New Alcohol thread

[guysgirl]

Hang in there Guys!!

[jadef999]

Hey~~
I'm going back to Atkins as of today!!! I don't weigh myself anymore so I won't know how well I'm doing for awhile. I'm worried about sugar cravings which I NEVER EVER had before I quit drinking! They say without all the alcohol you crave sugar and I'm sick of low-fat and feeling "deprived" So since I don't drink I'm going back to Atkins to eat what I love- wings/ meat/ chix/ tuna / cheese/ REAL salad dressings, etc but can't give up diet pop just yet and am planning on having SF jello after Induction for that.

Just wondering if anyone else knows of or has experienced relations with Atkins/ no sugar compared to alcohol comsumption/ stopping etc.

[roamer723]

that would be interesting to find out. Sorry I don't know since I drink, but I'm like you and never have sugar cravings.

That said, I need to find a reason to quit drinking. Health, family, grand kids some day just isn't enough. It makes sense and these are things I know, but it hasn't made me "want" to quit.

So, if anybody has tips or tricks on quitting drinking, I sure would appreciate them.

thanks

[guysgirl]

no real tricks, 12 step programs do work, if you work them. to you

[roamer723]

Originally Posted by guysgirl

no real tricks, 12 step programs do work, if you work them. to you

thx for the hug. y'know, I went to a meeting. maybe I'm too stuck up, but I was the youngest one there by 20 years, and I was hearing all these stories about how people lost their jobs and ruined marriages and things like that.

I never went back. for awhile just having seen those people and hearing their stories was enough. then I fell off again and haven't been back since.

nothing is ever hard once you know how to do it. I still need to learn.

[guysgirl]

Like they say keep coming...I know what you mean about the age thing, etc. Picture me, 26 year old young, very attractive woman. I didn't want to be there. I felt extremely out of place. I kept comparing and that, I learned is so wrong. We are all the same, we have a desired to quit drinking, that somehow our lives have become unmanageable. " I was hearing all these stories about how people lost their jobs and ruined marriages and things like that. " I looked at those as my YET. I didn't lose my Husband, house job, relationships Yet. YNWIM??

[LoraJR72]

Originally Posted by roamer723

thx for the hug. y'know, I went to a meeting. maybe I'm too stuck up, but I was the youngest one there by 20 years, and I was hearing all these stories about how people lost their jobs and ruined marriages and things like that.

I never went back. for awhile just having seen those people and hearing their stories was enough. then I fell off again and haven't been back since.

nothing is ever hard once you know how to do it. I still need to learn.

Maybe not now but the odds are high you will fall off the wagon eventually.
I'm not being mean or sarcastic but truthful. (First hand experience.)

I belong to Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous and they also use the 12 step program AA uses and we read from the "Big Book". In a really big way, FA is helping with both my addiction to food and alcohol. I attend 4 meetings a week, I have a (food) sponsor, and support is a phone call away. Otherwise, I could wind up being what I call a carb-aholic alcoholic again. It wasn't a pretty picture and I have the proof to show how I once was.

[roamer723]

what's really kind of scared me lately is my wife has been drinking more. just at night, to be able to go to sleep.

but seeing her do it more is like looking at myself and seeing myself by looking at her. I also feel I'm partly to blame for her drinking. All these years I've always been the one drinking and she could take it or leave it, but now it seems like it's becoming more of a habit for her.

that said, let me explain our situation a little. we have 2 bed 2 bath house with a converted carport that is like a bonus room. our 4 yr old daughter has her own room, but our 10month old son sleeps in a crib in our room. not much sleep or romance happening. housing market sucks, we're upside down in our house, can't afford to rent it and buy a new one, yada yada yada.....

thanks for the advice, really do appreciate it

[rockgal]

Hi Roamer, do a search on "My Way Out" - good advice and good message boards there. I struggle with this addiction myself.

[sandi90]

Maybe the older people at the meetings have seen it all, lost it all and have learned some truths, the absence of younger people maybe due to the fact "It won't happen to me". I think you sound smart enough to know already you need help and seeking it out. Once your head is right hopefully you won't end up one of those old people.

