Alcohol Recovery-support for beginners,pretty much

[gdlovins360]

Hi, I have to stop drinking. I'm hoping for some support from people experienced with recovery. I have some options and keep getting bogged down with decisions. Afraid I'll be back on by the time I finish work at ten tonight. Once, I was browsing in this section and I thought there were some different threads that were about alcohol. I remember at least a couple of really nice posters-maybe someone's still out there?
Thanks, Lovin

[gdlovins360]

OK- is there anyone who would like to message on any topic related to alcolholism and perhaps low carb or any thing? Some people have looked-anyone want to talk? Or know about other sites with boards for messaging (vs. the AA chat-I find chat harder to use.) Sincerely, gdlovins360

[CaitSith]

Hello I just wanted to stop by and say that I although dont have any experience with alcholism (foods and other substances, yes, indeed) I support your efforts to reach and look for help. *hugs to you* I hope you find people out there who will help you on your journey to recovery. Take care.

[Mogget]

Hello - I'm not use whether my support will be of much use to you, as I have never had a drinking problem myself, but I am in a wonderful loving relationship with a functional alcoholic so in a way I do have an alcohol related problem...and I have one way or another shucked off a number of crappy addictions over the years so I have fought (and in some ways continue to fight) the compulsion beast on different grounds.

[rockgal]

Hey - do a search on "My Way Out" - that site has some really great forums - the people there are a great source of advice and support. Also check out the "Smart Recovery" site.

[peanutte]

Also, Women for Sobriety, Moderation Management, Secular Organizations for Sobriety...

I know this is all pretty overwhelming, and probably scary and sad. But if you want it bad enough, you can either quit or change your habits, depending upon what your goal is.

I hope you find what you need!

[gdlovins360]

Thank you everyone. I got a private message somewhere from someone who directed me to a site called Miracles In Progress, and I have connected with some great people there. I am nearing 7 day sober as well. I will check out the sites mentioned here, there can't really be too much support right now. I've manage to roughly stick to low carb, but I decided not to count right now and I'm eating some berries daily that I wouldn't normally eat. Still, it feels amazingly positive and freeing to be trying to really let go of the alcohol. I suspect I might still lose some weight because of it too. Thank you for looking and responding. Best wishes to everyone, may you find what you need to make your lives what you want it to be.

[Soccerchic]

Hey there gdlovins,
I'm a fellow low carbing person with an alcohol problem.
I have cut down drinking during the week recently which has made me feel a lot better but i have a problem with weekends....
Starting yesterday i am on a 1 month alcohol ban and would happy to be a support buddy on this site if you still want one.
I have told my friends that i won't see them for a month unless it's doing coffee or movies because i can't be around grog and not drink.
i'm going to look forward to watching crime shows and good movies and getting a good night's sleep on the weekends instead of drinking, sorry for the ramble
jen

[mrstmitch]

gdlovins, I haven't posted in quite a while but felt compelled to reply...

I am a "veteran" alcoholic (I became alcoholic when I was 13 and am now almost 50) and know exactly where you're coming from... I know from experience that you must have support of some kind in order to be successfully sober in the long run, so I am glad to see that you have contacted Miracles in Progress! Stay with them, and continue to seek every means of support you can, because you will be more apt to stay sober if you do!

One of the main issues with staying sober (and was mentioned by soccerchic) is also your association. If you hang out with people that drink, it will be nearly impossible for you to be sober. So consider the possibility of finding friends and associates that don't revolve their lives around booze. You have undoubtedly already found some new friends at Miracles in Progress.

Anyway, I hope the very best for you, and am glad that you have recognized you have a problem and a need to stop!

[Ilpirata]

I thought I'd respond as well. I've been sober for over two years. For me it has been about doing the twelve steps of AA, remaining in active service to Alcoholics Anonymous and my local Young Peoples AA Service Organization. Please seek out a local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting to learn more about sponsorship and the steps.

Your life will get better just as mine has. And contrary to my fears I still have tons of fun and still AM fun. Actually, I'm much MORE FUN now than I was before. Things can and will get better for you if you take the right actions.

Feel free to PM me anythime.

[melancholygirl]

gdlovins: I'm also a recovering alcoholic/addict with several years of sobriety. Please feel free to pm me if you need to vent.

