Haven't touched a drop in...

lufties

hedgehog2 wrote: »

I would say I am calmer in my mind no more dreaded hangovers and drink anxiety.
I care less what people think of me as that ole philosopher Lao Zing said if you always care what others think of you your always going to be their prisoner,now I feel free from these thoughts.
Finally my relationship with my wife has improved,finances a little better and I now have that drive to succeed back.

That's what I suffer from, afraid what people will think if I say I'm off the drink. I'm on day 5 now. I do shiftwork and that combined with copious amounts of booze cannot work. Hope I can win this time.

Well done on kicking the habit btw.

KrustyBurger

lufties wrote: »

That's what I suffer from, afraid what people will think if I say I'm off the drink. I'm on day 5 now. I do shiftwork and that combined with copious amounts of booze cannot work. Hope I can win this time.

Well done on kicking the habit btw.

You might be surprised on how people will react. It was something I thought of as well but to my surprise my friends just shrugged (mostly, one friend said he'd prefer if I drank) and it was no big deal. However I'm in my late 40's and we only meet up occasionally so it might be different for someone younger and who socialises more frequently.

We can't control other peoples thinking at any rate. That's their business. And remember what Peter says about Paul says more about Peter than it says about Paul.

Animord

In my experience the ones who shout the loudest about it are only using you to make their own drinking seem ok. Others are perfectly reasonable about it.

I was told I was a boring, miserable cow by someone recently. Because he wanted to open a bottle of gin at 10.30 am ...

lufties

Animord wrote: »

In my experience the ones who shout the loudest about it are only using you to make their own drinking seem ok. Others are perfectly reasonable about it.

I was told I was a boring, miserable cow by someone recently. Because he wanted to open a bottle of gin at 10.30 am ...

I think as a teenager I was shy and considered too nice and perhaps boring, could never hold on to a girl I liked. That feeling kind of stuck with me since leaving school 14 years ago, so drink is the only thing that seemed to bring me out of myself. At 32 years of age you'd think I'd have it handled. Ah well if I can kick the booze and change my lifestyle perhaps I'll become more confident.

arse..biscuits

Animord wrote: »

I was told I was a boring, miserable cow by someone recently.

The boring label doesn't make much sense to me. When I drank, I sat around in a heap for 2 days after drinking, wow that's super exciting. Now I can actually spend my weekends doing something interesting

Amazingfun

Animord wrote: »

In my experience the ones who shout the loudest about it are only using you to make their own drinking seem ok. Others are perfectly reasonable about it.

I was told I was a boring, miserable cow by someone recently. Because he wanted to open a bottle of gin at 10.30 am ...

To be honest, I prefer my current *boring cowish* existence to coming to out of blackouts with the police there ready to arrest me, lol. Oooooh, those good ole days--how exxxxxciting!!!!

Not.:D

Ps: Once upon a time I liked a liquid breakfast myself, lol....take pity on your pal, he is still in the twilight zone of alcoholism, where up is down and right is wrong. He may one day follow in your *boring* footsteps.

enoughalready

Hi everyone. Don't you just love the first day of the month? Any month that is? It almost seems that anything is possible, a new start etc... anyway, I always see it that way, same with Mondays now, we are back in control of them, finally! I used to DREAD Mondays and now I embrace them whole heartily!

I am on Day 61 of my alcohol free life...I have escaped from "my prison" 61 days ago and have no desire to ever go back! It hasn't been that hard to actually not drink, what I found hard however was finally facing up to all the things I had being neglecting whilst I was drinking alcohol excessively.

I set out my objectives and slowly but surely I began ticking off what needed to be done, however difficult it may have seemed at the time. Doctor and Dentist were first on my list to get myself checked out and treated if needed be. Lets just say there were quite a few visits to both which really drained me but I 100% would not have took responsibility for my health if I had still been drinking.

Now I have two health issues behind me and I am moving forward with my 5k run next month which I have been training for the last few weeks. Running and jogging is a better high than any alcohol or drug gave me. I feel free.

