sooo much to read..suggestions please?

[mollymalone]

Hello - I'm doing the "I'll back off AL tomorrow". There is always a tomorrow. I'd like to hear some experience if anyone wants to share. Please don't say 'one step at a time', which I got from my sister when I asked her how to start running for exercise. Sure it is one step, but my imagination runs wild.
Thanks

[Rodeorose]

sooo much to read..suggestions please?

This is day 2 of not drinking for me. I just am so ashamed of what I did under the influence on Easter, that I am embarrassed to keep drinking. I don't want to be that "drunk" that everyone in the family talks about. So for me I guess I would say that I "hit bottom" so to speak.....

[Sunbeam]

sooo much to read..suggestions please?

Molly,
Most of us here have learned that we can't control alcohol by just saying that we are going to drink less. I recommend that you work on going at least 30 days without alcohol, to learn how to live your life without it. You could joing a thread group like the Army, or just start posting under Monthly Abstinence. In that section, there is a wonderful thread called the tool box, with lots of ideas about how to be successful with this difficult task.

I wish you well, let us know how we can help.

[startingover]

sooo much to read..suggestions please?

Life is so much better sober. I do more, I feel more, I live more, I laugh more. When I think back to how I used to be, depressed, lethargic, un interested....thats not living.
Oh yeah and I am running too, 3 miles the other day :-)

[CS04]

sooo much to read..suggestions please?

Molly, the boards can be overwhelming at first. Maybe start with the 'Just Starting Out' thread, and also the 'First Timers' (or something like that). There is a lot of information and compassion here. Welcome.

[mollymalone]

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Thank you all.

[extensions43]

sooo much to read..suggestions please?

Hi, this is is my 2nd day. I've done a week before. I am ready to try 1 month. I like this website and how encouraging everyone is. I can't believe how I convince myself I had control over drinking. I realize now I can't drink. Help!

[irish eyes]

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Ok Guys
This is my decision after alot of thought! I have decided to moderate. I have been AL free since Jan 1st and I would like now to try moderation. However, there is a little twist and I need advice here as I dont want to jeopardise my success so far. Essentially, I never had a prob taking AL in public most I ever took was 3 half beers but at home alone ( closet wino) I did have a bottle of wine Fri and Sat no more then went to bed. Very occasionly did have wine midweek. I would really like to to have a few beers at week end with friends. Can anyone identify with this pattern? Hoping to start modding in May as I have a few weddings and social gatherings coming up. Please advice
Luv T

[Sunbeam]

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Hi Irish Friend,
I drink occasionally, once most weeks. Any alcohol is always a risk for those of us with a history of alcohol abuse, but I have been very happy and successful as long as I DON'T DRINK ALONE, and keep the frequency to weekly or less. You may want to start posting with the Mod Squad, under Long Term Moderation.

[mario]

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try a little longer ?

morning irish eyes,are you sure you want to start drinking again,would you not give it a little longer b4 trying,personally i would be afraid to try even one drink at the moment,i am not being funny but your not here because your drinking b4 have wrecked your life,but i wish you all the best & support

[irish eyes]

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Thanks Sunbeam and Mario
Jury still out here on what I will do and I take your point Mario, I guess as I progress AF I become more confident that I can mod but a whisper in the recesses of my brain tells me that I cannot so therein lies the conflict. Would I be mad to jeopardise what I have achieved? More reflection required here.

[startingover]

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Hiya Irish...for me, I KNOW for a fact I cannot mod, I have tried so many ways and so many times before. From buying less, to asking Mr Starts to allow me less, to having af free days when I was miserable...So for me AF is the only way...
So, I guess my answer to you is to try it for yourself, with a view to returning to AF if it doesnt work. Some people can mod, some cant. Only the individual can answer that.
Also, from what you say, it sounds like you are doubting yourself already, Maybe you are just not ready yet...

[Sunbeam]

sooo much to read..suggestions please?

Thanks, Starts, you have always been such a kind support for the mods group. When people are considering trying to drink moderately, they need support in how to go about this difficult task. They need to understand that drinking moderately is more difficult than staying AF. The need to read all of the threads with the thoughtful replies under long term moderation. There is even a thread about whether we are all in denial, with our various thoughts. They will probably try it, I hope with a careful plan in place. If you were a heavy daily drinker, I think drinking moderately will be way more difficult. For those of us who drank less frequently than daily, this may be a realistic option. I also tried cutting back unsuccessfully before coming here. But I have learned so much, gotten honest with myself through Drink Tracker, and now this is just a choice in my life.

[Evie.Lou]

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Dear Irish, I love and care for you MUCH~LY and I want to SCREAM NO !!!! but in reality that screaming of no would be in response to what 1 drink would do to me...not to you.
So ....now that i have caught my breath ****###~~~~~~~~~~~~ I just want to make sure that you have TOOLS to stop completely AGAIN if it doesn't work out (drinking in MOD) ????
please PM me if I can help you and know that I only want the very best for you my friend and no one knows what the BEST is for you, better than you.
I am here for you NOW and always will be, no matter what your choice is.

[irish eyes]

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Starts, Sunbeam and Evie Lou
Thank u all so much for caring with love. The reality is taht I am not sure so I guess if in doubt out (taht is my golden motto). I just dont want to be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life and asking the same question but terrified if I drink I go back to where I was or worse and that is what happened when I went back on cigarettes aft 7 years it took me another 5 to get off them.
Luv :l