Stoped drinking for almost a couple weeks. Couldn't resist today...

[CoffeeAddict]

It has been almost 2 weeks since my last drink, but I had about 5 drinks today because my friends were drinking. Strangely, I stopped before I got to my 6th drink (mostly because the booze was gone). I had headaches and stress for about a week now and wanted a couple of drinks to get rid of them (withdraw?), and I overdrank. I am still a little buzzed. I am a upset at myself right now, any advice to stop this from happening again?

[c'est la vie]

The stopping has to come from the inside. It's not easy to build up the inner awareness of what's ABOUT to happen and the strength to STOP it from happening.

There are several points along the way from sober to drunk (or buzzed). Maybe you will start thinking clearly about where you want to be, who you want to be with, why you're there, how you'll feel if you have a drink, and how you'll feel if you have more than you wanted to drink. It's just thinking completely rationally about a situation rather than "going with your gut" and hanging out with drinking friends to destress.

I'm not saying you have to scrap your friends (I didn't), but some will say that. I'm just saying you need to think more clearly the next time BEFORE the drink is in your hand. Stick around and you'll learn some tools.

[NYCGirl]

Me too, gave in at around 21 days beat myself up and moved on and now today was like 70or 71 I lost count! If you did it once you'll do it better the next time!

[CarolD]

I had to want to stay sober more than I wanted to drink.

That meant I quit living with alcohol in my life.
These days I have sober friends amd have no alcohol
in my home.

Works best that way for me!..

[ndgrace]

Our thinking is really where the problem is, c'est is right. My sponsor told me the same thing after I slipped. I could not put together over 30 days sober for a while, but did not give up! I finally experienced "enough" to allow my higher power to take over, and finally feel the compulsion lifted. (I have 50 days and feel great) Keep posting

[NEEDTOBESOBER]

I relapsed after 33 or 34 days of not drinking and had to start over again so don't feel bad, I am now on day 3. I think if you keep trying you will get it, I am hoping I do - and I think it is the mindset you are in, and from what I heard in the beginning is the hardest.

[Chance]

Glad that you are back um drinking. Well that is what we used to do today, we try not to drink. I know that it isn't always easy, but this deal is doable. I suppose that if I truly wanted to drink that I would. Today I choose not to drink, there was a time in my life where I didn't have any control if I drank or not. So welcome and try not to be so hard on yourself.

Love Vic

[earlybird]

Originally Posted by CoffeeAddict

It has been almost 2 weeks since my last drink, but I had about 5 drinks today because my friends were drinking. Strangely, I stopped before I got to my 6th drink (mostly because the booze was gone). I had headaches and stress for about a week now and wanted a couple of drinks to get rid of them (withdraw?), and I overdrank. I am still a little buzzed. I am a upset at myself right now, any advice to stop this from happening again?

What "safehouse" plans did you have in place for when the urge strikes you? Any at all? Are you going to AA meetings? The problem isnt withdrawal. Withdrawal is your bodies physical need for alcohol. What you gave in to is the mental urge. This is the point (if you were a member of AA) that you would have called your sponsor or a friend from the program. Yet another against those who think they dont need a "program" to get sober and remain that way.

[UnusedPortion]

Yeah I'm with earlybird here, even if you don't choose to work a fully blown AA program you can find support and share with other alcoholics at least. People who are worth listening to will tell you to take what you like and leave the rest. I regret having not gone when I realized I had a problem.