LESS Alcohol ~ SEPTEMBER 2024 ~ One Day at A Time

xbowhunter

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

@xbowhunter Congratulations on your 10 days of being alcohol free. I had the same observations during my twenty-something day AF streak last month.

I believe you originally said that you wanted to quit drinking to save money. I had said that the reason that I would like to quit is because of past medical issues. But the reason for me to quit drinking right now is that I'm scared!

Three years ago, I woke up just after midnight vomiting blood. My husband called 911. I was taken to the hospital and was in the ICU for at least three days (I don't remember a whole lot) and then transferred to other units. I was medically detoxed (I couldn't have done it on my own). I was diagnosed with esophageal varices and beginning stages of cirrhosis. Obviously, I was told not to drink.

I haven't been checked out for a while. I have an appt with a new gastroenterologist next month (I had a falling out with my old one). Another reason for me to abstain!

Right now, I feel like I'm pushing my luck. And recently, I've been feeling really scared because often there is no warning when something bad is going to happen.

I do have alcohol in the house right now. But tomorrow is a new day!

Wow that is scary. All the more reason for me to move on alcohol free!

SurferGirl1982

xbowhunter wrote: »

Wow that is scary. All the more reason for me to move on alcohol free!

Yes, it is. Some of the alcohol-related diseases have no symptoms (until they've progressed). Or, you just don't relate the problems you're experiencing to drinking. I've had less disturbing issues from drinking. But they were usually related to vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Heavy drinkers don't absorb the nutrients and they don't eat well on top of that.

My best friend (who happens to live about 800 miles from me) called today. We hadn't talked in a while. Her husband had been a heavy beer drinker for about 20 years. He couldn't work. He was a big rig truck driver beforehand. But he started having panic attacks and could no longer work. His doctor told him that the anxiety that he was feeling was actually a symptom of alcohol withdrawals. Withdrawal symptoms can begin just hours after your last drink. Anyways, this past July, my friend had to call 911. Her husband didn't have any idea what he was doing or where he was. He was suffering from a wet brain (I can't remember the actual term). He spent a few days in the hospital and then five weeks in a nursing home. The good news is that he has majorly improved and hasn't drank since July.

Scary stuff!

tmbg1

16 AF
8 A

NonnieDoiron

chicbuc wrote: »

@NonnieDoiron I, too, enjoy my wine, and I don't want to put it down forever. I do need to set rigid ground rules for myself, or I will drink it every day. That's just a fact. I'm battling some bouts of depression right now that I need to work through without drinking, but part of the depression is not drinking...lol. I'm a mess, but I'll get there one day at a time.

I completely understand. And, you’re not as big a mess as you think you are. You’re here and checking in daily. You’re doing the work and making the effort. We are all here to support you!

I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, but I am not medicated because of my drinking. I know I drink to self-medicate. So, like you, I have those ground rules which cause me to analyze why I “need” a drink. After careful reflection, I realize I don’t need a drink. I need a good cry or a b*tch session or even a good laugh. I need feedback from someone who might see a different angle to my frustration, or maybe I just need to pray. My need is not alcohol. My need is to face whatever I’m feeling good, bad, or indifferent.

We are all different, and we will all find our way through this maze of either abstinence or temperence. I hope and pray everyone gets where they are going and stays there. 🙂

AF = 17
A = 6

SurferGirl1982

chicbuc wrote: »

@NonnieDoiron I, too, enjoy my wine, and I don't want to put it down forever. I do need to set rigid ground rules for myself, or I will drink it every day. That's just a fact. I'm battling some bouts of depression right now that I need to work through without drinking, but part of the depression is not drinking...lol. I'm a mess, but I'll get there one day at a time.

@chicbuc I was going to ask how old you where. But I looked at your profile and you are younger than me. I'm 67. Although I don't look that old. And when I'm not drinking I'm in pretty good physical shape.

You're sounding just like me...you have to set rigid ground rules. I also had rigid ground rules. My best one was to only drink on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It really is a pretty good plan. But I couldn't stick to it.

The purpose of this group is to support each other in our LA or NA goals. So I don't want to offend anyone. But I've spent the last 40 years trying to moderate.

