink ...be totally honest and as lateral as you can and want about it....again have long drink of water ,tea coffee juice or anything while you are doing it.
thirdly ...do some exercise ...go for a run ..do some cardio work and really burn it out of you..sit ups jogging on the spot ,bunny hops,burpees star jumps etc..

you have got almost seventy days in now ...is it worth that one drink...you know it wouldnt stop at 1 ..you also know know you will feel crap and miserable afterwards....worst thing you can do is nothing and start a one man pity party ..oops woman..so go for it you can beat it thats what its about...fight it daisy...pm me if you want to ...but dont know if its working ..you can do it :l

[Daisy38]

Need a drink

Sweet pea,

Thank you I'm feeling really down your words have just moved me to tears, you've given me some strength and I send you lots of virtual hugs for that!

I have been reading the tool box and the reminders in the I will not drink today thread........... I know I'm romancing the past I had with wine I just can't shake the overwhelming feeling that it will help me escape.

I like your idea of a treat and a chat xx

[Daisy38]

Need a drink

Mick

You star you've just made me smile for the first time this evening with the pity party remark lol I know your right!

I'm going to write down my pros and cons now

[roxane]

Need a drink

yes, its great isnt it? ahh so relaxing, have another. and another. oh, and another. still chilled? or pissed. how will you feel in the morning? you know one glass wont do it, neither will two. it seemed to get things into perspective? really? or just get you to not care for a while. but only a while. its still there when you wake up in the morning, all bleary and headachy, and remorseful.

10 weeks is brilliant, well done. serious sober time and that little voice is telling you its long enough, youre not really going to not drink for the forseeable, are you? its a sneaky bugger.

see how you feel in the morning. do you think you will regret not drinking the night before?

[scottish lass]

Need a drink

Daisy - think how much you will regret it tomorrow! Hang in, it is worth it - I know exactly how you are feeling. And I have let into that feeling all too many times to only regret it later - the feelings don't leave, they are still there, and oh so much worse when tinged with eau d'hangover!
Just think how pleased you will be with yourself on a wonderful Saturday morning when you won the fight - and each win gives you more strength. You are getting so far, with so many wins - don't let a Friday pull bring you down..
and - if you are anything like me, it really didn't put things into perspective - it felt that way for a short while - a momentary escape....
Keep chatting - I know you will beat this, I know it - how about letting yourself know it too :l

[See the Light]

Need a drink

Daisy- I?ve struggled immensely to get to my AF days in just the 50s, and I know I would regret it if I started drinking again with close to 70 days. You don?t need a drink, you want one. You need to drink water. Wine you can live without. Stress sucks..no doubt about it. But there are better ways to cope than AL, like some have suggested here. The AL is only going to make you feel worse, sooner or later. There are natural OTC and prescription ways to help with anxiety and stress if you need help to manage...One of things I take is Natrol (link below) and it does seem to help (but there are other things too like fish oil which I also take)..either way, hope you find a way around your stress without the poison that is AL...?best wishes


http://www.gnc.com/Natrol-Stress-Anx...ductId=3709754

[sweetpea29]

Need a drink

Ah Daisy, I'm so glad that you came here and posted your feelings:l That should be the first thing any of us do when faced with those AL thoughts.

Alcohol is a cunning and sneaky 'ol bugger- but a deadly dangerous one at that. Often tricking us in to romancing our past with it.

You've received some great advice from Mick, Scottishlass and Roxy- stick around here and post if it helps.

Give the bugger a bloody nose!!

[Mick]

Need a drink

daisy ...good for you...look at all the people that believe in you....try it too..write it all down ..I used to do this all the time when I started here you go just for you...

Daisys poem
so goodbye Mr booze,for tonight you lose,
you must be crazy to try and take Daisy,
an unlucky choice ,so heave a sigh,
now bugger off and say bye bye

[Stewarts]

Need a drink

I was debating about writing something or not, but I am going to now I have decided. I usually stay on the mod thread, which is why I was hesitant, but I have had AF segments in my life in the past. I do know how hard it is. Daisy I know you will make it, and yes, look at your support. I'm sure you probably feel much better, healthier, with your current stint AF, right? It's funny how we all notice that, but some times have problems sticking to the obvious.... I've been having some ups and downs myself, nothing drastic, but enough to where I'm like, "Why do I need this anxiety?" So, here, a board I'm not usually on, I pledge to go 30 days AF.... good luck to you all...

[available]

Need a drink

good on you Stewarts, 30 days is time for the anxiety to leave. I rarely consume xanax anymore. it ended like i was becoming addicted to them when it was the al helping that aspect along also.
Daisy some great posts and i hope you made the right decision. Its one you wont regret.

[Pavati]

Need a drink

Daisy! Great on you for posting here. I used alcohol in exactly the way you describe. I have found that some good exercise gives me almost the same buzz as booze, and in a much healthier way. Can you get out for a walk or jog?

Hope you're better now (you're probably asleep). 10 weeks is amazing. Keep it up!

[roxane]

Need a drink

daisy, how did you do?

[Stewarts]

Need a drink

available;n2512531 wrote: good on you Stewarts, 30 days is time for the anxiety to leave. I rarely consume xanax anymore. it ended like i was becoming addicted to them when it was the al helping that aspect along also.
Daisy some great posts and i hope you made the right decision. Its one you wont regret.

Yeah Xanax can cause a vicious cycle....I never had that issue, but I've seen it do it to people ; glad to hear you're doing well. Well I've made two days. But yes, where is Daisy? I know we all are hoping for the best