New Members - Please Introduce Yourself Here

[ThreeDayRoad]

Hi all, my name is mick from Ireland trying yet again to quit the drinking

Hi Mick - I'm new here myself, same reason though. I was in Ireland last may for a month (mostly west, Galway, Clare, Aran, Kerry) and would go back any time, loved every minute of it. Haven't laughed so much in years! I did indulge in the Guinness culture quite liberally with little harm done, but then I didn't have much of a schedule other than being back in Dublin to catch a plane by a certain time. And I did catch it, although I have been known to miss the odd flight in my time.
All the best. Keep in touch. These forums are are the best thing for me since the screw-off cap!

[Wednesdaylady]

Hello. I guess I'm here for the same reason as everyone else. I can't stop crying. I thought I could handle it. I've thought that for years.

[linda6666]

Hello. I guess I'm here for the same reason as everyone else. I can't stop crying. I thought I could handle it. I've thought that for years.

Oh dear hun.. Don't cry, you have done one of the big steps now...Welcome

[New image]

Hello Wednesdaylady. Welcome toBE. Many of us felt exactly the same when we joined ( sometimes after joining too) but you've taken the first steps to a new life.

Welcome to bigmick also
And Lola boo too . I previously once gave up drinking for 6 weeks then thought I'd have a social drink but several years later I'm trying again. Never too late to try again

[lawrence]

Hi Wednesday.

I can only echo what Linda and New Image said above.

You should give yourself a big pat on the back. Realising and admitting to ourselves that we have a problem is quite an emotional experience for many of us, but it can also be a liberating feeling, at least it was for me.

Keep posting here. I'm on my own journey, as is everyone here, but you'll find plenty of support and a wealth of experience from people at all stages of this thing.

and finally a few hugs to welcome you

Lawrence x

[ThreeDayRoad]

Hello. I guess I'm here for the same reason as everyone else. I can't stop crying. I thought I could handle it. I've thought that for years.

As a fellow newcomer I can only say you're in a good place now, just being in touch with all the wit and wisdom available here. I use to hop out of bed full of cheer and optimism for the day, until I gradually noticed that I wasn't really doing that any more, more like dreading what was to come. That's when I knew something was wrong. Took me ten years to admit what the problem was, of course. Step one.
All the best to you and keep in touch. Check back often and you'll feel the strength of conviction returning, not to mention finding things to smile about again. All things considered, smiling beats crying any day, hands down.

[40percentproof]

Hi
I''m 34 and I've had a problem with alcohol for years now. I gave up drinking for 2 1/2 years recently, but stupidly decided to drink at my best friends hen do, thinking I could now handle it....7 months later and I'm now back to square one. I went to AA last time to give up, and although I did, I could only handle 6 sessions before I realised it wasn't for me as I am very self conscious and couldn't open up with everyone staring at me!
Today I am off work because I drank too much last night. It's more the self loathing that I feel than anything else today. I tell myself every week that I'm not going to drink, but something takes over and I always end up drinking It's taken over my life again and I feel I have no control over it.
I've just sent an email to the online councelling as I think this will be a great help to me, but I would love to hear from people who have been in my position, as I have no-one to talk to that understands what I am going through (although I have a great husband and mum that do listen to me rambling on - poor things).
Look forward to receiving replies,
Thanks, Lola

I understand. My drinking caused me to take time off work. When I was shown my attendance record it was shocking. You will get there with this

[40percentproof]

Hi all, my name is mick from Ireland trying yet again to quit the drinking

Hi from me and you are in the right place, people here will identify and understand.

[40percentproof]

Hello. I guess I'm here for the same reason as everyone else. I can't stop crying. I thought I could handle it. I've thought that for years.

Facing something you can't see a way out from is going to be upsetting and there is nothing wrong with how you feel. I have faith in you moving forward though.

[bonny-kat]

Welcome, Wednesdaylady!

