Hello
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Carson City, Nevada
Posts: 20
Hello
I'm almost a 2 year lurker and I decided to creep out of my shell and post for the first time and introduce myself.
I never really fancied alcohol in the past. I probably drank maybe 3 times a year. In 2011, that all changed. I have struggled with my weight all my life. I was an emotional eater. I ate when happy, sad, depressed, etc. I underwent gastric by-pass surgery in 2010 to lose weight, and it did help. Since I could no longer self-medicate with food, guess what I turned to? Yep, alcohol.
I spiraled down into the black hole of alcoholism very rapidly. My progression was so fast. I joined SR in 2013, reading only, thinking and convincing myself I could stop on my own. I failed miserably. The longest I could go without drinking was 3 days. My withdrawals were so terrible I couldn't cope with them. That sent me right back to drinking. At the end, I was consuming a 5 Liter box of wine daily and I was an all day, everyday drinker.
After many starts and stops, I decided to enter a rehab center for 35 days. That was back in October 2014. I have recently celebrated 8 months of sobriety! I feel so much better in every way possible and happier too.
For all of those out there who are struggling, never, ever give up. It is hard at first. But as time passes, it does get better. My AV doesn't bother me too much anymore and I don't think about drinking. I'm very grateful for the tools I learned in rehab and in meetings.
I just wanted to say hello and thank all the posters who helped me tremendously by just reading your threads.
I never really fancied alcohol in the past. I probably drank maybe 3 times a year. In 2011, that all changed. I have struggled with my weight all my life. I was an emotional eater. I ate when happy, sad, depressed, etc. I underwent gastric by-pass surgery in 2010 to lose weight, and it did help. Since I could no longer self-medicate with food, guess what I turned to? Yep, alcohol.
I spiraled down into the black hole of alcoholism very rapidly. My progression was so fast. I joined SR in 2013, reading only, thinking and convincing myself I could stop on my own. I failed miserably. The longest I could go without drinking was 3 days. My withdrawals were so terrible I couldn't cope with them. That sent me right back to drinking. At the end, I was consuming a 5 Liter box of wine daily and I was an all day, everyday drinker.
After many starts and stops, I decided to enter a rehab center for 35 days. That was back in October 2014. I have recently celebrated 8 months of sobriety! I feel so much better in every way possible and happier too.
For all of those out there who are struggling, never, ever give up. It is hard at first. But as time passes, it does get better. My AV doesn't bother me too much anymore and I don't think about drinking. I'm very grateful for the tools I learned in rehab and in meetings.
I just wanted to say hello and thank all the posters who helped me tremendously by just reading your threads.
pray for strength
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: New England
Posts: 2,414
Hi Carla! Welcome to the posting side of SR. 
What a courageous story you have. 8 months is fabulous. I would love to hear more about the tools you learned and continue to use. Great to read your story. Thanks!
What a courageous story you have. 8 months is fabulous. I would love to hear more about the tools you learned and continue to use. Great to read your story. Thanks!
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 479
Welcome, Carla! 8 months is so awesome!
Glad you decided to post this. I too was a lurker for a few years, then decided it was time to join last June. As someone who hasn't reached past the 4 month mark, reading your post is a very positive thing to read.
Glad you decided to post this. I too was a lurker for a few years, then decided it was time to join last June. As someone who hasn't reached past the 4 month mark, reading your post is a very positive thing to read.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Carson City, Nevada
Posts: 20
It was pounded into my head in rehab "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" I had numerous plans...haha. Seriously, I joined AA, got a sponsor, worked the steps. I also attend Celebrate Recovery. Since I love books and reading, I volunteer at the library reshelving books. It keeps my mind occupied. I was an avid quilter, which I pretty much gave up while drinking, and I'm just now starting that again. Now I can think of 100 things to do besides drinking
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 9,029
Welcome to posting and congratulations on 8 months. That's great! I found it was the little thongs that kept my hands and head occupied at the same time to be really helpful when I first quit. You shelved and quilted, I did a lot of dishes and crochet.
Looking forward to seeing you around.
Looking forward to seeing you around.
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: US East Coast
Posts: 14,285
Welcome, Carla! I'm happy you introduced yourself. Congrats on 8 months sober! Good that you recognized that your drinking wasn't "normal" and took action.
I'be also had gastric bypass. Although I had problems with alcohol before surgery, they were definitely worse after.
I'be also had gastric bypass. Although I had problems with alcohol before surgery, they were definitely worse after.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,236
Entering rehab like you did took so much
courage. Courage to seek help for your
addiction and allow those familiar with
alcohol or drug addiction to teach you
about it and give you so much helpful,
informative knowledge of a recovery
program to incorporate in your everyday
life and affairs.
I didn't enter recovery on my own back
in Aug. 1990 because I surely didn't think
I was an alcoholic.
However, I did know I failed so many
times to stop drinking on my own and
never understood why I couldn't hold
my liquor successfully.
For anyone recognizing they have an
addiction problem and are looking for
help, then I commend you. That takes
Strength and Willingness to take that
first step to Admit we are Powerless over
alcohol or drugs and our life has become
Unmanageable.
8 MONTHS is an Awesome Accomplishment
for you as you continue to listen, learn, absorb
and apply many ways to remain sober on your
recovery journey to achieve health, happiness
and honesty in all areas of your life.
What a Terrific Gift or Recovery to
give yourself, ourselves to enjoy for
many days sober down the road.
courage. Courage to seek help for your
addiction and allow those familiar with
alcohol or drug addiction to teach you
about it and give you so much helpful,
informative knowledge of a recovery
program to incorporate in your everyday
life and affairs.
I didn't enter recovery on my own back
in Aug. 1990 because I surely didn't think
I was an alcoholic.
However, I did know I failed so many
times to stop drinking on my own and
never understood why I couldn't hold
my liquor successfully.
For anyone recognizing they have an
addiction problem and are looking for
help, then I commend you. That takes
Strength and Willingness to take that
first step to Admit we are Powerless over
alcohol or drugs and our life has become
Unmanageable.
8 MONTHS is an Awesome Accomplishment
for you as you continue to listen, learn, absorb
and apply many ways to remain sober on your
recovery journey to achieve health, happiness
and honesty in all areas of your life.
What a Terrific Gift or Recovery to
give yourself, ourselves to enjoy for
many days sober down the road.
Sober since 10th April 2012
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 6,047
Carla I can see myself in your story, although not quite as extreme. I came to alcoholism late, and once I realised I had to stop drinking, food took it's place. I'd like not to be dependent on eating or drinking for comfort. Maybe I should take up quilting?
Well done on your 8 months of sobriety.
Well done on your 8 months of sobriety.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: C.C. Ma.
Posts: 3,697
Hi Carla.
Congratulations with your accomplishmentS. This ISM so many have is so tied up in our feelings I feel embarrassed to a degree that I didn’t see it years before I finally stopped drinking.
The nice thing, with the help of other people who understand and encourage us, it can end with a easier way of life with daily maintenance. Not always comfortable for me but certainly much more satisfying than escaping to alcohol of a food fix.
As they say KEEP COMING!
BE WELL
Congratulations with your accomplishmentS. This ISM so many have is so tied up in our feelings I feel embarrassed to a degree that I didn’t see it years before I finally stopped drinking.
The nice thing, with the help of other people who understand and encourage us, it can end with a easier way of life with daily maintenance. Not always comfortable for me but certainly much more satisfying than escaping to alcohol of a food fix.
As they say KEEP COMING!
BE WELL
And thanks for an inspiring message. 
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