f1ngers

On Wed 4th Nov I stopped drinking. I've decided to make a list of things in bullet form that I really hate about drinking so that I can refer back to them when I am feeling vulnerable. Feel free to add to my list if it helps :-)

SoberLeigh

You can put all those things behind you forever, f1ngers.

Making that list was a good idea.

Do you have a plan to stay sober?

Ambuler

Here's a few for me...

• Having to spend extra money at the store so the cashier doesn't think I'm there at 10am just to buy wine
• Waking up every morning and planning to buy alcohol because I HAVE to
• The fear that something will happen during the day and I will have to drive
• Being afraid I'll bump into someone I know at the store and they'll see all the alcohol in my cart

SoberLeigh

Here's a good thread to look through when you have the chance:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...at-we-did.html

f1ngers

My GP is fully aware and I have started Campral. I have told my family and my best friend (who also has the same problem) and I have the support of everyone.

I am waiting for a call from drug and alcohol to set up a meeting to see what plan we can organise.

in the past after many attempts I quit smoking (which I did solidly for 14 years), that was 13 years ago. And I kicked a bad 9 month prescription oxycontin habit cold turkey a couple of years ago.

The difference is, kicking cigarettes and oxy cold turkey is about a week of hell. Alcohol (for me) isn't as acute in withdrawals, it's more the long term social/craving that makes it so hard.

For now I plan on sticking with this forum, my GP, my Camparal, my family and hopefully some regular sessions with an alcohol councilor.

I'm not ready for the AA step yet, but if all else fails I won't discard it.

SoberLeigh

It's good that you are being proactive, f1ngers.

Glad to hear that you will be sticking around the forum.

f1ngers

Oh and I hate the nickname I chose, but it came about due to an alcohol related incident.

Now and then my mate or I would sneak in a few bungers (loud firecrackers) and let them off when no one was prepared.

I was so plasted and I decided to light a couple that I had in my pocket and hide them under the table we were all sitting at.

The problem was I didn't let them go and the other problem being that the table was made of glass.........so everyone could see what I was doing lol.

Anyway fortunately all I ended up with was a very black hand, but managed to keep all of my digits (I should have lost them all).

It was funny at the time and the name stuck for a while but it reminds me what stupid things alcohol can make you do!

SoberLeigh

I'm glad that you were hurt, f1ngers.

If you want to change your name, you can send a PM to Anna or Dee47.

Debbie329

I hear ya......I also got most of those reasons too.

bullmas

f1ngers :

•Driving over the limit because I haven't been caught (yet)

Ouch !

f1ngers

Yep, it's the 2nd most thing I hate about myself after lying to my wife and family.

Since I'm not a day drinker and I hardly have the need to go out at night, it's not often and it would only be after a few, but even once is enough.

I listed it because I do it and I hate it.

SoberLeigh

Oh dear; I meant "I am glad that you were NOT hurt, f1ngers".

what a bad mistake.

f1ngers

Haha mate, I understood the typo! Just as well I'm anything but sensitive :-)

freshstart57

F1ngers, that's a great list. I made one like that too. I also made another one, same purpose, but a completely different outlook, a positive one. I made a list of things I could do, things I could have and be ONLY if I were sober. I made a list of good things about being sober as well as a list of bad things about being a drunk.

The first list was important in helping me pass on that first drink, but the second one took me beyond that, to appreciate and demand all the aspects of the sober life I had been denying myself while drinking. It was the second list that let me make the commitment to being sober for good.

You are doing great, f1ingers. Keep posting and hanging around, OK?

f1ngers

Thank you freshstart57 and that's great advice. I'll make a positive list for myself as well.

When I got off the Oxy this place and pure will power was all I had. I couldn't have done it without the support of SR. I won't be going anywhere. When I kicked the Oxy addiction it felt great to help others here. Hopefully I end up with a similar result regarding the alcohol :-)