How to stop drinking

[Ken1]

I wanted to thank Todd for posting that article the other day. If anyone has not read it, you really should. Here it is: http://www.spiritualriver.com/what-w...ction-problem/

Ashton, welcome to the forum. Please come back and tell us more about yourself and how we may be of service to you. Read through the forum for lots of great information, especially in this thread. Go to the main site and read Patrick's articles as they are a great deal of help. Good luck on your journey, I know you can do it as you have been successful at this before!

[Kimmy]

Hi Kip, I think a lot of good points were made from everyone, my mother has always pushed my buttons and yes has driven me to drink. being sober now I see things differently, I will not be controlled or let myself be drawn into aurguments, you need to take care of yourself first and not let anyone sabotage your sobriety. I would love to tell you to just stay and ignore them, but if you feel you are not strong enough yet, I say head for the hills. Your wife sounds like a smart women maybe you should take her up on the offer.. Best of luck in whichever you choice to do.

[Kip]

Friends... Thanks to all of you for the responses..you are wonderfully supportive. It means a great deal and kept me away from the edge yesterday..the fear was intense because i can sense that this edge drops more than any i've fallen over before. I choose the massive action to avoid it. I think you get this analogy pretty clearly. I need and truly appreciate the outpouring. This may be the thing which creates anger oriented towards positive action. I am too agitated to drink.. Something just snapped in my mind. Watching my wife endure this crap is making me that much more determined to succeed. I can't count the times that she's had to face the trauma of someone leaning on her ever-so-deftly with their views. Not to mention me go off on it as i am wont to do. It is my biggest trigger. Best to avoid, even if it's family. Jeff, you are so right that we teach people how to treat us. Well, they're about to do a doctoral dissertation but I will do it quietly by my absence. If they are so smart and equipped with such boundless resources, perhaps they'll earn their degree.

Sylvane, Himalayas would be perfect..that made me smile.. Gonna settle for blue ridge mountains now..6000' up in the clouds on my bicycle ought to do it. My sister says she finds peace with here beliefs. I find plenty in the mountains and they have never once taunted or threatened me. They are just there. Like this forum, I think I know a safe place when I find it....easy choice, massive action, massive good consequences. Freedom.

Going to keep this short (for me!) and start this week with a long run. Please take care and thank you again. It's makes all the difference. I hope i can help any and all of you at least as much. Take good care, happy Monday...

[Midwest Sue]

Noel,
I'm glad you posted today. It's a great first step to getting out from under your funk.

When you're feeling overwhelmed, try to stay in the present moment. Are you writing in a journal? If not, start there. List the things that are bothering you. Then list the things that are going well for you. Know that drinking will only make the bad things worse.

Commit to a clear-headed day today, drink plenty of water and eat healthy food. Sit and just breathe for a few moments. Since it is day one again for you, just be good to yourself today. You know why you decided to drink this weekend and you can learn from that, so let it go now. Exercise if you feel up to it. Sleep if you feel like sleeping. Did I mention drink plenty of water and eat healthy food?

We're happy that you are here and we all understand! I hope more than anything that in a few months you will feel as free as I do. You can get there, one moment and one day at a time.

Sue

[Eric]

Noel, emotion swings and extremes are very normal for early sobriety. It is just reality flooding back in. It is, however, maybe the most difficult aspect of sobriety to adjust to for us. As Sue mentioned, I try to stay focused in the moment. When I feel myself getting antsy, I slow down and breathe. I try to regain my thoughts about who I want to be and where I want to go in life. It is easy to say, but difficult to do. I try to pre-empt some of those feelings by journaling, meditating, and posting before they become a huge issue. Remember, in early sobriety everything is a trigger and it isn't easy. You're here and you haven't given up, which is quite a lot. Keep at it!

[Ken1]

Noel, have you looked at the tools at SMART recovery?

[Noel]

Thanks, Eric for the kind words. I have been really good at keeping busy, exercising, and eating well. This morning was rough because I felt like I had failed. I need to think about the positive...8 days is the longest I have gone with out a drink in a while. If I can manage 8 days, I can do more. When I start to get anxious, I will go to a journal.

[Ken1]

Congratulations Carol!

[JeffR1]

Congratulations to Carol for ONE YEAR of sobriety! What a fantastic milestone. Have a great sober day. All the best. :-) Jeff

[Eric]

This is off topic but probably OK for tonight. Robin Williams on alcoholism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...bT2Ru8#t=3775s got to 1:02:55 if it starts at the beginning.

[carol]

Day 365! Thanks, Jeff

Here's my post of 5-8-11:

It was Saturday night and I got drunk. It's Sunday and I won't drink today. It's done. I'm tired of my own story. . .I want to stop playing that game. I'm still realizing all the things I need to change to do this creative recovery thing.

Even though it takes so much energy to play this game, it seems so easy to drink and so hard not to. I keep telling myself it's just a habit.

I am going to aim for 30 days.

I don't exactly feel like shit today but I sure don't feel great. I know I feel better when I don't drink. And I know it starts with the thought that it won't hurt me, or the thought that I need a drink. Just a little thought. If I could let the thought go and not act on it. . .

I'm 59, drank for 40 years, realized I had a problem over 20 years ago and struggled but kept drinking. Freedom is so sweet!

I am so grateful, to Patrick for creating this forum, for the creative recovery concept and ideas, to all of you and how much you've helped me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

It's Monday, I won't drink tonight, and that will make a year. I think there's more I'd like to say but think I'll just savor this moment in time and chime in later.

[makettle]

Congratulations Carol. From someone who doesn't post often but I have read your words of wisdom many times - you are AMAZING!

[Kimmy]

Congratulations Carol..enjoy your night....

[Noel]

Wow, Carol! It is a blessing and an inspiration to see your post....365 days of sobriety. Congratulations

[Eric]

Congratulations, Carol. You are a real inspiration!

[Beth]

Just checking in to Congratulate one of our best friends and the forum Matriarch!

Congratulations Carol!

I am on your train and refuse to get off

So good for you my friend!

[Julie]

Carol - the wisdom in your posts has helped me stay sober for almost 4 months now - for that I thank you, and congratulate you on rewriting your story after 20+ years. Your success helps me argue back when that "little thought" comes into my mind. It doesn't creep up on me daily any more, but it continues to be an occasional attack and I think of you, Ruth, Sue, John, Jeff and others who are fighting the good fight and winning .... we can do it!

[ToddE]

Awesome, Carol! You deserve to be very proud for this milestone.

[Midwest Sue]

Hurray, Carol!!
When I found this site, I was so impressed with your "Freedom Day" label beneath your name that I copied it. You inspire me with all of your posts and now my goal is to reach the 1 year milestone!
Enjoy this accomplishment. It is huge!
Sue

[Millie]

Carol,
Congratulations. I am so happy for you. Well done.