For Those with Less than 2 Weeks Sober Part 6

[Mariposa18]

Good Morning Everyone~ Thanks for the warm welcome =) Today is day 7 for me and I got more rest last night than I have since I quit, so I feel much better today! Amazing what sleep will do for you. I did still have bad dreams, but they were not so horrible that they kept me awake. Before bed last night I said the Serenity prayer in my head until I felt calm enough to sleep. I broke it down in sections and thought about the parts of my life where I could apply each step, I think that really helped.

Stay Strong Everyone and God Bless~

[Pam08]

Day 17 now..i know I am past the two weeks.. happy about that..but I like to check in here daily, it keeps me remembering the time that is going by and how far I am now as far as my sobriety ....I hope you all don't mind.
I thank all of your here at SR for your words of support and your posts which I learn from and thrive on daily.
To all the newbies like myself.. Congratulations! I know it is a struggle, but we can do it together with help from our higher power, this is definitely a we thing, i couldn't do it by myself, I tried endlessly.
No matter what we have going on in our life we can not give in to the least resistance, "alcohol" just need to stay strong and deny it access to our lives, our hearts our souls our sanity.

[November77]

Hi all,

I haven't had a drink since November 17th. It's tough though. For some reason I'm really craving it today and I'm not sure why. This is not easy at all. I've been going to AA meetings since Monday, but, I keep trying to rationalize that it's ok to have a few drinks here and there. But, I know I'll just end up drinking more if I do.

[grrrr]

Hey November, welcome to SR! That addict voice likes to tell us that a few drinks or a few drugs are ok, but there is part of us that knows better. The first days are definitely the toughest, but hang in there. I imagine you can think of lots of reasons that you want to be sober, or at least lots of reasons why you don't want to be drunk! Being in control of my life now makes me feel so much better. I too am in early recovery (day 32), but I know the cravings lessen and I feel more in tune with myself.

Mariposa - I like how you broke down the serenity prayer, that is really thoughtful. I definitely say the prayer to myself in tough situations to try and remain calm. Great to have you sharing here!

Hope everyone has a good Thursday!

[Pam08]

hello November, welcome to SR and congrats on 3 days...it is one day at a time and sometimes one minute at a time...Glad your going to AA..AA and this forum is keeping me above water..I am in need of starting the 12 steps..that is my goal for this week..as I have picked the person whom i decided i want to be my sponsor and do the steps with....
The cravings lesson as time goes by.....keep posting and reading and going to AA, you have the right start..

[mtnmagic]

Hi Paddy Bear - It was good to get up this morning and see that you
checked in. Day three and a clear head. I know it's tough, but you
are on your way dear! Keep it up!

ksplash - Good to know that you are having a good day today and I think
I will join you in trying to make today as positive as I can. I continue
to post on this thread because I remember vividly how tough and lonely
those first two weeks felt to me. The people that supported me here was
a bright spot in long lonely days and nights when I felt isolated and alone and
sick as can be. It was like insurance to not pick up a drink while I was not at a meeting and at home when nothing was stopping me from giving up.

Mariposa - Congratulations on one week. Glad the sleeping is getting better.
That one is a bear. Nice work, applying the Serenity Prayer to situations in your life. Maybe I should try it. Sounds like a good tool in sobriety, thanks for sharing that.

Wow Pam - Day 17 and your post is inspirational. I can "see" read the changes in you. You seem more peaceful and accepting of yourself today. That's great.

Hi November77 - Welcome to SR. You've come to a great place to get support for yourself. I go to AA too. Everyday right now, because I have
found that is the best way for me to stay sober the 24 hours between meetings. You will find that different people use different methods to
stay sober, but we all have a lot in common. That craving for a drink
has been a huge pull for almost all of us in the early days. Why? Well
for me, my body and brain wanted me to give in and give it what it was
used to to function. That would be alcohol to cope with just about
everything in my life. Sadly that stopped working years ago, but I kept
listening to that craving. Not anymore. I don't know your history, but
it is likely that you are still in withdrawal. It will get better. You will
feel better and the craving will slowly (oh very slowly) lessen. Take
very good care of yourself. Keep posting and keep reading here.
Looking forward to getting to know you better.

