New Alcohol self help

belfastgirl23

Sorry aah I have been following this thread but didn't think I had anything to offer in the way of advice. Wanted to say you're doing fab, focus on that rather than worrying about the DVLA, the recovery's the thing! Also just wanted to check in and see how you're doing

There are a lot of heavy drinkers in my family and I really wish they had the courage to do what you're doing! Don't worry if it feels hard because it is hard, you should be very proud of yourself! Well done!

Bogof_Babe

I'm glad you've bumped this thread BG, as I was wondering how people were getting on.

I'm on day 17 now and it gets easier every day. I can't believe I am not even missing the stuff. I've discovered that bitter lemon is delish, chilled icy cold from the fridge. Tastes far nicer than that stinky old cider. I'm drinking lots of water too, which is improving my complexion no end.

Keep it up everyone, you won't regret it.

shazrobo

i'm now onto day 4, and doing ok, bit worried bout sat night, as its first night me and bf been out in ages, am thinking it would be nice to have a couple, BUT would i be able to stop and would it make stopping again harder?
am having blood tests next weds, and hopefully a week after that i am starting on meds to help me quit drinkin, and i'm thinkin this could be my last drin on sat night.

shazrobo

aah wrote: »

But the DVLA are goin to want to have your licence and they will decide. I am supposed to tell them - the rules are apparently for alcohol "misusers" its 6 months revocation; for dependants, 12 months!

as i have never drove the car the day after a drinking session, there is no way i am giving up my licence.
i have two disabled sons and my car is my lifeline, both for me and for the kids.

aah

Still haven't told the DVLA, and don't think I will. And my referral to the counsellor still hasn't come through.

This week - I had 16units between last Friday and Tuesday - dry day Tuesday, 1 1/2 in Wednesday and then yesterday - made the mistake of cooking risotto that had white wine in it - well you know what happened to the remains of the glass, and the next glass and then 3 glasses of red. Oh blurry hell, how did that happen... so thats 8 units.

And I've had a flippin' hangover today


The weeks total is 25.5; which is half of normal, so I suppose thats ok, but still TOO MUCH.

Oh hurry up counsellor referral I need to get to talk to you...

Today I was on a train journey (I travel a lot for work, and hell do I drink on the train - never known a train journey without a wee glass -'cept the mornings of course) and I didn't have a drink - water - FOR THE WHOLE THREE HOURS. Happy happy.

Taffyscot

shazrobo wrote: »

i'm now onto day 4, and doing ok, bit worried bout sat night, as its first night me and bf been out in ages, am thinking it would be nice to have a couple, BUT would i be able to stop and would it make stopping again harder?
am having blood tests next weds, and hopefully a week after that i am starting on meds to help me quit drinkin, and i'm thinkin this could be my last drin on sat night.

shaz do not have that drink. if you dont have the first drink the only thing for sure in this life is you definately cant have the second one. My friend was 4 weeks sober and got a fruity drink in a wedding she got her drink mixed up with someone who had vodka in it. They were horrifed and told her she had the wrong drink. She waited and waited for the other shoe to drop and start drinking but it didn't happen. So what did happen well the next time she went out she thought I can handle this I will just have a couple of glasses of wine like my fiends do. Bam right back to square one drinking til she couldnt stop every day again. Now she says if I dont take the first drink I willl never take the second one. I urge you to find an AA meeting in your neighbourhood. taffy

Taffyscot

aha go to an AA meeting phone up AA in the phone book they will give you the number of ones in your area. They will help you a milllion times more than counsellors as they have all been there and you can phone someone night or day and they will help you through it. Wait until you hear half of their stories your life wont be so bad then honest. taffy

Bogof_Babe

Taffy, I have read much of the other alcohol thread, and have to say that I don't think the posters on this one are anywhere near the same state that many who post on the other thread were. When I got to the bit about the 12 steps (was it 12?), and apologising to everyone who your drinking had affected, I thought this does not relate to me at all. I have never done anything that needed apologising for, and was always in full control of myself. I just wanted to stop for the sake of my liver, not because alcohol was controlling my life.

I would infer from the posts above on this thread, that aah and shaz are probably nearer to my situation, rather than those whose lives have been ruined by drink.

I don't mean to offend in any way, but if people can do it on their own, I feel that getting into AA might make them think they are hopeless cases.

Shaz, as regards your evening out tomorrow - why don't you offer to be the driver? That way even if you are tempted you know you simply cannot have an alcoholic drink. I do agree with Taffy about not even having the one drink, because inevitably that lets your guard down, which weakens your self-control and resolutions.

aah

I have looked at AA websites etc many times and all the stuff about the 12 steps and the higher power and it stopped me from trying to give up / cut down for ages.

They seems like supercilious religious bods who just want to make you feel guilty and ashamed. I am not going to do that.

I am treating drink like smoking - I was caught in a trap and I am PROUD to be fighting my way out of it. Like the DFW's I am PROUD to be dealing with my drinking problem. I'm NOT for standing up in a group and beating my chest and admitting I am an alcoholic, to cheers from the other assembled victims.

I accept it helps for some but its not for me. Its a guilt trip and a cop out.

suki1964

You know in AA you dont have to be an in the gutter drunk, all you need is the desire to not to drink. There are many types of AA meetings and although they all are based around the 12 steps, you dont have to do them and not all meetings are 12 step meetings. Ive been to all women meetings where its been cushions on the floor and candles and just sitting chatting in a relaxed manner - not going through a chair. Others Ive been to are 12 steps and bible readings (not for me) but no matter what style the meeting they still have helped me at the time I needed to be at a meeting.

One thing we tell newcomers to AA is take what you need and leave the rest behind.

AA isnt for hopeless cases, hopeless cases are the ones who dont go Dont get me wrong I kicked and screamed against going. I so felt I wasnt like "one of those" cos i certainly never drank in the morning or snuck it in during the working day. And I hated hearing about how gratefull people were for knowing they were alkies, for me back then I was devestated looking at a future without drink. But although stopping drink is bloody hard, staying stopped is even bloody harder and without AA I wouldnt be sober today. I dont go weekly or even monthly anymore but I do go when I need to go, when theres nothing else between me and a drink.

Oh and as a side, the apologising step, well that one cracked me up as well . One guy I went into detox with and rehab left the programme half way through and went back drinking. When he wanted to try again he went to AA and straight away started stepping. I was suprised to find him on my doorstep a week into being dry "apologising" to me as part of his step, hell I was still first step for two years, took me that long to come to terms with the fact I had no power over alcohol and there he was on step 8 which I think Im still working on 9 years down the line

Personally I think the steps are great guidelines but need to be worked in the order that it clicks with you personally, not set in stone to be done in that order and in such and such time frame.