Kiwifella

Greetings from New Zealand everyone.

After many years of drinking (some heavier than others) I have decided to quit today.

I have low dose lorazepam aka Ativan 1mg to help me through the first few days while I am getting rid of this poison. I can get buy on 1 pill per day at night to assist with sleeping and low level cravings.

I have been binging more than normal for a few months as our company has been in trouble and the IRD/IRS are closing us down next week.

Major stressed as you can imagine and my wife has thyroid problems and needs it removed quite urgently.

I have been drinking myself to sleep to get away from my problems while creating other problems like sore kidneys, pain behind right rib cage and memory problems.

I have always been afraid of quitting permanently as I have had a long term love affair with alcohol but now it is time for this to stop.

I have no signs of jaundice and or nausea or bloating or the other tell tail symptoms of liver failure so hopefully I am not too late.

I may appear to sound confident but I am scared and suffering depression and anxiety too.

Thanks for reading

Dee74

Welcome Kiwifella - you'll find lot of understanding and support here

Why not check out our Class of May support thread?

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...art-3-a-2.html

D

afloatsober

Good on you for reaching out.
We are somewhere on that road you have stepped onto and its gonna be alright.
Best wishes.
G

Needinghelp82

Have you thought about a liver function test? I had one last week, scary but good to know.

Well done on making this decision

PurpleKnight

Welcome to the Forum!! Great to have you onboard!!

Kiwifella

[QUOTE=Dee74;4675767]Welcome Kiwifella - you'll find lot of understanding and support here

Why not check out our Class of May support thread?

Thanks Dee I will do

Kiwifella

Going to let it settle down for a few weeks as I know the levels are up but after a few weeks sober will get a retest . Thanks edit: I think this reply went in the wrong place!

DisplacedGRITS

Welcome. I too suffered from anxiety. I'm also bipolar so I feel those depressive swings as well. As far as my anxiety, I have found by not drinking and not reasserting to myself that I have anxiety, I am relieved to a degree. I know that anxiety is a real, solid issue that many people suffer from. For me, I have found power in positive thinking. Well, not so much positive thinking so much as a lack of negative thinking. It's amazing what I can do when I don't tell myself that I can't do *insert fear here*. Sorry for the unclear sentence there!

What I'm saying is that you don't have walk around telling yourself that you can handle anything. All you have to do is stop telling yourself that you can't do something. Easier said than done, for sure! It doesn't mean you are assured success in your endeavors. It just means that you are no longer working against yourself.

Also, there is no problem that drinking can't make worse! Sometimes, that is the simple thought that chases away my inkling to drink. For me, simple is best!

Kiwifella

Thanks grits!

Seems like a great place here for support.

I will check in regularly

Best wishes for a great day!

Kiwifella

I want my liver to settle for a few weeks of sobriety and then will do the tests again Thanks

DisplacedGRITS

Word. I had my liver function test done right after I quit drinking then repeated just a month or two later. The difference even that short amount of time made was amazing!

BruceSA

Welcome, Kiwi, there's loads of support here.

Kiwifella

Cheers Bruce, glad to be surrounded with good people here!

Kiwifella

And my last drink was over 24 hours ago so bring on day 2.

My message to Alcohol: "I am not missing you, stay out of my life, I won't let you destroy me"

HeadLump

Welcome from the other side of the world, Kiwi We're all in this together and we understand. Lean on us as much as you need to

FreeOwl

welcome aboard, mayte!!!

I used to live in the EnZed myself.... I miss it. I know the drink culture you're in there, but don't let that flap ya. You can do this!

You're in a good place for support and your post is a good place to start. What other supports are you putting in place? What's your plan?

Kiwifella

G'day Freeowl!

No alcohol in the house. Starting a new diet and gym regime and that is my excuse for not drinking if asked why I am not out on the town.

The drinking culture here that you mentioned is getting worse if anything but I have determination to stay on top.

I am going to also focus on very healthy rich in vitamin foods and to drink 3 litres of water per day.

As the cravings weaken and I taper off the Benzos I will then look at yoga or meditation which is sooooo not me but it's time to get out of my comfort zone in lots of ways

FreeOwl

sounds like a great foundation and start. If you have the ability to get yaself to an AA meeting, I can say they have been a valuable part of my own sobriety.

Also; surf season oughter be kickin' in soon down your way...