Hi grrrr - Glad to meet up with you here. Good Thursday back at ya!

[November77]

Yeah this is the toughest thing I have ever had to do. Most of my friends drink and so it's going to be a big change for me. I just love the high I get off of it. But, if I have more than 3 drinks I get moody and just plain mean.

Is anyone else struggling with this? I mean what if I fail?

[BSlick]

This is day 4.5 for me. So far so good. Going to see the doctor this afternoon. Everything seems fogy.

[espresso]

To Everyone: Thank You button

[allport]

Id like to echo espressos thankyou. You are all so cool. Coming up to the end of day 13 for me and i didnt make it to my aa meeting, its so cold outside and im so tired and achy i couldnt face getting off the sofa. It might be a feeble excuse but im practising a bit of self love today. I am so tired, im not sure if its the withdrawal or the remains of my cold but im wiped out. So ive treated my self with a pyjama day, ive had a lovely long bath, some really tasty food and now im watching tv under my duvet, sometimes doing nothing is the best thing you can do. X

[November77]

Hi Allport,

I did that yesterday after getting home from work. I was so tired and it was so cold out too. I just kicked back on my couch, took a nap and watched some tv. I think it might be the withdrawl. It's only been 3 days for me. And it has been so tough.

I actually went to the book store today and bought a couple of books on alcoholism, one was the blue book and the other one was for women called "loaded" I don't have the name of the author in front of me right now. But, I just thought what the heck. I also bought a couple of fun things, a water color set and this other set where you paint glass. I hope it helps. I need something else to focus on besides getting a buzz from alcohol.

[allport]

The first time i did a successful detox i bought myself a cross stitch kit, id never done it before and i really just wanted something to keep me busy, being stupid i bought an advanced kit and it took me two years to complete it. I cant even look at it now but for those first few months it really took my mind off drinking, so i think hobbies can help but i wouldnt advise cross stitch. lol

[November77]

Hi Mariposa18,

I know what you mean about sleep. I'm still anxious and I'm still tossing and turning. But last night I went right to sleep but woke up in the middle of the night with the toss and turns.

I keep hearing that it will get better with time. It seems like forever. It's only been 3 days for me.

[November77]

At first I didn't believe that alcholism was a disease but a lack of will power on my part. I found out that this is not the case. I have heard that if other family members are drinkers that most likely you will become one. I have a strong family history of alcoholism. My Mom and Dad, grandparents and aunts all heavy drinkers. Oh, I forgot, so is my brother.

So anyone else think this is a disease also?

[Mariposa18]

November~ I also hear the sleep will continue to get better. I hope since today I've been up since 645am and have been active that I will tire myself out enough to get a good nights rest. I toss and turn a lot as well but the worst part is the bad dreams. They are SO VIVID! All my dreams are like that, good when they are good but when they are nightmares? I swear they rival Freddy Krueger!

I also believe that Alcoholism is a disease. My Mom has told me that my Grandfather was an alcoholic ( I say was because once he quit he never picked it back up, not because he's not around) My Uncle (Dad's Brother) died this year because of alcohol related problems and even when he came out of the hospital he wouldn't give up the drinking. So I have it coming from both sides.

I don't think that makes us drink, but I do think that once that part of us is triggered, it's incredibly hard to resist. To know when to stop and when it's become an addiction as opposed to something we do socially. I don't think my Family history made me an alcoholic, however everyone in my Family drinks. It was never off limits to me or forbidden in any way. My parents would allow me sips of beer if I wanted them, even as young as 10 years old.

November, now you really got me thinking...

[CarolD]

I'm sooo glad to see y'all moving forward

Yes! we can continue to win!

Welcome to SR....
BSlick...:
Nevember...

Disease? I follow the CDC and AMA conclusions
that it is a disease...progressive ..chronic... fatal.

Reading the 2nd sticky post in our Alcoholism Forum
might provide our newer members insight.

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...influence.html (Excerpts from "Under The Influence")

Blessings to all

[Mariposa18]

CarolD~ I just read through that thread and this part of a post by GreenTea hit it right on the head for me : "I think that social factors started me drinking, but that once I did chose to start, then genetic factors kicked in and kept me drinking, and drinking more and more despite any social feedback to the contrary" That's what I was trying to say but couldn't seem to find eloquent enough words to say it!

