Class of June 2017 Support Thread Part 2
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 90
Hi all, back again. Tired and defeated. Reading on this site provides me with much hope based on so many success stories. Thank you. And I wish all of you the best on your personal journey.
Day 1 again. Ugh
Day 1 again. Ugh
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,533
Originally Posted by Colette122 
Day 10 for me and thank you to all of your support and posts everyone! I'm trying to work up the courage to attend a Smart Recovery meeting tomorrow. I don't think AA would be for me because of the emphasis on God etc. Does anyone have experience with the Smart Recovery program?
which is my peeps. So def give it a shot.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 74
Originally Posted by Zombie79
Day 3 here for me.
I'm in the UK and currently there's a bit of a heatwave so this morning when I woke up I knew I needed to wash my hair but instead just jumped in the shower and the realisation hit me that I've had two showers in as many days which is way more than I would have done if I'd been drinking. In fact, had I been drinking I'd probably just have sprayed some dry shampoo in and not given a crap about it.
I also walked the dog early and enjoyed the morning fresh air, again, something that would rarely happen if I'd been hungover.
Digestion is improving too but I can understand, after drinking for so long and the nutrients being drained by the booze, my gut is probably working overtime!
In a general good mood, taking pictures so see how long it takes for the bloated face to change but even though I'm not a morning person in the slightest, I'm really enjoying just being physically able to get up and get stuff done instead of lying there aching, sweating with a throbbing headache and nasty taste in my mouth
This morning really made me appreciate the gift that sobriety gives you
Hope everyone has a good day:-)
I'm in the UK and currently there's a bit of a heatwave so this morning when I woke up I knew I needed to wash my hair but instead just jumped in the shower and the realisation hit me that I've had two showers in as many days which is way more than I would have done if I'd been drinking. In fact, had I been drinking I'd probably just have sprayed some dry shampoo in and not given a crap about it.
I also walked the dog early and enjoyed the morning fresh air, again, something that would rarely happen if I'd been hungover.
Digestion is improving too but I can understand, after drinking for so long and the nutrients being drained by the booze, my gut is probably working overtime!
In a general good mood, taking pictures so see how long it takes for the bloated face to change but even though I'm not a morning person in the slightest, I'm really enjoying just being physically able to get up and get stuff done instead of lying there aching, sweating with a throbbing headache and nasty taste in my mouth
This morning really made me appreciate the gift that sobriety gives you
Hope everyone has a good day:-)
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Midwest, USA
Posts: 1,551
Still feeling mad at myself. 4 days in. Was in to weekly binging so I'm not that crazy yet. I'm starting a new job on Monday. Very stressful, I absolutely can not go into this new job hungover. Not an option.
God job everyone.
God job everyone.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 285
Sounds like terrific motivation, blackbird! Won't it be great that none of the people at your new job will ever see you hungover?!
Day 16 here and so so thankful.
Someone asked if it felt good to tell my mom. Yes, it did, but it is so scary because it makes it more real than anyone else.
Day 16 here and so so thankful.
Someone asked if it felt good to tell my mom. Yes, it did, but it is so scary because it makes it more real than anyone else.
Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by bblackbirdflyy
Still feeling mad at myself. 4 days in. Was in to weekly binging so I'm not that crazy yet. I'm starting a new job on Monday. Very stressful, I absolutely can not go into this new job hungover. Not an option.
God job everyone.
God job everyone.
Congrats on your new job! It sounds like you have a chance for a beginning in a different landscape. Now it's trying to trick your brain to don't go back to the association of a work stressful event to drink. If the beast comes around, log in and someone here will help you go through it.
Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 32
As part of my tapering (stage 3), I made sober all weekdays last week. Saturday ( day 5), I had a bottle of Pinot Noir between 5 to 10 pm, fought the AV to go out buy another bottle and went to bed. Finally, I slept after 4 days with pretty much no sleep. I'm not sure if the head pressure, tinnitus, and the pounding heart had to do with withdrawn on the 5th day or lack of sleep.
Sunday, I was feeling good- went to the beach, read a bit, no cravings, no sleep again. I was worry because I would be by myself, so I always associate being by myself with drinking. It didn't happen- the beast was probably asleep and I distracted myself from the habit thing. My BF will be with me this whole week, it keeps me grounded since he is not a drinker. Again this week, the goal is to stay clean the whole week again, but still tapering, Any increase in head pressure with tinnitus, I can take naltrexone and try to have just a couple drinks of beer instead of a bottle of wine. Heading to the final steps of tapering since I started my first journey to sobriety.
In my case, insomnia was the hardest think, but it was an underlying problem. A couple days with night sweats in the first 2 weeks. Nothing that I haven't experienced before. The pressure headache with tinnitus was bothersome because it gave me the feeling of being light headed - foggy mind. Tapering was recommended due to the risk of seizure.
