The giving up/cutting down alcohol thread part VI

Lurkio

paybacktime2008 wrote: »

Morning all and welcome to the newbies.

I was re-reading bits of 'no big deal' last night.I particularly liked the bit where it was saying that when you've been AF for a while your mind starts playing tricks on you. It starts telling you that 'You weren't really that bad'II'm sure you could have one more drink and everything would be ok'

I suppose the point I'm trying to make is that I need constantly reminding that it was bad....I was out of control.....and that little voice in my head can just go f off.

Quote from the book...

'There is a temptation, once we are feeling healthier, physically and mentally, to forget the misery of active addiction. 'what was all the fuss about?' we think 'It wasn't really all that bad'
It was that bad.'

Thats the line that really stood out for me last night and I'd thought I'd share.

Have a great Sunday everyone.

I think Allen Carr says the same about smoking. There is a time when loads of people fail after about a month of stopping when their brain convinces them to have one 'just to see'. that is the start of the road back to how they were..

who is 'no big deal' by? I'm sure its been posted on here loads of times but I have a brain of sawdust [STRIKE]most times [/STRIKE]sometimes.....

paybacktime2008

Hi Lurkio oh master of thread starting!

I am humbled to help.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Big-Deal-Recovery-Addictions/dp/0955367700/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264332538&sr=1-1

changing_ways

Morning all

Nice to have a new thread and welcome newbies! Lots of support and things to think about.

Miss Piggy, I was so struck by what you said after your carp day, which led to a normal happy unstressed evening cos you didn't have a drink. One to remember when we feel wobbly.

"Normally this would have meant I opened the wine between 5pm and 6pm. But I didn't. And you know what? It didn't even cross my mind. I've been alcohol free since the beginning of the year and I think I'm starting to think and act more calmly and rationally.

OH came home at 7pm and we all sat down to dinner together. Piglet was put to bed and we played a couple of board games with other kids. It was nice, a calm and fun ending to a pretty carp day. Couldn't have finished the day like that if I'd been drinking ."

On another tack completely, when I stopped drinking I had to have a huge supply of fizzy water and bottle green cordial available as an alcohol alternative all the time, and would get anxious if I was running short. I probably needed the sugar for cravings as well as just having something to drink that I enjoyed.

But I don't feel I need it in the same way now, and it's really bad for my teeth (no more red wine stains, but enamel damage instead!) , so am cutting it down and substituting plain water a lot of the time. Have also stopped the milk thistle after 6 months of AFness, and vitamin B will end when current bottle runs out. Seems to be OK so far and I'm feeling well. Still occasionally tempted by OH's wine at dinner though...but know I can't.

That's 23 AF days for me please.

Lurkio

paybacktime2008 wrote: »

Hi Lurkio oh master of thread starting!

I am humbled to help.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Big-Deal-Recovery-Addictions/dp/0955367700/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264332538&sr=1-1

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :T :T

Thank you, loyal subject

changing_ways

Sorry all, didn't realise how rambling that last post was getting:o.

Lurkio

Just browsing through Amazon and saw this one

Anyone read it? Looks more suited to my situation, from the reviews.......

*shruggy smiley here*

jo1972

Oooh Lurky you must buy that book. I was the one that mentioned it a year or so ago, my next door neighbour had lent it to me, she'd been given her copy by John Coats himself (the author) and he'd signed it as he was her counsellor when she was in rehab, he comes from down these parts. I read the book and then emailed him direct (well I actually emailed the publisher and asked them to direct it to him) to say what an incredible impact the book had had on me and thanked him for writing his story down in such a humble way which was so easy to understand and relate to....and a couple of days later he replied to me.....to me.....little ole me!!! (I'll have to see if I've still got it and tell you what he said).

The book is based on the AA steps but also like an auto-biography of John, the beginnings of his journey of discovery then him doing the steps and how he accomplished them. Fascinating

Lurkio

jo1972 wrote: »

Oooh Lurky you must buy that book. I was the one that mentioned it a year or so ago, my next door neighbour had lent it to me, she'd been given her copy by John Coats himself (the author) and he'd signed it as he was her counsellor when she was in rehab, he comes from down these parts. I read the book and then emailed him direct (well I actually emailed the publisher and asked them to direct it to him) to say what an incredible impact the book had had on me and thanked him for writing his story down in such a humble way which was so easy to understand and relate to....and a couple of days later he replied to me.....to me.....little ole me!!! (I'll have to see if I've still got it and tell you what he said).

The book is based on the AA steps but also like an auto-biography of John, the beginnings of his journey of discovery then him doing the steps and how he accomplished them. Fascinating

that'll be me off to waterstone's tomorrow then

jo1972

Just found John Coat's emailed response in my saved messages :j:j

Here it is, blotted out my friend's name BTW:


"Dear Jo,

Thank you for your kind message. I am very happy that you are finding 'No
Big Deal' useful - and even happier that it has stimulated you into resuming
your recovery. I am confident that, if you follow the suggestions
(especially in the 'Actions' sections after each chapter), you will find the
recovery and the life which you deserve and yearn for.

It is always a great satisfaction to know that No Big Deal is doing the job
for which it is intended. Did ****** tell you that any profits from the sale
of the book are going towards the establishment of a 'recovery community' (a
place where people in various stages of recovery from addictive disease can
live and work together in community). If you recommend the book to anyone
you know who needs it, you will not only help them (hopefully!), you will
also be helping the community (called 'The Address'). The book is available
on Amazon.co.uk

I strongly recommend that you get to as many AA meetings as possible - even
when your head is telling you that it's not for you (especially then!). Feel
free to keep in touch to let me know how you are progressing in your
recovery.

With every good wish to you in your new life,
Yours ever,

John Coats"

Can I just mention that this mesage was sent on 12 September 2007, that's a long time of faffing after a lightbulb moment huh *rolleyes*

I've given the book back to my neighbour now, I'll have to get meself a new one.

Pippilongstocking

Morning chaps

Well possibly afternoon - I slept late - v late infact

An AFD yesterday - today am tired and sleepy. For keeping me on the straight and narrow I thank you chaps very much.

Waves to all - will pop up and see what you've been upto. Then lots to do today - cleaning and pottering about and a big walk/cycle somewhere to blow away some cobwebs.