Haven't touched a drop in...

Lady is a tramp

petes wrote: »

I can definitely say it takes time. In a better place now though. Just about to get a new tattoo and sitting in a coffee shop in Dublin. Normally I'd be having a few pints before and after (a few ha)

Be warned - they hurt a LOT more without alcohol in your system.

petes

Lady is a tramp wrote: »

Be warned - they hurt a LOT more without alcohol in your system.

Thanks I've gotten three decent sized ones since I stopped drinking

tinpib

just to echo everyone else here, keep going Fingers 9 weeks is excellent. I've posted here before but my story was roughly:

4.5 months in 2010, white knuckled it, absolutely bored out of my skull and miserable, went back drinking.

4.5 months 2014, a bit easier, not much, still bored

4.5 months 2015, a bit easier, knew what to expect and i.e. expected boredom, got boredom, went back drinking.

Christmas 2015 it all 'clicked', last drink at around 2am 31/12/15, 511 days ago. Can't believe how easy it was this time around. But it was the 3 times above plus countless other "never drinking agains" for a month, 3 days, 5 days, 8 days etc.

All patches of sobriety stand to you as it becomes more and more of a habit. Just keep going. It will[eventually] get easier, I would never have believed it would get easier until my 4th time giving up permanently on 31/12/15 but it did.

At least that was my experience, everyone is different.

Best of luck.

Chopinlist66

Back here again.
Of course I too fell off the wagon again, hitting the vino hard.
Went out last night, drank almost two bottles of wine. Went to my doctor some months ago, he gave me some valium to help me withdraw, but was scared I'd get hooked on them, and only took them sporadically, whilst cutting down my wine intake, but back on it worse than ever.
Determined to do it this time, going back to him today, will have another go at this, really determined as I have high liver enzymes, and going for ultrasound soon and dreading it. Very scared, as also have a breast cyst, and we all hear the HSE on the radio highlighting the link between breast cancer and alcohol.
Hopefully my doctor will give me another shot at letting me sort myself out before he recommends more drastic treatment for me. I do not want to destroy myself any further than I already have, and hope the damage caused can be reversed.
Admire all of you posters who have ditched the bottle. I must now do the same.
Day 1 again. Will keep posting.

marienbad

Chopinlist66 wrote: »

Back here again.
Of course I too fell off the wagon again, hitting the vino hard.
Went out last night, drank almost two bottles of wine. Went to my doctor some months ago, he gave me some valium to help me withdraw, but was scared I'd get hooked on them, and only took them sporadically, whilst cutting down my wine intake, but back on it worse than ever.
Determined to do it this time, going back to him today, will have another go at this, really determined as I have high liver enzymes, and going for ultrasound soon and dreading it. Very scared, as also have a breast cyst, and we all hear the HSE on the radio highlighting the link between breast cancer and alcohol.
Hopefully my doctor will give me another shot at letting me sort myself out before he recommends more drastic treatment for me. I do not want to destroy myself any further than I already have, and hope the damage caused can be reversed.
Admire all of you posters who have ditched the bottle. I must now do the same.
Day 1 again. Will keep posting.

Please do keep posting , we are here for you .

Chopinlist66

Hi there, Marien, thank you so much. So worried, have just booked an appointment with my doc for later on.
I have just had a chat with my hubbie, he is very supportive, knows I need to do this.
He is getting over cancer surgery and treatment, and I don't want him worrying about me, he is such a good person.

aabarnes1

Hi Chopinlist,

You will get great advice from your doctor. There are a lot of resources and programs out there for quitting alcohol.
If he prescribes you Xanax or valium or librium, don't be afraid, he/she knows what they are doing. You have to be taking a lot of these for quite a long time to be addicted, physically. They are sometimes invaluable in helping you settle down for the first couple of days, so please do not be afraid to take them, as prescribed.
After 3 days, all the alcohol will be out of your system,that is a an accepted medical fact, so you will no longer have a physical craving for drink. Any craving you have after that, will be centred in your mind, and that is what you you need to address with the help of your GP.
There are a lot of people who have stopped drinking by various means, who post here regularly, so please post back when you feel ready.

