The First 7 Days

[j214]

Jamie, I'm glad that you got some good info from the book....I think I have listened to it at least 50 times since I purchased it. His voice doesn't annoy me, as I am a yank, and enjoy British accents.

His assertion that the "hardest" time to abstain is evening-time rang true for me also...I am currently following his 6 step program religiously for the next 21 days to see if this detox period goes any easier, or if it works at all...

We shall see!

[zapf]

Hi guys, i am back here again. Drink gets the best of me. Jamie I really relate to your thing about the bottle of wine being your bestie. I think I use the sauce as a best friend against the world. Its kinda my secret weapon. The horror of course is it is aimed direct against me.

Looking at it in relationships, which it shocks me that so many of you actually maintain them, the booze is my way of being me. Of not being controlled by "them". I have a terror of people controlling me, so I let the booze control me.

I have a shrink appt. mañana 7.45 pm, I called him in desperation Sat. Too bad he is so attractive, or maybe OK. Maybe you chicas can relate to this but I change my act for good looking men. I am 57 yrs old yet still like hottish and cannot stand this stuff that I do myself in front of male animals. I just wish I could stop lying to the world.

Or maybe I don´t. The late musician John Cage said "this is no better or no worse than any other life or death situation". Thanks for being there -- Polly and her dog Pancho

[Mountainhare]

Ok time to stop kidding myself...... Feel rough and fed up. Even though I haven't done anything bad or been really blathered, I just can not seem to have a day off. It looks like it is all or nothing, which is a pretty shit choice if you ask me, but there you go. I can't seem to do anything in moderation.

Day 1 for me. I am going to get some of the books mentioned in the above posts and see if they will help feep me focused this time.

It gets so depressing this cycle of stopping and starting, of liking drinking, and of hating drinking. I just want to stop, but not have the constant battle going on in my head that I am missing out on something nice!

Good luck to everyone on this thread.

By the way has anyone tried hypnotism? I tried it once to try and cut down/moderate my drinking, but I kind of had one eye open because I was a bit untrusting, so guess it didn't really work.

I have read a lot about the power of the subconcious and I am convinced this is where the secret of proper freedom from the drink lies..............reprograming ghe subconcious to not ever want to drink.

[emtee]

Do not pass go. Do not collect £200. Return to where you started from.
Yes, I'm back on the 7 day challenge because I finally caved in at 5pm yesterday.
I'm annoyed because I'd managed to ward off some real temptation throughout the week and finally I just thought "soddit - Ill have a glass". Of course, it wasn't one glass but happily it wasn't a whole bottle either, so I'm pleased I didn't fall right back into the previous pattern.
But I don't want to make that mistake again - I wouldn't be as restrained next time.
Have a good day everyone and good luck to all newcomers.
We CAN do this.
Emtee

[Crackers24]

Didn't do to well at the weekend,OH didn't help much.

Day 1 today,and I'm shattered as got new puppy yesterday and she was awake at 5.30 am.

The Olympic torch is our way today so will be busy all afternoon.

Hope all well x

[Mr R]

Any 1 else on Day 5? My sleeping pattern seems to be near normal now. Had a moment yesterday where it could have gone either way but i decided to go for a walk and then meet my sister.

[Ed]

It gets so depressing this cycle of stopping and starting, of liking drinking, and of hating drinking. I just want to stop, but not have the constant battle going on in my head that I am missing out on something nice!

.

Not trying to scare you, or maybe I am, but stopping and starting with alcohol also does quite a lot of damage to your brain. It is actually much safer for your brain to either continue drinking or to stop and stay stopped. I have been stopping and starting for a long time and it has taken its toll.

[jamie]

Just checking in before work to try to give me some extra motivation for this evening when I will need it. Good luck to everyone just starting out this week or starting again. Moutainhare, the book J214 suggested above ( the Craig Beck one ) has a hypnotism element to it if you are interested in that.

Emptee - Well done on not finishing the bottle and for getting straight back on it. I know that soddit feeling well!

Wishing you all a good ( AF ) day.

[_Jack_]

Can't believe this. Day 1 again.

Good luck everyone!

[MsTique]

Lots of posts to read - will save them for this afternoon as I'm awaiting the arrival of workmen..... our bedroom ceiling collapsed last night! Rain's being getting in - thank goodness we don't have to pay for it as the house is rented.

Anyway, day 3 for me and this is the one I really need to get through.... I've never gone more than two days without a drink. I'll be okay through the day, but it could be a different story come tonight.

Hope today goes well for everyone else - every day is a new beginning.

Lee x

[October]

This is day 2. Am very tired. I did sleep eventually but feel like going straight back to bed. Can't remember how long it takes to get the energy levels back. Having said that, probably feeling no more tired than I would if I had consumed 4 glasses of wine last night.

Keep strong,

October x

[Kathee]

Any 1 else on Day 5? My sleeping pattern seems to be near normal now. Had a moment yesterday where it could have gone either way but i decided to go for a walk and then meet my sister.

I am on day 6 today, but my sleep is still not very good, it is taking me ages to fall asleep but I am trying not to worry about it and hoping it will sort itself out in a few more days. Has anyone got any tips on the sleeping problem solutions?

[soberfun]

Day one again for me. I am pleased I managed 8 AF days last week but I blew it sat and sun because of socialising. People expect me to drink and on sat there was one ready for me when I arrived at party. Never mind too late to change it; line drawn.
I love reading posts which have such helpful tips.
Kathee - I take NYTOL to help me sleep, but they are not very strong. Worth a try.

[joholdbrook]

day 1 for me i am going to beat this

[Mr R]

Any 1 else on Day 5? My sleeping pattern seems to be near normal now. Had a moment yesterday where it could have gone either way but i decided to go for a walk and then meet my sister.

Thank god a reply. I was thinking my posts were somehow not being seen. For me its shutting down everything demanding on my mind around 8-9pm > Imac > Editing software > photoshop. Easier said than done when clients are waiting for a product but i have to do it or i wont sleep. I play my guitar then for 2 hours and its lights out.

[Twinkle]

Day 1 for me again no surprise there as it a weekly post of mine! On my way to see an alcohol worker for an assessment. I have no expectations on what this week holds but hoping I can get to day 5 atleast as that doesn't seem to be happening lately. All I can say is I'm just gonna try my best as that's all I can do.

Hi mountainhare and soberfun and everyone else xxx

[soberfun]

Hello Twinkle. Good Luck.

[joholdbrook]

hello twinkle

i agree with you there xxx

[Twinkle]

Thankyou soberfun xxx

Hey joholdbrook how you feeling? Xxx

[pollywally1]

Hmm I posted on here a bit earlier but it seems to have disappeared! Oh well, hello to everyone who is on day one, for the first or umpteenth time. I held out til Thursday last weekend until someone gave me a bottle of wine as a thankyou for something, and then bang went to entire weekend! So, here we go again....xx