So i gave in...
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 8,335
I stopped drinking wine last June - all alcohol, but I mostly drank wine. I'd tried moderation the year before, but resumed daily drinking. I was so tired of feeling disappointed in myself so decided to quit altogether.
I made plans to do different things around the time I usually opened a bottle of wine.....taking long walks, running errands etc. I found the first week the hardest, then the days began to pile up. It's been a gradual process of self renewal ....and one I wouldn't trade for anything.
I made plans to do different things around the time I usually opened a bottle of wine.....taking long walks, running errands etc. I found the first week the hardest, then the days began to pile up. It's been a gradual process of self renewal ....and one I wouldn't trade for anything.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,508
I loved Drinking: A Love Story, and found it so inspirational. I figured if she could do it, I could do it too.
I have used SR as my lifeline for many years. I've also depended on a host of books that have led me along my recovery journey.
I have used SR as my lifeline for many years. I've also depended on a host of books that have led me along my recovery journey.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: The Emerald City
Posts: 434
Hi Javamama. Thanks for sharing your experience and it's so great to hear that you're going to a meeting today. Would love to hear how it goes.
I was wondering if you've made a thorough list of all of the negative effects that happen when drinking alcohol? For me, having that visual is a big help. I purposely remind myself of how horrible I was looking from the alcohol i.e. dark circles, puffy face, fat weight gain and red eyes etc. and I play that visual repeatedly in my head when I have a trigger. (I liken it to a zombie look, and that's a really good wake up call.)
I had a big trigger yesterday afternoon, after I was going through my on-line banking and realized that all of my bank/debit card information had been stolen and someone had tried to charge nearly $800 on my bank account. (I'm in between jobs right now so losing that money would have been a bad hit.) Fortunately I was able to catch it in time and cancel the card as well as the charge. Needless to say I was absolutely furious and for the first time in two months of sobriety, I had contemplated buying a bottle of wine. Fortunately, I had that "ugly visual" to remember of how that bottle of wine would bring me back to that very ugly place. I'm not into zombies, but they play a fantastic role in my recovery plan.
The other thing that helped was remembering all of the helpful and supportive posts here on SR.
That's my two cents.
Stay strong Javamamma! You can do it!
I was wondering if you've made a thorough list of all of the negative effects that happen when drinking alcohol? For me, having that visual is a big help. I purposely remind myself of how horrible I was looking from the alcohol i.e. dark circles, puffy face, fat weight gain and red eyes etc. and I play that visual repeatedly in my head when I have a trigger. (I liken it to a zombie look, and that's a really good wake up call.)
I had a big trigger yesterday afternoon, after I was going through my on-line banking and realized that all of my bank/debit card information had been stolen and someone had tried to charge nearly $800 on my bank account. (I'm in between jobs right now so losing that money would have been a bad hit.) Fortunately I was able to catch it in time and cancel the card as well as the charge. Needless to say I was absolutely furious and for the first time in two months of sobriety, I had contemplated buying a bottle of wine. Fortunately, I had that "ugly visual" to remember of how that bottle of wine would bring me back to that very ugly place. I'm not into zombies, but they play a fantastic role in my recovery plan.
The other thing that helped was remembering all of the helpful and supportive posts here on SR.
That's my two cents.
Stay strong Javamamma! You can do it!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,634
Hi Javamama-
I had many failed starts - I'm a slow, but persistent learner, and learned to spot how I was tricking myself.
If you can think back to what caused you to go buy the bottle and make a plan for what you will do differently when you are triggered next time, it helps.
I had many failed starts - I'm a slow, but persistent learner, and learned to spot how I was tricking myself.
If you can think back to what caused you to go buy the bottle and make a plan for what you will do differently when you are triggered next time, it helps.
no more though, going to a meeting too this week, will be my first one. I am ready for this. How was your meeting?
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