Newly Sober - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

FCErikaMc · 08-11-2012, 01:33 PM

Hey everyone ... I finally hit my rock bottom and decided enough was enough. Today is going to be the day that I take back control of my life. I just know that I can't do it alone ... And I'm going back and forth today between feeling anxious and feeling guilty. I'm not sure how to deal with this. Any advice?? What was it like when you first quit?

mecanix · 08-11-2012, 01:54 PM

Hi FCErikaMc,
It was a bit of a roller coaster ride for the first couple of weeks, i think i also slept for a month all weekend and evenings after work .
Having regular long cool showers and sleeping lots seemed to help , as a drunk i only ever passed out for 6 hrs before going to work and then starting the drinking over as soon as i got home, no wonder i was tired and a bit random .

Bestwishes on your journey, M

navy0923 · 08-11-2012, 02:06 PM

Being anxious is normal and I dealt with it as well. Something that worked for me in the beginning was getting back to the gym and just reading books. Those activities stimulated my mind and body and kept the anxiety in check til I got past it. I returned to my faith as well. Praying for forgiveness helped with the guilt. It passed quickly as well. I wish you the best.

2granddaughters · 08-11-2012, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCErikaMc

Hey everyone ... I finally hit my rock bottom and decided enough was enough. Today is going to be the day that I take back control of my life. I just know that I can't do it alone ... And I'm going back and forth today between feeling anxious and feeling guilty. I'm not sure how to deal with this. Any advice?? What was it like when you first quit?

I suggest you Google and read AA's "The Doctors Opinion", "How It Works" and "The Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous". See if you can identify...

I took back control of my life by surrendering it as best I could to Alcoholics Anonymous.
Me managing my life is what ended me up in AA .. I needed a new manager.

All the best.

Bob R

FCErikaMc · 08-11-2012, 02:51 PM

I'm nervous to go to AA alone. I looked up and found several meetings nearby... I am scared to death to go! I have never been this big of a coward. I'm not having any urges to drink or anything like that, but I know that I should probably go be around these people and meet people like myself... But I am just so embarrassed!

**Dee74** · 08-11-2012, 03:02 PM

Hi and welcome FCErikaMc

Feelings of guilt and anxiety are absolutely normal...it can be a rollercoaster ride for a little while...but you're not alone

Supports very important - whether you find it here, at AA, some other recovery programme or outlet or a mix...things will get easier

Welcome aboard

D

2granddaughters · 08-11-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FCErikaMc

I'm nervous to go to AA alone. I looked up and found several meetings nearby... I am scared to death to go! I have never been this big of a coward. I'm not having any urges to drink or anything like that, but I know that I should probably go be around these people and meet people like myself... But I am just so embarrassed!

We all felt that way. 15 mins after you get in the door you'll feel right at home.

All the best.

Bob R

FCErikaMc · 08-11-2012, 03:18 PM

Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it. It's so nice to know that I'm not alone, even though I really feel it sometimes.

***Hevyn*** · 08-11-2012, 03:41 PM

Hi FCErika. No, you're not alone anymore. We all understand and remember how it was when we first quit. I had every emotion imaginable. I was relieved to be quitting, but kept having flashbacks to bad times. I knew if I didn't stop with the negative thoughts I'd never be able to move forward and get well.

I hope you'll begin to feel calmer. Every day you should feel a little better. This is a great place for large doses of encouragement and hope. We're so glad you joined us.

***Anna*** · 08-11-2012, 05:29 PM

Oh gosh, yes, I had flashbacks so much, it was really difficult. Shame, anxiety, guilt were all there. But, it does get better as time goes by and you will begin to feel pride in what you're doing.

There is lots of support here at SR, so keep posting.

FCErikaMc · 08-11-2012, 05:43 PM

I can't thank you enough, you guys are great. I really felt like I was alone in these feelings. Tonight is hard, but i will make it through tonight sober and wake tomorrow knowing that I made it through Day 1. For now though, I'm only focused on right now... It's kind of making me feel selfish.

sissy07 · 08-11-2012, 05:58 PM

Welcome to SR! This place is great. Take care.

