How to stop drinking

[Billy]

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will."
– Vincent Lombardi

[kjbp]

Annoying! Sorry, a little deep breathing and I'll be fine. I just typed a message and it disappeared. Will take everyone's advise (including my one!) and save my "masterpieces."

Sam, ditto on your post #229. I delete several nonsense related posts each day - Canadian on-line pharmacies, "check out my cool website" and help wanted posts, etc... If anything I'm doing is causing unregistered guests the inability to post, I don't know what I'm doing as a moderator to affect that, but am so sorry if I am unwittingly. Patrick, when you have a chance, can you investigate further?

I do hope that those who post just once or twice come back or at least are reading. For myself, when I first started posting, I was never able to admit that I had relapsed, so I just didn't post. I can now see I should have admitted to everyone on this site and how healing it could have been for me. I suppose, in doing so I would have had to admit my relapse to myself, and being a recovering "perfectionist" I am my very own worst obstacle. Ah, a work in progress, no?

Sally, thanks for the reminder on today's Hazelden message. I shared it with my husband, as it applies to ordinary, everyday life, alcohol challenged or not. Billy, love the Vince Lombardi quote. I saw one from him a couple of days ago (can't remember it for the life of me...). It was on another daily app I read on my Iphone called DailyRecovery. It gives you a beautiful scenic image and a one-line quote and it's lovely to start the day with. I read it and three daily message apps from Hazelden to jump start my day.

Oh, Sam, I did the same with my sleep, great the first few days, and then I think our bodies go into a "detox shock" and miss the sugary alcohol, and "BANG" I would wake up like clock work at 1 or 2 am and lay there staring at the ceiling for the rest of the night. By day 7 or 8 I was a zombie. But it's worth it. I'm taking Melatonin, GABA, Vitamin C, Calcium and Trptophan 30 mins before bed. Sounds like quite the sleep "cocktail" but I've always had trouble with brain overactivity and could go 48 hours all hyped up (a large part of the reason I used alcohol to calm me down)...

Carol, Sylvane, Mary, Rich, ThatGuy, Unregistered guests, and all friends here, best wishes for your health and recovery tonight, tomorrow and the day after...

[Sally]

my two cents - because I too do not see any "guest" posts..maybe it has something to do with the computer system you are using, or the firewall? stuff?? on it...can you tell how techy I am? I also just recently found the other forums and water cooler everyone has been talking about - talk about feeling totally inept (lol)

[Billy]

I agree whatever Sam said. Not sure I understand, but whatever. Patrick, it does log off too quickly, and makes you sign in again, just an FYI. But come on everyone, stop the bitching and just register. Set up a different e-mail address at gmail.com without so much info. Its confidential. Lets get together and help people who need help instead of complaining about the minor stuff. You guys are making me go to the club and have a drink (lying again; want to see a band in town). "Can't we all just get along"!

[kjbp]

Thanks Billy! Appreciate your thoughts.

Any morel mushroom fans out there? My husband and I have been out scouting for them the past three weeks and today we finally stumbled upon some!! Two dozen 3" beauties! We are making a caramelized onion, provolone and morel pizza for dinner. We live in the Pacific Northwest and today was gorgeous! Appreciated being out in the woods and not falling down drunk over fallen trees in the forest. I could also focus in and see the mushrooms instead of everything being a foggy, dazed and confused blur. Was able to use my pocket knife too!

[Samantha]

Hi everyone! It seems like unregistered users i cant see their posts unless i am logged in. Dont know if that helps. I see someone between post 231 and 232 that is unregistered saying they are on day 3 sober but if i log out i cant see that post. I just wanted to say happy sober week end to everyone. Everyone is doing so well and i am so grateful to have you all on this journey. I think its awesome Carol you didnt drink on the flight out and hope you are enjoying time with your daughter. Kjbp i take the same as you melatonin and gaba. It works great! Without it i too wake up in the middle of the night. Im tired as it is since i stopped drinking so i need the sleep! I notice i have had some drinking dreams. I cant even remember specifically what they are about but it is me chosing not to drink. Has any one else had drinking dreams or am i just crazier?!!

[kjbp]

Hi Samantha,

You're not crazy! I have drinking dreams too, most of which I can't remember specifics, but I do remember one where I was to host a Halloween party for children and a parent found me chugging vodka from a bottle I had hidden in the bathroom!!! Weird, weird, weird. I don't even have children! I also remember my dreams as being very vivid, in color and always something bizarre with people I know. Theyhave slowed down now and I don't have as many. I guess the dreaming means we are getting better quality sleep in the REM state. Sweet dreams tonight! And thanks for the detective work on the guest posts.

Sally, you have no idea how true your joke is about allowing me near knives. I am, and always have been, a walking accident-waiting-to-happen. I can create a disaster anywhere I go!

[Billy]

I am Italian so I have alot of knowledge of wild mushrooms. Be very carefull! If you boil them and the water turns black throw them out! Break them apart while they are fresh and if they are not white inside, don't take a chance. I live in the the Northeast and you NEVER eat a wild mushroom unless its in the fall (october) and then you have to be carefull!