I wish you the best of luck, and God bless.

Chopinlist66

aabarnes, Thank you too for your support. Was indeed afraid of trading one addiction for another.
I think the health scares I have had lately will keep me on the straight and narrow. Will let you know what my GP says. There are two doctors in the practise, both superb, but one doesn't miss a trick, and she had highlighted issue of my cyst, high cholesterol and extremely high LFT's... and we know where came from. She is so good, I am nearly afraid of her!
Determined to get back to full health, just hope it's not too late for me. Have autistic son, have probably been grieving for what should have been and wasn't. Don't want to make excuses, just have to be rigidly and fiercely determined. looking through this thread, wondering how Glen Quag is doing. A lot of his/her experiences resonating with me.

hubba

6 years tomorrow and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Life is 100% real now whether that be ups or downs but at least I know I'm no longer living as a fake, with problems I've created myself by living a life that revolved around drink.

Chopinlist66

hubba, 6 years is brilliant and gives me great hope. I don't know what I will be like when fully detoxed. I may have other issues perhaps such as an underlying anxiety to work through, and suspect this may be the case.
So, still on day one, went to the doc, and she was terrific. I have been placed on a short course of librium (4 daily) for a few days, with a review on my progress on Friday, in case I need to continue or stop. Have taken two already, feel grand, went out (not driving because of new laws)to a short concert locally, did stop on way home for a burger. Just wondering whether this dosage of librium could be too much for driving. Anyone know much more about this?
This is it now...Looking forward to day 2 alcohol free.

lufties

hubba wrote: »

6 years tomorrow and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Life is 100% real now whether that be ups or downs but at least I know I'm no longer living as a fake, with problems I've created myself by living a life that revolved around drink.

Hubba, well done! As a single man, I like to go travelling to different countries. How do you avoid drinking on weekends (or longer) away, when your out of your comfort zone with a greater tendency to drink.

Im 3 months in thereabouts. Im kinda scared to socislise or travel because of the temotation or fear of boredom/loneliness

Chopinlist66

Im 3 months in thereabouts. Im kinda scared to socislise or travel because of the temotation or fear of boredom/loneliness[/QUOTE]

I have been wondering that too, Hubba. I am travelling some this Summer.
Going to consider focusing on staying active, visiting museums, walking plenty, sampling all the culinary delights... minus the wine.. will have sparkling water with a slice of lemon. Will go to concerts or entertainment at night, walk more then fall into bed with a good book. I find when I do lots of walking, it decreases the need for me to drink.
Here I am into day 2!!!! I would love to be where you are at three months, you must be feeling great.
Would you think of visiting your GP tell you are afraid of relapse when you go away, and maybe he could give you some medication to help you through your holiday? Just a thought.

Garrett81

hubba wrote: »

6 years tomorrow and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Life is 100% real now whether that be ups or downs but at least I know I'm no longer living as a fake, with problems I've created myself by living a life that revolved around drink.

Massive congrats to u

S4albarn

Hi all,

I stumbled across this thread after reading various alcohol-related articles over the last week or so. This one in particular really struck a chord and made me take a long hard look at myself. Even including long-term relationships, every intimate relationship I have ever had with a woman began with alcohol being involved.

I'm 26, and have toyed with the idea of quitting drink before but never actually attempted to. I've gone several months by coincidence when I was too busy with college or work but always ended up drinking again at some stage down the line. I have never once drunk during the week or alone but when I go out at the weekend, it's guaranteed to be a binge. I can control when I drink, but when I drink I've no control.

I disgraced myself twice over the last two weekends while drinking, including once amongst colleagues from my new job. The other time I did something that I'm so ashamed of that it will haunt me for a long time. If I look bad at any of the moderately to seriously bad incidents that have to me over the last 10 years - pregnancy & STI scares, broken bones, tension with family, friends and girlfriends, losing countless possessions, minor police charges, missing work, casino gambling losses, they all have one common denominator: alcohol.

Thanks for all your posts, I spent 6 hours reading this thread yesterday and could identify with many points and it helped me decide that I'm at a fork in my life where I can escape with barely a graze, or stay in this wreck until the engine catches fire. I'm on day 4 now and have decided I'm going to actively stay away alcohol indefinitely now.

