How to stop drinking

[Millie]

Mairianna,
If you are still awake, please post. Did you make it through day one? I am sorry to hear that your husband failed in his resolve to join you. I can't get my husband to join me either.

[Mairianna10]

Hi Millie, I'm fine. Didn't drink and wont. I am fortunate that I could stop. I really shocked myself with my behaviour this time. Thanks for being there. We've got a big climb but we can do it. R u doing OK?

[Millie]

Mairianna, I am doing well too. Day 4 tomorrow. I didn't exercise though.

[Mairianna10]

Day 2! Didnt sleep at all, so glad its another day. Hope everyone is doing good.

[Kim99]

Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. My mantra for today, the beginning of day 16. whew! I'm tired, so tired, I thought I'd be sleeping better by now, but I read that lots of people stay tired for a while, so I'm going with that as some kind of normal. Thanks to everyone who journals, I find the threads to keep going and not be alarmed by what is. Thanks for your posts Dragonfly, you are very helpful.
Often I just pop in for a moment in the day to stay focused, and something someone has written keeps me going, thanks everyone.
I'm taking my own pop with me everywhere I go, just in case, it's been helpful.
As I've seen it said often: stay strong.
Onward ho.

[Millie]

Kim,
I have just restarted counting days, after about a month or so of drinking again. Before that, I had gotten to 70+ days sober. I vividly remember the EXTREME exhaustion, which was unlike anything I had experienced before. I went back and read my old posts and I mentioned on day 18 that it was finally starting to get better. I remember a few folks saying it even took longer. You are right though, it eventually will get better. I am hoping that I don't suffer through the fatigue this time. I didn't fall too far down rabbit hole, before I caught myself, so I am hoping I don't have those symptoms this time, I am only on day 4, so we shall see. Congrats on your day 16.

I am surprised you are not sleeping well.... I slept great after I stopped drinking, but was still extremely tired even though sleeping great. I sleep better and dream like crazy when I don't drink.

[Millie]

Mairianna, how are you doing today? It was a hoot going back to read our old posts from before. It was good therapy and reminder of why I wanted to quit in the first place. It was not just for me, but also for my kids. I don't want alcohol, and especially Momma and alcohol to be an issue for them. They are growing up so fast... I really need to stay focused to be fully there for them and truly engaged. I hope you are having a better day.

[Mairianna10]

Hi Millie, I didnt think to go back and read the posts. I must do that. I'm feeling really yuck but I didn't sleep at all so hopefully on the mend tomorrow. God, I do hope we dont have to go through that tiredness again!

Sorry Kim, it's hard but persevere. I think I was actually into week 4 before it started to ease off.

Hubby still drinking, he's stopped functioning, he's had a long holiday and all he seems to do is knock himself out.

I'll read the old posts and remind myself why I had to stop.

Guys, I haven't read back to catch up on new people or old friends yet but I'll do that and try to assist with my experiences in a couple of days. Took a break from the forum, thought I could handle it, got too confident, but it was my alcoholic mind up to not good. I WAS warned but didnt realise, wont happen again.

Anyone else having trouble posting?

[Mel]

Elsa - that sound great! And as Patrick always stresses, you are taking major action to improve and change your life!

Here, in Mel's house - it is a bit of a pity party: I have a cold (sniff sniff) and last night somehow strained my hip flexor (holy crap that hurts). So there is a lot of lounging, thinking about working, but mostly watching bad tv and blowing my nose. I know that Sam mentioned when she was feeling sick that she had thoughts about drinking. I've always been the type of person who sort of refuses to eat or drink anything when sniffly . . . and that has helped with the 'no drinking', well that and not really being able to walk without massive pain.

Take care everyone! Stay sober.

