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Brand new life

Old 03-03-2010, 09:57 PM
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Brand new life

Today is 2 weeks without a drink. I am new here, and essentially new to life. I began drinking at 18, and began drinking every day by age 22. I can remember only 2 days that I didn't drink in the 19 years since then. For me, this is not about getting my life back, it is about discovering my life for the first time.

I used to go out & socialize, at bars. After 3 different arrests (2 were DWIs), I thought I had solved all of my problems by not drinking and driving. I stopped going out, content to drink myself to sleep at home, alone.

I never had any intention of quitting, I had it in my head that I deserved that cold beer after a hard day at work, to celebrate, to deal with stress, etc... There was always a good reason for drinking. I didn't need to drink at work and a neurologist diagnosed my shaking as a tremor. On days off, I usually waited until late afternoon to start drinking.

In December, I lost my job & things started to change. The time I allowed myself to start drinking became noon, and some days as early as 8AM. I started feeling the change in my body...my heart always racing and having trouble breathing. On Valentine's Day, I was shaking so bad that I was afraid to walk, so of course I had to drink to stop shaking. By Tuesday I was certain that I was going to die. I saw my shrink on Wednesday and I couldn't argue with his insistence that I check myself in for detox. Spending your first day of detox in the cardiac ward is quite the wake up call.

I am excited about a chance to finally be normal

Sorry for being so long winded....
I am happy to have found this site and look forward to meeting like-minded friends here.
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Old 03-03-2010, 10:38 PM
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Welcome! You will get alot of support here so you came to the right place! I am nearly four weeks into sobriety.. and its feeling good, though has not been an easy ride and yes I had the same feelings of reality check! Well done on your two weeks, that's great!
P
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Old 03-04-2010, 12:31 AM
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Hi Brattitude..

..I'm excited,as well....welcome to SR..OZ..
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Old 03-04-2010, 05:05 AM
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bona fido dog-lover
 
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Welcome to SR! And congrats on your two weeks! It's a great start to a better sober life.
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Old 03-04-2010, 05:38 AM
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Welcome and congratulations on your 2 weeks sober!

I'm so glad that you went to the hospital and that you are now recovering.
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Old 03-04-2010, 05:47 AM
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Don't resist, allow
 
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Welcome and thanks for sharing how you sought medical help when you were having withdrawal symptoms.

Life is so much better sober
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Old 03-04-2010, 05:48 AM
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Welcome friend. I've been through similar experiences as you, started drinking when I was 18 and never looked back. i'm 26 now and finally going sober for good. I'm going through a similar re-discovery; I don't remember who I was or what I enjoyed doing before I found drinking.

In one sense it is fun to do this rediscovery but on the other hand, it is terrifying.

So, hang in there. You're not alone.
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Old 03-04-2010, 09:38 AM
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Welcome!
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Old 03-04-2010, 09:46 AM
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Welcome and congrats for finding your path! stay on it
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Old 03-04-2010, 12:56 PM
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Welcome!
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Old 03-05-2010, 07:05 AM
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Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
 
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Glad you are heading into a healthy sober future.
Welcome to our recovery community ...
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