[roamer723]

I've signed up on MWO. Now need to do some exploring. Thanks for the nfo

[jadef999]

Hey there!!!
Romar and all....I can relate to you not having "lost it all" and it's true...YET I have owned my own condo alone for 10 years.... have always had 2 jobs one full time and part time and have been at current job for 4 years...HOWEVER..
I was losing respect, trust/ from my family/ friends....showing up at family functions drunk/ not showing up at all/ having my last boyfriend of many years watch me say I'm going to grocery store and did come back with groceries but wasted too...drinking the whole time at grocery. I couldn't do anything without drinking! I had pancreatitis 2 times..the first was in the hospital for 3 weeks with a tube in my nose down my throat to get the crap out of me....I have a history of high tryglyceriedes genetically...Dad has had it 3 times and doesn't drink even once in 20 years...so I was doomed! ALcoholic and had genetics against me...still didn't stop me from drinking for long...went to rehab about 3 times or so.....and relapsed for the last time ( I pray) 8 mos ago.....so I've been there...tried 90 in 90 but work got in the way and the meetings are hard sometimes...soooo smoke filled where I live and same people....

For me....it's that no -one was my age and SINGLE.....I totally cut off my social life and ALOT of chances to meet Mr. Right....by not being able to go to functions with alcohol.....I can now.....but wouldn't dare in the beginnning....and to me these people all had their husbands/ children etc.. I felt very very ALONE...I felt no one could relate to me-they'd had children/ ex-husbands....done it all.....HOWEVER

The one person was right ( sorry can't see names ) WE'RE ALL THE SAME...NO MATTER HOW we look/act / age/ single/married...we're all alcoholics looking to get sober....so that's all that matters...\ love to talk to you if you need any advice or to chat....you can send me a private message...it's a long long battle but I will say as lonely as I get I'm not DEPRESSED anymore...I was so depressed it's unbelievable the change..
I could go on and on...but won't...!!!!! Thanks everyone! I'm going to check out the other thread too! It's hard but so worth it....a lot of my friends from re-hab haven't stopped and I pray for them ....it's going to take losing their job/ family etc...to wake them up....hit bottom...!!

[roamer723]

hey rockgal - 3 days AF now since signing up on MWO and reading everybody's stories. It really does help to have a support group.

[LoraJR72]

I am so happy you are getting the support and help you need to get through this difficult time.

[blackhillsgirl]

Originally Posted by jadef999

Hey~~
I'm going back to Atkins as of today!!! I don't weigh myself anymore so I won't know how well I'm doing for awhile. I'm worried about sugar cravings which I NEVER EVER had before I quit drinking! They say without all the alcohol you crave sugar and I'm sick of low-fat and feeling "deprived" So since I don't drink I'm going back to Atkins to eat what I love- wings/ meat/ chix/ tuna / cheese/ REAL salad dressings, etc but can't give up diet pop just yet and am planning on having SF jello after Induction for that.

Just wondering if anyone else knows of or has experienced relations with Atkins/ no sugar compared to alcohol comsumption/ stopping etc.

YUP!!!! Ive quit for a month now and the sugar cravings have been nuts!
never craved sugar before mostly salty stuff... now cant keep my hands off sugar!

[scandalouslyglam]

HI everyone. Im 33 yrs old. I stopped drinking Saturday. It's a LONG story, but in a nutshell I Weighed 372 pounds (didn't drink) and had gastric bypass surgery 6 yrs ago. I lost down to a good weight for me (YES there were complications but that's another thread) abut 172. I started going out...Drinking. But not getting tipsy and dancing DRINKING Heavily. The past 2 yrs it's been worse. I drink just about every night. Just about every morning I tell myself I need to cut back. Only to do it again. I've gained 50 pounds (alcohol is FULLL of calories even if you do low carb.)

Well the past year I've had alot of trouble with Edema (swelling caused by fluid), syncope (passing out), HIGH blood pressure and bruising (especially my legs).

Testing showed my B-12 levels are alarmingly low and I have been getting Shots bi-weekly at the Dr's office. (Gastric bypass patients Commonly have this issue but they are supposed to be able to get their B12 from Sublingual vitamins)

My Liver just isn't holding on to the B-12. It's metabolized in the Small intestine but stored in that good old Liver.

I'm going for Labwork on my Liver Thursday. I am sooo Scared. I feel like Sh*t all the time. I look tired, My hair is thin, Im puffy and uncomfortable.