[Kat]

Hope you are feeling better soon Mel.
Welcome Tony!
There were great posts to read and I don't know where to begin. Bill, thanks for sharing your experiences. Samantha it is good to hear you say the sadness and depression get better over time and to see that you are at 6 months. This helps me since I am still feeling sad after 11 days. I had thoughts of drinking today that I had to push out of my mind. It would have been an easy night for me to stop for a bottle of wine ( or 2) and drink it myself since my husband and family would be home late. I would have just put myself to bed before they walked in. The horrible thoughts ran through my head. It is like being two people! I am sitting here now posting with my gingerale but I am upset about thinking about drinking. I hope I sleep better tonight.
Millie and Mairianna it is good to hear from you both.
Dragonfly, thanks for the comforting words.
Stay strong everyone. Have a good Thursday.

[Ruth]

Kat- thinking about drinking is part of the process, in my opinion. Maybe if you write it down you can release some of it? It will feel bad and uncomfortable, and you will be tired and anxious, but this is also part of the process. Alcohol is serious poison, and it takes the body awhile to sort itself out. Just find out what works for you (for me, it is reading and drinking lots of water) and stay strong!

[Ruth]

Elsa, I also told my 15 year old daughter (along with my husband and son) an that helped keep me straight. I did it for me, make no mistake, but I think that the willingness to "own" that I have a problem with alcohol was vital to the process.

[Christy]

Mairianna-my heart just sank for you the last couple days. I kept putting myself in your place when i kept doing it over and over again to myself and felt so sorry for you. I have confidence in you that you will make it. Sometimes it takes time when we fall again and again and all of the sudden it sticks a little bit more. I'm now at almost five months now, but took some time to figure out that alcohol wasn't for me anymore. You will figure it out too.
Elsa-living without drinking is a new lifestyle that we have to be active with in setting new goals for ourselves and finding ways to fulfill our lives more. It sounds like you have found some outside activity that you enjoy. Volunteering at the animal shelter is very rewarding.
It's great that you are looking ahead at the holidays and functions that involve around drinking. I've had attended several functions the last few months without touching a drop and it was so great to enjoy it without it. Actually having a good time with everyone and remembering the great memories the next day. And also, being able to drive everyone home safely.

[Ruth]

I have been missing you, Bill, and the wisdom and perspective you bring. Looking forward to your day one and many days to follow.

[Mairianna10]

Morning, Day 3 and feeling better and more productive. Had very weird dreams but I remember that from last time. I think tonight should be more restful. Not up to starting the exercise again yet Millie but I'll plan for Monday.

Going through alot of stress with hubby's depression, coursework, money worries, life, but I'm strong. Onwards and forward back to my 100 days and beyond.

Bill, you get yourself ready and I hope you can start Day 1 soon, I'll be here to encourage you, and Christy, 5 months, that's fantastic.

Not sure what went on with family when the wheels came off, but going to pop in to see my mum and see what reaction I get. She's been a bit strange on the phone but I'll need to get it over with, aargh! Nothing will be said (as usual) but at least I can move on from beating myself up about it.

[Mairianna10]

Dragonfly, should have said well done for 30, fantastic. When I stopped before one Day of not drinking seemed to last for an eternity. The difference this time is I have absolutely no cravings to drink, I truly believe that's me done with the stuff. Goodbye alcohol!

[Christy]

Mairianna-Good morning. I'm so glad you are feeling better.

[Christy]

Congrats Dragonfly on 30 days! The lifestyle changes have only good things in store for you. There will be challenges to deal with along the way, but so worth it without alcohol.

[Mairianna10]

Thanks Christy, amazing how things get so impossible to sort out when you're drowning in alcohol. I got 2 things totally dealt with this morning already. Been putting off doing that and I think everything just got on top of me and I decided it would be easier to have some time out. Your logo is great - that's exactly what it is - pure poison.

Can I ask, how does it feel at 5 months, are you totally clear of cravings and romantic thoughts about alcohol? I cant believe how strong and powerful I felt at 3 months just to come crashing down.

[Mairianna10]

Hi Sam, I've been hogging the forum a bit the last couple of days because I had a big relapse. Sorry, that you feel you're not getting support. Are you just over 3 weeks? How are you feeling?