Re-introduction

[Last Call]

Well just a re-introduction post.

For the 09854587th time I have quit drinking and smoking. Today is day 10. Over the past 3 years I have been sober 1 of them if you add up my previous 3 "serious" quits, the longest of which was 7 months. Prior to that I have a good 15 years of heavy drinking. I guess I was one of those functional drunks if you believe in that, I have managed thus far to avoid all the horror stories.

I tapered off over a week from about 575ml Vodka daily (often more, sometimes less) to 200ml, and then quit. Similarly with the smokes from 10 or so a day to 3, and quit. Withdrawal has been relatively uneventful this time, typical sleep issues, some night sweats, some digestive tract issues that I will not elaborate on. But all good now. The dull ache in the side and occasional dizziness when I lay down seems to be subsiding as well.

I have had an almost insatiable appetite this time, previous quits I lost some weight, I am hoping for the same this time, but not if I keep eating. Well I have been getting some exercise daily.

I am still searching where to go with the recovery piece of this, I know I need to stay focused or I will likely fail at some point when complacency sets in. For now the memories are fresh enough to serve as a deterrent. I have some past experience with AA, Carr, RR and am looking over the SMART stuff at this point. Not sure if what I chose is as important as that I stick with something and really work it for a while, and not go on auto-pilot.

Anyway I'll be around.

I hope everyone is having a fun and sober Holloween.

LC

[coffeenut]

Welcome back....glad you'll be around.

[2ndGen]

Pretty close to my situation: hi fun many years, close to 600ml equivalent, alright shape, and I am getting too many close calls lately. Trying to quit. Opportunistically over couple three months and seriously maybe 1.5 times in recent weeks. Appreciate your sharing the experience.

[smacked]

Welcome, sounds like you have a good plan, even if the direction is a bit of a question to you at this point

[CarolD]

Welcome back sobriety and to SR, LC

Here is the link to the SMART info...

SMART Recovery®|Self Help for Alcoholism Drug & Other Addiction

Good to know you are off to a fresh start...

[Nevertheless]

Hello LC
A good appetite is not a bad thing. As long as it slows down in the future(mine did). Stay with the exercise, that isn't a bad thing either.
If you are like me(I also quit a bunch of times). I knew where I had given in ,in the past. And avoided those situations for the first few months.
If we just focus on NOW, and don't take that first drink, we won't get drunk.
Fred

[TheSunAlsoRises]

Hey man welcome... eat up... and get to recovering

[caleb76]

Originally Posted by Last Call

Well just a re-introduction post.

For the 09854587th time I have quit drinking and smoking. Today is day 10. Over the past 3 years I have been sober 1 of them if you add up my previous 3 "serious" quits, the longest of which was 7 months. Prior to that I have a good 15 years of heavy drinking. I guess I was one of those functional drunks if you believe in that, I have managed thus far to avoid all the horror stories.

I tapered off over a week from about 575ml Vodka daily (often more, sometimes less) to 200ml, and then quit. Similarly with the smokes from 10 or so a day to 3, and quit. Withdrawal has been relatively uneventful this time, typical sleep issues, some night sweats, some digestive tract issues that I will not elaborate on. But all good now. The dull ache in the side and occasional dizziness when I lay down seems to be subsiding as well.

I have had an almost insatiable appetite this time, previous quits I lost some weight, I am hoping for the same this time, but not if I keep eating. Well I have been getting some exercise daily.

I am still searching where to go with the recovery piece of this, I know I need to stay focused or I will likely fail at some point when complacency sets in. For now the memories are fresh enough to serve as a deterrent. I have some past experience with AA, Carr, RR and am looking over the SMART stuff at this point. Not sure if what I chose is as important as that I stick with something and really work it for a while, and not go on auto-pilot.

Anyway I'll be around.

I hope everyone is having a fun and sober Holloween.

LC

Congrats, enjoy your sobriety! It seems to help me to be proactive in sobriety. It helps me remember not to pick up any beer today!

[Last Call]

Originally Posted by Nevertheless

I knew where I had given in ,in the past. And avoided those situations for the first few months.

Hi Fred;

For me there isn't anything I need to avoid doing, in fact I have often found interacting with drunks in the wild reinforces my desire to stay sober.

My previous quits have been derailed by some combination of boredom and apathy that develops over time. I just lose focus.

