I want to explain why today is so very important to me. This is only my third sober. But I do this cycle, tell myself the night before, this is my last night drinking. I get through the whole day telling myself no. As soon as I get in the car I think where and I buying wine today get it and head home. Do what ever errands need done then enjoy a few glasses. These 3 days have been wonderful because I talked myself out of it like normal thought when I got in the car where am I going to buy wine, but DID NOT buy any or want to by the time I get to my town. Not sure what is different, my determination or readiness, both? Today I went to the store I normally bought the wine, this time I bought a paper and left!! It felt so great. Now I am home, have a headache yet have incredible energy! I feel wonderful, not sure how long it will last feeling good, but I am enjoying it. When does withdrawal start??? I am so scared of it!!!!
Congratulations! Today is my 18th day sober. I used to make excuses to stop at the store after work because then I could justify picking up a 6-pack of beer. I have stopped at the store after work 3 times since being sober and felt really good for 2 reasons: 1- I truly needed something at the store 2- I didn't get any beer while there. Not sure when the withdrawals will start or how long they will last. I think that is different for everyone. I have actually had a harder time the past 2 days than the first 16 days. Stay strong. We are all here for you.
Thank you very much ANIMALLVR4!
I have a beer & wine store handy to my home about 20 mins from work, and you would not believe the inner dialogue I have about whether to stop on the way or not, and the making of excuses (oh, my husband needs to have a cold beer in the frig when he gets home, someone may stop by, I owe my neighbor some, etc) Some days when I drive right by I am never quite sure how it happened, but am so thankful!
glad you hung in there HealedbyFaith, and hope you are finding support you need, all the best
Congrats Healedbyfaith! You can do it! You are an amazingly determined person that have it inside you to never give in! Keep your eyes on the goal and you can make it!
Thank you very much! It is amazing to see how strong you really are and even more amazing to have support. This right now is my only support besides my husband.
One thing I really like is the fact that I can login at any time just to read the positive comments when I really need to hear them.
I tell you the positive comments make my day!! Hands down, an awesome tool for people needing support.
My third day was yesterday. I went to my local shop and bought soft drinks for the kids. That's it! I was so pleased with myself. My cravings are tough though, like a battle, my only worry is that I will give in because I don't know when I will start to feel better physically? That would be a goal to aim for. I do feel amazing emotionally though! Thanks for the post, it has given me a real boost for the day ahead.
Great job and keep going like you have been!!! Every person will go through the withdrawal a little differently so you never can say what or when your triggers will kick in the hardest. When it does make sure you can reach out to someone who can talk you out of a bad decision. The physical impact of years of drinking can take months to go away, thats why so many people relapse within the 6-9 month timeframe. It takes that long for you body to return to "normal" functioning after dumping poison into it for so long. For me the first six months were the hardest. I had spells where I felt wonderful then other times where I struggled to make it through the day. Just keep at it and you will feel better and remember that drinking is not an option. I also suggest you seek some counseling or support groups where you can go. Its not just the physical body that needs to heal, most of us who abuse alcohol also have a mind that needs some work also.
I would like to say that , I know how this is. Did I drink tonight, yes I did. But I have the feeling that I shouldn't have. Like I'm stupid for doing it, but I had too. I use the excuse that I'm lonely for losing a partner of 19 yrs and need to take edge off.
Tommorrow I may or may not drink. But before this, I would go for mnths without drinking. My wife would drink for years, fallen down drunk every night. I used to tell her she needed to slow down.
Them she was rushed to the hospital. Coughing and diffacating out
blood. From her drinking she developed liver failure and esophaegal bleeding in 2007. Since then she never drank anymore and I barely touched the stuff myself. Scarred straight I guess. Almost lost her life then. But, recently her liver was clogged in one vien. So, they put her on cummidan (blood thinners) big risk with her bleeding. But, one day we came home from shopping. She came out of the bathroom, complaining to me she felt the worst headache, of her life. She said it felt like strong pressure in her head. So, I left her to lay down, to see if that helped, while I took care of our animals and made supper. But she was worried so I took her to the hospital. Well, she had a brain aneurysm. She was in ICU for 1 1/2 weeks, before she passed at age 43. THey fixed the aneurysm the first day. But because of alcohalic liver desease, her liver failed and eventually toxins took over and than heart failure. Just felt compelled to share that. I'm struggleing to with allot of stress. I know alcohol isn't the answer. So I try to keep it to a little when I can. Thanks.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You have been through an incredibly difficult time and are so brave to be able to offer help to people like me. You helped me to keep going and I am now on day 5. I know I need to find alternative ways to relax and to socialise. Alcohol has been the focus of "fun" for me all my life. Let me say, I was with my ex husband for 23 years from age 16 and when we parted I really thought my world had ended and that I would never be happy again. It's been 5 years now and I have a good life which has made me strong enough to face my demons. Keep going, and thanks again.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You have been through an incredibly difficult time and are so brave to be able to offer help to people like me. You helped me to keep going and I am now on day 5. I know I need to find alternative ways to relax and to socialise. Alcohol has been the focus of "fun" for me all my life. Let me say, I was with my ex husband for 23 years from age 16 and when we parted I really thought my world had ended and that I would never be happy again. It's been 5 years now and I have a good life which has made me strong enough to face my demons. Keep going, and thanks again. Benzin99.