[roamer723]

and I. I had joined the MWO forums a year ago and didn't really do anything with it, but I am restarting today.

Today is day 1 of sobriety.

I will not drink today.

anyone on this thread feel free to contact me

[peanutte]

Roamer, I thought you might have decided to post here--just wanted to pop over and lend my support and tell you you're very brave.

If you can, I recommend picking up some herbal sleep stuff. You can usually find a decent blend in the vitamins section of the pharmacy, or at Whole Foods or a store like that. They aren't expensive, but depending upon how much you were drinking daily, you have to be careful in case you start to feel withdrawal symptoms tomorrow. You might feel shaky and a little anxious, and I found that taking these herbal things helped with the insomnia I experienced during the first week. You'd want to look for something with some or all of the following: valerian, skullcap, chamomile, passionflower, hops, and black cohosh. You can even pop a couple during the day if you feel symptoms--take half a dose and it won't make you sleepy. Barring that, chamomile tea is also good.

Just a tip from someone who's been there. I'm rooting for you!

[roamer723]

thanks for the nfo peanutte. I did pick up some chamomille tea on the way home tonight, along with some L Glut. tell you the truth, I'm sitting here and I just don't know what to do with myself b/c I'm never this alert this late. wonders never cease and all that. the wife and kids are out of town so I'm a bachelor, but I don't even know what I want to do.

[fineline]

All the things Peanutte suggested do help to take the edge off. What I do for the terrible alcohol CRAVINGS is stay with low carb ( because sugar will cause cravings) and I take 2 L- glutamine (500 mg) 2 5-HTP (100 mg) along with p-5-p (a form of b6 that helps the absorbtion of the L- Glutamine) 3 times day between meals. This has been a lifesaver for me- I haven't wanted to drink at all! Remember, this is what has been working for ME and everyone is different. I am not qualified to make recommendations. Good luck! I can truly empathize with you.

[peanutte]

tell you the truth, I'm sitting here and I just don't know what to do with myself b/c I'm never this alert this late.

Yes, I completely understand. After a week or so it will feel more normal. I realized that I could watch TV while drinking ice water and I was paying more attention to the shows I was watching. I was able to go to bed and read a book for an hour, which I wouldn't have done before. Maybe you will find you like to go for a walk in the evening or something. All of this is new and exciting and weird, but you will be surprised at how normal it feels in a short while.

[gdlovins360]

Originally Posted by Ilpirata

I thought I'd respond as well. I've been sober for over two years. For me it has been about doing the twelve steps of AA, remaining in active service to Alcoholics Anonymous and my local Young Peoples AA Service Organization. Please seek out a local Alcoholics Anonymous meeting to learn more about sponsorship and the steps.

Your life will get better just as mine has. And contrary to my fears I still have tons of fun and still AM fun. Actually, I'm much MORE FUN now than I was before. Things can and will get better for you if you take the right actions.

Feel free to PM me anythime.

For an update, sober 37 days today, probably a first ever, since started drinking 20 years ago. I am an AA member, I think the fellowship is incredible; I've had many of my pre-concieved judgements and notions about AA and sober life completely de-bunked. My life is not over, the possibilities are just beginning. It will not be the boring non-drinking future I originally thought, I actually see a window of freedom open and beckoning. It hasn't been easy, but oh so much better, and so much more is yet to come. I count AA and Miracles in Progress(MIP) (in conjunction with my HP) as a saving grace. The online support at MIP is a 24 hour fellowship that uses the benefit of the steps and traditions to help each other.

Ilpirata and melancholygirl:I would like to PM you, I'm learning to accept and respond when stuff knocks at your door. Have to be tomorrow, since I need my sanity rest

This post is for others who are beginning to wonder what's up with the drinking. The short of it for me is that I suspected I had a problem, tried to quit while quitting smoking (X4), tried to quit while seeking fertility treatment, tried to stop while doing induction (X2) and couldn't do it. I had actually began to speed up my level of drinking, the more I tried to cut back. I wasn't ready to call it more than a problem, maybe my lack of will, or whatever other factor. Then I read some writing by authors who talked about being alcoholic, and I really related. In the midst of yet another horrible hangover, I posted here, above. And then gratefully found AA, MIP and all the other amazing support options out there. As much as I resisted then going to that meeting (six days into sobriety, and I had been to meetings before twice for someone else and once 5 yrs ago for me), I can't imagine stopping drinking without AA now.