Yesterday, I was in an all day meeting and mind was back on track.
From the stories I read here, I truly recommend you to look for an addiction doctor to help you go through withdraw. I was also made aware that withdrawn symptoms such as mood swings and lability could be around for up to 1 year.
Have a great sober week junebugs! To all of you congrats on your milestones and let's keep our thought in learning to surf the wave.
Sunday, I was feeling good- went to the beach, read a bit, no cravings, no sleep again. I was worry because I would be by myself, so I always associate being by myself with drinking. It didn't happen- the beast was probably asleep and I distracted myself from the habit thing. My BF will be with me this whole week, it keeps me grounded since he is not a drinker. Again this week, the goal is to stay clean the whole week again, but still tapering, Any increase in head pressure with tinnitus, I can take naltrexone and try to have just a couple drinks of beer instead of a bottle of wine. Heading to the final steps of tapering since I started my first journey to sobriety.
In my case, insomnia was the hardest think, but it was an underlying problem. A couple days with night sweats in the first 2 weeks. Nothing that I haven't experienced before. The pressure headache with tinnitus was bothersome because it gave me the feeling of being light headed - foggy mind. Tapering was recommended due to the risk of seizure.
Yesterday, I was in an all day meeting and mind was back on track.
From the stories I read here, I truly recommend you to look for an addiction doctor to help you go through withdraw. I was also made aware that withdrawn symptoms such as mood swings and lability could be around for up to 1 year.
Have a great sober week junebugs! To all of you congrats on your milestones and let's keep our thought in learning to surf the wave.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 132
Day 11
My game plan for keeping busy after work, which is where I struggle a lot, is to pack up my new beach bag and walk down to the pool.
I haven't gone since it opened on Memorial week-end because I would have rather just spent the days sitting in my apartment, by myself, drinking and using. Then when I quit 11 days ago, I didn't go because people drink there and I didn't feel ready. I had a huge urge when I saw them last time I was by there.
But today I am planning on being prepared by taking a mini cooler with waters, magazines and relaxing in the sun.
IF it feels hard I will leave.
Today I won't drink or pick up
I haven't gone since it opened on Memorial week-end because I would have rather just spent the days sitting in my apartment, by myself, drinking and using. Then when I quit 11 days ago, I didn't go because people drink there and I didn't feel ready. I had a huge urge when I saw them last time I was by there.
But today I am planning on being prepared by taking a mini cooler with waters, magazines and relaxing in the sun.
IF it feels hard I will leave.
Today I won't drink or pick up
Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 547
Day 14..... What I've learnt in the last 2 weeks!!!
1) Alcohol is not my friend and AV is not a voice I have to listen to, or act on.
2) How low and broken, my life had become.
3) I thought I drank for pleasure but I realise I drank for consolation.
4) That medicating with alcohol is not the way to solve your problems, only to mask them.
5) That the day after, is not worth any kind of perceived "enjoyment" I think I get from drinking.
6) I can carry on riding the merry-go-round of stopping and starting, but I am so tired of day 1 and living like this.
7) Everyday I give in, I lose another small part of my soul.
8) Accepting the fact I can never drink normally and to stop "pretending" that I can.
9) The sober world is a much brighter, happier place to be in, than the world of madness and darkness I have been inhabiting for the last 6 years.
10) Finding SR and getting the help and support from everyone here.
Thank-You Guys- SO MUCH!!!
1) Alcohol is not my friend and AV is not a voice I have to listen to, or act on.
2) How low and broken, my life had become.
3) I thought I drank for pleasure but I realise I drank for consolation.
4) That medicating with alcohol is not the way to solve your problems, only to mask them.
5) That the day after, is not worth any kind of perceived "enjoyment" I think I get from drinking.
6) I can carry on riding the merry-go-round of stopping and starting, but I am so tired of day 1 and living like this.
7) Everyday I give in, I lose another small part of my soul.
8) Accepting the fact I can never drink normally and to stop "pretending" that I can.
9) The sober world is a much brighter, happier place to be in, than the world of madness and darkness I have been inhabiting for the last 6 years.
10) Finding SR and getting the help and support from everyone here.
Thank-You Guys- SO MUCH!!!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 469
Day 5
Day 5 for me - going through a hard time emotionally - I won't repeat myself as I have posted my story on the 'Wine drinking women' thread, however to cut a long story short my 10 year old daughter has refused to speak to me or come and see me since she caught me with a glass of wine last Thursday and its killing me. Its 9pm here now in the UK and its past my drinking time so I will be AF today XXX
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Posts: 349
Hi Susie,
Thanks for posting, I have been in the same boat. Time does heal it -
but for me I can be perfect 99 times and screw up once and the 1 time
is the only thing the kids will remember. So being 100% when she is
with you, over time, will do it, guaranteed!