EFC · 08-11-2012, 06:02 PM

Truly wanting to quit is the most important part, and you seem to have that desire. Remember why you have that desire.

08-11-2012, 01:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
FCErikaMc Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	Newly Sober Hey everyone ... I finally hit my rock bottom and decided enough was enough. Today is going to be the day that I take back control of my life. I just know that I can't do it alone ... And I'm going back and forth today between feeling anxious and feeling guilty. I'm not sure how to deal with this. Any advice?? What was it like when you first quit?

08-11-2012, 01:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
mecanix Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: uk Posts: 1,388 Blog Entries: 8	Hi FCErikaMc, It was a bit of a roller coaster ride for the first couple of weeks, i think i also slept for a month all weekend and evenings after work . Having regular long cool showers and sleeping lots seemed to help , as a drunk i only ever passed out for 6 hrs before going to work and then starting the drinking over as soon as i got home, no wonder i was tired and a bit random . Bestwishes on your journey, M __________________ Ups and downs still happen, it's how we deal with them that counts. gave up 3rd sept 2011. I post because i have some experience , not because i have any answers for you .

08-11-2012, 03:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dee74 SR Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Seas Posts: 65,500	Hi and welcome FCErikaMc Feelings of guilt and anxiety are absolutely normal...it can be a rollercoaster ride for a little while...but you're not alone Supports very important - whether you find it here, at AA, some other recovery programme or outlet or a mix...things will get easier Welcome aboard D __________________

08-11-2012, 03:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Hevyn* Learning to live again Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 11,118	Hi FCErika. No, you're not alone anymore. We all understand and remember how it was when we first quit. I had every emotion imaginable. I was relieved to be quitting, but kept having flashbacks to bad times. I knew if I didn't stop with the negative thoughts I'd never be able to move forward and get well. I hope you'll begin to feel calmer. Every day you should feel a little better. This is a great place for large doses of encouragement and hope. We're so glad you joined us. __________________ You are so much more than the worst thing you've ever done. - Fr. Gregory Boyle, Homeboy Industries Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it well and serenely, and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. - Emerson

08-11-2012, 05:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
*Anna* Administrator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dancing in the Light Posts: 27,815	Oh gosh, yes, I had flashbacks so much, it was really difficult. Shame, anxiety, guilt were all there. But, it does get better as time goes by and you will begin to feel pride in what you're doing. There is lots of support here at SR, so keep posting. __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Marianne Willianson

08-11-2012, 02:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
navy0923 Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: norfolk,va Posts: 147	Being anxious is normal and I dealt with it as well. Something that worked for me in the beginning was getting back to the gym and just reading books. Those activities stimulated my mind and body and kept the anxiety in check til I got past it. I returned to my faith as well. Praying for forgiveness helped with the guilt. It passed quickly as well. I wish you the best.

08-11-2012, 02:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
FCErikaMc Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	I'm nervous to go to AA alone. I looked up and found several meetings nearby... I am scared to death to go! I have never been this big of a coward. I'm not having any urges to drink or anything like that, but I know that I should probably go be around these people and meet people like myself... But I am just so embarrassed!

08-11-2012, 03:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
FCErikaMc Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it. It's so nice to know that I'm not alone, even though I really feel it sometimes.

08-11-2012, 05:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
FCErikaMc Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 40	I can't thank you enough, you guys are great. I really felt like I was alone in these feelings. Tonight is hard, but i will make it through tonight sober and wake tomorrow knowing that I made it through Day 1. For now though, I'm only focused on right now... It's kind of making me feel selfish.

08-11-2012, 05:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
sissy07 Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,387	Welcome to SR! This place is great. Take care.

08-11-2012, 06:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
EFC Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 39	Truly wanting to quit is the most important part, and you seem to have that desire. Remember why you have that desire.

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