bimbott

Hi Nipperz, I've stopped drinking and smoking together for the first time - previously I have stopped each at different times and ultimately not been able to sustain it. I stopped smoking with the help of WhyQuit.com and the forums there - much like this forum, but solely for smokers, chewers, vapers - anyone with a nicotine addition. It might help you. As for the alcohol, this place is great! Good luck.

SandyO

Great job Mandosca and Lava. Self-pride really is a wonderful feeling. It gives us strength and encouragement to move forward.
Congratulations bebrave and bimbott on 2 weeks and everyone else in between.
So happy to see lots of animal lovers on here too. My little dog (a jack Russell X) used to look at me with the saddest eyes when he saw me drinking from a bottle. I often used to sneeze after a few drinks and he would start to cower away, but whenever I hiccuped his tail would go between his legs and he would hide under blankets upstairs- the poor baby. Now he has lots of walks and we play for much longer than before. My cat seemed unaffected!!
Had a great day in the mountains today. Exhausted from the drive and ready for a relaxing sober night of some TV and reading.
Take care everyone

Mish

1 week sober for Mish.
Congratulations to all those who hit milestones today. And welcome to our newcomers. Going for a jog tomorrow morning. Haven't exercised in a while so should be interesting. Nitey nite from Down Under. xxxxxx

Susiegirl

Well done Mish. 7 days for me too. I went for a run yesterday in the sun. It was refreshing.
I am sleeping a lot better. The dark circles under my eyes are disappearing even after working late shifts the last couple of days. I just need to stop eating crisps and chocolate. Then again if they stop me from going for the bottle then that's a small price to pay for the short term.

J9NoWine

Good morning Class of March 2017. I am hoping that you all will allow me to join this thread. Today is day 62 for me but honestly, although the cravings are not near as bad as in the first few weeks, the emotional roller coaster ride is incredibly difficult and I am having a hard time moving forward . I have been reading SR posts daily since day 1 but not posting very much and really feel the need to just talk more about this journey because I feel very alone in this struggle. Just a bit of background... 30 yr+ daily wine drinker which developed into a 2 bottle a day habit and getting worse where I couldn't get through normal daily tasks without it. I am told that I am a functioning alcoholic, have a stressful job, long commute, mother of two teen boys, husband who travels every second week ... so you can imagine over the years drinking was done alone int evenings to fill in time, and cope with loneliness. Foggy brain for me over the last few weeks having a hard time focusing and thinking clearly. This is slowly getting better. Still having trouble with depression and creating a sober life for myself. Tried moderation via a "Drinkwise" program a few times ... but it just didn't work for me... seems to be all or nothing. One thing I notice is that I always seem to need a glass of something on the go. Is this normal? Anyone else experiencing this?

bimbott

Yes!! I am always drinking.. although I was before, either coffee or wine - nothing else. Now there is no wine involved, I still have to have a drink of something near to hand...

BetterIsBetter

Checking in on Day 21. Working the program and going to meetings when possible. Also, I have found a ton of sobriety/recovery/AA podcasts that I find extremely helpful, especially commuting to/from work.

I sleep a hell of a lot when possible but I am starting to feel pretty darn good.

As for having something to drink nearby, you'll rarely see me without a seltzer or sparkling spring water!

All the best to 3/17'ers.

Caramel

J9NoWine - welcome here, and well-done on 62 days thus far.
I expect you'll have noticed some pleasing improvements in your health and appearance by now?
So much to look forward to, especially when the brain-fog clears, as it will, and you can take some constructive steps towards doing things the "real you" enjoys.
Kind thoughts to you

Amanda05

Have made it to the end of Day 2... I feel so much better then I did yesterday but still fragile. It has been great to read everyone's posts. So much positivity and hope. Trying to take it hour by hour as I have got a long and trying week coming up and every time I think about it I feel sick and anxious and it sends me into panic mode.

nyala

Hi J9NoWine,

Welcome. Your wine drinking story chimes almost exactly with mine, and circumstances were very similar too.

I found in the early days that telling myself whatever I did was OK, so long as I didn't drink alcohol worked.

So walking around and drinking litres of water, juice, tea , whatever - is not something I would be worrying about.

I did take the precaution of getting rid of every last drop of alcohol in the house ( including expensive champagne and wine given as gifts)

Also when out socialising ( which I tended to avoid for obvious reasons ) someone told me

1. Always have a drink in your hand

2. Always have an exit plan ( ie be prepared to leave without explanation whenever you need to. We don't get extra points for not drinking when everyone else is

That kept me safe.

I've just read three pages of posts and inspired by everyone.

Casey W - my old friend, great to see you. Lets sort this out buddy x

Go Well everyone,

Fradley

argillaceous

Welcome nipperz and J9NoWine!

A shoutout to you guys and everyone else trying to quit tobacco; my mom died of lung cancer and tried to quit most of her life so I know how difficult it can be. Hang in there I know you can do it.

Day 11 for me; finally hit double digits, woo hoo!

Gotta go get some work done; that fizzy water isn't going to pay for itself...

Have a great day fellow Marchers.

Elke516

J9NoWine. A warm welcome to SR and congrats on 62 days

NapsteR1

I am - and they did, I was very confused lol, early hours thinking :o) I wasn't late for the ride :o)

JimiC

Chilly day 9 here, but still went to some spots by the ocean including a seal walk (seals were hiding though lol).

Same trigger of my negative and dramatic wife. My daughter spilled a little of her milkshake in the backseat of the car and my wife went on and on about how the car will stink until she returns it from lease in 2020....jeez. Still a good day overall, I hope everybody had a great weekend!

nyala

Napster

Thanks for the reminder about Avebury. Was just reminiscing in my head about a trip there with friends - and then realised it was in 1990.

Bloody hell, where does the time go ?

Happy British Summer Time to those who know what I mean

Fradley

RattleAndHum

Day 8 here and I've been super sleepy. I know this is common in early recovery. Last night I slept for 12 hours and then this afternoon I took a1 1/2 nap. Definitely not like me. Dreams are more prevelamt as well it seems. I'm not a doctor, but I'll go with the belief that my body is healing

I hope all are doing well. Enjoy your Sunday sober!

R&H

CaseyW

Quick check-in on day 2. Just got off work and babysitting right now. I'll catch up with all the posts when I get home tonight. Wishing everyone a safe and sober day.

J9NoWine

Thank you all for the warm welcome! Fradley, it's good to know that drinking an endless supply of grapefruit juice spritzers is soooo much better than the alternative! Caramel, yes I have noticed that my face is less puffy , eyes are brighter and bloated belly is going away. It is so nice to not wake up at 3am every morning with guilt and anxiety, be able to remember things from the night before, not have to worry if I am slurring my words, and hear and see how proud my husband, family and kids are ... which means the world to me ! Just need to keep it going... one day at a time.

Would love to help any of u if I can being a bit farther down the road... any questions.... fire away!

Bebrave

Checking in on Day 15. Still at SIL's house so I'll write more tomorrow.

Nia1971

Is forgetfulness/absent mindedness a symptom of sobriety!!? Because i was doing real well day 5 but then misplaced an important set of keys which ended up involving me jumping fences to get to and from work. That did it for me Also a bit of bullying at work also a trigger. At least I'm realising my triggers. Sadly back to day 1. I drank only water on my evening out but FORGOT my phone and missed out on some very awesome sunset/beach pics Thanking you all for your stories & inspiration