Garrett81

S4albarn wrote: »

Hi all,

I stumbled across this thread after reading various alcohol-related articles over the last week or so. This one in particular really struck a chord and made me take a long hard look at myself. Even including long-term relationships, every intimate relationship I have ever had with a woman began with alcohol being involved.

I'm 26, and have toyed with the idea of quitting drink before but never actually attempted to. I've gone several months by coincidence when I was too busy with college or work but always ended up drinking again at some stage down the line. I have never once drunk during the week or alone but when I go out at the weekend, it's guaranteed to be a binge. I can control when I drink, but when I drink I've no control.

I disgraced myself twice over the last two weekends while drinking, including once amongst colleagues from my new job. The other time I did something that I'm so ashamed of that it will haunt me for a long time. If I look bad at any of the moderately to seriously bad incidents that have to me over the last 10 years - pregnancy & STI scares, broken bones, tension with family, friends and girlfriends, losing countless possessions, minor police charges, missing work, casino gambling losses, they all have one common denominator: alcohol.

Thanks for all your posts, I spent 6 hours reading this thread yesterday and could identify with many points and it helped me decide that I'm at a fork in my life where I can escape with barely a graze, or stay in this wreck until the engine catches fire. I'm on day 4 now and have decided I'm going to actively stay away alcohol indefinitely now.

Hey there,
There must be nothing left of your teeth, from biting that bullet! It's great at 26 you have that awareness, and it sounds like you already know what it is you need to do. What struck me in your post was doing something that will haunt you forever. Well that once happened to me, but I continued to drink and it happened another 10 times at least. This destructive behaviour only gets worse as time goes on in ones drinking career I'm afraid, so stay strong and steadfast on your journey.

S4albarn

Garrett81 wrote: »

Hey there,
There must be nothing left of your teeth, from biting that bullet! It's great at 26 you have that awareness, and it sounds like you already know what it is you need to do. What struck me in your post was doing something that will haunt you forever. Well that once happened to me, but I continued to drink and it happened another 10 times at least. This destructive behaviour only gets worse as time goes on in ones drinking career I'm afraid, so stay strong and steadfast on your journey.

Hi Garrett, thanks for you kind words. I have done things I regretted immensely before and other slightly less serious things that I can look back and laugh at now but this was something I would never do in a million years if I were sober.

Agreed, it's good to be here at my age but as the saying goes "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

Garrett81

S4albarn wrote: »

Hi Garrett, thanks for you kind words. I have done things I regretted immensely before and other slightly less serious things that I can look back and laugh at now but this was something I would never do in a million years if I were sober.

Agreed, it's good to be here at my age but as the saying goes "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

Haha I hear you ! But strangely enough that incident you talked about will teach you a valuable lesson, maybe not right now but definitely in a few years you will look back on it from a much happier place and you will have a lot of gratitude for haveing that experience. I often look back on mine and say "what a dickhead I was" and I can now look at the changes that happened or me and that often brings a tear to my eye. I did some really mental stuff, stuff I can't post here but I do not regret anything i did for one moment, because these ****ty experience mould us to be better people and I wouldn't be the person I am today without these ****ty experiences.. I once heard a wise man say "happy experiences are very pleasurable but painful ones lead to spiritual growth.

S4albarn

Garrett81 wrote: »

Haha I hear you ! But strangely enough that incident you talked about will teach you a valuable lesson, maybe not right now but definitely in a few years you will look back on it from a much happier place and you will have a lot of gratitude for haveing that experience. I often look back on mine and say "what a dickhead I was" and I can now look at the changes that happened or me and that often brings a tear to my eye. I did some really mental stuff, stuff I can't post here but I do not regret anything i did for one moment, because these ****ty experience mould us to be better people and I wouldn't be the person I am today without these ****ty experiences.. I once heard a wise man say "happy experiences are very pleasurable but painful ones lead to spiritual growth.

Indeed, any experience can be turned into a lesson but this one is definitely too raw to do so yet!

hinault

Just a hattip to all ye for doing what you're doing - I admire the great efforts that ye are all making.

