The First 7 Days

[Sue C]

Hi sleepy, hope little one gets better soon. This is officially day 7 for me and I'm feeling good. I've not gone 7 days without drinking for .... years, decades. Sun's shining. I really need to hang onto this feeling. Interesting comment about 'substitute drinks'. I do still feel the need to have a drink of something constantly in front of me. And I drink quick, whatever it is. Started to feel ill last night with my constant supply of sparkling, fruit-flavoured water. Have a good day everyone. x

[Oliver10]

Day Five for me. Went to a dinner last night but drove so has excuse not to drink.

The pressure on me to have just one glass of wine wasn't intense but it was there.

Tbh I didn't miss the booze at all. Actually found that my conversation was more animated and confidence was better.

I feel wonderful today. Just been to a spinning class at the gym so buzzing with endorphins or whatever it is you get from exercise.

Day Six tomorrow

I'm thinking of starting to tell people I'm Teetotal. What do people think about some kind of declaration?

If I do do this I want to say it positively; so, I am teetotal, not the negative I don't drink.

[ang]

Hi all

well day day 3 done but not without craving a glass but passed that now .

well done to all the people moving on -quite a few thats great getting over to the next thread
i look forward to joining you there will a little gang as it looks quiet.

Not much to report so i will check in tomorrow
ang

[Oliver10]

Nearly done Day Five. I'm in the last half hour of my danger zone but feeling OK.

This is starting to feel not-too-difficult which for me is a new danger zone as I think, 'oh I can stop easily ... Let's just have one.' Big mistake.

[ang]

thanks PG
Well done on the week - a lot of dertermination from where you were last week
Catch up ina few days

[sleepy]

Well done Ang and Oliver Hope to see you on the next thread soon.

Managed a good sleep, little ones fever broke in the night, was so lovely to see his sleepy smiley face next to me this morning, but still not quiet past laying on the sofa all day yet. Hope he's better soon the littles are really looking forward to a new cousin due anyday yay good times. No drinking, was very hard last night as hubby had a cold crisp wine .

Nearly done Day Five. I'm in the last half hour of my danger zone but feeling OK.

This is starting to feel not-too-difficult which for me is a new danger zone as I think, 'oh I can stop easily ... Let's just have one.' Big mistake.

I totally relate to that, then fall of the wagon almost immediatly , so it does still have a hold on me. I'm not sure If i want to be teetotal or cut right down, If i cut right down , I know I will probobly fall off the wagon again, same as teetotal. I guess it does have a hold on me more than I realise.

Hope to see some of you on the next thread soon, hugs to all

[Humble_archer1983]

Day number 3 for me,

Friday was a bit of a disaster, but need to move on from that now, wishing everyone a happy AF day.

[Oliver10]

I'm on Day Six. Got up at 7am went to gym before going to work. Feel great.

I feel I have come to terms with the fact I cannot drink again. One glass and I'm inevitably back to square one whether that's a day, week or month later.

Can't quite get my head around that but I think I have to and not see it as a loss as on a net basis I benefit. Drinking really is no longer a good thing for me. I can't do it by half. Why can't I just have one? Guess that's the essence of an alcoholic.

Time to move on.

[Sue C]

Hi Oliver10 and everyone else,
I haven't made up my mind yet about 'never again'. It's filling me with dread. I'd love to be a normal person and just enjoy a glass or two, but not sure that's possible. Still I've got through today so far and feel quite knackered, so not planning to drink anything other than tea tonight. And sorry to sound thick, but I'm not sure what the 'next thread' is! Do I move up a level - a bit like Sonic the Hedgehog?!!! x

[Oliver10]

Hi Sue C and others

Yeah you move up in an ever-ascending staircase of enlightenment until Nirvana is reached.

It does get easier the further in time one is from the last drink. There are some crafty surprise obstacles on the way though just like in any game app. Just when you feel alcohol-free the sneaky complacency fairy appears and it's game over until you decide your ready to re-play the staircase game from step one.

