OMG this is so hard
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11
OMG this is so hard
I'm on day 6 of a trial of no alcohol and I can't believe how difficult it is. This is the longest I've been without a drink in 5 years. I realize in the past 6 days how much I've used drinking as a means to calm my anxiety. This week has been tough. I've experienced intermittent episodes of anxiety, anger and full on rage. I don't like this at all. I just want to open a bottle of wine and pour a glass. I'm just wondering if there are others who can share some coping mechanisms. I already keep physically active with exercise, gardening and being a mom to three kids but this is still not enough. I really don't want to lose my resolve to quit for at least 6 weeks.
Welcome to SR. What is prompting this test?
I spent the early days of my sobriety researching addiction, alcohol, and alcoholism. I wanted to know what I was up against.
Good luck.
I spent the early days of my sobriety researching addiction, alcohol, and alcoholism. I wanted to know what I was up against.
Good luck.
It's hard in the early days, that's for sure. But, you can get through this, and good for you for getting to Day 5.
I will offer this advice - if I had told myself I was stopping for 6 weeks, I would have been miserable, and counting the days until I could drink again. When I told myself drinking was no longer an option, my mind began to shift to healthy and happy ways of dealing with life.
I will offer this advice - if I had told myself I was stopping for 6 weeks, I would have been miserable, and counting the days until I could drink again. When I told myself drinking was no longer an option, my mind began to shift to healthy and happy ways of dealing with life.
Welcome
Staying in bondage to alc is harder than staying sober & free. Having DT's & all the other withdrawls the body has,is it telling us "stop treating & abusing me this way!!!"
Just take it 1 day @ a time. Don't focus on what will happen tomm or next wknd when you're around other drinkers etc. Google the nearest aa meeting to you & just sit & listen to what's shared around the room. I gurrantee that you will realize these are people just like you or in worse situations & those that have it good are not there coz they "wished it" upon themselves but put in step work & went thru mths or yrs of difficulty getting there & now are enjoying the friuts of their labor!
You can do it.
Staying in bondage to alc is harder than staying sober & free. Having DT's & all the other withdrawls the body has,is it telling us "stop treating & abusing me this way!!!"
Just take it 1 day @ a time. Don't focus on what will happen tomm or next wknd when you're around other drinkers etc. Google the nearest aa meeting to you & just sit & listen to what's shared around the room. I gurrantee that you will realize these are people just like you or in worse situations & those that have it good are not there coz they "wished it" upon themselves but put in step work & went thru mths or yrs of difficulty getting there & now are enjoying the friuts of their labor!
You can do it.
When I first came to SR, I suggested to a couple people that they try to quit for ONE week, but the most popular opinion around here seems to be to try to quit for ONE YEAR.
That sounds reasonable, since I have been told that it takes up to two years for your brain to heal from alcohol (if it heal s at all).
Give yourself a longer sober time to fully heal and start to experience the value of sober living. Say six months. By then you should have really noticed the difference.
When I had cravings I walked my dogs. They got a lot of walks for a while.
When I had cravings I walked my dogs. They got a lot of walks for a while.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11
thank you to all
Hello all and thanks for getting me through a few moments of anxiety that I thought might lead me to grabbing a glass. Last Sunday, I took note of how much I drank I had drunk in 24 hours and it was really scary. Full bottle of wine, glass of scotch and about 8 oz of malt beverage. I couldn't believe it. And no, I wasn't even drunk. My tolerance is sky high for my size. I've been wanting to stop for a long time but have never been able to make it through the first day! I'm taking it day by day, as many have suggested and hoping that each day gets easier as I get advice from others who've gone through this. Unfortunately, public support groups are not an option for me, since admitting that I may have a substance abuse problem could lead to losing my job. I decided last week that I no longer have the option of drinking for a while at least. I've abused the privilege and simply don't have this choice anymore. Somehow, realizing that I don't have a choice makes it easier.
It's hard in the early days, that's for sure. But, you can get through this, and good for you for getting to Day 5.
I will offer this advice - if I had told myself I was stopping for 6 weeks, I would have been miserable, and counting the days until I could drink again. When I told myself drinking was no longer an option, my mind began to shift to healthy and happy ways of dealing with life.
I will offer this advice - if I had told myself I was stopping for 6 weeks, I would have been miserable, and counting the days until I could drink again. When I told myself drinking was no longer an option, my mind began to shift to healthy and happy ways of dealing with life.
Welcome kbsss. Congrats on Day 6.
It really is an eye opening experience when we finally hit the reality of our affair with alcohol. I view it like an illicit love affair, in that carrying on with it in any capacity would continue to destroy everything that's good in my life. With alcohol that's my health, my confidence, my relationships, my looks, my dreams, my goals, my future ...my everything. Quitting indefinitely gave me back my power and entire life back.
Stay strong, you can do it!
It really is an eye opening experience when we finally hit the reality of our affair with alcohol. I view it like an illicit love affair, in that carrying on with it in any capacity would continue to destroy everything that's good in my life. With alcohol that's my health, my confidence, my relationships, my looks, my dreams, my goals, my future ...my everything. Quitting indefinitely gave me back my power and entire life back.
Stay strong, you can do it!
Absolutely spot on, by saying a certain period of time you're leaving your AV a wide open door for it to rationalise you back into drinking. After all, if you can give up for a week or so then that proves you don't have a problem, so one or two can't hurt can it..... (and repeat)
I quit for a period of time two years ago and then resumed moderated drinking.....big mistake. Over the course of the next year, I resumed daily wine drinking and finishing the bottle wasn't difficult
I gave it up last June. Quitting has been easier than moderating. I found the first week the toughest. Getting sober was my first big step, working on underlying reasons I drank to begin with has been the next step.
If you can't do group support, keep reading and posting here
I gave it up last June. Quitting has been easier than moderating. I found the first week the toughest. Getting sober was my first big step, working on underlying reasons I drank to begin with has been the next step.
If you can't do group support, keep reading and posting here
Welcome Kbsss
Most recovery groups have online options now - others, like Rational Recovery, have no meetings at all
here's some links to some of the main players:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...formation.html
I recommend you visit the Secular Connections forum if you think you may benefit from a non 12 step approach Like Rational Recovery, SMART etc.
Unfortunately, public support groups are not an option for me, since admitting that I may have a substance abuse problem could lead to losing my job.
here's some links to some of the main players:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...formation.html
I recommend you visit the Secular Connections forum if you think you may benefit from a non 12 step approach Like Rational Recovery, SMART etc.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 280
I'm on day 6 of a trial of no alcohol and I can't believe how difficult it is. This is the longest I've been without a drink in 5 years. I realize in the past 6 days how much I've used drinking as a means to calm my anxiety. This week has been tough. I've experienced intermittent episodes of anxiety, anger and full on rage. I don't like this at all. I just want to open a bottle of wine and pour a glass. I'm just wondering if there are others who can share some coping mechanisms. I already keep physically active with exercise, gardening and being a mom to three kids but this is still not enough. I really don't want to lose my resolve to quit for at least 6 weeks.
Just hang out on here as much as you need to, read stories, make posts, let people know how you're feeling. there is always support here, so if you start having a weak moment... just hop on and let us know
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