And I'm still lowcarbing! And losing weight. It's been good to tackle the challenge of stopping drinking while continuing to eat healthy and exercise. I didn't think many people were dropping in here. It's great to see the action, I wish I checked back sooner. Or that this board gave us e-mail alerts when posts are added to a thread we've posted on. Maybe we can get notices and I need to update my profile?

Best wishes and with much gratitude,
Gdlovins360

[DorrieR]

Hi GDlovins!! Just saw you post!! I have 9 years sobriety coming up on the 30th of this month!!! You are doing sooo well...keep it up. Good things will happen! I am a member of AA as well. Can't say enough about it....wonderful place wonderful people who truly care. I am heading out this am for a camping trip but will check in when I get back! Have a super week!!

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by gdlovins360

For an update, sober 37 days today, probably a first ever, since started drinking 20 years ago. I am an AA member, I think the fellowship is incredible; I've had many of my pre-concieved judgements and notions about AA and sober life completely de-bunked. My life is not over, the possibilities are just beginning. It will not be the boring non-drinking future I originally thought, I actually see a window of freedom open and beckoning. It hasn't been easy, but oh so much better, and so much more is yet to come. I count AA and Miracles in Progress(MIP) (in conjunction with my HP) as a saving grace. The online support at MIP is a 24 hour fellowship that uses the benefit of the steps and traditions to help each other.

Ilpirata and melancholygirl:I would like to PM you, I'm learning to accept and respond when stuff knocks at your door. Have to be tomorrow, since I need my sanity rest

This post is for others who are beginning to wonder what's up with the drinking. The short of it for me is that I suspected I had a problem, tried to quit while quitting smoking (X4), tried to quit while seeking fertility treatment, tried to stop while doing induction (X2) and couldn't do it. I had actually began to speed up my level of drinking, the more I tried to cut back. I wasn't ready to call it more than a problem, maybe my lack of will, or whatever other factor. Then I read some writing by authors who talked about being alcoholic, and I really related. In the midst of yet another horrible hangover, I posted here, above. And then gratefully found AA, MIP and all the other amazing support options out there. As much as I resisted then going to that meeting (six days into sobriety, and I had been to meetings before twice for someone else and once 5 yrs ago for me), I can't imagine stopping drinking without AA now.

And I'm still lowcarbing! And losing weight. It's been good to tackle the challenge of stopping drinking while continuing to eat healthy and exercise. I didn't think many people were dropping in here. It's great to see the action, I wish I checked back sooner. Or that this board gave us e-mail alerts when posts are added to a thread we've posted on. Maybe we can get notices and I need to update my profile?

Best wishes and with much gratitude,
Gdlovins360

OMG I am so stoked to hear this update! So awesome. You're doing it!

[gdlovins360]

Want to reply to everyone, I'm so fond of LCF's and happy to see people here. Long day again, so I must put off again till tommorow. No work in the morning-be back later, gdlovins

[gdlovins360]

Originally Posted by DorrieR

Hi GDlovins!! Just saw you post!! I have 9 years sobriety coming up on the 30th of this month!!! You are doing sooo well...keep it up. Good things will happen! I am a member of AA as well. Can't say enough about it....wonderful place wonderful people who truly care. I am heading out this am for a camping trip but will check in when I get back! Have a super week!!

Happy Birthday to my northern neighbor! Camping is just the thing I hope to actually do more of, now that I have the clear mind (re: not always hungover) to plan a healthy and fun trip. Been day hiking twice in the past two weeks, for the first time in years-Sea level to 6000ft and back in 10 hrs! It's fun to be doing things on the weekend, instead of being tired and strung out. I am disappointed that I haven't recovered a love for house cleaning yet. It's early on so I guess there's hope. "Cleaning house" is a part of a step, I think. All in good time.
Hope to see you around the board,
Gdlovins360

[gdlovins360]

Originally Posted by melancholygirl

gdlovins: I'm also a recovering alcoholic/addict with several years of sobriety. Please feel free to pm me if you need to vent.

