The First 7 Days

[becstarr]

Hi All

This thread is for anyone who is beginning their journey into sobriety.
I find that the first week going without alcohol is extremely difficult so whether your a new member trying to stop drinking for the first time or an existing member who feels they need to go a week without this thread is for you.

Bec

[Snapper]

Hi Becstarr, I'll join you over here - nice idea for a thread. Today's day two for me (this time round) - took a while to nod off last night , not so much with things racing round inside my head but more a general feeling of anxiety keeping me pumped. Anyway, I eventually got to sleep for a good eight hours, and woke up this morning still feeling physically pretty knackered and mildly hungover.

On the plus side though I'm feeling much better and more positive mentally - might even get some work done today (although being logged on here right now isn't perhaps the most productive start!). I'm not feeling daunted about the next few days without alcohol (not that I'm planning to get back on it after a week off, I'm just approaching it one step at a time this time round) but there is a three day weekend with socialising ahead of me so vigilance and confidence will be the key. I intend to carry with me the thoughts I'm holding right now about why I want to not drink, and not let myself get seduced a few days in when I know I'll be feeling better and start thinking that maybe things weren't as bad as I first thought...

I'm sure anyone joining for the first time will find this thread really useful. I know from having gone through it before a while back that yes, the first week does feel very strange and it can take your body quite a while to get used to you not filling it with crap (I had a few nights of real insomnia last time round, but believe me, it does pass), but if you ride it through in no time at all you really start to see the benefits. I'd really receommend anyone new also looks at the 'positive things I notice...' thread - really encouraging.

So good luck to anyone and everyone else joining this thread.

Snapper

[Momma Kitty]

Evening friends,

Just wanted to add my Mewdurrful agreements to you starting up this new thread Bec. x

Snapper my sweet...when I joined BE...I spent pretty much Day & Night on Bright Eye!!!

ANd...I think it IS the MOST PRODUCTIVE THING YOU CAN BE DOING at this time my friend. Worry not about the rest of the chores for awhile as Sobriety and your new Journey are The MOST importantest of all. I wish you the absolutely very best this time around. Hope to see you all over the place for a very LONG time to come. Keep up the awesome work. Your doing GREAT!

Love Momma Kitty xo

[Sheila]

Hi Bec
What a brilliant idea for a new thread. It'll be so helpful and reassuring to new members struggling during those first few days.
Momma Kitty, I remember how tired, and how little sleep you had during those early weeks but you are so strong, and you soldiered on, and LOOK AT YOU NOW,
Sheila

[LadyBlack]

On Day 3 now, and still cannot get my head round 2 units. It's recomended that everyone drinks a bit of alcohol to keep healthy. Now, for most of us here, that is not practical. I was considering whether I would be able to take up drinking again if I only drank 2 units a night (and by that, I mean 2 units, not a drink before hand and then start counting them!). This is obviously an idea for the future, not tomorrow. But everytime I think about alcohol, it is always in terms of a bottle.

Having anxiety attacks about the weekend now, I need to get back to my "ten minutes at a time" thinking. Can't imagine gettign through tonight and tomorrow and the next day with no alcohol at all.

Still, felt so much better this morning.

[Momma Kitty]

Afternoon my BE Friends,

Thanks Sheila for the lovely comments! XO Your jsut the best my friend! xo

Wow!! Both of you "Day 3'ers" excellent starts already...look at you go Happy and Ladyblack!!! Keep up the awesome work I say.

Love to all,

Momma Kitty xo

[hamster]

On Day 3 now, and still cannot get my head round 2 units. It's recomended that everyone drinks a bit of alcohol to keep healthy. Now, for most of us here, that is not practical. I was considering whether I would be able to take up drinking again if I only drank 2 units a night (and by that, I mean 2 units, not a drink before hand and then start counting them!). This is obviously an idea for the future, not tomorrow. But everytime I think about alcohol, it is always in terms of a bottle.

Having anxiety attacks about the weekend now, I need to get back to my "ten minutes at a time" thinking. Can't imagine gettign through tonight and tomorrow and the next day with no alcohol at all.

Still, felt so much better this morning.

Hello Ladyblack

I dont think I have said hello to you. I dont post as much as I used to but I read your heartfelt post and felt complelled to reply to you. I know the feelings you have right now and remember how hard it was. You know the bit about alcohol being good for you is nonsense. Its reasearch (a lot of which was funded by the drinks companies) that is being seriously challanged now. There are other things much better for us like a cup of tea.
Its hard to stop drinking but even harder to cut down.

I stopped drinking 18 months ago. I have had the odd one night slips between that but on the whole I am happier wihtout. I could never ever be happy with a glass and would still want the bottle. It doesnt go away.
Inever ever think of my life being without alcohol. t would terrify me so I just dont htink it. That way I have a feeling of choice. I take one day at a time and consontrate on getting through that. WhenIm craving (it still happens) I take it one hour at a time and get through that.

Alcohol causes depression and makes any depression already there muchmuch worse. Alcohol causes anxiety and panic attacks. I also suffer from depression - its a bitch isnt it. But its not as bad now, I can live with it where before It almost took over my life.

Well done on day3 You are doing fine. Keep taking it in ten minute chunks if you need to and only look at this one day to get through. Let tomorrow look after itself. This is hard and this first week the hardest (fab to Bec for starting this).

You are doing gread Lady' hang on in there

Julie
x

[Kitty66]

I wanted to put this in here again from a post that Jan made because it was such a help to me in the first week. Knowing what to expect, particularly on day 5, made all the difference between drinking and not drinking.

Jan wrote:

The battle with day 5

Day 1.
BODY: Hey liver, hey kidneys. Something strange is happening. There is no booze to poison the body today. Jeez. We can have a day off work – but stay alert. I want you all watching on shifts. It could happen again at any time.
BRAIN: I need a beer
BODY: Shut up you tosser.

