[GreenTea]

There's a lot more in the book, and I strongly recommend finding a copy somewhere for yourself. I'm about to give away my current copy (again) to a friend later today, (I should just buy two at a time!).

Anyway...

So, if you're wondering whether you're an alcoholic or not, you might ask yourself what kind of hangovers do you experience? Have they ever changed over time? If they have, when did their natures start to become different? What were your drinking patterns then compared to now?

Its as if the protracted (PAWS) withdrawal is like one extended hangover until your cells start to function right again. So just one more, last, long, hangover and its all behind you -- no more hangovers after that ever again!

I think it took me about two weeks total before the main physical stuff worked its way through. At that point, all the mental stuff started up and I began to remember why I drank so much. I've been working through that with God's help (my HP), and life is starting to look a little more liveable these days.

I noticed last week that its been a little while since the last time I felt like "having a few pints" or stopping at a pub to "hang out". My spare time doesn't have to be spent like that -- I can find other things to do even if its just taking a nap. Reading and posting here at SR between meetings is another example! (I suppose I'll have to tackle them dishes soon too).

I am glad that I don't ever have to go through one of those horrible hangovers or deal with the withdrawal crap ever again! ... I can keep all of that behind me -- I don't ever have to do it again if I don't want to, and that's at least a choice I CAN make. Today is day 71 and life is getting better.

I hope these excerpts and commentary are helpful if you are thinking about your relationship with alcohol. If nothing else, hopefully its been informative.