Day 7 - one week sober!
Day 7 - one week sober!
I'm in my 7th day of sobriety. If you told me a week ago that I was going to swear off the bottle, successfully, for one week, I would have laughed out loud. I had been drinking 3-4 glasses of wine 5 nights a week with periodic binges. I loved the feeling that drinking gave me in spite of the arguments it led to between me and my husband, passing out in inopportune locations, receiving a DUI a couple years ago, falling down a flight of stairs 9 years ago that resulted in an ER visit, and my recent difficulty with word recall (I'm 38). I hit rock bottom last Monday, when my 8 year old had to piece together the previous night's events for me.
Anyway, I have been posting my small victories incrementally on SR throughout the week in the newcomers' board. I previously ruled out AA because the mandatory meeting I went to for my DUI punishment was uninspiring, but am reconsidering giving it another try. This weekend I had to go to a fundraiser on. Someone told me to have a plan a, b, c and exit plan, which I did. No one offered to buy me a drink - huge that I didn't have to spend the whole night explaining myself. Folks did ask WHY I wasn't drinking and I used being the designated driver as my excuse. I still got out on the dance floor with the ladies. Someone mentioned that I was on the dance floor with zero drinks in me. On Saturday morning my husband was so happy.
I usually spend Saturday afternoons recovering lazily on the couch. With
not being necessary, I ran some errands instead and bought myself a book. Then I prepped a more creative dinner than usual. Nothing fancy, just a little bit more intricate than my usual lazy suppers. I wanted to drink bc dinnertime is when I usually start, but reminded myself the advice on here that feelings are fleeting. After that I practiced skating with my husband and kids. I wanted to start drinking afterwards as my reward for family time, but didnt because feelings are fleeting. The kids kept hugging and high fiving me, and my husband still seemed really happy. He said that was the greatest afternoon he's had in a while because all four of us were enjoying something together.
Saturday evening I settled in with my book and dandelion tea, took a break to watch a tv show with my husband, and felt like drinking but didn't because feelings are fleeting, then read some more.
This morning I woke up to take my kids to sports and felt different. I felt comfortable and grounded and energetic and cheerful. Earlier in the week I was surprised at how tired I felt. I had a hard time getting out of bed in the morning, even after going to bed at like 8:30 some nights. It took me by surprise that some folks feel fatigued after they STOP putting alcohol in their systems. Today I felt pretty good. If you would have told me a week ago that The way I feel on Day 7 would encourage me to continue to stay away from the bottle, I would have flat out disagreed.
Last Monday morning the world conspired for me to reach out to the SR community for help making a better life. Your support and instructions helped me do it this week. I would love advice on how to continue.
Anyway, I have been posting my small victories incrementally on SR throughout the week in the newcomers' board. I previously ruled out AA because the mandatory meeting I went to for my DUI punishment was uninspiring, but am reconsidering giving it another try. This weekend I had to go to a fundraiser on. Someone told me to have a plan a, b, c and exit plan, which I did. No one offered to buy me a drink - huge that I didn't have to spend the whole night explaining myself. Folks did ask WHY I wasn't drinking and I used being the designated driver as my excuse. I still got out on the dance floor with the ladies. Someone mentioned that I was on the dance floor with zero drinks in me. On Saturday morning my husband was so happy.
I usually spend Saturday afternoons recovering lazily on the couch. With
not being necessary, I ran some errands instead and bought myself a book. Then I prepped a more creative dinner than usual. Nothing fancy, just a little bit more intricate than my usual lazy suppers. I wanted to drink bc dinnertime is when I usually start, but reminded myself the advice on here that feelings are fleeting. After that I practiced skating with my husband and kids. I wanted to start drinking afterwards as my reward for family time, but didnt because feelings are fleeting. The kids kept hugging and high fiving me, and my husband still seemed really happy. He said that was the greatest afternoon he's had in a while because all four of us were enjoying something together.
Saturday evening I settled in with my book and dandelion tea, took a break to watch a tv show with my husband, and felt like drinking but didn't because feelings are fleeting, then read some more.
This morning I woke up to take my kids to sports and felt different. I felt comfortable and grounded and energetic and cheerful. Earlier in the week I was surprised at how tired I felt. I had a hard time getting out of bed in the morning, even after going to bed at like 8:30 some nights. It took me by surprise that some folks feel fatigued after they STOP putting alcohol in their systems. Today I felt pretty good. If you would have told me a week ago that The way I feel on Day 7 would encourage me to continue to stay away from the bottle, I would have flat out disagreed.
Last Monday morning the world conspired for me to reach out to the SR community for help making a better life. Your support and instructions helped me do it this week. I would love advice on how to continue.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Hey ... Congrats on your achievement of sobriety for 7 days. First I want to say I'm not equipped to give you any advice because I stopped drinking 3 weeks ago. I can encourage you with my story that's also just begun.
I was drinking about a bottle and a half of white wine a night with my wife, 5-6 nights a week. This started about 12 years ago. I just turned 46 years old, and my life is not where I want it. I made the conscious decision to try to stop drinking on a Monday morning (Jan 7th, 2013) after I woke up feeling like crap. I would consider my consumption and dependence of wine the last 10 years to be way too much ... likely alcoholism. However, without making excuses for myself, and realizing I have just begun my new life, I have ZERO desire to drink anymore. In fact, I went to Las Vegas last weekend with my buddy, and though I saw the booze flowing everywhere, I drank diet coke. It's the strangest thing ... I have started rediscovering my ambition, I feel less bloated and I think I'm losing weight, and the mild psoriasis on my hands is healing. The tension in my life has decreased ... wow, I feel great!
