My New - TRUE - Normal

[daisy45]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Aaagh Turnagain, great stuff. I have to give it to you - you have us all coming back for more!

[mama bear]

My New - TRUE - Normal

I am waiting too!!!

[Turnagain]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Part IV The First Steps...

I wish I could say I wrestled that monstrous Day One craving out of my thought process with great deliberation. I didn?t. In fact, I couldn?t. It wasn?t just conditioning. This was a real physical need to drink. Just when I thought I had reached the limit of my resistance, I distracted myself by digging back into MWO to read just a few more posts?and then, next thing I knew?it was 4 a.m. My nightly sweat bath had begun, but this time despite the discomfort I was in?I felt a deep relief. It may not have been entirely intentional, but I had actually gotten another Day One - the toughest one ever...by far.

I spent the rest of that next day and a few more that followed dealing with the miserable physical fallout of detox. I felt so raw and exhausted and scared. Things HAD to be different this time. But how? I decided to really pay attention to the folks at MWO who seemed to have it together ? what did they do?

I began making changes. For the first time, I made a plan. Actually, I made dozens of plans as needed to make it through another day without drinking and smoking. There were times in those early fragile days when I had to make HOURLY plans. I even wrote them down.

I began taking supplements again to fight the physical craving and to begin the biochemical repair.

I started eating again. Whole, healthy foods. No sugar. No starches. Nothing processed.

I began exercising. Nothing dramatic at first ? just a simple walk around the block with the hubby and dog and every night.

I faced the financial reality of what my addictions had cost me and my family. I was spending at least $22 a day on beer/wine and smokes. I got out the calculator and was even more shocked than I thought I would be at the total. I was wasting more than $8,000 a year killing myself! Wow.

I began facing the physical reality of what my addictions were costing me in terms of my health. During the time I would?ve normally spent drinking, I scoured the internet reading everything I could find about the damage that alcohol does to the entire body.

I started feeling better after that first, rough week. And for the first time, in a long time, I felt cautiously hopeful. But I was still frightened. I knew if I couldn?t deal with drinking right this time, the next time I would either end up in rehab - or the morgue.

[CanToo]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Thank you for sharing.

[Running4life]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Congrats on 1 year AF, I am hoping to do the same. I am very intrigued by your story.
R4L

[SAUSAGE]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Great story and congratulations again on 1 year. It's amazing that you managed to quit nicotine at the same time as alcohol, that must have taken an indescribable amount of willpower. REALLY looking forward to the next installment ..........

[daisy45]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Turnagain; can't believe I almost missed that last episode - love the way you are putting this out; really makes you think about each step - good job!

[TheSunFlower]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Great inspiration! Thank you for sharing.

[Yogamom]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Thank you. I needed to read this today.

[NoSugar]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Hi, Turnagain.

I happened across this thread from a year ago and like so many others have posted, really appreciate how you described what you endured. Our stories are very similar so I've always been interested in your take on things. To know that you have remained AF makes it even better and is very encouraging.

So, although a bit late - thanks for this thread!

I hope your sequel is coming out in a couple of weeks :H!

[Gardener]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Wow, I am blown away. Did someone call ya'll and say, hey - post this tonight for all those still up, not drinking and re-learning how to pass the night.

Thank you.

[Irie]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Brilliant! Thank you.

[broken halo]

My New - TRUE - Normal

I am so grateful to the author and to whoever bumped this thread. It's what I really needed to read right now. I am also kicking nicotine as for me those two go hand in hand and I want every last bit of poison out of my body. Your story is so inspiring for me. Thank you!

[Turnagain]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Hi all....what a nice surprise to see this thread pop back up. I've been meaning to finish it for awhile. It's good motivation to get back to it now that I'm coming up on another milestone. Reading and posting here at MWO has been an integral part of my healing.

I'm grateful for all who have passed through. We learn so much from each other and help keep each other focused on the on all the good that comes from ditching those addictions.:l:l:

[Cornczech]

My New - TRUE - Normal

Hello!

I just finished reading your thread/story.....funny how we're all very different people, yet we have such similar stories!

First and foremost....congratulations for making it a year, (hell...congrads for having the willpower to even start stopping drinking!).