Some thoughts , day 16
 

I just posted on my own thread but wanted to repeat my thoughts here:
I am on day 16 and this is not my first time getting through early days without alcohol, though I feel different (over it?) this time, and I'm learning.

Moderation:
Drinking in moderation is a fallacy because there actually is no absolute safe level except for non at all. (I drank to get drunk - I liked the numbness).

I have come to realise that 'drink' (i.e. alcohol) is the only drink you have to justify not drinking to others. That is because of the all pervasive culture of drinking we live in.

No one should have to justify not drinking alcohol and yet, we do.

People will ask you: "Why? Do you have a problem / are you alcoholic?"
This shifts the attention away from other drinkers who may, quite reasonably, be drinking in more moderate amounts than you have been doing recently. What is not considered is that these same people may be at risk at different times in their life, be that in the short or longer term. (or may already be in trouble due to drinking).

Once well enough, it should be easy to reject peer pressure. But in the early days it is best to keep away from other drinkers. which leads me to:

Early recovery:
I miss alcohol. Like an actual grieving process.
You start to see things that you haven't been dealing with come back into focus. You may be hiding depression behind your drinking.

Discomfort is going to happen but this doesn't have to be negative.
Body; organs need to adapt back to normal - every part of your body has adapted to alcohol to some extent. That is why I have felt tired / stressed, anxious I think.
And the mind; it needs to regain a handle on life...

Some great thoughts!! :)

Acceptance that moderation was off the table was a major breakthrough for me, not tormenting myself anymore with trying to control alcohol made life soo much easier!!

It definitely will take a period of adjustment, I had to almost relearn how to live again without alcohol, I needed new coping mechanisms, I was feeling things and experiencing emotions I usually just numbed away with alcohol, so it's going to take time!!

Day 16 is fantastic!! Keep it going!! :You_Rock_

was just reading on the founder of moderating management foundec in 94 founder joined aa in 2000 got jailed for driving wrong way down highway killing 2 people (a father and his 12 yr old daughter) this is the founder of moderating management

she done 3 1/2 yrs of a 4 1/2 sentance

Moderation Management - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Through reading online journals, there is a growing medical consensus that there is no safe limit for alcohol, just as there is no recommended daily intake units for cigarettes (or for LSD or other 'hard' drugs).
Whilst I do not believe all drinkers are doomed (and I don't advocate prohibition!), it is not unreasonable to share the view that alcohol may become more socially unacceptable, much like smoking, over the next few decades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_In8_3zmjcc

Beyond Sober - a good perspective for those with 15 minutes to spare.