I stopped drinking 18 days ago. Here's a list.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 23
I stopped drinking 18 days ago. Here's a list.
I am the worst kind of alcoholic. I'm 46, have been unemployed the last year and a half, and my daily routine during that time was something like this: wake up, barf, take a pull of vodka, barf, eat a little something, drink vodka until I pass out, repeat. The first days of sobriety were pretty difficult. Couldn't eat or sleep and shook uncontrollably. However, it quickly got better.
Here's a list of how my life is better now. I can:
Eat
Sleep
Go out in public without being a smelly, shaky mess
Use logic in everyday thinking
Remember stuff
Carry on a rational, adult conversation
Talk to people who otherwise wouldn't talk to me
Have the patience to look for a job
Not pick up the phone looking for illegal things
Clean my room
Be nice to my ef-wife
Let go of past resentments
I would be remiss without saying there's a down side. I'm hoping this will work itself out.
My bathroom regularity is a little off
Talking to those of the opposite sex. I used alcohol to grease my jaw.
Next steps for me:
Stay sober
Find a job
Move out of the crack hotel where I'm currently living
For those of you in the early stages of alcoholism, it can get this bad or worse. I consider myself lucky. If I keep up that pace I'd be either dead or in jail by the end of the year. And please note, I've left off the most untoward details.
Thanks for taking the time to read this crap. Everyday is good day to be sober.
Here's a list of how my life is better now. I can:
Eat
Sleep
Go out in public without being a smelly, shaky mess
Use logic in everyday thinking
Remember stuff
Carry on a rational, adult conversation
Talk to people who otherwise wouldn't talk to me
Have the patience to look for a job
Not pick up the phone looking for illegal things
Clean my room
Be nice to my ef-wife
Let go of past resentments
I would be remiss without saying there's a down side. I'm hoping this will work itself out.
My bathroom regularity is a little off
Talking to those of the opposite sex. I used alcohol to grease my jaw.
Next steps for me:
Stay sober
Find a job
Move out of the crack hotel where I'm currently living
For those of you in the early stages of alcoholism, it can get this bad or worse. I consider myself lucky. If I keep up that pace I'd be either dead or in jail by the end of the year. And please note, I've left off the most untoward details.
Thanks for taking the time to read this crap. Everyday is good day to be sober.
and congrats on your sober time! Keep on keepin' on.
It gets better.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 23
I've been going to AA and otherwise staying busy (read: looking for a job) to keep my mind off booze. I tell myself a variation of one day at a time. I tell myself there's no reason why I can't get drunk. I can. Just not today. It seems to soften it a little.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Mid-Atlantic USA
Posts: 2,441
Well done Yup, sounds like you had a rough go of it the first few days. Keep moving forward.
Sorry about the crack hotel you're living in, that must suck. Finding work should help. It should give you a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Is there a temp agency near you? Could they get you something that would at least help you develop a routine and structure? Not sure what your background is, so temp work might not be your ultimate goal, but sometimes any kind of paying gig is helpful to one's self-esteem.
Sorry about the crack hotel you're living in, that must suck. Finding work should help. It should give you a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Is there a temp agency near you? Could they get you something that would at least help you develop a routine and structure? Not sure what your background is, so temp work might not be your ultimate goal, but sometimes any kind of paying gig is helpful to one's self-esteem.
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada. About as far south as you can get
Posts: 4,768
Originally Posted by Yup 
I've been going to AA and otherwise staying busy (read: looking for a job) to keep my mind off booze.
Stick with the oldtimers and your sponsor.
All the best.
Bob R
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 23
I'm not at the temp agency stage yet, however, I do hear you on the structure. Looking for a job (is a job) and going to meetings is good for me now. I was a 20 year banker prior to being laid off so I should be able to find something relatively soon. Looking back, it amazes me I lasted so long in that industry being an alcoholic.
All is Change
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,284
Congrats. That's a deep hole to get out of and as you say a meaningful caution. I can attest to that this is a progressive disease that if untreated really does take one to places like this. Thank you for sharing and all the best for your recovery.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada. About as far south as you can get
Posts: 4,768
Originally Posted by Yup
I've been in and out of AA for years so I'm comfortable with them. Last night the topic was peace and serenity. I'm getting closer to it everyday.
All the best.
Bob R
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 23
No meds.
I can't believe I haven't had a seizure, alcohol poisoning, or pancreatitis.
I would quit for say 3-7 days several times trying to quit for good. I was useless 2-3 days laying in bed trying to sleep and not being able to eat.
Edit: I'll continue to update this. It's been theapeutic for me.
I can't believe I haven't had a seizure, alcohol poisoning, or pancreatitis.
I would quit for say 3-7 days several times trying to quit for good. I was useless 2-3 days laying in bed trying to sleep and not being able to eat.
Edit: I'll continue to update this. It's been theapeutic for me.
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