Introduction-Why can't I just be
 

Hello. I'm new to this forum and to sobriety with a purpose.
I come from a family of alcoholics, some real bad, some functioning.
Started dabbling with alcohol when I was 10.
I've always drank to excess, many times I've been the girl crying hysterically at the end of the night for no reason...or slapping someone.
Stopped drinking during pregnancy and for a good year after that, about 8 years ago. Didn't have a hard time giving it up at that point.
I started drinking heavily a couple years ago when husband quit his job. This started a vicious self medicating cycle, massive amounts of caffeine and carbs during day, then a bottle of Merlot at night.
Last year I started having intense panic attacks. So bad that I thought I was stroking out.
Long story short, I've been trying to quit drinking and self medicating, I'll do good for a couple weeks and then I'll find my wine glass in my hand again.
I want to end this cycle, but I think I need support.
My husband likes to drink socially and doesn't have interest in stopping and my parents get disappointed if I don't drink when I visit them.
Well, that's enough for now. Just wanted to say HI.

Have you considered talking with your doctor about getting sober? Getting thru the first week of not drinking can be rough, but sometimes meds can help the initial detox symptoms.

A face to face support group, such as AA, Lifering, Women for Sobriety, Rational Recovery, can be very helpful also, as can counseling. I see an addiction counselor once a week and it helps a lot.

As to your parents disappointment if you don't drink... sorry, mom and dad, but you're doing this for your own good - for YOUR own good.

Stick around here, read and post, and welcome to the family!:ghug3

Hi and Welcome,

I am glad that you have decided that you want to stop drinking and live a sober life. I think when you stop drinking for a couple of weeks, that's great, but for me, I needed to make a lot of other changes in my life, or it wouldn't have worked. I couldn't be around people who were drinking alcohol for quite a long time after I stopped drinking. I also removed some toxic people who were in my life. It's not unusual to find that other people don't understand how difficult and important it is, for you to remain sober. You will find lots of support here.

Hi there Barefoot, and Welcome to SR!

You *can* do this. SR is a wonderful support network and it has helped me IMMENSELY. I am confident that it can help you, too. It's hard to try to do this alone, isn't it? We can rationalize and justify just about anything just so we can get back to that precious drink.

Your parents can be disappointed if they want. That's not your issue - it's theirs. They should be happy for you for trying to be healthy, but if that's not how they see it, oh well. It doesn't have to affect you at all. Your husband's social drinking may or may not wind up being an issue for you; only time will tell. It will be NICE if he can wind up being a source of support and comfort for you, but if he can't that's ok, too. You can still do this.

The only thing that's pretty much mandatory is that you have a desire to stop. Everything else becomes secondary.

I suggest spending some time reading the "Sticky" posts at the top of each forum. Read a lot, post as you feel comfortable, and I hope to see you around.

Best,
TSH

Welcome BBB. :c009:
There is a lot of good support on this forum for your quest.
As Anna said there are other changes we need to make in order to be successful. I can't give you much advice on this as I am just starting to try to determine what they are and how to make them.
After I decided to quit the first set of changes I needed to make where physical so I am back to the gym and changing my diet to eat properly. The exercise really helps me to not crave.
Good luck. We are all pulling for you.

:c009:BarefootBlues and WELCOME TO SR!!!

I'm glad you posted and are giving us a chance to be there for you and lend some support!

I heard alot of myself in your story....Thank you!

This disease, although "arrested" at times, gets worse - never better inevitably! The progression WILL progress and can kill us, make us insane, lock us up, lose everything, etc. It's a "taker" not a "giver" of what life has to offer!

There is HOPE! There is a life outside the pills, bottles, etc.! We have no idea what's around the corner in sobriety if we just give it a chance....Just for today... don't pick up!

Support is the key cuz we're dealing with something that is Cunning, Baffling & Powerful! We need the help of another addict/alcoholc who can relate to us and support us otherwise we may die in our dis-ease.

I'm glad you are here! You'll find tons of support and those who are just like you here!

:ghug:ghug:ghug:ghug:ghug

Thank you for all your support and encouragement.
I've had some counseling in the past year, not really for drinking, but for anxiety/depression/panic attacks.
I'm trying to figure out which came first and also if I have thyroid issues creating problems.
I've though about going to AA, my friend's husband is heavy into it, but it seems like a no going back thing.
I'm not sure I want to publicly wage this war.
I don't know, we'll see....

Thanks for your last post! :)

I go to AA, however, I'm not like the many who goes to it in the hard core sense. The 12-steps offer a "design for living".... I personally like that! I'm not on the outskirts and I'm not in the center.... I just go and take what I want and leave the rest. You have no obligation to go, but I'd like to see you give a couple of mtgs a shot just so you have an idea as to what it's all about. Just my thoughts to you on this!

Take care! :ghug3

quick question about withdrawal symptoms
 

I don't know if this is appropriate or against rules but I've been feeling sick today. Thought it was my son's flu I was catching, now I'm wondering if it could be withdrawal.
I thought I had a fever right now, lungs hurt, I'm chilled and achy, slightly nauseaus but I took my temp and it was LOW, 95.8.
Is it possible that this could be alcohol related, last time I drank was a bottle of wine Sat. night and was up real late.
Just curious, I'm not asking for med advice.

Gee...either way it sounds like a yukky time...:hug:

Please check out this link....note that not everyone
had the same experiences with de toxing.

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...at-we-did.html

Welcome to our recovery community...:wavey:

Sorry to hear your feeling rough.........

just wanted to welcome you here and tell you that it is possible to recovery from alcoholism...

This is a great place to start............................trucker

Welcome :) You'll find a lot of support here!