This is a first for me.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 748
This is a first for me.
Hello.
I just joined my first ever forum. I don't know what kind of things newcomers typically say here. My story is pretty simple.. I have always loved to drink and party... I was a social drinker in my 20s, a heavy drinker in my 30s, a functioning alcoholic (whatever that may mean) throughout my 40s and now on the eve of my 50th birthday I am no longer functioning. I am a drunk. I decided 48 hours ago that I had had my last ever drink. I am sitting here feeling terrible. Dizzy, exhausted, lonely, depressed. I am having dfficulty getting out of bed.
Hope to find some support and inspiration here.
I just joined my first ever forum. I don't know what kind of things newcomers typically say here. My story is pretty simple.. I have always loved to drink and party... I was a social drinker in my 20s, a heavy drinker in my 30s, a functioning alcoholic (whatever that may mean) throughout my 40s and now on the eve of my 50th birthday I am no longer functioning. I am a drunk. I decided 48 hours ago that I had had my last ever drink. I am sitting here feeling terrible. Dizzy, exhausted, lonely, depressed. I am having dfficulty getting out of bed.
Hope to find some support and inspiration here.
Fabat,
yeah, your post is kind of what newcomers "typically" say
welcome.
i found i was a drunk, too. i was 51 when i finally saw that. haven't had a drink since that realization hit me full force (years ago)
i joined a forum and participated daily and found a secular peer-support meeting in my town i attended once a week. i read lots of "recovery stories" about how others quit and stayed that way.
all this to say that quitting and staying quit are entirely doable. by you, too. hope you find the support you're looking for...check out all sorts of threads here and you'll be amazed at the variety of views and "what works".
yeah, your post is kind of what newcomers "typically" say
welcome.
i found i was a drunk, too. i was 51 when i finally saw that. haven't had a drink since that realization hit me full force (years ago)
i joined a forum and participated daily and found a secular peer-support meeting in my town i attended once a week. i read lots of "recovery stories" about how others quit and stayed that way.
all this to say that quitting and staying quit are entirely doable. by you, too. hope you find the support you're looking for...check out all sorts of threads here and you'll be amazed at the variety of views and "what works".
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 199
Welcome, you will find a lot of support here! We've all been through what you are dealing with right now and understand. Read as many posts as you can and post as much as you can. It would be a good idea for you to check in with a doctor about quitting cold turkey after drinking for so many years. Withdraw can be very dangerous.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 748
My plan A for when the initial cravings hit (like 24 hours ago) was to hide under the covers for a week and be brave! However have realised today that I need a plan B and am just back from my very supportive Doctors with an action plan for the next few days. (He wants me to go into rehab but I can't as I have family commitments with young children).
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 748
Welcome, you will find a lot of support here! We've all been through what you are dealing with right now and understand. Read as many posts as you can and post as much as you can. It would be a good idea for you to check in with a doctor about quitting cold turkey after drinking for so many years. Withdraw can be very dangerous.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 199
Awesome. Sounds like you are off to a great safe start! It gets better. Once the physical withdraw is over the cravings will start. Be ready for that. Drink lots of water, take showers, have sweets and food handy, and post what's on your mind!
I hope that you get through this detox with the help of your doctor.
And, you have found a great place to come for support.
As others have said, making a plan for how to get through the early days and weeks is very important.
And, you have found a great place to come for support.
As others have said, making a plan for how to get through the early days and weeks is very important.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 748
I have been browsing through some of the threads to familiarise myself with this forum. It seems amazing in terms of information and supportive people. But one thing I have noticed is that even just reading posts with the words " wine" or "vodka" etc in them is provoking my cravings. Simply reading the word "wine" is making me imagine sipping that first glass. Is it normal that even written words trigger that reaction in me???
Welcome Fabat50.
That's normal initially. But, over time the obsession will pass. You'll be feeling very emotionally 'raw' as well most probably. And I remember really struggling to focus on anything very well. Even the most simple magazine article needed double-reading to get the jist.
So lovely to hear you have a supportive doctor. Not all are you know! Have you considered any face to face support groups? There is some good information about the various options here.... http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...at-we-did.html
Personally I have found AA to be a fantastic support network, and am happy to answer any questions that you might have on that as much as I can - just feel free to ask.
You may have already come across HALT being mentioned on here. It's a good way of remembering the four most common triggers to try to avoid...
Hunger : (eat small meals regularly to keep your blood sugar nice and level as this will help your mood / emotions stay as in-balance as possible)
Anger : Try to avoid people / places / chores that are likely to invoke frustration as much as possible while you're getting used to existence without the old crutch alcohol to offer some relief.
Lonely: Try to avoid isolating. Once you're lonely, self-pity can quickly follow - and our AV's (alcoholic voices) just love a bit of self-pity as it gives them lots of ammunition to get us to cave in to that first drink.
Tired: Your body and mind will need rest. This might not look like proper sleep in the first week or so. Bubble baths; favourite films and books (feel-good ones); cuddles with pets or nice people - as long as you're relaxing as much as possible it can only help.
Again - welcome aboard the forum And best wishes for a gentle sober journey to serenity and recovery.
That's normal initially. But, over time the obsession will pass. You'll be feeling very emotionally 'raw' as well most probably. And I remember really struggling to focus on anything very well. Even the most simple magazine article needed double-reading to get the jist.
So lovely to hear you have a supportive doctor. Not all are you know! Have you considered any face to face support groups? There is some good information about the various options here.... http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...at-we-did.html
Personally I have found AA to be a fantastic support network, and am happy to answer any questions that you might have on that as much as I can - just feel free to ask.
You may have already come across HALT being mentioned on here. It's a good way of remembering the four most common triggers to try to avoid...
Hunger : (eat small meals regularly to keep your blood sugar nice and level as this will help your mood / emotions stay as in-balance as possible)
Anger : Try to avoid people / places / chores that are likely to invoke frustration as much as possible while you're getting used to existence without the old crutch alcohol to offer some relief.
Lonely: Try to avoid isolating. Once you're lonely, self-pity can quickly follow - and our AV's (alcoholic voices) just love a bit of self-pity as it gives them lots of ammunition to get us to cave in to that first drink.
Tired: Your body and mind will need rest. This might not look like proper sleep in the first week or so. Bubble baths; favourite films and books (feel-good ones); cuddles with pets or nice people - as long as you're relaxing as much as possible it can only help.
Again - welcome aboard the forum And best wishes for a gentle sober journey to serenity and recovery.
Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 1,042
Welcome Fabat50, anything can trigger you in the early days, I sometimes read threads on here and feel an urge, but it's dealing with those urges (learning how to) that will help you through. Lots of luck and be strong. I'm soon to be 50 and I'm just 6 months sober, never felt better, and certainly feel a lot younger than I did a year ago. Your tracking of the decades reads VERY familiar to me. We're with you on this! Good luck.
xx
xx
Welcome, Fabat, to SR; glad you found us.
Here are some links which you may find helpful for urges and cravings:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-cravings.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...e-surfing.html
You may also want to join a Class; here is the link for the Class of October 2015:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...er-2015-a.html
Here are some links which you may find helpful for urges and cravings:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-cravings.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...e-surfing.html
You may also want to join a Class; here is the link for the Class of October 2015:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...er-2015-a.html
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