I'm scared to stop drinking..

[Rhiannon]

I know that i need to. I know this. Yet, I am terrified. What if I fail? What if I can't? What if my withdrawl symptoms are unbearable? I'm so scared and in such a dark place right now..

[Benjammin]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Try not to look at things so absolutely. Start day by day. Just tell yourself "Today, I'm not going to have a drink" Give yourself a hug when you succeed and start it again the next day. Any time we try to put things in an absolute vein "I will never drink again" we only set ourselves up for failure. Start small!!!

Just trying is a success in and of itself. If you never try you might never find out that you can really do it!!!!

Symptoms are treatable there's a lot of information here on how.

It seems there's plenty of compassion and support here. You owe it to yourself to have some AF free time so that you can remember the possibilities of life!!

[Beaches]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Rhiannon,
There is a new thread that was just set up on the main board for questions just like this and it's called NEED HELP ASAP. I encourage you to post this question there now. You will get tons of feedback.

I also know how scary this is for you and it was for me too and lots of us. Just being here is wonderful and you can do this. This is a great start.

[Guest]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Hi Rhiannon,
Of course you`re scared..........so were we, when we first started out and many of us still are.............this is much like a voyage of self-discovery and each day turns up something new..........sometimes good, sometimes bad..........guess it`s just all part of the journey.

But, there`s only one place to start, and that`s on the day you decide to quit or radically reduce your drinking.
That first day will open up all sorts of possibilities for a better future, and you are assured of endless support from your fellow members.

Wishing you luck and love,

Starlight Impress x

[Finding My Self]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Hi Rhiannon, I was absolutely terrified of withdrawal... I went from a bottle of brandy (liter) a day down to nothing with not too bad symptoms (of more in a mo) by 'taking one tot (and I mean pub measure of 1/6th gill in uk..about two bottle capfulls) 4 times a day spread out like antibiotics... I started on Monday and by Thursday I only had two times a day and by Saturday was off completely and have been for 73 days now. And I feel fine - just fine and so much better and not in that dark place any more and no panic attacks. For the first week I felt wobbly, everything seemed to be moving too fast more me and supermarkets were really scary but I got any friend I could to hold my hand. I was snappy and, like, really pre-menstrual and didn't eat or sleep well but I wasn't sick, I, personally, didn't black out (my doc thinks maybe it was coming off slowly and not stopping dead but you do have to be disciplined but it was ok; I didn't want to feel so awful ever again by then!) I ate loads of chocollate and had sweet tea (not any more! Ugh! I love coffee with 'squirty cream' on it now!!!)

Good luck Rhiannon - it'll be OK. Keep friends around you and don't try to do too much for a week or so - stopping is just enough and you're brill to be here. We're all with you every inch of the way.

Love and hugs.
FMF x

[Finding My Self]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Hi! Oh yes, just one day, or even hour, at a time really did/does work for me. Don't look too far ahead! That freaked me out!
FMF x

[Guest]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Hi FMF,
Have enormous respect for you getting off the brandy like you did.

10 wks. sober is fantastic...........well done!!!

Much love,

Starlight Impress x

[planetjanet]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Hi Rhiannon,

Welcome and I agree with everyone that the first day(s) are the hardest. You made the first step by reaching out to us and wanting to get some help. Stay strong and remember we are all here for you. Rijannon, my friend, please TRY not to beat yourself up, trust me when I say that it will feel bad at first but more days you can achieve being AF, the better you are going to feel. Trust me, if you read my thread dated on 7/23 and where I am now, sheesh it's amazing how much more clear headed my brain is and so will yours.

Please keep us posted and remember there is life without drinking!


Big hugs :l ,
Janet

[planetjanet]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Hi Rhiannon,

Welcome and I agree with everyone that the first day(s) are the hardest and we all have been exactly where you are, you are not ALONE!! You made the first step by reaching out to us and wanting to get some help. Stay strong and remember we are all here for you. Riannon, my friend, please TRY not to beat yourself up, trust me when I say that it will feel bad at first, the more days you can achieve being AF, the better you are going to feel. Trust me, if you read my thread dated on 7/23 and to read where I was then as to now, sheesh it's amazing how much more clear headed my brain is and so will yours.

Please keep us posted and remember there is life without drinking!


Big hugs :l ,
Janet
AF Day 12 (as of 11:30pm tonight)

[paula]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Hi Riannon and welcome,
we have all been were you are now, so you are in good company.
Try not to look too far ahead, in the beginning I took it one hour
at a time. Have you got the mwo book ? thats a good place to start.
You can download it , I got mine on Amazon, keep reading and posting
you will pick up a lot of good advice. Best of luck. Well done FMF.
Paula.

[Arial]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Hi Rhiannon - everyone's already said it so just and additional warm :welcome: from me!

You're amongst friends, so stick with us and you'll be OK :l

[IAD]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

R.,

I'm scared not to stop drinking. Like everyone says......one day @ a time. Also, thier is no shame in failing...only in giving up! Good Luck! :welcome: IAD,

[Rhiannon]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Thank you all so much for the replies. Well, I have started. No alcohol for me so far today. I have started the supplements and topomax as well. I bought this all months ago, but was too scared to try it. So far so good, aside from nearly choking on the huge pills. I am not a good pill swallower. LOL. I also have this sort of dizzy feeling like things are moving or something. I was a VERY heavy drinker so this not all that surprising. I also feel sort of anxious and my hands are a bit shaky.
I went to the grocery store this morning and stocked up on tea, juice, mineral water, etc as well as carrot sticks, etc. I am also trying not to smoke. My smoking was not nearly as serious of an addiction as my drinking as I could go for months without smoking, it just went hand in hand with the drink. Once I quit smoking for two and a half years but was never able to let go of the drink. I need to stop.
Thanks for the warm welcome.
Hugs,
R

[Finding My Self]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Hi Rhiannon

All I can say is I was terrified too but I did it and it was OK.

A week later I realised it hadn't been nearly as bad as I had been so scared about...

Post in the ASAP asap!

Just a day at a time (an hour if needs be) and everyone here will do everything to support you through those feelings of 'what if...'

Hug
Feet x

[Finding My Self]

I'm scared to stop drinking..

Hi Rhiannon again!

My poota is crazy - it said the posts were today and I am repeating myself!

Still, gives me a chance to see how you are doing....

Thinking of you...

Feet x