I'm only 2 months down my journey but already feel so much better and healthier. My relationships with family and friends have improved greatly and for the first time in my life people are calling me consistent and dependable. Something I have always wanted to be....

Thank you all for your daily comments etc....I check in everyday and it gladdens my heart to see so many of you willing to help out with advice, guidance and your own personal stories. Peace x

Animord

enoughalready wrote: »

Hi everyone. Don't you just love the first day of the month? Any month that is? It almost seems that anything is possible, a new start etc... anyway, I always see it that way, same with Mondays now, we are back in control of them, finally! I used to DREAD Mondays and now I embrace them whole heartily!

I am on Day 61 of my alcohol free life...I have escaped from "my prison" 61 days ago and have no desire to ever go back! It hasn't been that hard to actually not drink, what I found hard however was finally facing up to all the things I had being neglecting whilst I was drinking alcohol excessively.

I set out my objectives and slowly but surely I began ticking off what needed to be done, however difficult it may have seemed at the time. Doctor and Dentist were first on my list to get myself checked out and treated if needed be. Lets just say there were quite a few visits to both which really drained me but I 100% would not have took responsibility for my health if I had still been drinking.

Now I have two health issues behind me and I am moving forward with my 5k run next month which I have been training for the last few weeks. Running and jogging is a better high than any alcohol or drug gave me. I feel free.

I'm only 2 months down my journey but already feel so much better and healthier. My relationships with family and friends have improved greatly and for the first time in my life people are calling me consistent and dependable. Something I have always wanted to be....

Thank you all for your daily comments etc....I check in everyday and it gladdens my heart to see so many of you willing to help out with advice, guidance and your own personal stories. Peace x

Great post! You have cheered me up on a miserable Saturday morning, I think I will go and do something constructive.

enoughalready

So glad to hear that mate. I love the fact that we are in control, we control what happens next, we create the lives we want. Also learned to say "no" more often and only to do something if it suits me. It may sound selfish but quit putting others before your own health and recovery.

xzanti

17 months today since I had my last glass of vino!!

I decided to take The Pledge this morning.. I'm officially a pioneer :cool:

KrustyBurger

xzanti wrote: »

17 months today since I had my last glass of vino!!

I decided to take The Pledge this morning.. I'm officially a pioneer :cool:

Good on you!

When I was growing up I used to see lots of people wearing the pioneer pin, very few nowadays. I like the idea of the pin actually. Whenever I see someone wearing it I know that they've made a serious commitment to not drinking. It's a great visual counterbalance to the pervasive drinking "culture" that surrounds us.

Sunnyisland

xzanti wrote: »

17 months today since I had my last glass of vino!!

I decided to take The Pledge this morning.. I'm officially a pioneer :cool:

Delighted for you xzanti .

imokyrok

The charter says this is not the forum to discuss treating alcoholism but try as I might I can't find a relevant forum. Could someone tell me which is the relevant forum please?

imokyrok

The charter says this is not the forum to discuss treating alcoholism but try as I might I can't find a relevant forum. Could someone tell me which is the relevant forum please?

enoughalready

Would love to take "The Pledge" and become a pioneer - do you know how I go about doing this? Thanks in advance.

Tramps Like Us

enoughalready wrote: »

Would love to take "The Pledge" and become a pioneer - do you know how I go about doing this? Thanks in advance.

I imagine asking the local priest about it would be a good place to start. I hadn't thought about it myself but I think a little badge would be really helpful cause people would know you don't drink

Tramps Like Us

I was at a funeral of a close relative during the week and drank after it, tbh I was guilted into it a bit by a well meaning relative "x would love you to toast him with a pint with the rest of us". I didn't feel like explaining that I didn't want to drink anymore because of the inevitable questions, I'd just been politely declining offers of drinks or asking for a coke instead all day so I gave in, but of course it didn't stop at one and I ended up drinking a fair bit and heading out to a club after, just struck me at about 1am when I got past the "happy" drunk stage to the depressed one that I was being a moron so I just made my excuses and went home, I actually got very upset about stupid things I hadn't thought about in forever.

