Trying for real this time
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 20
Trying for real this time
I posted once a few years back when I was having trouble with drinking. Since then I’ve tapered off alcohol a few times and would get a few weeks of sobriety under my belt before going back to the wine. For a while this was “only” a bottle to a bottle and a half a night and I still worked out plenty and was perfectly functional in my job as a CEO.
Well, about two and a half weeks ago I went on a vacation that turned into a bender where my intake went up to three or four bottles a day. After getting back from the trips I kept this up for a couple days even while working from home but I forgot to eat for about three days. This past thursday afternoon I woke up on the floor with my neighbor comforting me saying he had called the ambulance (my girlfriend called him because she couldn’t get in touch with me). I almost said I didn’t want to go, but decided “no, I’m going to detox at the hospital”. This is it for me—I’m done.
I was just discharged from the hospital today after some help from Librium and wonderful nurses and will start gabapentine tomorrow. I’m also beginning virtual AA and counseling next week.
Anyway, that’s where I’m at today. Five days sober, through detox, have a loving and supportive family around me, and look forward to staying sober.
I’ve always admired this community and plan to post regularly and remain active here.
thanks everyone who read all of that (I’m sure some can relate)
Well, about two and a half weeks ago I went on a vacation that turned into a bender where my intake went up to three or four bottles a day. After getting back from the trips I kept this up for a couple days even while working from home but I forgot to eat for about three days. This past thursday afternoon I woke up on the floor with my neighbor comforting me saying he had called the ambulance (my girlfriend called him because she couldn’t get in touch with me). I almost said I didn’t want to go, but decided “no, I’m going to detox at the hospital”. This is it for me—I’m done.
I was just discharged from the hospital today after some help from Librium and wonderful nurses and will start gabapentine tomorrow. I’m also beginning virtual AA and counseling next week.
Anyway, that’s where I’m at today. Five days sober, through detox, have a loving and supportive family around me, and look forward to staying sober.
I’ve always admired this community and plan to post regularly and remain active here.
thanks everyone who read all of that (I’m sure some can relate)
Five days is a good start to a better, sober life. Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Sonoran Desert & Southeast Asia
Posts: 6,561
Glad you're okay pianoman. Sounds pretty rough, but you have made it through the worst of the physical withdrawal. Good job, glad you acknowledged the situation and accepted help, that is a very important step. In the next few weeks you may have some sleep issues or minor cognitive difficulties - remembering words or names for example, or forgetfulness, and likely some fatigue as your brain begins to rewire itself and heal. Don't let that throw you - just eat well, drink lots of fluids, get some exercise and it will get better fast.
I found it very helpful to read and post a lot here in early sobriety - it reinforces the lessons and also helps us feel better,
Good luck on your journey - this is a wonderful, supportive community.
I found it very helpful to read and post a lot here in early sobriety - it reinforces the lessons and also helps us feel better,
Good luck on your journey - this is a wonderful, supportive community.
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 14,921
Welcome to SR!
Glad you made it through the physical part of detox. If you are like I was, in about 2 weeks you will feel great. Then the thought will creep into your head something like "I worked really hard today, maybe I can have just one drink, I think I can moderate my drinking now."
Don't do that, it won't work.
Glad you made it through the physical part of detox. If you are like I was, in about 2 weeks you will feel great. Then the thought will creep into your head something like "I worked really hard today, maybe I can have just one drink, I think I can moderate my drinking now."
Don't do that, it won't work.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Posts: 527
Some alcoholics can only stay sober by fully committing to all three parts of the A.A. program: (1) meetings, (2) step work, and (3) service. I am one of those alcoholics. Feel free to PM me if you ever want to chat more about that.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 20
Thanks everyone!
Day 6 now and started the gabapentin (plus multivitamins and fluids). Put in a solid five hours of productive work this morning and am taking a short rest now.
As some of you mentioned I’m definitely feeling exhaustion and some brain fog but I understand that will pass in time. And I’m lucky I’ve got a good support group around me. My mom (who doesn’t drink) is even going to an AA meeting this Saturday—I guess to see how she might be able to understand the situation better. I’m not sure if that’s strange or not but I appreciate the thoughtfulness nonetheless.
Anyway, today has been fairly good and I appreciate the support!
Day 6 now and started the gabapentin (plus multivitamins and fluids). Put in a solid five hours of productive work this morning and am taking a short rest now.
As some of you mentioned I’m definitely feeling exhaustion and some brain fog but I understand that will pass in time. And I’m lucky I’ve got a good support group around me. My mom (who doesn’t drink) is even going to an AA meeting this Saturday—I guess to see how she might be able to understand the situation better. I’m not sure if that’s strange or not but I appreciate the thoughtfulness nonetheless.
Anyway, today has been fairly good and I appreciate the support!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: S.E. MI
Posts: 1,025
Good call on quitting now. As I like to say we cant keep drinking like that forever. You get to old to keep it up and it is a progressive disease anyway. The very smart thing is just to not drink. The stuff aint no good for you, and other stuff taste better anyway, I'm willing to bet you would agree.
Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: England
Posts: 1,850
Welcome Pianoman - sounds like you have realised that you and wine need to part company! Same here. It will only get worse if you don't stop. I take gaberpentin for nerve pain in my feet, it does not make me feel sleepy but it does help me to sleep through the night. Post here as much as you can it will help you to stay focused on sobriety.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,435
Congrats on 6 days Pianoman - I think it's great your mum wants to support you by going to an AA meeting - not weird at all IMO.
As I understand it, Family and Friends are welcome at open meetings.
D
As I understand it, Family and Friends are welcome at open meetings.
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 20
Thanks again, everyone.
Day 7 I guess now and feeling good. Long work days help but I get tired easily. It’s funny too—around 7 pm I get super tired but by the time I get in bed to fall asleep I just stare at the ceiling until 2 am and can’t doze off. I guess that’s just part of early recovery.
my PCP reached out after the hospital stay and wants to do a follow up which is pretty normal.
And I’m going to my first SMART recovery meeting on Tuesday. Excited about that.
All’s good so far.
Day 7 I guess now and feeling good. Long work days help but I get tired easily. It’s funny too—around 7 pm I get super tired but by the time I get in bed to fall asleep I just stare at the ceiling until 2 am and can’t doze off. I guess that’s just part of early recovery.
my PCP reached out after the hospital stay and wants to do a follow up which is pretty normal.
And I’m going to my first SMART recovery meeting on Tuesday. Excited about that.
All’s good so far.
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