Day 2
BODY: Hey guys. Still no booze. This is great. We have been working overtime for the last few years just trying to process this stuff through the body – damage limitation. We can have a change of duties today. It’s been ages since we could work on the other stuff. C’mon guys, let’s brighten up the skin, get rid of those puffy eyes, start working on making the hair grow thick and lustrous. All these things have been neglected for so long. It’s going to be knackering hard work but let’s go for it while we have the chance.
BRAIN: I still need a beer, big time.
BODY: Leave us alone, we’re busy

Day 3 and 4
BODY: I feel absolutely exhausted, tired all the time, think I’m coming down with flu. Yesterday was such hard work, I think I’ll just curl up under the duvet today and feel sorry for myself.

BRAIN: Feeling sorry for yourself? Have a beer, open the wine. That’ll make you feel better. Go on – you know you want to. My head is hurting too. I’m so used to the booze burning off a few brain cells a day – and now the buggers are growing back. It’s all changing. Chemically. Still, there is just about enough booze left in my system to cope.

DAY 5

BODY: I feel better than I have done for ages. Lot’s of energy, a spring in my step, bright eyes,

BRAIN: That’s it! I’ve had enough. My head is totally clear of alcohol now and I don’t think I can cope. I MUST have more drink now!! I’m in a whirlwind, a chemical maelstrom; I can only think about one thing. Oh God, put me out of my misery. Crack open that VodKa….. NOW! I’M DESPERATE – time for desperate measures. Time to get sneaky methinks.

Whispers: Just one little drink can’t hurt can it? You have had four days off, you’ve been good, exceeded your expectations. You feel better than you have for ages thanks to Body’s hard work. You can handle a glass of wine. Go one. You know you want to.

[Bela]

This is great; missed it the first time around.
Thanks for re-posting, Kitty.

[Dave K]

I'm going on day five now and I'm still feeling goog about this. At this rate I'm sure that I can go seven days and so on. Of course it still crosses my mind but it's not tempting me anymore. I think that I needed this experience as a serious wake up call. I've gotten some great motivation from this website and of course my wife. Thanks everyone for being supportive.
-Dave K

[Daisymay]

Hi Everyone,
I'm on day 2 and feeling depressed! My solution to this would normally be to open a bottle of wine, after all it is Saturday.......
I've felt tired and irritable for most of the day and haven't done anything much because I have no motivation at all.
Also My friend has just texted me to say she's having a bottle of red wine, which is often a trigger for me to open one!
However I did like waking up this morning without a headache or feeling sick and would like to do the same tomorrow so I am determined to stay sober again tonight!

I have spent most of the day reading the posts on here and it's great to see how many people are or have been in the same boat as me. Thank you all for your honesty, I really feel like I'm amongst friends.

Bye for now,

Daisymay

[Bela]

Daisy, you just hang with us for a while.
You will feel even better tomorrow!

[Momma Kitty]

Dear BE Freinds,

OMG Bec!!!!! Your idea for this 7 day thread is nothing short of:

"Inspirational"!!!!!!!!!!!!

O my word everyone!!! Love it, Love it, Love it!!! See you all later on.

Love to all,

Momma Kitty xo

[Daisymay]

Hi Everyone,

Bella ,
you were soooo right! I feel great this morning. No headache or nausea and I feel happier in myself.
I feel that getting through the biggest part of the weekend without a drink is quite an achievement and I'm starting to believe I can manage without altogether (with a little help from you all).

Anyway,I am more motivated to do things today so I'm going to enjoy having a clear head and get on with some work that's been piling up, while I've been living in an alcohol induced fog!

Good luck to everyone who's in their frst seven days and thanks to you all who are well beyond this point for your inspiration and support
Talk to you all later,

Also could someone tell me how I can put the smilies into the text please? My messages look so dull compared to everyone elses.
Thank you

Daisy

[Sheila]

Hi Daisymay
You're sounding good today
As for the smilies, just choose where you want to see one in your message, select the one you want, and click on it. It's as simple as that. You'll see your chosen smilie when you preview or submit your message.
Have a good day,
Sheila

[Kitty66]

Thanks Bubbysmum

I do want to make it very clear though that those are not my wise words.

Many thanks to Jan for those and for getting me through that first week

Kitty

[becstarr]

What a great post from Auntie Jan. Thanks for putting that up, Kitty

[Daisymay]

Shiela,
Thank you, I am feeling better today, though I realise it's early days.
Daisy

[ILuvShoppin]

On day two, cant believe i didnt drink last nite, after a heavy one (again) friday nite I would normally just open anotha bottle of red on saturday nite just to take the 'edge' off to make me feel 'normal' again! I now think i realise that i just kid myself that boozing the second day makes me feel betta as i felt so much betta this morning after not drinkin, took me a while to get motivated but sure didnt have the heavy head like normal but my sleep was some what disturbed!

After reading through the threads on here they r helpin immensly, just to take one day at a time set each day as a goal seems to make it more achievable.
I am dreadin the weekend though as it is my 30th on friday so the weekend holds celebrations and meals out, am i really that strong yet to get though this one???????

I would just like to say thank you all so much for ur support.

Thanx ILuvShoppin

[becstarr]

Well I'm going to join you all on this thread as well.
As most of you know I have cut down my drinking considerably thanks to the help of all here at BE but of late I seem to struggle to get through a week without a couple of glasses (not bottles!!) of wine at night to wind down.

SO day 1 here for me. Monday and Tuesdays I'm generally ok but by Wednesdays I'm struggling. I know I can do it though.

Bec x

Hey Bubbysmum - I just noticed your a fellow Aussie Where abouts in Oz are you?