I think I need to stay focused on the benefits of staying sober and keep busy.

Thanks
LC

[Last Call]

Originally Posted by 2ndGen

Pretty close to my situation: hi fun many years, close to 600ml equivalent, alright shape, and I am getting too many close calls lately. Trying to quit. Opportunistically over couple three months and seriously maybe 1.5 times in recent weeks. Appreciate your sharing the experience.

I spent way too long waiting for the right opportunity. In the end I got out my calendar, made a plan for tapering off over a week and followed it for a change.

I am in no position to give advice to anyone on quitting, but what's the point in waiting?

Day 11.

LC

[caleb76]

Originally Posted by Last Call

I spent way too long waiting for the right opportunity. In the end I got out my calendar, made a plan for tapering off over a week and followed it for a change.

I am in no position to give advice to anyone on quitting, but what's the point in waiting?

Day 11.

LC

I don't think I could have tapered. Maybe, but with me, I woke up one morning and decided that enough was enough. I was spent. Now, I try to remind myself of that last weekend and the month or two leading up to it.

Everybody is different, keep up the good work!

[SomethingBetter]

Tapering off for me was never a option either although I tried many times, a six pack of tall boys (16 oz each) was the minimum I could drink in the past 7 years or so, less than that and for some reason I didn’t care to drink.

If it were Sunday night (can’t buy here on Sunday) with only 5 in the fridge and the wife didn’t want to go out I wouldn’t drink at all because I knew I couldn’t get my proper buzz.

It eventually got back to the 12 packs and 18 packs and in the end I started preparing for Sunday with huge amounts on hand, that’s when I started drinking more because there was more to drink.

I want all of that to stay in my past…

I am on day 2 and this time I really do not want to fail, LC, I hope you too find a way to really focus on your sobriety.

Welcome Back!

[caleb76]

Originally Posted by SomethingBetter

Tapering off for me was never a option either although I tried many times, a six pack of tall boys (16 oz each) was the minimum I could drink in the past 7 years or so, less than that and for some reason I didn’t care to drink.

If it were Sunday night (can’t buy here on Sunday) with only 5 in the fridge and the wife didn’t want to go out I wouldn’t drink at all because I knew I couldn’t get my proper buzz.

It eventually got back to the 12 packs and 18 packs and in the end I started preparing for Sunday with huge amounts on hand, that’s when I started drinking more because there was more to drink.

I want all of that to stay in my past…

I am on day 2 and this time I really do not want to fail, LC, I hope you too find a way to really focus on your sobriety.

Welcome Back!

In Colorado, the stores can now sell alcohol on Sundays. Also, I couldn't skip if there wasn't enough. I would just wait till later at night and slam what was around more quickly. We are all different, and each of our recoveries are different too.

Congrats on another day.

[Wolfchild]

Welcome back.

[2ndGen]

Originally Posted by Last Call

I spent way too long waiting for the right opportunity. In the end I got out my calendar, made a plan for tapering off over a week and followed it for a change.

I am in no position to give advice to anyone on quitting, but what's the point in waiting?

Day 11.

LC

I should clarify what I mean opportunistically . I usually ramp up by end of week, and overdose. After overdose it's easy to skip a day, but not two. I've been taking these days as opportunity and getting off for couple three days.

Like today, I blacked out badly while drinking during last night, got sober and am now on 7th or so drink. I won't overdo though cause tomorrow is workday.

[Last Call]

Today is day 16. Quitting has really been pretty easy so far, some cravings but nothing unmanageable. And I seem to feel a little better mentally and physically everyday.

The first big test I think will be this weekend, my wife is going out of town for a few days and its been on my mind for the past few days. I know this should not matter, it's not like her presence prevents me from drinking so why would her absence cause me to. But I have a history of going way overboard and have ended quits in the past when she is not around.

This quit is for me! I am not going to engage in planning a relapse.

LC

[CarolD]

LC.....
Why not make positive plans for the weekend alone?
Keeping busy and productive is always good.

[ClosetExtrovert]

I can relate to the drinking when the spouse isn't home. That was when all bets were off. I don't know if this would help you, but now I plan something for myself when I know he's going to be gone. It can be something as simple as a movie, or as messy as cleaning out a closet, but it's always something I can do by myself.
Good luck this weekend! Focus on how good you're going to feel when you wake up early on Sunday with no hangover and you have the whole day to yourself.