Last night was super hard. I REALLY wanted to drink even went to the Store up the street and DIDN'T get any. DBF drank beer. Jerk. I asked him to support me this week in trying not to drink...nope "Couple beers aren't bad. Ok. Way to rationaliize.

Anyways....I'm glad your all here.

Have a wonderful day!!

[roamer723]

i personally think alcohol cravings are worse than food cravings

[rockgal]

Originally Posted by roamer723

hey rockgal - 3 days AF now since signing up on MWO and reading everybody's stories. It really does help to have a support group.

That's great Roamer! I've been lurking on the MWO BBs for a while now and it's helping me too.

[scandalouslyglam]

Alcohol cravings prolly are worse, But you NEED food to live. So theres that Moderation thing that MUST be done. I still haven't drank (since Friday) Though I have been thinking about it...I don't feel ready to give it up FOREVER. anyone else?

[Livywilltim-mom]

Autumn,

Good for you my friend. If you want a buddy to chat with, I'm your gal...just PM me.

I am praying that your test is ok tomorrow.

Peace

[Erica L. Butler]

Hey y'all-- just wanted to join this thread-- I've not had a drop to drink now for 1 week. This is *amazing* for me. Weight is already dropping off, too.

I'm having a lot of problems with stress, though-- sleeping is very difficult for me.

Oh, yeah-- sugar cravings-- I've been simply feeding my body protein, when I have the urge to eat.

Cravings for me-- don't seem so much about actually *drinking*-- it's about stress relief for me. So, I'm reading more, and investigating T-Tapp's exercise program--- hoping that-- and the aforementioned b-12 will help alleviate cravings and stress.

[LoraJR72]

6 Weeks tomorrow in sobriety.

I don't know about tricks or tips. I just hang on day by day.

[hayes]

I'm very new on this board and glad I found this thread.
Just wanted to say that I've been sober for 17months today. Whooo Hoooo!!
It's not an easy road but well worth it.
Those who are new and struggling, keep going to meetings. I go twice a week faithfully.
The program works if you work it.
Use your phone list that you get from a meeting, don't ever be afraid to pick up that phone and ask for help getting through a tough time.
It can be done!
Good luck everyone.

[ChetRogers]

Originally Posted by hayes

I'm very new on this board and glad I found this thread.
Just wanted to say that I've been sober for 17months today. Whooo Hoooo!!
It's not an easy road but well worth it.
Those who are new and struggling, keep going to meetings. I go twice a week faithfully.
The program works if you work it.
Use your phone list that you get from a meeting, don't ever be afraid to pick up that phone and ask for help getting through a tough time.
It can be done!
Good luck everyone.

I don't think I would ever go to meetings, but it would be nice to have some friends who don't drink. Everyone I am friends with drinks.

[MR78Z28]

hi all!!! i dont Drink everyday. but if i am out on my boat or out with friends i like my Beer. i know beer is bad but i dont do it everyday. i could never drink by my self so that is a good thing.

[2big4britjez]

A year ago my doc told me to "Stop drinking or you WILL get sclerosis of the liver!" I tried reasoning with her (i.e., only on weekends, etc.) but she warned me I could not. "Most people can have a drink or two, but YOU cannot!!"

I walked away bummed. Soon, my drinking circle of friends had me convinced that all docs have to say that....livers can reproduce themselves....blah blah blah. I quickly gained back the 40 lbs. I had lost.

Jump to the present time. A week ago I had to get my blood sugar checked in order to get my scripts refilled. When the results came back, the office called and I was prepared for "You have Diabetes, Val, and you need to come in ASAP!!" (I was a heavy heavy heavvvvvy wine drinker.)

But instead, it was like I was given a 2nd chance. The office said, "The doctor said to STOP ALL ALCOHOL, EXERCISE 5 DAYS A WEEK and get your blood rechecked in 4-6 weeks."

I have totally sworn off wine. How did I get this determination? I tried to "custom drink", but found out I am too weak and need to not take one sip.
I am back on Induction.
And I'm determined to keep sober and lose a ton of weight.

ETA: I'm letting go of my hard-core drinking friends, and intend to spend more time with my non-drinking buddies.