gatorgirl67

ArticSA's thread has really hit home with me, because I'm pretty new to really beginning to accepting that I can no longer continue to drink. My family deserves more, heck, I deserve more!

I stopped twice last fall for a few weeks, and it was pretty easy and I felt good...so I told myself, I can stop anytime I want, so why not enjoy the holidays and start in the new year.

I'm on day 3 and it IS a bit harder this time, not physically for me, no withdrawal or sleep issues, but mentally...my mind wants me to drink. That sucks!! I'm at war with my own mind.

The comments to this thread have really hit me that this is part of the progression of the disease. I guess I thought since I am not suffering withdrawal that I am FINE! Apparently, my mind is in withdrawal, and it wants me to drink.

But, I know today I will not drink. I need sober days behind me to sort this all out....and I promise myself that I will post here if my mind starts talking s**t to me again!

autan

I am in exactly the same boat. I am day 7, having previously stopped 2 months and recovery well, suffered a relapse using xmas and new year as an excuse to drink.

I am different this time, in my thinking that I can never have another drink again.

Now I have accepted this fact, the war is winnable. My AV tells is very manipulative, but I just say back to it, theres no way I am picking up that first drink, so you mights as well go and leave me in peace. It returns again and again, with different excuses why I am ok really and its all in my head and dont you want to be normal. Are you a man or what ?

My reply is the same. I deserve better, this is my last chance to get out alive.

Anna

Yes, the physical symptoms and the mental symptoms both need to be dealt with. And, for me, the mental aspect of alcoholism was the hardest.

I'm glad you're aware of what's happening.

Aellyce

I relate a lot, gatorgirl... I've realized my problem with alcohol a long time ago (years back), but it still beats me... by "me" I mean the person I know I am and the life I know I could have, without the booze. I do get pretty harsh physical withdrawal effects at this point (abusing alcohol for more than 10 years) but for me those are the "mild" issues to tackle. I can stand very uncomfortable physical states at this point.

But not doing so well with the mental effects (even though I know those also stem from physiological imbalances in the brain)...

Stay strong for now

Kris47

All of your stories are much like mine except I've been at it for 35 years. Uh.

Anyone my age that can tell me I can do this still anymore.

heath480

Alcoholism is relentless in the progression,it always gets worse,never better,although it can trick us into thinking we are better,sometimes stopping drinking or the worse one,controlling it for a while.

The withdrawals get worse,mentally and physically.

Kris I drank for 37years,you can definitely get sober and stay sober,it dosen't matter how long you have been drinking for or how old you are.You have to want to stay sober more than you want to drink.if you are an Alcoholic that is easier said than done.I did it,so can you.

doggonecarl

Indeed. That's why I am so amazingly blessed to be sober over three years--because I am not sure I have another recovery left in me if I relapse. I don't think about drinking and I work every day on my recovery to ensure that.

Kris47

Your post just made me cry.

Same here.

Course I find myself pretty weepy these days.

Imabuleva

From what I've read on the subject, most mental anguish is physical anguish of the nervous system or the exaggeration of pre-existing mental conditions via long-term exposure of the nervous system to alcohol.

It's a lot more complicated and I am by no means a doctor, but just something to ponder.