I wasnt really hungover the next day but I hadn't drank since early October and its really striking how much the drink affects your body and mood, I'm only getting back to normal now. Very disappointed with myself but one thing is sure, I had stopped drinking as a kind of experiment to see how I'd get on and my life has been so much better without the drink, my mood so much better, everyone had been saying to me how much friendlier and cheerful I was, I haven't even minded the miserable rainy days which used to just make me want to close the curtains and go back to bed

Gonna try and never drink again from now on, it's just not worth it, and I hadnt missed it at all.

xzanti

enoughalready wrote: »

Would love to take "The Pledge" and become a pioneer - do you know how I go about doing this? Thanks in advance.

I did it online costs a tenner! www.pioneerassociation.ie

Amazingfun

imokyrok wrote: »

The charter says this is not the forum to discuss treating alcoholism but try as I might I can't find a relevant forum. Could someone tell me which is the relevant forum please?

Lol, I think there is plenty of that kinda talk here tbh.
What's your question or topic?

enoughalready

Looks like I may have to wait until I am sober for 12 months to become a Lifelong Pioneer and receive my badge. Still, something nice to look forward to and be proud of.

imokyrok

Amazingfun wrote: »

Lol, I think there is plenty of that kinda talk here tbh.
What's your question or topic?

My brother is detoxing in hospital at the moment and we need to find a programme for him. Residential would be best and it needs to be able to cope with psychiatric and cognitive difficulties as well as alcohol addiction and drug abuse. Preferably something light on the 'god bothering' aspect. Not a small ask I know! Anyway I wondered if anyone had reccomendations. I'm meeting with the consultant at the hospital tomorrow.

Amazingfun

imokyrok wrote: »

My brother is detoxing in hospital at the moment and we need to find a programme for him. Residential would be best and it needs to be able to cope with psychiatric and cognitive difficulties as well as alcohol addiction and drug abuse. Preferably something light on the 'god bothering' aspect. Not a small ask I know! Anyway I wondered if anyone had reccomendations. I'm meeting with the consultant at the hospital tomorrow.

Ah, well very sorry for your family, tough times I bet. At least he is alive and hopefully on his way to a full recovery.

And yes, I see what you mean now about the topic. Maybe someone with pertinent info can pm you? I am sure the consultant and people at the hospital will have some recommendations.

As far as 'god bothering' goes, I hope your brother won't be prejudiced by that kind of attitude, as I've seen plenty of atheists and agnostics recover in AA, people that were once on deaths door.

Having said that, I am sure there will be plenty of other options for you as far as in-house recovery type places are concerned. And I bet they won't be cheap either.

Good luck with it!

imokyrok

Amazingfun wrote: »

Ah, well very sorry for your family, tough times I bet. At least he is alive and hopefully on his way to a full recovery.

And yes, I see what you mean now about the topic. Maybe someone with pertinent info can pm you? I am sure the consultant and people at the hospital will have some recommendations.

As far as 'god bothering' goes, I hope your brother won't be prejudiced by that kind of attitude, as I've seen plenty of atheists and agnostics recover in AA, people that were once on deaths door.

Having said that, I am sure there will be plenty of other options for you as far as in-house recovery type places are concerned. And I bet they won't be cheap either.

Good luck with it!

It is the prejudice he has suffered for so many years at the hands of the religious that has been a large part of the root of his issues. Those who are not heterosexual are still treated like something dragged in on a shoe by many such people and organisations. He needs a service that is completely accepting of human sexuality differences.

burnhardlanger

4 days.

I've decided to quit completely.

The turning point for me was last Thursday night.
Work had a night out. Being in the job a few weeks, I said I would go along.
Drink was free and I had 3 pints. One of my work friends wasn't drinking so said he would drop me home. (circa 8pm).