You have taken a big step joining this forum and we all need the help and support of one another, sometimes more than others. This has been a lifeline for me during my first few days of trying to overcome my nightly drinking habit. You'll find lots of support here - and even some good laughs. I wish you the very best.

[dianna]

Hi. New member.today. Have been sober.for.second day. Usually I.drink.a bottle of wine every night. I have used.this to relieve stress from a highly.stressful medical job. I tell myself every morning.that.it.is.the.last time to wake up feeling bad. But everynight I tell myself I deserve it because.of.the.day and I am not hurting anyone( This.is.a.horrible.lie. I want to be back in control. Will be fine for this day. Just hope tomorrow will not.listen to the evil deserve it voice.

[I can do it!]

Hi. New member.today. Have been sober.for.second day. Usually I.drink.a bottle of wine every night. I have used.this to relieve stress from a highly.stressful medical job. I tell myself every morning.that.it.is.the.last time to wake up feeling bad. But everynight I tell myself I deserve it because.of.the.day and I am not hurting anyone( This.is.a.horrible.lie. I want to be back in control. Will be fine for this day. Just hope tomorrow will not.listen to the evil deserve it voice.

Welcome Dianna, I am a new member also, on Day 5. I know where you are coming from, I could drink a bottle of wine a night, sometimes plus and a g&t as a nightcap to help relax from a sometimes stressful time being a Mum, although really looking back it is just life with children, not really stressfull, I suppose it was just an excuse to drink. Alcohol doesn't help stress is causes it in the long run. I used to hate myself in the morning, especially when my husband asked me if I remembered what I had said and done the night before - of course I didn't but it was always me being evil . Not me in the sober world. My goals - getting back control of my life, no more guilt (from the booze), no more black outs, feeling positive and not wanting to constantly think about alcohol and how hard social occasions may be is where I am aiming for. Bit up and down today but I suppose all that is to be expected. Finding BE has really really helped, you just don't feel so alone - everyone is so supportive.

Good luck, stay strong

[craigiewicked1]

hi all, i have stopped drinking yesterday after years of having an anti stress drink after work, turns out that after not even knowing i been doing nearly half litre of vodka for god knows how many years, i worked out the cost and was stunned at how much money i had spent over the years, also i got drunk and embarresed myself in work so enough is enough i think. any way last night was hell, i didn't sleepwell and am shaking like a leaf but will grit the teeth and see what happens,nice to see i jot on my own

[geri reynolds]

Hi my name is geri
iv been drinking to much for maybe about five years. my drinkin really got out of control last year. I drink wine, I hide the bottles from my family. Iv got three grown up children the youngest is 20. Everyone in my house knows what iv been doin. There all very angry with me. iv tryed to stop in the past, but i just couldn't. I had my last drink on new years eve. i haven't touched a drop since, there are days i struggle!! im on my last legs at home becuse my husband says he's not putting up with it anymore. It is ruining all my relationships, especially with my family. iv even noticed in the short time that ivnot been drinkin .vino how much more peaceful my life is. Iv taken a couple of wks off work just to get on the wagon. I really want to do this. Is there anyone out there in the same or similar position as me? I need support x

[caroline95]

Hi Geri, good to meet you and welcome to BE.Fantastic that you haven't had a drink since the start of the year

There are lots of us in the same position as you, some of us are hanging out on the 2 Week Challenge - it's on the General Recovery section under Sobriety Challenges.It's a good place to find others at the same stage of giving up as you are and get to know a few people.

Some of us are using an online drinking diary that really helps too, it's here....http://www.drinkingdiary.com/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; if you want to check it out.

BE is full of useful advice, information and support and you'll find plenty of friendly company here - take a good look around and post wherever you feel comfy.

'Hope to see you around the boards, and good luck!

