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Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 4
New to the forum
Hello,
I've just joined the forum. I've decided to stop drinking after 30 years. I'm not really sure what to expect, or what to do with myself today. Perhaps, when my head is clear I will clear all the empty bottles that are tucked away in cupboards in the kitchen and take them to the recyling centre!
Look forward to getting to know folks on here, and pick up some good advice and support. Think I'm going to need it!!!
I've just joined the forum. I've decided to stop drinking after 30 years. I'm not really sure what to expect, or what to do with myself today. Perhaps, when my head is clear I will clear all the empty bottles that are tucked away in cupboards in the kitchen and take them to the recyling centre!
Look forward to getting to know folks on here, and pick up some good advice and support. Think I'm going to need it!!!
That bell or bike person
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: london
Posts: 4,978
Morning gravehill ,
welcome to SR ,
sitting down and having a good read about it all was what i did when i started with SR ,
certainly getting any drink out of the house helped me at the beginning ,
as did not going for aimless walks with cash or cards in my pocket ,
Having long showers and changing into a bathrobe as soon as i came home ,
Substituting ice cream as a surrogate reward for getting through a difficult day .
Wrapping my pillow with a towel as i sweated buckets in the early days .
Keep coming back
m
welcome to SR ,
sitting down and having a good read about it all was what i did when i started with SR ,
certainly getting any drink out of the house helped me at the beginning ,
as did not going for aimless walks with cash or cards in my pocket ,
Having long showers and changing into a bathrobe as soon as i came home ,
Substituting ice cream as a surrogate reward for getting through a difficult day .
Wrapping my pillow with a towel as i sweated buckets in the early days .
Keep coming back
m
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 6,902
Hi Gravehill - welcome to SR. There's lots of wisdom on here. And lots of friendly and helpful people.
Having a bottle clear out sounds like a good start. No time like the present and they're likely to act as a trigger if you keep looking at them. Other things likely to weaken your resolve are..
Hunger (get some of your favourite meals and snacks in)
Anger (try to avoid people and situations you know could antagonise / irritate you)
Loneliness (best not to isolate - but other sober people or people in recovery would be best for now. Someone on here said 'drinkers are like crabs in a bucket, if one tries to climb out the others try to drag it back'. That is SO true).
Tiredness (lots of rest)
I notice you're in Devon - what a lovely part of the country. I'm off there for a week in August with my partner for his 50th birthday (Lynton / Lynmouth) - can't wait!!
Having a bottle clear out sounds like a good start. No time like the present and they're likely to act as a trigger if you keep looking at them. Other things likely to weaken your resolve are..
Hunger (get some of your favourite meals and snacks in)
Anger (try to avoid people and situations you know could antagonise / irritate you)
Loneliness (best not to isolate - but other sober people or people in recovery would be best for now. Someone on here said 'drinkers are like crabs in a bucket, if one tries to climb out the others try to drag it back'. That is SO true).
Tiredness (lots of rest)
I notice you're in Devon - what a lovely part of the country. I'm off there for a week in August with my partner for his 50th birthday (Lynton / Lynmouth) - can't wait!!
Guest
Join Date: May 2014
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,086
Welcome and congratulations on this decision!
I found it therapeutic getting rid of the bottles of alcohol. I gave away the full bottles and that sound of the old bottles clinging into the recycling bin was a good feeling!
Beccy already said about HALT. It's a great thing to remember and if I address all parts of it, then I know I won't relapse :-) Have a read around and welcome again!
I found it therapeutic getting rid of the bottles of alcohol. I gave away the full bottles and that sound of the old bottles clinging into the recycling bin was a good feeling!
Beccy already said about HALT. It's a great thing to remember and if I address all parts of it, then I know I won't relapse :-) Have a read around and welcome again!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 4
Thank you so much for your kind words. At the moment I feel so weak and tired. Not unusual in the mornings for me. I got into the habit of drinking earlier, just to feel normal. I don't feel like doing anything that requires too much physical effort, although all the empties have now gone. Shopping done and stocked up on fruit juices and sparkling mineral water and ice cream. Gosh, there's so much information on here, so I think I know what I will be doing for the rest of the day.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
Guest
Join Date: May 2014
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,086
Originally Posted by gravehill 
Thank you so much for your kind words. At the moment I feel so weak and tired. Not unusual in the mornings for me. I got into the habit of drinking earlier, just to feel normal. I don't feel like doing anything that requires too much physical effort, although all the empties have now gone. Shopping done and stocked up on fruit juices and sparkling mineral water and ice cream. Gosh, there's so much information on here, so I think I know what I will be doing for the rest of the day. Thanks again!
Post as much as you want/need and enjoy the community :-)
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,087
Don't worry gravehill, if you just quit drinking, get yourself all the sleep you need. Your body is currently in repair mode, and using all the energy it can to clean itself. Drink lots of water, sleep as much as you want, and if possible, eat good & healthy meals.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,226
Welcome! You are off to a good start.
Don't be alarmed if it is rough going in the beginning. Hang in there, because it gets so much better. You have to trust that when and if you start feeling anxious. Remember, this too shall pass.
Congrats on your decision. We are here for you.
Don't be alarmed if it is rough going in the beginning. Hang in there, because it gets so much better. You have to trust that when and if you start feeling anxious. Remember, this too shall pass.
Congrats on your decision. We are here for you.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Devon
Posts: 4
Thank you everyone,
Mentally I feel strong, and normally by this time on a Saturday afternoon I would have already have been on my 4th or 5th pint of strong cider.
The last hour has been quite unpleasant, pounding heart rate and a few hot sweats. I was planning a short walk, but will take it easy today I think! Enjoying reading everyone's personal experiences, and still finding my way around.
Mentally I feel strong, and normally by this time on a Saturday afternoon I would have already have been on my 4th or 5th pint of strong cider.
The last hour has been quite unpleasant, pounding heart rate and a few hot sweats. I was planning a short walk, but will take it easy today I think! Enjoying reading everyone's personal experiences, and still finding my way around.
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: canada
Posts: 7,242
welcome, gravehill, and congratulations on your decision.
yes, getting connected with others and reading lots about how others are doing this has been a great help to me and maybe you'll find that true for you as well.
keep going.
yes, getting connected with others and reading lots about how others are doing this has been a great help to me and maybe you'll find that true for you as well.
keep going.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,572
Good to meet you gravehill.
I drank 30 yrs. too. I never imagined I'd get by without it, even though it was killing me. I don't know why it was so hard for me to admit that it was never fun or relaxing any more. In the end, each time I drank I led myself down a dangerous road. It's great to be free.
I drank 30 yrs. too. I never imagined I'd get by without it, even though it was killing me. I don't know why it was so hard for me to admit that it was never fun or relaxing any more. In the end, each time I drank I led myself down a dangerous road. It's great to be free.
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