Introduction
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 643
Introduction
Hi everyone, I am new to this group and site and hope to get some advice/support from people going or who have gone through alcohol addiction like I am dealing with now. At the moment I haven't had a drink since NYE and am just doing it by shear willpower and seeing my psychologist. I am meditating and trying to get healthy but the thoughts are always there in the back of my mind.
I have been drinking for over 30 years, binge drinking intermittently but drinking regularly for the last 3 or so years every night, starting with a few glasses of wine but then up to a bottle a night and could have kept going. I had a nervous breakdown midway through last year from overwork in my own business and had to slow down. The drinking helped me numb things and I love that feeling of just going into the fuzzy feeling of alcohol. It also helped me sleep. I am trying to be positive. I don't want to go to AA so thought I would try a forum like this to see if that was enough. Of course, if that is what I need then I will do it.
Wishing you all well.
I have been drinking for over 30 years, binge drinking intermittently but drinking regularly for the last 3 or so years every night, starting with a few glasses of wine but then up to a bottle a night and could have kept going. I had a nervous breakdown midway through last year from overwork in my own business and had to slow down. The drinking helped me numb things and I love that feeling of just going into the fuzzy feeling of alcohol. It also helped me sleep. I am trying to be positive. I don't want to go to AA so thought I would try a forum like this to see if that was enough. Of course, if that is what I need then I will do it.
Wishing you all well.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Welcome GoldCoastGirl
There are a lot of folks here that have been right where you are!! A truly supportive bunch!!
Glad you found us!
Stick around and read around and keep posting!
You can also join us in the January Class of 2014 thread where we have all quit in January.... Good discussions and support. It is an ongoing thread. Just pop in and say hi...
There are a lot of folks here that have been right where you are!! A truly supportive bunch!!
Glad you found us!
Stick around and read around and keep posting!
You can also join us in the January Class of 2014 thread where we have all quit in January.... Good discussions and support. It is an ongoing thread. Just pop in and say hi...
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,554
Welcome Goldcoastgirl! I think you'll find SR to be very helpful & encouraging - we're glad you joined us.
When I first came here I'd been drinking around 30 yrs. too. In the end it was all day. I was so trapped, and couldn't imagine a way out. Opening up on here with people who understood made all the difference to me. I hope you'll feel the same.
When I first came here I'd been drinking around 30 yrs. too. In the end it was all day. I was so trapped, and couldn't imagine a way out. Opening up on here with people who understood made all the difference to me. I hope you'll feel the same.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Melbourne Beach, FL
Posts: 253
Welcome GCG! There is plenty of inspiration and support on this site for sure. I am on day 8 myself after a major relapse and also not attending AA currently. I have been in the past and considering going back, just taking it one day at a time. I have found meditation very helpful, so it's great if it works for you too! Have you considered talking to your doc about meds to help ease withdrawal? It does get easier, don't give up!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,997
Welcome GoldCoastGirl!
Great job on the not drinking since NYE. Sounds like you are doing a good job taking steps to take care of yourself. Stick around. This place was and is huge support for me.
It wasn't always easy for me at first but I did try very hard to do the work. Commit, find my support, change some patterns and behaviors, commit some more, try new things, you get the point. I knew I would have some tough days but I decided that I was going to choose my hard. At least I knew it would get better if I chose the right one.
It did. It's unbelievably better. Life still throws a few kinks. I'm just okay with it now.
You can do it!
Great job on the not drinking since NYE. Sounds like you are doing a good job taking steps to take care of yourself. Stick around. This place was and is huge support for me.
It wasn't always easy for me at first but I did try very hard to do the work. Commit, find my support, change some patterns and behaviors, commit some more, try new things, you get the point. I knew I would have some tough days but I decided that I was going to choose my hard. At least I knew it would get better if I chose the right one.
It did. It's unbelievably better. Life still throws a few kinks. I'm just okay with it now.
