Pete6256

Okay, I'm 9 days in. I surivived last weekend and am back into the routine of a regular working week. This is the longest I've been without a drink in about 10 years.

I've really been struggling the last couple of days to be honest. Monday to Wednesday is usually the lull period in my weekly drinking rotation, but the craving to have a pint has been overwhelming. I haven't really been feeling myself, I've been getting this strange ringing in my ears (I have no idea if it's alcohol related, but thought I'd share), I've also been feeling fatigued, really anxious & tense and weirdly indecisive. I'm hoping these feelings begin to subside before the weekend.

This weekend is a public holiday in Canada. Usually, it would be a standard 4 day drinker bender for me, so it going to be a big test to remain sober. Sorry for all the details, I don't really have anyone to talk to about this stuff so it really helps me to come on here and have a bit of a ramble.

Thanks again to you guys for your kind words of support and encouragement, you guys have been the difference.

starstarstar

Good job on the 9 days!

I'm on my 14th day and still go through the anxiety and tension. From what I've been reading it's quite common and will lessen with time. *fingerscrossed

I don't have the ringing in my ears but have seen several posts listing it as a withdrawal symptom, along with audio hallucinations. That's got to be annoying, hopefully it'll pass quickly.

edit - Oh, I have had generalized and situational anxiety off and on for over 2 years now, so you'll probably see an improvement before I will. Best to you!

PhoenixJ

Midwest1981

9 days is great Pete!

Have you ever looked at the weekender thread? It starts new every Thursday and is a big help to people having a hard time on the weekends. A lot of great people on it.

I think a lot of your symptoms will continue to get better. Keep hanging in there. Right now it is really important to eat healthy, drink a lot of water, rest as much as you can, and exercise some.

Remember not to let yourself get hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. That is called HALT.

Pete6256

Nice work on the 14 days star.

Thanks Midwest, yes I was the weekender thread last week, I suspect I will be a regular poster on this weeks. I hadn't heard of HALT but I will remember it, thanks.

Dee74

Some great ideas for cravings here Pete:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-cravings.html

are you doing anything else for your recovery besides SR?

D

PurpleKnight

Day 9 is fantastic Pete!! Keep it pushing through!!

january161992

classic aa reveals ...

its the 1st drink that gets us drunk not the 20th

we cant get drunk without the 1st drink

least

Congrats on nine days sober! It will get better, the longer you're sober. It can be rough in the beginning, but it will get better. Hang on, it's worth the effort.

D122y

Pete,

Great job on your progress.

I'm 21 months clean and I still crave.

I still have anxiety, but nothing like my first few months.

Drinking is a learned behavior. We can unlearn it.

All that weirdness in your head is your brain dealing w healing.

It will get progressively better each day.

Thanks.

mecanix

Don't scare yourself with thoughts of the weekend, next week , a month , whatever .

just get through the next 24 hrs , keep making the next right decision .

Don't live too far into the future , don't live too far into the past , just focus on getting through.

Time heals, use it to educate yourself about other peoples sucesses and failiures, see what tools they use , encourage a few people maybe ?

It dosnt take much to cheer someone on and encourage but it can make a world of difference to them staying sober, you have that power It's a nice feeling when someone says weeks or months later that thing you said really helped ..

m