Alcohol Support Group

[bmore4now]

Hello, I need to join this thread. I'm trying to stop or minimize my drinking as well. I've been binge drinking for years and drink almost everyday. This month I slowed down a lot, but only was able to lose 2-3 lbs. I would really like to start today and do 30 straight days. I would only like to indulge on special occassions.

I use booze to mellow me out after work and "falsely" relieve stress of day to day crap. Probably one of the biggest excuses ever, but that's mine!

I feel horrible after I get so drunk that I can't even remember what happened at the end of the evening. Total black outs. Its terrible.

Well Day 1 for me!

[bmore4now]

Day 2 - no drinking. Feeling good and eating OP.

[bmore4now]

Originally Posted by kacee1958

I've been "aware" for years, but now my health is beginning to be affected. My drinking has its biggest impact on my weight - if I'm not drinking, I can eat clean. I'm now overweight, with high cholesterol and high BP. It truly is now or never. So expect me to be posting a LOT more.

I'm all that and more.....! So, you are not alone.

[bmore4now]

Day 3 - Still going strong. Where is everyone! Well, I'll post until somebody comes on home! LOL

Eating OP too.

[kacee1958]

Bmore - I'm still reading, not posting. I have not been too successful lately, but have gone to bed sober the last two nights!! Tonight is a test - DH is gone, and when I'm more apt to drink.

[bmore4now]

Well, you will be alright. I haven't used tea or any other form of replacement yet, but maybe you should try that out. Just believe that you can make it through tonight without a cocktail.

I'm so tired of the affects of drinking. Feeling tired or hungover, out of control, bloated and just the dependency on something is not a good feeling for me. But, its a process. I enjoy drinking because it relaxes me and puts me in a mellow mood. Unfortunately, I don't know how to stop at times.

I want to get healthy, lose this weight, and not feel gittery after drinking. Mouth shaking and just imbalanced.

Just remind yourself why you want to do without a drink tonight. Just tonight! Don't even think about tomorrow. Good Luck!

[Pitch]

I think everybody stopped posting after I "yelled" at them, I only did it because I want them to succeed.

Im on day 227 or so, just keep going one day at a time, it gets easier every day that passes.

[kacee1958]

Made it through last night - no vodka, no sugar!!

[bmore4now]

Oh good for you. I wasn't so luck. I had 2 vodka/diet ginger

Having a big fight with my boyfriend. I'm so tired of carrying everything. Bills, my son, household. I just need a break from it all. Seems as if God has built me this way. Oldest out of 6, mother died young, I raised most of them. I need someone to take care of me sometime. Tears this morning and depression.

The scale is not cooperating. I'm not gaining, but the pounds are not coming off. Stalled for almost 2 weeks. Maybe it's stress, but I'm not going to give up.

Took my supplements and drinking my water. God please help me through these tough times. I'm so tired of arguing and trying to keep everyone a float. My boyfriend is unemployed right now, a big gamer and have more friends you can count on all your fingers and toes. They are like roommates. Alaways at the house and I feel like I have to wait my turn. It's horrible and I'm tired of it. Just venting obvisously!

Thankfully my boyfriend is going away this weekend. I'm going to take sometime out for me this weekend. Get my nails done, hair done, cook me some good food for next week and try to think of happier times, easier times, and just an overall positive outlook on life.

Enough back to work.

[bmore4now]

Kacee! Sorry I was venting about me.

I'm glad you was able to abstain. Trust you are doing great, especially with your DH gone. Keep it up. You will be happier and the lbs will start to come off as well.

How is your diet?

[kacee1958]

bmore4now - no worries. I know exactly how you feel, though I'm in a different place. I'm dealing with my residents (I'm a social worker in a senior highrise), my congregation (DH is a minister), my mother, etc. My boys are grown and gone, but that doesn't mean that I don't worry about them, too. I'm at work now - a resident died last night, another one stroked, and I'm leaving at noon because a church member died and the funeral is today. I just want somebody to come up to me and ask "How are YOU doing?", instead of voicing a complaint.
As for diet, I'm not eating strictly low carb, but avoiding sugar, processed carbs as best I can.

[bmore4now]

Kacee,

That's a lot on your shoulder. I know a ministers wife and there appears to be another level of stress on her when dealing with the congregation a lot of backbitting and drama!

Sorry for all the illness around you. I'm sure if God blessed you with such a role, he's not going to put more on you than you can bare.

Well, the less pressure you put on yourself regarding your diet the better off your are. It's a good think you have some simple rules in place, so that you don't go to far.

Talk to you soon! I'm going to try not to indulge tonight.

[rockgal]

I'd like to join this group too. I've been in denial that I *really* have a problem for a long time. I've been a daily drinker for over 25 years now, with the exception of about a week that I spent in the hospital after an appendectomy. I started with beer and wine, 2 to 3 cans or glasses a night. Then, around 1989, I discovered hard liquor. It has basically been a slow, downhill slide from there. Now, here I am at 53, and my health has begun to deteriorate. I finally realize that if I don't do something now, this could kill me. My doctor has advised me not to quit cold turkey, because when you've been drinking as long as I have, it can kill you. He advised me to taper, and do so with lite beer or wine. So I started a couple of nights ago. I've had three lite beers per night. I'll probably do that for the rest of this week, then cut down to two, and so on. I'm thinking about attending a "Women for Sobriety" group tomorrow night, but the thought of going to a group is scary. I may or may not go tomorrow. Anyway, I just want to join in with you guys to try and be sober, healthy, and happy. I don't want to live the next 25 years the way that I've lived the last.

[Pitch]

Welcome to the best days of your life rockgal. when you become a non drinker everything gets better, all you have to do is start.