[dypso]

hi all,

i have stopped drinking yesterday after years of having an anti stress drink after work, turns out that after not even knowing i been doing nearly half litre of vodka for god knows how

many years, i worked out the cost and was stunned at how much money i had spent over the years, also i got drunk and embarresed myself in work so enough is enough i think. any way last night was hell, i didn't sleepwell and am shaking like a leaf but will grit the teeth and see what happens,nice to see i jot on my own

Hi craigie and welcome
If as you say you have been drinking 1/2 litre aday for yonks ,then you need to be careful of giving up suddenly ( cold turkey )as there is a possibility of seizures which in some circumstances could be fatal !

It's a scary prospect and one that I myself am facing at the moment.

Linda can tell you more as she experienced the whole thing

Good luck

[40percentproof]

I have new updates available if anyone wants to read, my thoughts on drinks effects on negative thinking and seeking out a higher power.

[ThreeDayRoad]

hi all, i have stopped drinking yesterday after years of having an anti stress drink after work, turns out that after not even knowing i been doing nearly half litre of vodka for god knows how many years, i worked out the cost and was stunned at how much money i had spent over the years, also i got drunk and embarresed myself in work so enough is enough i think. any way last night was hell, i didn't sleepwell and am shaking like a leaf but will grit the teeth and see what happens,nice to see i jot on my own

Hi Craigie - the sleep thing is probably anxiety. I know it well. It sounds dull as dishwater but what I do is go to bed early with a big mug of chamomile tea (available anywhere that sells tea) and a good book. These days I'm out after about three pages and half the tea. If I wake up in the night, I drink the rest of the tea and I'm good for another couple of hours. Getting a sleep schedule back is really important so you feel strong during the day. That evil alcohol fairy is just sitting there waiting. The other good idea is to eat well and start loading up with vitamins. Your system is probably depleted. I take a multi-vit every day and supplement it with an extra 500mg of vitamin C. Do that for a few days and you'll feel much better. In the meantime, visit this forum regularly (as I do!) and you'll see you're not alone in this! Best of luck and hang in there.

[Zindagi]

Hi

I am on day 34 with (2 slip-ups, one of them potentially serious enough) but pulled myself back on the wagon again.

I did it all on my own with the help of just one special friend who has counselling experience. But no medication nothing, just will power. So it is possible. I think people over-emphasise the shakes, so did I, fearing cold-turkey but I learnt to identify the anxiety shakes from withdrawal shakes. it all depends on the level of dependency and addiction. I am now so far into sobriety that the alcohol team wont have me...so on to day 35 tomorrow and will contact the relapse prevention teams. Joining AA soon too.

Best of luck for those in the initial stages of withdrawal. Believe me it is possible and by the time you get to week 3 or more it starts to whiz past. It seems pointless to even think about it. I just avoid situations and associations which are related to drink. Hopefully after a month I wont even need to do that. After that I could even work as bartender and not be bothered. But I do get annoyed at the smell of it still.

After all my big words I still could use some cheering on.

[kjm99501]

I am a 39 year old mother of three great kids. I have struggled with alcoholism since my first divorce in 2003. I am the daughter of an alcoholic father. I swore I would never, ever follow in his footsteps, but here I am. I was sexually, physically, emotionally and verbally abused as a child by my older brother. My parents knew, and chose to do nothing. This set me up for a lifetime of turmoil...my own fault, no excuses. I used to be the "perfect"-ish mother. Never did anything to embarrass myself or my kids, had goals and dreams, and I had a pretty nice body to boot. Now, just about a year and a half later, I am twice divorced, 20 pounds overweight, and feeling very alone and very much a failure. I have never been in legal trouble or had problems at work, but I thought I had hit bottom last spring when I drove my car into a ditch and my husband (an alcoholic himself) told me I was out of control and needed rehab. I passed with flying colors...and started drinking again two days after leaving the facility. Since then, he divorced me, I have moved my children twice, and I am miserable. I tried AA...the people bugged the hell out of me. Drinking has become my worst best friend. It doesn't judge me, it doesn't tell me I am worthless, it doesn't expect anything of me... but it killed my relationships and it is killing me. I hope with all of my heart that with your support, I can work to get my life back.