Honest Update
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 967
Honest Update
So, I previously made it 14 days after my relapse about 2.5 months ago on my vacation. I ended up drinking again after this two weeks.
I am now on Day 4 again and feeling stronger than ever, but I had to come clean to myself and those close to me about something. I have been abusing Sudafed and caffeine for the past 1.5 years. I have been taking more than the prescribed dosage of Sudafed, which has been giving me a slight euphoric feeling in combination with a lot of caffeine. The side effect of all of this has been nervousness, worry and anxiety. I finally realized that my inability to stay sober again has largely been a result of these feelings, as the Sudafed and caffeine were triggering alcohol cravings. I also realize that abusing the Sudafed (which is pseudoephedrine) and abusing the over the counter sleeping pills (which I discussed in a previous post), really means I was not truly sober during the past two years.
So, as of the last 4 days, I am now off of alcohol, OTC sleeping pills, Sudafed and caffeine. I am feeling more confident about my chances this time, and I am far less anxious with those intense alcohol cravings that I have described in previous posts.
So this is my new plan that I have tweaked and adjusted, as well as adding having lunch each day which I was skipping before and only eating dinner, which is also making me feel better.
And I am not secretly taking any other psychoactive substances that I will come clean with later on😉.
I am now on Day 4 again and feeling stronger than ever, but I had to come clean to myself and those close to me about something. I have been abusing Sudafed and caffeine for the past 1.5 years. I have been taking more than the prescribed dosage of Sudafed, which has been giving me a slight euphoric feeling in combination with a lot of caffeine. The side effect of all of this has been nervousness, worry and anxiety. I finally realized that my inability to stay sober again has largely been a result of these feelings, as the Sudafed and caffeine were triggering alcohol cravings. I also realize that abusing the Sudafed (which is pseudoephedrine) and abusing the over the counter sleeping pills (which I discussed in a previous post), really means I was not truly sober during the past two years.
So, as of the last 4 days, I am now off of alcohol, OTC sleeping pills, Sudafed and caffeine. I am feeling more confident about my chances this time, and I am far less anxious with those intense alcohol cravings that I have described in previous posts.
So this is my new plan that I have tweaked and adjusted, as well as adding having lunch each day which I was skipping before and only eating dinner, which is also making me feel better.
And I am not secretly taking any other psychoactive substances that I will come clean with later on😉.
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 28,671
hi F. I di the Sudafed thing years ago, but hell I would try any OTC drug. Sudafed can only be purchased now with photo ID and a name being recorded on a national register thingy. Chemist hoppers turning a nasty drug into an even nastier one. I suggest you see a doctor to review your health and perhaps get some blood work done. I do. Support to you.
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 967
I am also concerned about my health because all of this. I think I am going to wait to do the blood work when I get to 30 days sober to clean out my system. It's refreshing to know, however, that I am now totally chemical free.
Giving up is NOT an option.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 7,809
Thanks for the honesty! You will feel so much better having come clean - both mentally and physically. Clean from the shame you were probably carrying around, and clean from all chemicals.
I am so careful about what I put in my body now - I try not to even take OTC pain relief for headaches until it gets really bad. I do have to resort to an OTC allergy med (not sudafed, though) when it gets bad - but only take it when I HAVE to. Otherwise, nothing. I have not given up caffeine, but did cut down considerably. Alcohol free two and a half years now, and I have never felt better!
Keep going! You can do it!
I am so careful about what I put in my body now - I try not to even take OTC pain relief for headaches until it gets really bad. I do have to resort to an OTC allergy med (not sudafed, though) when it gets bad - but only take it when I HAVE to. Otherwise, nothing. I have not given up caffeine, but did cut down considerably. Alcohol free two and a half years now, and I have never felt better!
Keep going! You can do it!
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 967
Thanks! The good thing now is that I know that I am strictly battling alcoholism. When I was struggling before, there were too many other variables such as the OTC sleeping pills, Sudafed and caffeine that were involved. I hope I do not relapse, but if I did, I know now that my plan is not working since it is not the other variables triggering any addictive responses.
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Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 43
Originally Posted by FreedomCA 
So far so good on Day 4. I am eating more since being off all of those stimulants, but that is okay if it keeps me sober and away from all of that drama.
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