It took me almost 1 year
Deaf to AV
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Western NYS
Posts: 62
It took me almost 1 year
On 10-01-13 I found and immediately joined SR. That's disturbing to me because I didn't actually achieve abstinence until 09-29-14 (that's now 14 days without a drop..at long last).
Why it's disturbing is because I've been in the bottle for such a large part of my life and the motivation to finally quit came because I suspect that I've done some damage to my body...real damage.
Tomorrow I meet with a gastroenterologist (Dr.G) who I've never seen before because I feel more comfortable finally talking about it with any MD who isn't my long time PCP. I've never had the gumption to admit it to Dr.M, I couldn't deal with the shame I felt.
Quitting has been surprisingly easy. I've no desire to drink, have had no DTs or other physical symptoms. Epiphanies are funny like that.
I check in here daily and am now ready to post and ask questions and thank you all for being here. The help has been tremendous. My next step is taking that walk into an AA meeting. I'm still working on that.
I'm glad to say that I've finally arrived.
Why it's disturbing is because I've been in the bottle for such a large part of my life and the motivation to finally quit came because I suspect that I've done some damage to my body...real damage.
Tomorrow I meet with a gastroenterologist (Dr.G) who I've never seen before because I feel more comfortable finally talking about it with any MD who isn't my long time PCP. I've never had the gumption to admit it to Dr.M, I couldn't deal with the shame I felt.
Quitting has been surprisingly easy. I've no desire to drink, have had no DTs or other physical symptoms. Epiphanies are funny like that.
I check in here daily and am now ready to post and ask questions and thank you all for being here. The help has been tremendous. My next step is taking that walk into an AA meeting. I'm still working on that.
I'm glad to say that I've finally arrived.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: mountain states, Montana and Wyoming
Posts: 246
Good for you on getting it started, the not drinking part. Don't freak out too soon about the Doctor, it does not help to freak out. Just make sure if you have not damaged yourself you continue to not drink, because eventually it will hurt you.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
It takes what it takes 
Glad you are here and posting. Epiphanies can be rather powerful.
The guilt and shame begin to lessen. Kudos for making the doc appointment, you'll feel less anxiety about things.
Glad you are here and posting. Epiphanies can be rather powerful. The guilt and shame begin to lessen. Kudos for making the doc appointment, you'll feel less anxiety about things.
AlmA
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Marbella Spain
Posts: 714
Dear jshep,
Sorry you are not well and hope with time you will get better.
I am so happy you have taken the right step,
You do not see it know but life is so much better after a while not drinking...
It changes so many aspects of your life you will see them with time.
Just stick to your decision.
Go to AA If you need ask someone to a company you the first day but after you will see it is not that scary, they are all normal people like you and me.
You need help for the days you feel weak.
Have a look on internet the meetings in your area or if you feel unconformable further,
and just seat and listen and when you feel ready speak up.
Good luck in your recovery
Sorry you are not well and hope with time you will get better.
I am so happy you have taken the right step,
You do not see it know but life is so much better after a while not drinking...
It changes so many aspects of your life you will see them with time.
Just stick to your decision.
Go to AA If you need ask someone to a company you the first day but after you will see it is not that scary, they are all normal people like you and me.
You need help for the days you feel weak.
Have a look on internet the meetings in your area or if you feel unconformable further,
and just seat and listen and when you feel ready speak up.
Good luck in your recovery
Deaf to AV
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Western NYS
Posts: 62
Thanks for the advice, herradura. I am preoccupied with the worries of my possible health problems, but once in a while I entertain the notion that maybe I slid by and can actually live many more years. That notion is usually followed by "Will I have the strength to not give in temptation if I find out that I don't have eg. cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver cancer, etc?" I want to be rid of my alcohol addiction and am here for help in keeping sight of that.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: The Deep South
Posts: 14,636
I found the psychological, mental, spiritual angst to be much worse than my health fears and hangover symptoms. I also found it helpful to "play the tape" through and imagine any scenario where I'd drink again, and what the likely outcome would be.
Do I want to remain in a static, stagnant, dark existence where I'm spinning my wheels and never really living? No!
If you're at all concerned about your health, realize that any more drinking is not going to get you any further to a good health status. Quite the opposite.
So maybe you ought to prepare yourself that if you do hear you're good to go health-wise, what you're going to do with that info. Using it to justify drinking again is just one way the AV is going to come at you. That's your addiction speaking though, not YOU.
Do I want to remain in a static, stagnant, dark existence where I'm spinning my wheels and never really living? No!
If you're at all concerned about your health, realize that any more drinking is not going to get you any further to a good health status. Quite the opposite.
So maybe you ought to prepare yourself that if you do hear you're good to go health-wise, what you're going to do with that info. Using it to justify drinking again is just one way the AV is going to come at you. That's your addiction speaking though, not YOU.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 5,937
I agree; part of the reason I quit was for my physical health. But in truth I was just worn out and sick of living that way. To me it's two different issues. I don't want to be a drunk anymore, and I won't go back to being one again. That I didn't ruin my body is a bonus to be sure but it's not the main motivation for me.
I hope your doctor's visit goes well. The body does have a great ability to heal itself once we stop feeding it poison.
I hope your doctor's visit goes well. The body does have a great ability to heal itself once we stop feeding it poison.
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