I told him that I was fine and I would walk home. I didn't walk home straight away. I wanted more.
I went to 3 pubs and crashed into bed at midnight. Absolutely hammered.
I woke up on the Friday and was getting dressed (after a crap sleep naturally).
I put on my pants but noticed that my wallet (which had €600 in it) wasn't there.

I panicked and started tearing the place apart, absolutely distraught.
Fortunately, I found it under the bed but the fright made me realise I had to do something.
From there I spent the day at work, totally unproductive, depressed and wishing it was time to finish and go home to recover properly from my hangover.

I have a drinking problem. My problem is such that once I start, I get "the glow", the flush of confidence/dopamine rush and I find it hard to stop until I bypass that feeling and get drunk.
Sometimes I stop before getting completely out of it but sometimes I don't.

I only recently moved back home from work in Dublin. There I was lonely in the evenings and invariably I would end up in the pub in the evenings. "There's a match on the telly, I'm going to watch it" I would rationalise in my mind. Indeed I would watch the match, but only after having 3, 4 or 5 pints. It even got to the point where I would hope the game (if it was Champions League knockout) would go to extra time to give myself and excuse for another couple of pints.

I was completely in denial about having a drink problem but I realised that I needed to cut down. I started exercising again in mid-2011 (to stop the trip to the pub in the evenings) I kept at it and have now completed 5 marathons and last september I completed an Ironman Triathlon.

Unfortunately, such a heavy training schedule provided me with an easy excuse to 'reward' myself after a training session and I would inevitably end up drinking.

I thought the move back home would free up the spare evenings in Dublin but last Thursday was another example of me just wanting to get that glowing feeling that booze provides. I've never mentioned it to family or my girlfriend. I usually drink heavily alone.

I've had enough and I'm taking it one day at a time. I can do this. While training for the Ironman, there's a mantra that Anything is Possible. It is with regards to kicking the booze. Keep the faith.

Amazingfun

imokyrok wrote: »

It is the prejudice he has suffered for so many years at the hands of the religious that has been a large part of the root of his issues. Those who are not heterosexual are still treated like something dragged in on a shoe by many such people and organisations. He needs a service that is completely accepting of human sexuality differences.

There are many "gay-friendly" AA groups, one in Dublin on Capel street I think? And there may be more about as well, in fact I am sure there is. On top of that I've never seen anyone put down over anything like that in AA.

But you are seeking a different service initially I guess, so I hope you are able to find it.

*****Just found this via this link:
http://www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie/Information-on-AA/Find-a-Meeting

Dublin City, Capel Street L.G.B.T. Group
Outhouse 105 Capel Street , Dublin

Dublin City, Aungier Street Rainbow Recovery Group
Location Carmelite Commuity Centre, 56 Aungier Street, , Dublin

lufties

Day 9

I'm sleeping better, happier-feel like I've recovered much of that lost dopamine/seratonin lol, otherwise I feel more focused with less anxiety, worry and not paranoid.

Was out last night and drank lime cordial, it actually didn't bother me as much as i thought. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I know drinking is simply not an option and have in some way accepted that.

Gonna take each day as it comes.

Carpet diem

lufties wrote: »

Day 9

I'm sleeping better, happier-feel like I've recovered much of that lost dopamine/seratonin lol, otherwise I feel more focused with less anxiety, worry and not paranoid.

Was out last night and drank lime cordial, it actually didn't bother me as much as i thought. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that I know drinking is simply not an option and have in some way accepted that.

Gonna take each day as it comes.

Well done keep it up - one day at a time

lufties

Carpet diem wrote: »

Well done keep it up - one day at a time

cheers carpet. yup aint gonna run ahead of myself, a day at a time. just chuffed I've got this far

marienbad

36 years this month. Best thing I ever did by a country mile.

lufties

marienbad wrote: »

36 years this month. Best thing I ever did by a country mile.

:eek: Fair Dues!!