[kjbp]

Laying awake staring at the ceiling all bug-eyed (think it's the new allergy medicine the doctor started me on...) Anyway, I was listening to my ITunes and a song came up by John Mayer on his "Continuum" album - the song was "I'm in repair, I'm not together but I'm getting there. A good thought for the day. Have a great start to your Sunday morning or evening, depending on your time zone.

[thmsmd]

Hi... I'm new here and just want to stop drinking... like everyone else! I slipped yesterday and now feel realy bad this morning - the usual b.s. Hopefully today I will not pick up a drink. I had a couple of days under my belt but for some reason there was a trigger Saturday that sent me to the liquor store... still trying to figure out what that was??? Today is Sunday start of a new week - (but I've told myself that before) - no drinking - everyone have a great day and hopefully we can beat this - together!

[Sally]

Hey thmsmd –
Welcome to our little group, you have found the right place if you really want to quit. Rule #1 never beat yourself up, we do enough of that. Just pick yourself up and start again, new day, new outlook. Rule #2 do some reading of Patrick’s articles. They are very insightful and can give you perspective. Next try to write down what your trigger was. If you try hard enough you might be able to identify it so it doesn’t impact you next time. And Rule #3 never quit quitting :] As long as you keep trying you are headed in the right direction. Mind you, these are all of my rules of course … Hang in there and keep posting – life can be beautiful without alcohol – you’ll see!!

[carol]

For the first time this morning I feel like I might like to be a non-drinker because it feels good instead of just out of desperation, disgust, and despair. I woke up feeling pretty good. I read Patrick's having fun without drinking article a few days ago and what stuck with me wasn't the fun part but his comments that it may be well after 30 days but you can feel really good when your body has repaired itself from the damage we've inflicted on it. That has kept me going the last few days of flirting with drinking.

Sally, love the rules!

thmsmd, welcome!

[kjbp]

Yeah Carol - yeah, yeah, yeah! I understand the feeling - both the desperation and the feel good envigoration. For the first time in a long time, I didn't feel whipped after a hike. I felt really strong and healthy. Now, we remember those feelings and can relive at will, especially should a drink devil come our way...

[Billy]

Just wanted to say hey to all my new friends!! Hopefully everything is well. watching the YANKEES!!!

[kjbp]

To the unregistered guest who just posted wanting to reread Patrick's articles - welcome, so glad you've found us. Please try this link; it should take you to an archive library. http://www.spiritualriver.com/newer-...very-articles/ We look forward to sharing with you and wishing you strength for this evening.

Carol, meant to ask you when your return flight is? I want to make it a point to be thinking specifically of you during your trip home.

Billy, enjoy the game. Originally from Chicago, I have to be a Cubbies fan

Sylvane, so glad to hear from you; I've missed your updates and was starting to worry. As for the spam, the only thing you've missed is a good laugh - there will be plenty for you to delete when you are feeling better (the spammers are relentless...) Take it easy and we'll touch base soon. Thinking of you!

OK, now I'm headed out doors for some real fun - washing the windows on the house. Amazing how dirty they get when you ignore them for years and drank my life away. I'll do the insides tomorrow...

Take care everyone!!

[Billy]

Hey! Welcome thmsmd! I'm sure you can bring something to to the table just like we can help you. I should talk though because I'm still still drinking but not for long! Continue to write in!! It's important not only to you but everyone trying to beat this curse!! I heard its part of the "get well procecess" to help someone else and I believe it! Welcome again. Hey everbody and be careful of those mushrooms Kjbp! Make sure you know what your eating. I have some really good reciepes if you want! Thats one good thing about being Italian (but I love my homemade wine lol - not for long).

[Billy]

Hey Kjbp, Yankees did OK today!!!

[Sally]

Hey Billy - it's nice to have you here – question- why are Italians experts on mushrooms?
Hey Sylvane - sorry to hear you were sick, my daughter was in bed for 4 days with whatever it is - she felt horrid, so I can empathize with you. Feel better!
Samantha – no dreams yet – I fall into bed and am out like a light. Took a 2 hour nap today :]
Kjbp – you are my hero!!
Thmsmd – I hope you had a good day – hang in there – and keep coming back
Carol – Have a wonderful time and just think – you will actually remember this visit – all of it (lol)
I am feeling really anxious lately…getting worried…think it is all the stress I am under…breathe Sal..breathe..

[casey]

Hi Everyone. I am sorry to say that I have briefly read the recent posts. I will re-read when I am better. I have been drinking this weekend but not as much as usual. I know it is because of this website and knowing all of you. Still, I did it again, but it is not the same as before. I, now, have all of you and I am training for another running race to keep me under some kind of control. I hope to finally be okay one day. I hope better for all of you. I will be in touch when feeling better. I wish the best for all of you!

[Billy]

Sally, I am an expert with wild mushrooms because my grandmother taught me. Anything you want to know just ask. I'm from the the Northeast though and they coud be different. We don't eat wild mushrooms until the fall. The best and safest are chicken in the woods and buttons. Again, when you break them and they are full of worms or the water turns black when you boil them; throw them out!!!! The old Italians use to put a silver coin and or a glove of garlic in the water while your boiling them. If they turn black, the coin or the garlic, throw them out. You can get very sick eating the wrong ones!! Why are Italians experts on Mushrooms- I don't know that answer but I learned alot and I can answer any question you need.