You should definitely go to the sobriety group, what is there to be afraid of ? everybody there shares the same goal, all you have to do is go.

The only regret I have about getting sober is not doing it sooner, I had no idea it would be so awesome, here I am on a monday morning with no hangover ready to go to work, feelin good about everything.

so get started with feelin good, welcome to this thread, I look forward to reading about your first meeting and how your anxiety was all over nothing, and everbody there is wonderful, and you cant wait for the next meeting.

[cathyct]

Sorry I have been away so long- it's awful. I lost both my comps and along the way lost MY way for 3 days of vodka - how stupid of me to think that I could drink THAT was so damned stupid I cannot believe it. Still there is one wish that Ihope that the moderators can fix- since I have been way so long I cannot answer every single post that I want to - it will take forever - can the administrators PLEASE add "I agree" or "I like" or "I relate" button? that would make it so much easier than quoting all the ppl I have missed, both old and new, that I care about because of our common problem. does anyone know how to upgrade this to the administrators? I wish only the best for everyone, kudos for joining, kudos for being sober and sharing - I like those stories, myself, and kudos to those who keep trying in spite of difficult times. I wish the best for all of you. I will try to stay in touch but I am still waiting for a fully functional computer. If you want to chat with me privately, I would be happy to answer you. My email is cspyrie@charter.net in Connecticut Hugs to all, Cath

[rockgal]

Originally Posted by Pitch

I look forward to reading about your first meeting and how your anxiety was all over nothing, and everbody there is wonderful, and you cant wait for the next meeting.

Well, I just got back and I'm really glad that I went - was a little nervous about walking into the room, but there were only five of us there, so it was a nice cozy group and I got to know the other ladies and we had a good conversation. I'm definitely going back - I need the support and it's a "good feeling" kind of place.

[bmore4now]

I've gone to a meeting with a friend, but always felt weird and uncomfortable. It feels like it's a secret cult of "wanna be sober people" that's upstaging each other with who can rememeber the most rediculous "drunk story". I don't know, it's sort of weird to me.

[hairball]

Where is Pitch? We need some encouragement and/or a kick in the pants.

[Pitch]

Im right here, whats your story hairball? I see your first post is here in the alcohol thread. Are you ready to start loving life ?

[hairball]

Yes, Pitch, I'm ready to start each morning feeling great and not hungover! I'm on day 15 alcohol free and feeling good.

I read Allen Carr's book "The Easy Way To Stop Drinking" and agree with his philosophy that there's nothing positive about alcohol. I saw a couple of your posts and agree that besides encouragement, I need a kick in the pants to stop making excuses as to why I'm drinking and quit. I've wasted my money, time and health using alcohol and am ready to start living alcohol free.

Keep up the positive posts. I'm reading...............

[Pitch]

Thats great hairball, every day gets better its amazing. I was just reading reviews at amazon about that book, and its crazy but somehow I came realize some of these concepts on my own somehow, Im going to pick it up.

[hairball]

Actually, I'm cheap (frugal?) and checked it out from the local library. Allen Carr's view point has a more positive spin about quitting drinking than others. By quitting, you are improving your health, pocketbook and relationships. You shouldn't feel deprived because you are no longer poisoning your body.

The poisoning aspect made me think about the old fashioned cartoons and how they would have the XXX on the alcohol bottle or skull and cross bones. Also made me think of the saying "pick your poison" which is what you are doing to yourself when you drink.

[Pitch]

I just ordered the book, the reviews are amazing reading I highly recommend anybody reading this thread go read them. Im going to read the book then pass it it on to my cousin probably. Im a bit apprehensive about reading it because I somehow I happened upon these concepts on my own like they were implanted in my brain somehow, and Im afraid I might freak myself out....although im sure its mostly common sense and Ive always considered myself cursed with common sense.

[hairball]

Carr's got an easy writing style and yes, it is common sense, but too many of us don't use ours! LOL! I would highly recommened it. They had a guy review it on Amazon and he blogged his first year without alcohol. I thought it was very encouraging.

I hope everyone who has written or read this thread is doing well and finding peace of mind. It is a beautiful Saturday morning here in northeast FL. Hopefully, this will be the last time I have to mow the yard this year.............

[rockgal]

Pitch, how long have you been sober now? Please keep posting, your thoughts/words are so encouraging!

[Pitch]

Its only been 9 months, I say only because I should have stopped long ago. My first day was superbowl sunday, I felt fine on Monday every one else felt like crap. I dont miss it at all, and if my posts are helping others, thats a beautiful thing.

[rockgal]

Originally Posted by Pitch

Its only been 9 months, I say only because I should have stopped long ago. My first day was superbowl sunday, I felt fine on Monday every one else felt like crap. I dont miss it at all, and if my posts are helping others, thats a beautiful thing.

Kudos to you, that's 9 months more than me. My big breakthrough this week has been putting down the hard stuff and drinking light beer/wine instead. Baby steps. At least it's 9:30 and I still have all my faculties and wits about me. So that's something, anyway. ;-)

[Pitch]

Maybe you should check out that book, all thats required is the desire to stop. Go read the reviews, impressive stuff.

[Sunshine 57]

Thank's for book info.I am trying not to drink.Had maintained a 170 lb loss for 5 yrs until I started drinking.Then gained back while still on woe.Just increased my appetite,plus drank tons of diet soda. Old excuse,had stressful job.Was able to go out to eat yest and only drink one diet coke w rum.Before I'd have gone off and drank a pint.Have lost 20 in one mo,so can't wreck it with alcohol.I'm 54,female

[bizbuyer]

No posts in 10 days?

This (and Roamer's) thread convinced me to go to AA last night for the first time. While the meeting didn't cure me, it sure was helpful.

Without naming names, several posters were instrumental in my decision. Thanks to you all.