11 days without a drink

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by msparks:
Sorry guys, I messed I was a day ahead. Actually just made it passed day 11, now on Day 12. Still doing great though. No worries. I looked on the calendar and counted wrong.

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That's the opposite of how it is for me, I have more trouble counting when I am drinking.

You're getting a lot of good advice about not doing this by yourself. I know lots of people who have given up booze and those who do it with a support group have a much higher success rate.

 

[Matt89]

I gave up alcohol 2.5 years ago...saw the writing on the wall and quit while I was ahead.

Nice not having to worry about what dumb thing I'm going to say to someone, DUI etc.

 

[keith]

quote:

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Originally posted by msparks:
Hey I feel like I'm on the road to recovery. So far I've been 11 days without a drink of alcohol.

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Congratulations and keep it going. 11 days can become 11 weeks, 11 months, 11 years. It doesn't sound like you drank enough to have physical withdrawal (the DT's) so like you said, just say No and good things will happen for you.

 

[Winston]

What do you think about the two methods? The AA 12 step vs the Rational method.

The rational people do not like to talk about the "one day at a time" thing. It is more like make a decision and stick with it. Stay away from self help groups, etc.

What do you think?

 

[msparks]

quote:

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Originally posted by Winston:
What do you think about the two methods? The AA 12 step vs the Rational method.

The rational people do not like to talk about the "one day at a time" thing. It is more like make a decision and stick with it. Stay away from self help groups, etc.

What do you think?

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I think it's about 2 different types of people really. Maybe that's the reason why so many on 12 step (relapse) Because they are different and have different needs.

If you look at the world as a whole, there are many different types of people. Folks I talk to about owning your own business, being an entreprenuer scares the **** out of people, Me, having a JOB scares the **** out of me.

Some folks are "dependent" and some folks are "independent". Not to say either way works better or not. I'm afraid that if I went to a group, it would #1 bring me down or #2 **** me off as so many can't control themselves. In either case that's just me and nothing against either program.

I started reading the rational thing and it was good at first, then it started talking about demons and 2 sides of your brain and all that ****.

Again my advice: JUST DO IT! and quit trying to analize which side of the brain is talking to whom. I have 1 brain and with all the power that is locked up in there, I've decided what I want to do and no one will stop me. That's just the way it is.

 

[wantin150]

My Stepdad called my Mom from jail (DWI for hitting a street sign at 10:00 a.m.). She wouldn't bail him out and he had to catch a cab home. It was extremely embarassing for him. She gave him an ultimatum, the booze or his family. Choose.

He chose us. And just like that, he quit. Priorities are everything. He also was given a medication which made him violently ill if he consumed anything with alcohol in it. I remember a whole list of normal foods he couldn't eat.

I also quit smoking. I also quit dipping. I have relapsed a couple of times with the dip but quit once again a week before my wife found out she was pregnant, that was more than 4 years ago. I have taken exactly 2 dips since.

Keep up what you are doing and stand by that decision. Place the money you would have spent on booze in a jar and take a little vacation at the end of the year.

 

[Papa Bear]

If you are an alcoholic you can't "decide" not to drink anymore...any more than you can "decide" not to get cancer or diabetese.
I wish you all the best, Michael, and want to assure you that A.A. will be there for you if you need them, afer you have tried other choices. It will become clear to you soon whether A.A.'s the way.
Trust me, if a person relapses in A.A., it's NOT A.A.'s fault !!

P.B.

 

[MarkC]

I'm sorry, but I don't buy the "alcoholism is a disease" thing. It's an addiction if you let it be, but if alcoholism is a disease, then why not cigarette addiction, heroin, overeating?
Does everybody need a cultish 12-step program to take control of themselves?
Of course, not being an alcoholic, maybe I shouldn't speak, but I knwo people in AA, and I've heard them and others talk about it, it sounds ridiculous to me.
But I guess whatever helps, helps.
Sorry if I offended anybody.

 

[ScottB]

I have to concur with MarkC - and I'm also not saying that to offend anyone - which I'm sure is a lost cause.
I just don't buy into that.
Are deadbeat dad's also afflicted?
I know a lot of people that are either "recovered" or need to be and they tend to be the most selfish people I know.
The damage done to those around them is astronomical, and I think it's a societal "cop-out" personally.

I've been through rough times on a number of levels, and I've never allowed myself to let chemicals of any sort take me over.
I got "used to liking" pain killers when I had a badly separated shoulder a few years ago, but when the Rx ran out, so did the fun.

It's tough not to fall into one of those traps I'm sure - but it's tough to keep your marriage together, keep a job, and raise kids too.

Good luck to you.

Scott

 

[TheLoneRanger]

quote:

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I've decided what I want to do and no one will stop me. That's just the way it is.

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Now that's a true statement for sure. Whether it's nicotine or alcohol, you yourself have to decide to quit. No one will do it for you, and no one can force you to do it.

A good movie dealing with alcoholism is "The Pilot" (1981) starring Cliff Robertson. (You'd think the plot was pulled straight out of today's headlines). The main character didn't want to quit drinking entirely, he wanted to control it. It's an entertaining flick with lots of good tips on quitting/controlling drinking.

 

[msparks]

Well,

I'm at day 25. Soon it will be 30. It's really been no sweat. Plus I think I've lost about 5lbs too. I don't have a scale but I think my clothes fit better.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

No alcohol is a wonderful diet aid.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Posted in this thread by some genius:

"Hey, you'll probably lose some weight. You can eat more ice cream. "

 

[Papa Bear]

Right on ms. Keep on keepin' on.

P.B.

 

[OriginHacker21]

You might want to get a scale - especially the digital kind (easier to read). Those things can be great encouragments when you try to lose weight and see a smaller number appear after a few weeks.

Congrats on your commitment msparks - keep posting and talking - a lot easier to do it with friends/others. More power to you!


I'll agree with MarkC and ScottB but I have a grandpa and a dad who were both alcoholics so I see how addictive it can be. I turned 21 on the 17th. I have no desire/intention of getting drunk and haven't had more than 1 drink in a 2 hour setting or more than 2 a day. Different people are different (dad, grandpa).

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by OriginHacker21:
You might want to get a scale - especially the digital kind (easier to read). Those things can be great encouragments when you try to lose weight and see a smaller number appear after a few weeks.

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Plot it on agraph too, it can be really discouraging when you go for aweek without losing or even gain abit while doing everything right. If you are able to see the long term trend on a graph, week long upward blips don't seem as bad.

 

[msparks]

Big time test last Thursday. Attended a Chamber of Commerce business after hours event. Free beer and food.

Not a drink. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to not have "just one"

Would like to get to a point to have "just one" but don't know if it will be for a while. I like "not drinking".