I'm confused

[EZ Ed]

I psosted this on another fourm and it was sugested that I post here.


Hi all,
I'm very new to this. I feel like I'm coming into the program through the side door, and I'm not sure how to proceed.
I decided that I needed to do something about my drinking before I found MWO. I didn't start drinking regularly until my early 30s. Over the years I came to the point of drinking a 12 pack plus of beer every night. I often started out intending to just have a few. but after number 2 all thoughts of moderation disappeared. I know that this is not at all unusual.
What I'm finding odd is that once I decided to stop drinking it was actually pretty easy. I am at day 8 of being AF today. At first I experienced some withdrawal symptoms, but those are getting better everyday. What?s really weird is that I'm not really having any cravings yet. I really miss those first 2 beers and that pleasant buzz, but that?s about it.
I read the book last night and I'm really excited about the program, but what I really want is to be able to drink in moderation. I feel that at this point I could stay AF forever with out much problem. So what I'm wondering is what parts of the program do I need. I definitely plan to buy the CDs, do I need the topamax? do I need all of the supplements? One important consideration is that I have no medical insurance, and I'm between jobs right now so anything that I can eliminate would be help helpful, but I'm am determined to make this work.
EZ Ed

[startingover]

I'm confused

Hi Ed, Welcome ! It sounds like you have made a very good start already. You have kicked the booze fairly easily for over a week. Only you can answer the question of whether you can mod or not, but as far as I understand is that if you are drinking for any sort of buzz then it is dangerous territory. However, I may well be wrong. I am not able to mod and I think that is the case for a number of people here. But we are all different and the beauty of this programme is that there are elements for all of us. My advice to you would be to read the book (which you have) go for 30 days without drinking, take kudzu and l glutamine and a good multivitamin, eat well, exercise and generally look after yourself. After the 30 days perhaps test the water if thats what you choose to do. If you can avoid drugs I would have thought that that is better. My question would be why take drugs (topa) to take drugs (alcohol). But that is just my opinion. There are a number of other supplements to help with various things like anxiety, depression etc but it doesnt really sound like you have any of these.
I really hope you succeed in whatever goals you choose. There will always be much support for you here.

[gyco]

I'm confused

like over said,your doing well,my opinion it is the best to stay away from MEDS,but some can,some cant,modding ive just tried,it is an xperience,no matter what you do ,its new and youll do fine gyco

[Ask For Help]

I'm confused

Well, if I was trying to save $$ and found it no challenge to stop drinking so far, I guess I'd agree the tapes would be purchase #1 (after the book); I would try 30 days, as they say that's how long it takes to change a habit (from not drinking every night to maybe drinking in moderation).

During this 30 days I'd suggest seriously hanging out on an 30 day ABS thread to learn the tricks of the trade for changing the drinking habits (How do you "break the 5 PM habit"; how to handle your first party AF; the many ways to refuse a drink etc etc. .) You might "moderate" on the view that "alcohol is a beast that will come and get you" etc.

Also during this time I'd read the Topomax thread from way back and the modders threads. Moderating means having a plan. AFers plan is not to drink. If you mod and decide to drink you have to have a plan for how many, how often, or else you'll be back to 12/day before you know it. So use your 30 days to explore what feels "right" for you. There are lots of posts with modders strategies, experience, goals, successes and failures.

Our Monthly Mods thread is a place to check in. Unlike Monthly ABS it doesn't draw as big a daily check in. THere is also a ODAT thread in General that both AFs and Mods check in on daily.

Also feel free to PM me if you like. I did choose to use Topomax and I'm very happy with my choice.

AFH
8+ months modding

[Sunbeam]

I'm confused

Hi Ed,
I, like you, found it fairly easy to quit right off the bat. My AF time began before I found this site. The book gave me hope that there are others like me who have gained control over or eliminated a drinking problem. The support here has enabled me to continue along a quest for information regarding abuse of alcohol, and how to change my life to regain control. I think the physical addiction is a smaller part, the rest is mental, emotional, lifestyle related. It is very hard for most of us in the beginnng to be completely honest with ourselves.

I agree that you probably don't need to consider any meds. Why take a medicine if you can quit without it? Alter your neurology (via meds) just so you can drink (less)? This course does make sense for some people, but does not make sense for me personally.

The supplements have specific purposes that are described in the book, I believe. A lot depends on how well you have been eating, and what other steps you have taken to maintain good health. I tried the glutamine to help reduce cravings for sugar/carbs, but it didn't seem to help.

You might want to consider purchasing the CD's, to help work on that mental/emotional part. Some people seem to find the guy's voice annoying, others speak to the thought-transforming power. It is very difficult to get rid of that thought, "I want to drink", and we alcohol abusers concoct endless rationalizatons for why it is now OK to drink, resulting in a quick fall into old habits.

My most powerful tool has been reading and posting here. It takes too much of my time, but I need the education. I also find that helping others is healing for me.

[Cinders]

I'm confused

Ed,

Wow, quitting to easily is wonderful. Yay!! and congratulations on doing it.

I agree with the others, if you are not experiencing any cravings and you feel good, then I would simpy recommend looking at doing some very good supplements. Drinking does rob the body of the ability to absorb nutrients, etc.

A good 30 days abstinent is a great place to start. I think that after 30 days you can decide what you want to try.

I have found that staying AF is MUCH easier than trying to moderate. However, I am a hardcore alcoholic and have probably done a lot of damage to my brain chemistry, etc.

We are all glad you are here and hope your journey is a good one.

Cindi

[nancy]

I'm confused

I have to agree that you should get the book and hold off on CDs if you are low on cash. Until you can afford Cds you could look into relaxation execises and read all you can about drinking problems through books at your library and by reading this website (lots of suggestions on books).

In terms of drugs, sounds like you don't need topamax for abstinence. At least for now, it could help with moderation but as someone else who strives for that and who like you can do lots of AF days, for me the side effects outweigh the benefits of being able to moderate.

I agree that a 30-day abstinence period could do you a lot of good, you could change habits, learn ways to refuse drinks, think about what you want. There is a good book from Moderation Management that might help you, called Responsible drinking, and you might want to look that up or go to meetings.

Moderation is not an easy thing to achieve but I still think it is possible. I try to really minimize any drinking now to times where it is unlikely to get out of control. I don't drink a lone or to make problems go away. I don't drink in situations where alcohol is free-flowing. Imagine, if you have wine with someone at dinner, that is a lot different and harder to get out of control than going to a bar with friends after work at 5 pm. In that second situation, there is potential to drink all night.

A word on supplements. I don't know a lot about this. But I do believe that people are on to something when they stress making sure you have a good diet and that deficiencies can lead to alcohol cravings. You really should look into it and there is tons written on it this website. Alcoholics are sometimes hypoglycemic and they can get sugar cravings mistaken for alcohol cravings. You can also become deficient in nutrient,so supplementing with multivitamins is a good idea.

Did you know maltose in beer is one of the biggest sugars out there? I think it helps me to be aware of this sugar connection.

Do you have a sense about why you binge? Any ideas? Are you stressed out? Or maybe this is just a habit you developed. After the 30 day period, imagine if you even cut out all the weekday drinking how much better off you would be.

Good luck

Nancy