Water441

Coming up on my 30 days on Christmas Day but can't help that it feels like it doesn't "count" as something I can be proud of because I also asked to go on Antabuse as a sure fire backup to my lack of will power...

doggonecarl

Every day you are sober, counts.

Recovery is a slightly different matter. Abstinence alone doesn't always address the issues that prompted our drinking. While you are not drinking I hope you are learning to live and love the sober life.

Dee74

It counts
Every day sober is an achievement.

D

Water441

I'm also in a 28 day rehab (day 17 of 28 today) and have a 16 week aftercare program set up and a structured relapse prevention program once I start back at work. The "rehab" work is helping me understand the root causes and accept the pattern and inevitable cycle of my drinking, and I hope it's sinking in and not just that I'm sober because I'm essentially allergic to alcohol right now.

trying12345

Yes, you can definitely be proud! You're not drinking. Doesn't matter if it's bc of Antabuse. You should be proud!

Soberwolf

It counts if your not drinking your winning

entropy1964

[QUOTE=Water441;6253350]I'm also in a 28 day rehab (day 17 of 28 today) and have a 16 week aftercare program set up and a structured relapse prevention program once I start back at work. The "rehab" work is helping me understand the root causes and accept the pattern and inevitable cycle of my drinking, and I hope it's sinking in and not just that I'm sober because I'm essentially allergic to alcohol right now.[/QUOTE

Yep it counts. And good on ya for having such a robust plan.]

totfit

Heck yes it counts. I used it years ago after I relapsed and just did not seem to be able to gain any "sober traction" afterwards. It was a big help for me at that time. You better believe your sobriety counts. It is just another tool for the toolbox as long as you need it.

uncorked

Why wouldn't it count? Of course it does!

Kris47

It does and use every modality there is to stay sober!

Congrats on 25 days! You're giving yourself the best present there is!

thomas11

Add me to the list of people saying it counts!

August252015

Yes.

Ultramarathoner

Someone with a 'lack of willpower' would not have taken the steps you have to improve your life.

Good stuff on 30 days- own your accomplishment!

Meraviglioso

Definitely counts, Ive used it myself.

Berrybean

As long as you're taking it as prescribed then you're not abusing it. There's a phrase something like that which I've heard from the NA folks. Can't remember exactly how it goes, but it was a little better than my sentence. Maybe someone will recall it and pop it in here.

Needanewme

Does antibuse work for you? I want to try it but my doctor is not sold on it for me.

aasharon90

I, like you, started my recovery in a 28 day
rehab facility with a 6 week outpatient
aftercare program attached to continue
on and complete.

I commend you for getting the help needed
for your addiction and in a great place, in the
hands of those capable of teaching you about
your addiction and giving you a program of
recovery as a guide line to incorperate in all
areas of your life once you are released.

There are many many folks that may not
have the opportunity to enter rehab and
there are many sitting on the edge needing
a nudge to walk in to ask for help and with
you in the position you are in you have an
awesome opportunity to share with them,
us what you are learning each day you are
there.

You can give them/us a birds eye view or
a fly on the wall in hearing distance of what
you are listening to, learning, absorbing,
applying in your rehab stay as you begin to
build a strong, solid foundation to live your
life upon for many one days sober ahead of
you.

Like I who entered rehab some 26 yrs sober
ago thru a family intervention, we can share
our own ESH - experiences, strengths and hopes
of what our lives were and are life before, during
and after our addiction to others and pave a path
for them to follow to achieve a healthier, honest,
happier way of life each day they remain sober.

I hope you will continue to pass on what
your learning to others just as you here
in SR as you continue on your own journey
in life and recovery.

August252015

What are your dr's concerns?

My pysch takes the drug very seriously and only wants it prescribed to someone who is serious about taking it correctly and being sober. She has some patients come into her office DAILY to get their dose. When she first prescribed it to me- last year- I did not take it correctly, skipped doses so I could drink, drank on it, the whole gamut. Very dangerous and I am lucky I had only minor side effects and one day of leg seizures and throwing up. Lots of face flushing though. I had never planned to quit drinking, so I just went along with the idea to get it and didn't care about any effects.

We had a BIG discussion about my commitment to sobriety this time. Since transportation was an issue (no car) it just wasn't reasonable to Uber to her office every day. Since I was beginning AA and my parents were very present, she agreed to prescribe it and I used a packet of papers to sign every day, note the time I took it and have a witness signature. I did this for the first 90 days of my sobriety (I am at just 10 months now). It became routine.

Taking the medicine this seriously was my ticket. Since it can be hard on the liver and she felt I was doing ok I stopped taking it; though we have discussed it a couple of times since when certain life changes (ie me going back to work in a restaurant) have happened. I have not gone back on it but still leave it to her judgment if I sound like I need it.

Along with a drug like campral (anti-craving, which I have taken 3x daily since I quit drinking, and expect to continue taking indefinitely), Antabuse can be just one more powerful tool helping our sobriety.