Thanks for posting, I have been in the same boat. Time does heal it -
but for me I can be perfect 99 times and screw up once and the 1 time
is the only thing the kids will remember. So being 100% when she is
with you, over time, will do it, guaranteed!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Northeast, USA
Posts: 275
Originally Posted by Culture
Day 14..... What I've learnt in the last 2 weeks!!!
1) Alcohol is not my friend and AV is not a voice I have to listen to, or act on.
2) How low and broken, my life had become.
3) I thought I drank for pleasure but I realise I drank for consolation.
4) That medicating with alcohol is not the way to solve your problems, only to mask them.
5) That the day after, is not worth any kind of perceived "enjoyment" I think I get from drinking.
6) I can carry on riding the merry-go-round of stopping and starting, but I am so tired of day 1 and living like this.
7) Everyday I give in, I lose another small part of my soul.
8) Accepting the fact I can never drink normally and to stop "pretending" that I can.
9) The sober world is a much brighter, happier place to be in, than the world of madness and darkness I have been inhabiting for the last 6 years.
10) Finding SR and getting the help and support from everyone here.
Thank-You Guys- SO MUCH!!!
1) Alcohol is not my friend and AV is not a voice I have to listen to, or act on.
2) How low and broken, my life had become.
3) I thought I drank for pleasure but I realise I drank for consolation.
4) That medicating with alcohol is not the way to solve your problems, only to mask them.
5) That the day after, is not worth any kind of perceived "enjoyment" I think I get from drinking.
6) I can carry on riding the merry-go-round of stopping and starting, but I am so tired of day 1 and living like this.
7) Everyday I give in, I lose another small part of my soul.
8) Accepting the fact I can never drink normally and to stop "pretending" that I can.
9) The sober world is a much brighter, happier place to be in, than the world of madness and darkness I have been inhabiting for the last 6 years.
10) Finding SR and getting the help and support from everyone here.
Thank-You Guys- SO MUCH!!!
So I guess that means all of them. Thanks for reminding me why I'm working so hard to stay sober.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 120
Awake - hope your granddaughter is better!
Susie, I've been there too. It will get better! They need to see action from us. Keep on the right path, she'll see it!
Hello to everyone on this thread, it's gotten so big, I love it!
I'm on day 18 and I'm having such a craving right now. I have a bottle of wine
in my possession that someone gifted me from work. What should I do with it? Pour it out? I really don't want to give it to my fiancé to drink as I don't want to contribute to his drinking. I also feel weird about giving it away, what if I give it to someone who is secretly struggling as well? I'd feel awful, of course I'd never really know, but still.
My av voice is saying drink it, open it, you deserve it, you've been so good, what's one glass? I know that's such a lie!
I think I have no choice but to pour it all out? Or just throw the bottle away?
I posted on here because I really don't want to give in and open it!
Susie, I've been there too. It will get better! They need to see action from us. Keep on the right path, she'll see it!
Hello to everyone on this thread, it's gotten so big, I love it!
I'm on day 18 and I'm having such a craving right now. I have a bottle of wine
in my possession that someone gifted me from work. What should I do with it? Pour it out? I really don't want to give it to my fiancé to drink as I don't want to contribute to his drinking. I also feel weird about giving it away, what if I give it to someone who is secretly struggling as well? I'd feel awful, of course I'd never really know, but still.
My av voice is saying drink it, open it, you deserve it, you've been so good, what's one glass? I know that's such a lie!
I think I have no choice but to pour it all out? Or just throw the bottle away?
I posted on here because I really don't want to give in and open it!
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 120
Originally Posted by applewakesup
Someone asked if it felt good to tell my mom. Yes, it did, but it is so scary because it makes it more real than anyone else.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 120
Originally Posted by argillaceous
Culture, Wow. Your post was just so spot on to how I feel that I logged in just so I could respond to it and give you a shout out for posting. Every single one of your listed lessons resonated with me, but at this juncture, particularly 6 and 7. And, well, 9 now that I think of it. And, of course 10. And...hmmm...looking at it again, I guess I should add 1 through 5 to that list. Oh, right, and 8. Sigh. Particularly 8.
So I guess that means all of them. Thanks for reminding me why I'm working so hard to stay sober.
So I guess that means all of them. Thanks for reminding me why I'm working so hard to stay sober.
Administrator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,445
I'm glad you got through the feeling eshgham. Reaching out here really works 
I have no personal experience of SMART Colette but I've heard good things
I'm sorry to hear about the family dynamic Awake. In time I rehabilitated my reputation, and I'm sure you will too.
