birddawg

I am glad I didnt go for a variety of reasons. I went to the pool Friday and Saturday with my ex wife and my son and today I went to hunt club with a buddy and we rode around on the ranger Bs'ing about life. It was relaxing. I am hanging out with my dogs now watching it rain.

Hevyn

I'm glad you played it safe, Dave. The early days - we're still vulnerable.
Day 12! Be proud.

AAPJ

Good morning BD. Really enjoy reading your posts. I hope all is good.

birddawg

Thanks. All is well here. Today is day 15 and I am sticking with it. I get cravings to drink but it feels different this time. I don't want to drink for once. It's weird. The other day I overdid it working outside and got a bit dehydrated and it gave me a headache, much like a mild hangover. That feeling brought back memories and it pissed me off and gave me resolve to not drink.

I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you all for the support. It has truly helped me.

fishkiller

Sounds good BD!

Once we hit the point where we want to not drink more than we want to drink it gets Much easier.
We just have to be ready for the AV as it will always be lurking.

birddawg

I am learning that. Finally.

The AV is always there, for sure. Not facing it on previous attempts were a large part of why I relapsed in the past. I didnt really know what it was and how to handle it. I am working on that this time around and it seems to be making a difference.

fishkiller

I will say it has been the most important tool in my box. Knowing those thoughts romanticizing alcohol or thoughts of moderation are a manifestation of the addiction.

I can talk myself into just about anything if I try hard enough. Not giving that part of my brain any value has been a relief.

Every other part of my brain and body are telling me I cannot drink alcohol anymore but I have listened to that one little creep for so long.

Seems it is the easy way out at the time but in real life it is making everything that much harder.

Once you Know this it is hard to turn back.

Anna

Yes, knowing you don't have to act on the thoughts the AV is putting in your mind, is really helpful. Like you, birddawg, I didn't know what an AV was and that if I ignored it, it would begin to lose its power.

Dee74

Congrats on day 15 birddawg

D

birddawg

Day 20 and still going strong. I finally made it to Atlanta to see my mom (the trip I mentioned in an earlier post). The past few days my sleep schedule started getting messed up again but this past weekend I worked in the yard all day and got worn out and am sleeping again on a normal schedule.

Question for y'all. I still get itchy skin at night. It's not every night, but it is annoying. I have read a lot about it and it can be a myriad of issues. Alcohol withdrawal is the one I keep coming back to, and hope that's it. It seems to come and go and is getting better. I have read where PAWS can cause it. I am going to go get bloodwork done when I get back home if it doesn't go away (I need to do it regardless, I know, but it is a scary thing to face). By then it will be close to a month of sobriety.

I hope everyone is doing well. Good luck.

Dave

birddawg

Oh, one other thing I wanted to add, I am not seeking medical advice per forum rules.

Hevyn

20 days! How wonderful, Dave.
I had itchy, creepy crawly skin for a while after quitting. It went away without me doing anything special to address it.

birddawg

Checking in. Day 31. One month. All good here. Thanks for the support.

fishkiller

👍👍

Hevyn

birddawg - We are so proud of you. We know how tough that first month can be. Great job!