I'm thanking God right now that I found this place. I no longer feel alone and out of control, but on my way to a better me who doesn't need alcohol to feel good or to deal with her problems.

[grrrr]

Hi All!
Thanks Carol for posting the link to that sticky. After I first read that, I went and bought the book. I found it very helpful and would recommend it to everyone. I know that folks have talked about the updated "Beyond the Influence" being good as well.

I was amazed at how little energy I had the first couple weeks without alcohol. I could really relate to the section in the book that talked about how alcohol would have the effect of waking up an alcoholic. I realized that I was more physically addicted than I had thought. I started taking more vitamins and making sure I was eating well. At 32 days I feel completely different and have my energy back. I am sure the timing is different for everyone. Understanding that I have a disease that I can't change helps me make the choice not to drink. Go vitamins and education!!

[grrrr]

Mariposa, that is awesome. I feel the same way about SR. Glad you are here too!

[BrixtonBear]

Wow! I've just checked in here this morning, and there is so much great encouragement here. Thanks everyone for your posts, which are really helping me not to pick up today!

Into day 4. Just as an explorer might keep a travel diary of their adventures, I've decided to keep a diary of my adventures into sobriety.

Each night I write down any tips or inspiring thoughts I've learned from my new sober friends in AA and SR in a brand new notebook I bought especially.

I'm hoping it will help me to stay focused on my recovery, and help me to see that sobriety can be a great adventure!

Thanks for all the good things I'm learning here.
PB

[allport]

Hi everyone its day 14 for me and although i thought id feel triumphant i dont, i havent had any real cravings so i dont know how im going to react when i do. Im still pretty pleased as i think this is the longest i been sober for at least a year! Not quite ready to leave this thread yet but what is the next step? Good luck to everyone and have a lovely day. X

[Mariposa18]

Good Morning Everyone~

Paddington~ I like the idea of a notebook. I've been using my food journal to write down everything (food, exercise,thoughts! lol) I should probably have separate journals for that, huh? =)

Allport~ Congrats on the 14 days! Every day is a victory, even on days we don't feel it =)

I'm on Day 8 today~ Last Friday was my first day sober so I've officially got a week under my belt. Starting to sleep a little better, l actually fell asleep pretty fast last night, woke up twice in the middle of the night but fell right back asleep. I was waking up 5-6 times at first and not able to sleep again so I'll take the 2 times! lol

One thing I'm worried about, I"m sure it will sound silly but it's a worry I have. I've lost 30lbs since April and I've already gained 5 back. When I started drinking heavily the past few months not only did I stop working out but I started eating badly again. I'm the kind of person than I either drown my feelings in alcohol, or stuff them back with food. Back in April when I began working out I was still drinking and smoking weed. I stopped smoking, kept drinking, then my workouts and healthy eating fell to the side.

I guess my point is I don't want to fall back to the food trap, because that's not healthy for me either. Anyone feeling like this? It's like I'm not super hungry but when I am I rationalize what to eat by thinking I should have what I want because being sober is enough of a challenge right now...that's just an excuse to overeat and still not deal, isn't it? =(

[espresso]

[November77]

Hi paddington Bear, I know what you're going through. It's been 4 days for me too. I just gotta keep moving forward. We'll make it. Just gotta take one step at a time. Are you attending any AA? I find this is really a big help for me so far.

[BrixtonBear]

Hi everyone

Congratulations Allport on your 14 days! Brilliant!

Hi Mariposa, I often feel the same way - sometimes when I get home from work, and I can't have a drink, I think to myself that it's an excuse to eat lots of crisps and things like that. But I know that eating healthily is also important for my recovery, so I am trying to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, but it is a real challenge for me. Well done on your 8 days!

Hi November77 - well done on your 4 days. It's great that we're at the same spot! I am attending AA. I don't have a sponsor at the moment (not since I relapsed so badly for several months between June and October), but I am attending meetings again. I've never picked up on a day when I attended a meeting, so that's an incentive for me to keep attending!

Great job everybody. Have a good weekend everyone!
PB