FYI, I feel better than I have felt in a decade. I have no desire to drink anymore. I'm ready to raise the stakes by getting my butt into the gym, increasing my income and becoming the very best husband and daddy to my wife & kids.
My grandfather (a former drunk, RIP) told me that he just stopped drinking one day when he was in his mid fortieths, and never drank another sip. It was over just like that. He just stopped cold turkey and never went back.
Though I never got a DUI or ended up in E.R., my story is similar to yours. I wish you the very best. Good luck with you.
I was drinking about a bottle and a half of white wine a night with my wife, 5-6 nights a week. This started about 12 years ago. I just turned 46 years old, and my life is not where I want it. I made the conscious decision to try to stop drinking on a Monday morning (Jan 7th, 2013) after I woke up feeling like crap. I would consider my consumption and dependence of wine the last 10 years to be way too much ... likely alcoholism. However, without making excuses for myself, and realizing I have just begun my new life, I have ZERO desire to drink anymore. In fact, I went to Las Vegas last weekend with my buddy, and though I saw the booze flowing everywhere, I drank diet coke. It's the strangest thing ... I have started rediscovering my ambition, I feel less bloated and I think I'm losing weight, and the mild psoriasis on my hands is healing. The tension in my life has decreased ... wow, I feel great!
FYI, I feel better than I have felt in a decade. I have no desire to drink anymore. I'm ready to raise the stakes by getting my butt into the gym, increasing my income and becoming the very best husband and daddy to my wife & kids.
My grandfather (a former drunk, RIP) told me that he just stopped drinking one day when he was in his mid fortieths, and never drank another sip. It was over just like that. He just stopped cold turkey and never went back.
Though I never got a DUI or ended up in E.R., my story is similar to yours. I wish you the very best. Good luck with you.
1000 Post Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Midwest USA
Posts: 2,284
glee, was the meeting that was unispiring a DUI type class or was it an AA meeting? I ask this because my mandated DUI classes & MADD impact panel was a waste of my time. I got nothing from them except resentments towards the court system & the secretary of state. However, I found AA meetings to be of great help.
glee, was the meeting that was unispiring a DUI type class or was it an AA meeting? I ask this because my mandated DUI classes & MADD impact panel was a waste of my time. I got nothing from them except resentments towards the court system & the secretary of state. However, I found AA meetings to be of great help.
A friend of mine actually gave me a paper she wrote about her visit to a meeting from her counseling master degree program. All I needed to do was copy it. The thing is, I was aware that I had a drinking problem. I had been researching moderation management (or whatever it's called). This instructor swore by AA, and because I trusted him, I gave it an honest go.
The meeting I landed at was a dud for me. It was an open big book meeting (I know there are different types). We had to take turns reading. Then the couple of people who shared their stories seemed like they were in different places in their lives than I am, with parent/ sibling/ friendship/ romantic/ career issues compounding their alcoholism. My classmates had different stories. Many of them felt welcomed and at home at their meetings.
I credit that teacher, whose name I've long forgotten, but whose story resonated so deeply with me, with helping me find my way to last Monday's Day 1 of sobriety. It's the first time I considered my drinking to be out of my control.
I can't believe how much I have to say. Thanks for listening.
Yes. Well said. I never would have believed that I wasn't doing things that make me happy a week ago, and yet here I am, stunned by the improvement in my quality of life.
Good for you. Thanks for posting the 'small victories'. It's important to highlight these little things, they are important! Hope you keep up your sobriety and more happy times await!
I relate to the stories above. It was red wine. I drank a bottle or more most days of the week and each morning I would pray to help me quit(and I don't go to church). I just needed something. I'm tired of it. It's my first night trying to quit for good. It's also the witching hour here. Grrr. The time when I go to the liquor store...
Maple12, I'm red wine too.
SR is a tool that will help you along your journey. The excitement of my preparation to drink, going to the liquor store and buying that bottle, knowing that the buzz was imminent, is a powerful part of the addiction. People on here have good advice on how to handle each and every aspect of your recovery.
During the witching hour get busy. Read, talk to a friend, watch tv, catch up on work, or do anything else that you do not associate with drinking. Focus on getting through the moments.
SR is a tool that will help you along your journey. The excitement of my preparation to drink, going to the liquor store and buying that bottle, knowing that the buzz was imminent, is a powerful part of the addiction. People on here have good advice on how to handle each and every aspect of your recovery.
During the witching hour get busy. Read, talk to a friend, watch tv, catch up on work, or do anything else that you do not associate with drinking. Focus on getting through the moments.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 7
Her 1-2 glasses of wine per night doesn't influence me at all. I do believe since I stopped drinking she is also drinking less.
My husband is over the moon with the changes in my behavior over the past 8 days. He still drinks. Too much? He thinks so but he's not interested in giving it up. He has never crossed that line into unexpected or inappropriate behavior. I think he may cut out his weeknight drinking.
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