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Mustdoit 06-22-2013 04:31 AM

New to this
 
I am a functioning alcoholic. I have just stopped drinking 12 days ago after years of daily (evening only) drinking of too much wine. I have tried to cut down before, sometimes after a short abstinence but it always builds up so realise I need to stop. First few days were very difficult. I feel good but it feels very strange and not real, wine was a big part of my life. I am going for a meal tonight so another hurdle, I feel tense and a bit scared. I keep saying 'one drink too much' and I am determined but my habits were very ingrained and I know it will be weird to not drink.

hayley86 06-22-2013 04:44 AM

Well done on 12 days that's a great achievement!!. I know what you mean about it being very ingrained and it seeming strange not to drink at first, it will get easier with time I found it has for me, I am now at 8 and a half months. I was also a wine drinker and I always associated a meal out with wine for me they went hand in hand. Association is a very powerful thing and if you associate going for a meal with drinking, I really would consider not going.

You are early into your recovery, I definitely did not go anywhere near any place that would make me think of drinking or serve alcohol for many months. Could you not do an activity that you don't associate with drinking instead until you feel stronger?. When I was at that stage I would have found that very challenging and traumatic.

heath480 06-22-2013 04:44 AM

Welcome to SR.Congratulations on 12days sobriety.

Wishing you well

Nonsensical 06-22-2013 04:46 AM

Welcome to SR.

12 days is awesome. You can get through tonight. Waking up fresh on Sunday morning you'll be so glad you didn't drink tonight!

visch1 06-22-2013 04:54 AM

Welcome and keep coming. I identify with what you feeling. When I shared at AA meetings heads bobbed up and down showing identification and people explained their emotions and how they worked through them. These flesh meetings still help me many years later. As stated I needed to learn to recognize danger spots to stay away from. Recognizing HALT works for many of us. BE WELL

GracieLou 06-22-2013 04:59 AM

Welcome and Congrats on 12 days. That is wonderful.

As referenced above HALT.

Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. These can be triggers. If you can recognize them then you can deal with them.



Originally Posted by Mustdoit (Post 4030272)
'one drink too much'

This is true for me too. The first drink gets me drunk. One is one to many and one more is never enough.

Nighthawk8820 06-22-2013 05:57 AM


Originally Posted by Mustdoit (Post 4030272)
I am a functioning alcoholic. I have just stopped drinking 12 days ago after years of daily (evening only) drinking of too much wine. I have tried to cut down before, sometimes after a short abstinence but it always builds up so realise I need to stop. First few days were very difficult. I feel good but it feels very strange and not real, wine was a big part of my life. I am going for a meal tonight so another hurdle, I feel tense and a bit scared. I keep saying 'one drink too much' and I am determined but my habits were very ingrained and I know it will be weird to not drink.

Those first few social outings without booze can be weird, but each time you do it, and dont give in, the easier it gets. It also builds confidence and self esteem to face your fears, which keeps is on the right path. You will find its actually better to be clear headed and not drunk at these things, because you can enjoy yourself, go home, and wake up feeling great. Sure as hell beats waking up to an outbox of texts to ex-lovers sent the night before, and people calling you to remind you of the ass you made of yourself the night before. LORD KNOWS I DONT MISS THAT, lol.

Long story short, it will be weird at first, but you get used to it. Eventually you will be able to go to dinner and not even think about the booze.

Mustdoit 06-22-2013 08:55 AM

Thank for all your comments. I feel I need to get over this hurdle, I love eating out. Will keep reminding myself how great it has been to wake up with no hangover and the whole non blurry day in front of me. Husband and daughter supportive. One day at a time.

Dee74 06-22-2013 02:54 PM

Welcome mustdoit :)

I think all of us wondered if we could change - I think we're all capable of that tho.
I really wanted to change - nothing else mattered as much - so I changed.

good to have you with us :)

D

Hevyn 06-22-2013 03:08 PM

Welcome Mustdoit. Great job on your 12 sober days. We know how hard it is.

It definitely feels weird in the early days - it's such a part of our life. Eventually we realize we don't need it to enjoy things. I thought being sober would be so boring - but I was boring being numb and foggy all the time. Living life with eyes wide open is much better. You can do it - we are with you. :)

Mustdoit 06-23-2013 01:38 AM

Did it on apple juice. Thank you for the support. The quotes are great. This is the first time I have admitted that I can't drink, I've always thought I could control it - I just drank too much -not an alcoholic! Women like me aren't!
If I don't ever drink again I've already had my share of wine.

GracieLou 06-23-2013 02:38 AM

Good idea with the apple juice. It has natural sugars and can substitute the sugar we are used to getting from alcohol.


Originally Posted by Mustdoit (Post 4031776)
If I don't ever drink again I've already had my share of wine.

This comment made me LOL.

I am sure the company that made the brand of whiskey I bought wonders what happened to the drop in sales...lol

jeffjanon 06-23-2013 08:44 AM

I am 74 days....not easy days every day. I recently went several places in which I'd normally drink and it was my first time where I did not go to at least one or two meetings a week.

I went to a convention at a casino. I don't gamble but there was a cash bar being set up. After a couple of meetings there was a reception. Luckily I didn't stay for that...although I knew I wouldn't drink. I was reminded that last year I really tied one on. Some of my "buddies" still had pictures. I was even denied entry into a bar on Bourbon Street! Bourbon Street---so I must've been very drunk. I know I was because I don't remember that weekend. I blacked out.

Next place was vacation to Memphis. Beale Street is much like Bourbon St. The atmosphere didn't phase me. But I was wary of what I ate. I remember wanting a steak at a particular restaurant and shying away from it due to the whiskey used as a marinade. I am fond of the taste and therefore thought I'd better not.

There will be a day when you might feel better and more at ease. Just look beyond the first drink to the consequences that have come in the past.


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