Sometimes..."Someday Never Comes"

chicbuc

@SurferGirl1982 Your someday is already here, though because you've had less to drink last month...and even this month...than you did before you started. You can't get anywhere unless you start. Keep on fighting!

@NonnieDoiron I've recently regained my faith and started praying again and it has helped immensely. I know it sounds weird to someone who doesn't believe, but it helps just to put that burden on God and to know it's not just mine.

AF last night and I didn't really crave any either, so that's good. I do go to bed earlier on AF nights, and I can tell that frustrates the SO a little, but it sure is nice to wake up early AND refreshed.

AF = 6
A = 18

RubyRed427

15 A
9 AF


Added two AF days this week. Let it roll! Once I get two days in a row, it is better for me to keep it going.

xbowhunter

Happy hump day.

AF - 13
A - 11

SparkSpringtime69

September:
AF=9
A=15
Two AF days in a row - WOOHOO

globalhiker

24 days AF and on to day 25. Taking it one day at a time.

Still in that honeymoon phase of my life is so good without drinking - except I lost only 1-2 lbs this time because I intentionally substituted chocolate for alcohol and that works very well for me. I've switched to 10 calorie 100% cocoa powder to mix in with whatever to try to better manage the chocolate addiction.

I love some wines (both the flavor and the warming feeling it gives me) and do look forward to the day sometime in the future where I will have a good wine without guilt or waking up the addiction. But I know I shouldn't have them much more than a few times a year because my health is the most important thing I can control in my life. The quality of my life matters very much. Didn't realize how much the wines were affecting my self-esteem and controlling my thinking.

SurferGirl1982

Thanks @chicbuc I guess I am doing better than before I started. I just wish this month could have been more like last month. I'll try to do better in October 🙂

The funny thing about the silly rules that I would set for myself...they looked so good on paper. But sticking to them just never happened. When you think about the plan to only drink on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; it sounds perfect! Never drinking two days in a row and only drinking 3 days out of 7.

One time I made a plan to be AF on Sundays and Mondays only. Sounds easy, right? I figured down the line that I could add in a AF Wed. But for me, when Sunday would come around, I would cave. I guess this is a classic example of "Do what I say, not what I do!"

I'm happy that you had an AF night last night 🙂

SurferGirl1982

@SparkSpringtime69 Congrats on the 2 day AF streak 😀 It really is an accomplishment!

tmbg1

17 AF
8 A

NonnieDoiron

AF = 18
A = 6

I think I forgot my b12… better go do it before I forget again.🙄

KarinSanden

Today I'm going to our ski cabin for the "Autumn Market" in the village. I have packed some Red Wine but I haven't decided if I want to drink yet. I'm mostly thinking that is is unnecessary calories because I want to lose weight and stay in a calorie deficit. At the same time I think it is so cozy to be there and have some burning candles and a great book and some wine. Let's see how it goes...

AF: 24
A: 2

xbowhunter

AF - 14
A - 11

11 days alcohol free now. I feel 100% better both mentally and physically. No going back now...

Alatariel75

I was in another city for work for the last 3 days and went out for dinner with friends last night. Cocktail before dinner, one glass of red with, and a cocktail at another bar a bit later, but that was it. It still messed with my sleep, but I enjoyed the drinks.

Considered coming home to a glass of wine when I got in, but the other drinker in the house had been hitting it pretty hard and that put me right off again. A good thing, I guess.

We're going into a long weekend, and there will be drinks, but I'm hoping my newfound moderation sticks...

chicbuc

Great job @xbowhunter !!

SparkSpringtime69

SurferGirl1982 wrote: »

@SparkSpringtime69 Congrats on the 2 day AF streak 😀 It really is an accomplishment!

Thanks @surfergirl1982, Unfortunately I didn't get a third day into that streak
I seem to have very little problem with days 1 and 2, it's getting past those first couple into a longer streak that I have difficulty with. I need to figure out what's causing that - I blame it on stress, but I think there has to be something more to it, and I don't think it's a physical thing. Anyway, today should be a new day 1.
@xbowhunter nice job on the 11 day streak - keep up the great work! And to everyone else who has those wonderful, long streaks going, congratulations; it's inspiring and I'm looking forward to the day I can count myself as one of you!!

SparkSpringtime69

September:
AF=9
A=16