You can do it!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Central America/Florida USA
Posts: 4,064
Welcome GCG! It sounds like you have some questions, and this site is a great place to start. Take a look around, check out some posts, and come back often and regularly. I think you might be able to find some answers.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 74
Hi GoldCoast Girl! Your story is a lot like mine. I had been drinking for about 30 years too and it got worse over the past 5 or so...drinking at least a bottle of wine a night and binging on more than one a night every few weeks or so. I had to take a medical leave from work due to the stress from work and using drinking to escape from it. I decided I couldn't continue that way any longer and I am on day 42 of being sober. The thoughts of drinking enter my mind now and then too...I try to take things an hour at a time when I get those feelings and the thoughts seem to go away. It's always such a nice feeling to go to bed at night knowing I made it another day and waking up with a clear mind. Congrats on not drinking since NYE! The first week is hard, and you made it through that!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 643
Thank you everyone who replied to my post. I am overwhelmed at the sincerity and generosity of people who don't even know me wanting to help me. I know already that this is going to be a big help. 
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 169
Hi GoldCoast! I quit on NYE as well, and have found this site, everyone here to be so encouraging, and honest!
I love asking myself questions when thinking about old patterns, tonite is bingo night at a bar across from work. I am trying to think rationally, like "did I really have fun?", "do those people really know me, or even care if they ever see me again?"
The hardest is the at home wine routine. Yet all of drawbacks, the money it costs, having a red face, passing out sleeping, waking up groggy and in a complete fog...the fear of drunk dialing or texting, getting weird bruises, worth it?
It is so much "safer" to not drink and have no regrets.
Congrats!
I love asking myself questions when thinking about old patterns, tonite is bingo night at a bar across from work. I am trying to think rationally, like "did I really have fun?", "do those people really know me, or even care if they ever see me again?"
The hardest is the at home wine routine. Yet all of drawbacks, the money it costs, having a red face, passing out sleeping, waking up groggy and in a complete fog...the fear of drunk dialing or texting, getting weird bruises, worth it?
It is so much "safer" to not drink and have no regrets.
Congrats!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Melbourne Beach, FL
Posts: 253
Originally Posted by PaulinaPolitely 
The hardest is the at home wine routine. Yet all of drawbacks, the money it costs, having a red face, passing out sleeping, waking up groggy and in a complete fog...the fear of drunk dialing or texting, getting weird bruises, worth it?
Keep coming back, GCG, and I bet you will have AHA! moments too. So many great people with wonderful stories and inspiration.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Upper Midwest
Posts: 1,730
Welcome to SR, Goldcoastgirl. I have found a great deal of support and helpful advice from the good people here. Congratulations on your 8 days of sobriety. Keep up the good work. Good luck on your journey. I am glad you are here with us. 
Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 608
Welcome, GoldCoast.
Congrats on not having had a drink since NYE. I find what helped me is not relying on will-power, because it's difficult to make that work for any length of time, because it will always require you to be on your game.
I find what helped me was to truly think about what benefits I was getting from being a drunk. All of the perceived benefits alcohol provides us are really only that - perceived. At best, alcohol only picks us up from the decimated state it has left us in in the first place. The only issues alcohol fixes are the ones that it has caused in the first place.
Anyway, good luck. I find it's very helpful to continue to spend time on these forums, and also to read books about the subject.
Have a great day!
Congrats on not having had a drink since NYE. I find what helped me is not relying on will-power, because it's difficult to make that work for any length of time, because it will always require you to be on your game.
I find what helped me was to truly think about what benefits I was getting from being a drunk. All of the perceived benefits alcohol provides us are really only that - perceived. At best, alcohol only picks us up from the decimated state it has left us in in the first place. The only issues alcohol fixes are the ones that it has caused in the first place.
Anyway, good luck. I find it's very helpful to continue to spend time on these forums, and also to read books about the subject.
Have a great day!
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