I'm hoping your granddaughter feels better now
D
I have no personal experience of SMART Colette but I've heard good things
I'm sorry to hear about the family dynamic Awake. In time I rehabilitated my reputation, and I'm sure you will too.
I'm hoping your granddaughter feels better now
D
Administrator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,445
Originally Posted by healthme
As part of my tapering (stage 3), I made sober all weekdays last week. Saturday ( day 5), I had a bottle of Pinot Noir between 5 to 10 pm, fought the AV to go out buy another bottle and went to bed. Finally, I slept after 4 days with pretty much no sleep. I'm not sure if the head pressure, tinnitus, and the pounding heart had to do with withdrawn on the 5th day or lack of sleep.
Sunday, I was feeling good- went to the beach, read a bit, no cravings, no sleep again. I was worry because I would be by myself, so I always associate being by myself with drinking. It didn't happen- the beast was probably asleep and I distracted myself from the habit thing. My BF will be with me this whole week, it keeps me grounded since he is not a drinker. Again this week, the goal is to stay clean the whole week again, but still tapering, Any increase in head pressure with tinnitus, I can take naltrexone and try to have just a couple drinks of beer instead of a bottle of wine. Heading to the final steps of tapering since I started my first journey to sobriety.
In my case, insomnia was the hardest think, but it was an underlying problem. A couple days with night sweats in the first 2 weeks. Nothing that I haven't experienced before. The pressure headache with tinnitus was bothersome because it gave me the feeling of being light headed - foggy mind. Tapering was recommended due to the risk of seizure.
Yesterday, I was in an all day meeting and mind was back on track.
From the stories I read here, I truly recommend you to look for an addiction doctor to help you go through withdraw. I was also made aware that withdrawn symptoms such as mood swings and lability could be around for up to 1 year.
Have a great sober week junebugs! To all of you congrats on your milestones and let's keep our thought in learning to surf the wave.
Sunday, I was feeling good- went to the beach, read a bit, no cravings, no sleep again. I was worry because I would be by myself, so I always associate being by myself with drinking. It didn't happen- the beast was probably asleep and I distracted myself from the habit thing. My BF will be with me this whole week, it keeps me grounded since he is not a drinker. Again this week, the goal is to stay clean the whole week again, but still tapering, Any increase in head pressure with tinnitus, I can take naltrexone and try to have just a couple drinks of beer instead of a bottle of wine. Heading to the final steps of tapering since I started my first journey to sobriety.
In my case, insomnia was the hardest think, but it was an underlying problem. A couple days with night sweats in the first 2 weeks. Nothing that I haven't experienced before. The pressure headache with tinnitus was bothersome because it gave me the feeling of being light headed - foggy mind. Tapering was recommended due to the risk of seizure.
Yesterday, I was in an all day meeting and mind was back on track.
From the stories I read here, I truly recommend you to look for an addiction doctor to help you go through withdraw. I was also made aware that withdrawn symptoms such as mood swings and lability could be around for up to 1 year.
Have a great sober week junebugs! To all of you congrats on your milestones and let's keep our thought in learning to surf the wave.
You may not like what I have to say but I have to say it.
If I've read you correctly, and you're not drinking through the week, there should be no medical reason for you to 'have to' drink on the weekend.
(I'm assuming you didn't have a Dr suggest this.)
If you were going to have medical issues in withdrawal you would have them when you're not drinking in the week.
A bottle in 5 hours is not tapering...it's kinda a mix of binging and moderating?
Switching beer for wine is still alcohol tho too. I nearly killed myself on 'just beer'
I'm not trying to hurt or upset you - I just think you'd be better off pulling the band aid clean off.
I understand that mentally you might not feel ready to quit entirely - this is just my opinion and not my journey - but I hope you think about it through the week and decide to go with zero alcohol if not this weekend, very soon.
D
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Midwest, USA
Posts: 1,551
Pour it out Kat. that's my vote. If you throw it away full you'll just think about getting it out of th trash. My AV thinks trash booze is the best!
Thanks for the responses about my job. Such an excellent point that I have the opportunity to start fresh in a career sober and clear minded!
After a few years of hard work, I'm a nurse! Can't imagine how bad I'd be alcoholism-wise if I didn't have the busy schedule I've had. Another reason to recommit to sobriety as I have a lot more free time. Hence the recent deal-breaker binge. Idle hands are a big trigger for me.
that's my vote. If you throw it away full you'll just think about getting it out of th trash. My AV thinks trash booze is the best!Thanks for the responses about my job. Such an excellent point that I have the opportunity to start fresh in a career sober and clear minded!
After a few years of hard work, I'm a nurse! Can't imagine how bad I'd be alcoholism-wise if I didn't have the busy schedule I've had. Another reason to recommit to sobriety as I have a lot more free time. Hence the recent deal-breaker binge. Idle hands are a big trigger for me.
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