I've no story to tell. I never had an issue with giving up alcohol because I never consumed too much. There but for the grace of God.

I just stopped drinking many years ago. I decided to stop because I didn't like the way I felt recovering the next day. It is a rotten feeling, feeling lousy and lethargic. So one day I just decided that enough was enough, and stopped drinking completely.

I noticed shortly afterward that I did not miss the hungover day, and then I noticed that my health and my fitness levels started to return. I found that I enjoyed feeling really healthy, and that this healthy feeling boosted my self esteem no end.

So I really do wish each and every one of you the very best in your challenge ahead. If you fall, don't be too hard on yourself just resolve to start again.

Chopinlist66

Starting day 3 of no alcohol and detox.
Felt a little groggy when woke up this morning at 7am, prob the librium.
Feel I don't really need the librium as much today, even though I am supposed to take 4, I only took 2 yesterday, otherwise would have slept all day, and didn't feel too bad at all. No shakes, but did feel heart racing at one point.
Going to go for a walk now.

scriba

Well done to everyone here. Whether you're on day one or day ten thousand and one, you're on the right road.

Today is day 243 for me. Eight months have flown by. Never going back.

Chopinlist66

This thread is a fountain of wisdom, have been reading through it, and everyone should!
Best thread on Boards.
@ scriba.. 243 days. Bet you feel and look terrific. I am taking it easy today, hope to be half normal tomorrow, going into work.

chillin117

Kinda sick here, I got 7 years until 3 weeks ago. Was not a major blow out but something told me it would be ok to have a few cans of Cider. I had 8 cans a day for 3 days but I am so upset as I got nothing from them and got caught buying 4 cans by my 14 yr old son. Why did I do that ?

No one is talking to me now and head on pillow (thinking time) is so so bad.
We lived apart but I had a great relationship with my family, now 7 years trust is up in smoke. Day 13 stopped again and the remorse is nearly more than I can bear.
Once the body gets a sniff of it, no matter how long you are off it, Its like you never stopped. Pain has no memory.
It was like a fire re ignited in my body when the first drop hit.
Maybe I have learned something new but the cost has been huge.
Mark

tinpib

chillin117 wrote: »

Once the body gets a sniff of it, no matter how long you are off it, Its like you never stopped.

Sorry to hear that and hope you can sort things out. After 7 years you know you can do it. I hope your family supports you once the initial shock of it wears off.

I highlighted the bit above as I know for certain that will be me if I ever go back.

lufties

I kinda get repulsed now when i think of drinking alcohol..I'm only a few months AF..anyone else feel this?

tinpib

lufties wrote: »

How do you avoid drinking on weekends (or longer) away, when your out of your comfort zone with a greater tendency to drink.

The first time I went on holiday sober was tricky. I'm living abroad on my own and was travelling on my own.

A major catalyst for me giving up was having an idea for a Kindle book but realising that would take me until the year 2756 to write it with my Thurs-Sat drinking and Sun-Tues recovery schedule.

So I gave myself 3 months to write it and booked a holiday away. The deadline/reward of the holiday keep me hugely focused and motivated and kept the boredom and thoughts of drinking at bay.

I need something to obsess about, that's the way my mind works. So I recommend having a large project with a reward like that to do when sober. Something that an idea will pop into your head when your stuck in traffic for example. Learn a language, build something, learn an instrument, write a book, do a long course.

I was busting my a$$ at the end to get it finished before my holiday and I did. So when the holiday came I was relatively happy to go to the beach for around 11am, stay there all afternoon then come back to the hostel at around 5pm.

Because I had worked so hard I was pretty happy to just veg in my room and watch stuff on my laptop in the evening, I knew boozeing wasn't worth it. The pull to go out wasn't as strong. It really was a well deserved "do nothing" holiday.

I did have one minor epiphany walking around for some where to eat on a Saturday night. One place the bars were buzzing and I got a pang of regret that I couldn't really go and have some beers and have a great time. Then it dawned on me that really those nights out that were brilliant fun had been over for a very long time. Recent nights out drinking really were not all that fun.