Hi!
So good to hear from others in recovery. I tried to PM you, but it's not offering me the option for some reason. Luckily, I haven't had too much need to vent. Just a few times and the folks on Miracles In Progress are very responsive and thoughtful. I'm so grateful for the message boards because they have been instrumental in helping me get to AA meetings. However, I've been shy about sharing at meetings and posting has been a valuable support forum. It's so much better to come home from work and check for messages and read the boards rather than come home and have many drinks.
Nobody that I know of is Lowcarbing on Miracles In progress so it's been special to hear from people here who can share in multiple ways. I'm thinking about doing Induction again, for real this time, since I wasn't able to stop drinking for the two weeks before. I've change my nutrition and loss weight slowly, but basically have been sucessful in adapting to Lowcarb lifestyle. I'm thinking of re-doing the Induction maybe next months, so I can then truly apply the principles of OWL and develop a long term nutrition plan in a way that I know and understand how different foods affect me. I've kinda been winging it so far.
Thanks again for your message and offer of support,
Gdlovins360

[roamer723]

Hello day 12. Nice to see you.

Been doing good. Have only had a couple cravings lately, taken care of by L Glut. Been doing my tea at night to get to sleep. overall, doing well. hope everybody else is doing great.

[gdlovins360]

Hi Roamer,
Congratulations! Of course I remember quite clearly what 12 days feels like. I didn't have a severe craving until the end of the month, after I relaxed my guard a bit. Had dinner with some good friends who were drinking. I didn't but it was too much. The next day at work I stressed out and was alone at work with a lot of booze available. Managed not to drink. Then over the following days I had a lot of emotions flare-up mostly irritation and anger.
Well not to go on and before I forget to mention that I take Gaba as well as L-glutamine for calming the nerves. Someone on this board mentioned it a while back. I was out for a few weeks and then bought more. It helps for me, along with regular exercise, chamomile tea for both food and alcohol obsession.
Sincerely,
Gdlovins

[roamer723]

Hey lovins, thanks for the nfo. I really haven't had too bad cravings so far. Last week was much worse than this week. I drive a desk all day so the cravings at work aren't too bad. they do tend to hit in the afternoon tho right before going home, and then the rationalization starts too. But I've been able to just pop an L glut when I get home and the tea at night is working too.

Hello day 13. where ya been for the last 12 years?

[Ilpirata]

Hey Roamer... glad you're back at it! So proud of you.

I can't remember... do you go to meetings?

[roamer723]

meetings are not for me as it turns out. I'm finding that I'm more of a figure it out your own way type person. I've been to a couple, but haven't really gotten that much out of them. My biggest hurdle has always been finding a reason besides common sense to want to quit.

Most recently, I woke up one morning and said to hell with this. Since then, I've been doing ok. we'll see if I can keep it up.

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by roamer723

meetings are not for me as it turns out. I'm finding that I'm more of a figure it out your own way type person. I've been to a couple, but haven't really gotten that much out of them. My biggest hurdle has always been finding a reason besides common sense to want to quit.

Most recently, I woke up one morning and said to hell with this. Since then, I've been doing ok. we'll see if I can keep it up.

Good luck brother! I hope you can make it.
For me I absolutely need the twelve steps etc. to maintain my sobriety. But thats ME and we all need to find our own way. My last naggy suggestion for this thread is that I think it behooves (sp?) anyone struggling with drinking to read the big book of alcoholics anonymous and consider the solution offered there.

[roamer723]

still doing good. Had a margarita with dinner last night at a restaurant but that was it. Haven't drunk myself to sleep since June 26. 17 days.

kids and wife are back in the house now, survived the weekend. actually the margarita was b/c of the weekend, but that's all I did, so at least there was moderation, and no need to stop by the liquor store on the way home.

my liver thanks me.

[belleadonna]

Howdy everyone. I have had a drinking problem since HS. I was also addicted to drugs and tobacco. I am mainly a binge drinker. I will drink for weeks and then quit for months but I always seem to go back. I am doing VLC and that really helps with the cravings.

I had quit sometime back for about 10 years or more but then my mom became ill and died and I started drinking again to numb the pain. Foolish.

Anyway, I have to realize once and for all that I have a very addictive personality and I have to stay away from all of the bad stuff. High carb is one of the bad stuffs. I have been off of the stuff for about 2 months now.