I think my best strategy against the complacent alcohol fairy is to replace time I spent drinking with over things - but not substitute non-alcoholic drink or fizzy pop. Gym, writing, reading, and other kinda stuff. I'm just gonna have to make changes to my way of life. Feeling healthy and good about myself makes the truth of alcohol more stark. I won't then want to be complacent about going back to being a head-fuzzed bloated alcoholic wreck of a man.

I'm Day Six so this is early days. Tomorrow oil Day Seven. I have a dinner party tomoz but I'm not gonna make up some BS like 'I'm on antibiotics' or 'I have to be up early'. I'm coming out of the closet and saying, 'I've decided to go teetotal.' If asked 'Why?' I'll say 'Coz I wanna stay healthy.' I guess most people will be British and not enquire further.

Olly

[Vornec]

Sue,

From here you move up to the Two Week Thread, then Three Week, One Month, Three Months, Six, etc... Moving up this way really helps because the conversation will evolve as time passes. This really helped me as I went through. It also helped because as you move up there will be a group of people who you get to know and look forward to conversing with every day. You will also all be at about the same stage of recovery. When I came up through we even started a list of who was still with us. This added a layer of accountability that is so helpful in the early stages.

Don't get too hung up on "never again". I was so afraid of that daunting thought when I contemplated quitting that it kept me drinking for years beyond when I should have stopped and gotten control. I set a goal for myself of 2 years. In two years, life changes completely. Also, at the time I was reading on this website: http://addictionsandrecovery.org/post-a ... drawal.htm that PAWS can continue for at least 2 years. Now that I am 2 years+ without a drink, life has changed, and I am certainly in a lot better place to consider whether or not I should drink ever again. I have decided not to, for now, but I feel fully in command of that decision. There is no EAF whispering in my ear so I can hash it out with a clear head. As well, I was right, life has completely changed. Save your "never-agains" for the moments before death, and live your life now.

-V

[Naughty little newt]

Brilliant post V

Nice to see you as always


Give it your best sevens, it is well worth it in the end

[Sue C]

Ha ha Olly - great reply! And thanks Vornec. Have to confess to a major wobbly moment this evening while cooking. But I poured a large elderflower water instead and managed to get through it. So glad I did. And I agree Olly - I think it's finding other things to do other than drink 'something'. Thank god I've got a pile of ironing and Happy Valley tomorrow night! Good luck with the announcement Olly. Let us know how it went. Sleep well and sober everyone. x

[ang]

Is it only day 4 - feels like forever. .....
Very tempted tonight - stressed and annoyed with kids and very nearly
Not sure what stopped me -
Not sure about climbing feels more like snakes & ladders here - back to the beginning again!,,
I am sure I will feel happier in the morning & delighted didn't drink instead of annoyed as I still feel.
Anyway to everyone on the same thread ... Good luck for tomorrow.

[Oliver10]

Ang
Going to bed is always a good strategy when I'm feeling close.
Our I eat a large bar of chocolate. That's not sustainable on a long term basis I grant you but you deserve it now I feel!
Olly.

[Humble_archer1983]

Morning, Day number 4 for me, got past Monday so that's really positive.

[sleepy]

Loads of love Ang hope you have a better day today sweetie xx

[Pinksquid]

I kind of got lost for a few days and am back on day 1. So emotional today I just can't stop crying. I just feel so lost at the moment and not strong enough to ever beat this.

On a positive note you all are clocking up the days, that's amazing well done

[Shadowlad]

Hello Pinksquid

Just to give you a bit of encouragement please don't despair. Many of us have been there and feel like we will never beat this. You are here and you will get to where you want to be if you keep at it

I'm sure you will feel less emotional as you gain traction again and gain confidence again

Keep believing in yourselves 7 dayers, xx

[Pinksquid]

Thanks Shadowlad I'm trying to stay positive. I'm having a good read around here and taking in all sorts of encouragement/positiveness it helps