It led me to accept that the fun times were over and if I were to drink it really wouldn't be much fun as it hadn't been that much fun for many years.

So a bit of acceptance I guess.

lufties

tinpib wrote: »

The first time I went on holiday sober was tricky. I'm living abroad on my own and was travelling on my own.

A major catalyst for me giving up was having an idea for a Kindle book but realising that would take me until the year 2756 to write it with my Thurs-Sat drinking and Sun-Tues recovery schedule.

So I gave myself 3 months to write it and booked a holiday away. The deadline/reward of the holiday keep me hugely focused and motivated and kept the boredom and thoughts of drinking at bay.

I need something to obsess about, that's the way my mind works. So I recommend having a large project with a reward like that to do when sober. Something that an idea will pop into your head when your stuck in traffic for example. Learn a language, build something, learn an instrument, write a book, do a long course.

I was busting my a$$ at the end to get it finished before my holiday and I did. So when the holiday came I was relatively happy to go to the beach for around 11am, stay there all afternoon then come back to the hostel at around 5pm.

Because I had worked so hard I was pretty happy to just veg in my room and watch stuff on my laptop in the evening, I knew boozeing wasn't worth it. The pull to go out wasn't as strong. It really was a well deserved "do nothing" holiday.

I did have one minor epiphany walking around for some where to eat on a Saturday night. One place the bars were buzzing and I got a pang of regret that I couldn't really go and have some beers and have a great time. Then it dawned on me that really those nights out that were brilliant fun had been over for a very long time. Recent nights out drinking really were not all that fun.

It led me to accept that the fun times were over and if I were to drink it really wouldn't be much fun as it hadn't been that much fun for many years.

So a bit of acceptance I guess.

some sound advice there..I guess in my own case I like eastern european women, and meeting them. That usually used to include copiuos amounts of booze and pub hopping. I suppose i have to find another reason to visit eastern europe rather that than getting pished.

tinpib

lufties wrote: »

some sound advice there..I guess in my own case I like eastern european women, and meeting them. That usually used to include copiuos amounts of booze and pub hopping. I suppose i have to find another reason to visit eastern europe rather that than getting pished.

Ya, my second trip I had more once-in-a-lifetime activities planned, was with my mate for a part of it and he was on for getting some good sleep and waking up early. So didn't have to deal with pub temptation with him.

Have time off planned, week after next in fact. But not going anywhere, will just chill out and work on my side projects.

I have no idea when I will go on holiday properly again, may not have the cash for a while. When I do though I think ti will be the same as my first one, somewhere very close to the beach after doing a lot of hard work and then just chill in the evenings, possibly in my room.

lufties

tinpib wrote: »

Ya, my second trip I had more once-in-a-lifetime activities planned, was with my mate for a part of it and he was on for getting some good sleep and waking up early. So didn't have to deal with pub temptation with him.

Have time off planned, week after next in fact. But not going anywhere, will just chill out and work on my side projects.

I have no idea when I will go on holiday properly again, may not have the cash for a while. When I do though I think ti will be the same as my first one, somewhere very close to the beach after doing a lot of hard work and then just chill in the evenings, possibly in my room.

I'm thinking of a few weeks in vietnam in winter time. I'd worry though that I'd get bored and relapse.

chillin117

chillin117 wrote: »

Kinda sick here, I got 7 years until 3 weeks ago. Was not a major blow out but something told me it would be ok to have a few cans of Cider. I had 8 cans a day for 3 days but I am so upset as I got nothing from them and got caught buying 4 cans by my 14 yr old son. Why did I do that ?

No one is talking to me now and head on pillow (thinking time) is so so bad.
We lived apart but I had a great relationship with my family, now 7 years trust is up in smoke. Day 13 stopped again and the remorse is nearly more than I can bear.
Once the body gets a sniff of it, no matter how long you are off it, Its like you never stopped. Pain has no memory.
It was like a fire re ignited in my body when the first drop hit.
Maybe I have learned something new but the cost has been huge.
Mark

I only got up for a while and have received such lovely messages and posts.
I will answer all the PM's and lovely messages of support and any Q's when I get up. Did not sleep last few nights so thanks all and will adrdess all this when I get up. Mark