Dunnit

Hi everyone,

Just want to introduce myself - I've been sober for just over 18 months and feel that I am in a strong enough position now to maybe offer some kind of support to those in need.

I'm just a normal woman with a husband and children. Alcohol got it's nasty hooks in me a long time ago - I blamed all sorts of people and situations for my addiction (I won't go into that now), but ultimately came to realise that the blame lay solely with me and if I didn't do something about it, no-one else would and I wouldn't live to see my kids grow up.

I've "dunnit", I've beaten it. I'd like to think I may be able to help others beat it too.

Dunnit
The Shy Girl

RK2007

Welcome to SR!!!

I've won the battle against drink every single day, for over 5 months now. Some days have been harder to win than others.

Unless continue to fight my illness and not drink I'll become a drinker again.

Rella927

Welcome Dunnit! Congrats to you on your sober time! Glad that you found us-Keep posting-

Dunnit

Thank you.

I had tried to give up many, many times before and failed; although I could do it for 6-12 months at a time.

It's strange really, because I always felt soooooo much better during my sober times but I would always in the end, just have that one drink which I thought was "behaving normally" but for me, it could never be normal behavioural drinking, and I think that it was finally coming to see that in myself that finally gave me the wisdom to quit completely.

There's a lot more to it all than that though - too much to go into all at once, and I'm sure there are hundreds of people on this forum who can identify with everything that I'll have to say on the subject, but I do hope I can offer a degree of support!

I'll be posting!!


Dunnit

"TheShyGirl"

reed

Good job be a sober. Welcome to the forum.

ANGELINA243

Welcome! Glad you are here! :ghug3

adore79

Welcome to SR. Glad to have you here.

mike_mass

welcome!

Aysha

Anna

Hi Dunnit,

Welcome!

I am glad to see you here and hope that you continue to post.

Crji

You offer inspiration to me. I have been sober for 3.5 days and am living day by day to stay that way. I made a decision on Tuesday to change my life and get rid of alcohol. It has been very damaging to me since I was about 13. I can't wait to get to 18 months. If you can offer advice on how you managed to sleep the first few weeks, that would be great. I have trouble sleeping without the drinks to relax me. Thanks again, and hang in there.

Dunnit

Thankyou- I don't think I've ever inspired anyone before - that's a really nice thought!

My first week was Hell. I couldn't sleep properly for about the first 2-3 nights with all the sweats, palpitations and intense feelings of panic that overwhelmed me. But in the end, my body just surrendered and a deep sleep then ensued.

I have to tell you that that first real sleep, ie. not having fallen asleep unconscious due to alcohol consumption, was luxurious, as if someone had covered me in syrup and laid me down on bed of feathers. The next day though was a very slow start and I couldn't wake up properly all day - I think I had overdosed on the natural sleep hormone or something.

It really is something to look forward to though and you'll find that as your body and brain start to recover, natural sleep patterns will begin again. The trick, I believe, is to get yourself into a bedtime routine (a bit like going back to babyhood) and have a relaxing bath (not a shower - that wakes you up), a cup of something hot (not coffee, of course) and the thing that worked best for me was to listen to the radio, especially a chat programme, set on low; it's like having company without having to find the energy to join in - very relaxing, and I would usually fall asleep with the radio still on.

I do hope that you can weather this temporary rough storm, and maybe if you try one or two of the suggestions, you can really then start to look forward to that blissful sleep I can promise you, will eventually come.

Well done on your first 3.5 days - it gets easier, I promise.

Dunnit

TheShyGirl

CarolD

Here is an interesting site for sleeping problems Crji

Insomnia? 41 Simple Tips to Help You Get to Sleep - Insomnia treatment, cures

I do hope that it helps
Well done on your sober time...

CarolD

Dunnit....good to know you are staying sober.
Welcome to SR!

tanyapmc

Hi Dunnit! Welcome to SR! I am glad you found us. STick around and let us get to know you.

warrens

Welcome!

Just a short welcome. I hope you find this community as valuable as do I. In a little over 6 weeks my life has changed so much for the better, thanks in no small part to the "courageous ones."

I hope you will be a frequent visitor!

Peace and Serenity,

warren

nogard

Welcome to SR

TiredMama

welcome welcome!

caitlin666

:ghug3

Dunnit

Thank you all for your very warm welcomes.

I can tell already that it's like one big family here, everybody looking out for each other with everyone's best interests at heart.

You're all courageous - I already feel humbled by many of the people I've read about here who are so open about sharing their most personal experiences.

I look forward to sharing my own with you all.

Dunnit
:ghug2