Problem with alcohol

Please add me and lets talk....I have been sober for 11 years. Change Happens!

jaycich wrote: »

Hey people, I just wanted update you guys. I haven't had a single drink since the day I made this thread and I sold yet another one of my guns.

The down side is it's taking me long to fall asleep at night. When I awaken I feel extremely tired and my muscles hurt. It feels like I need more sleep. How many hours am i sleeping? I don't know it's to tell I'm not sure what time I'm falling asleep, but I think it's about 6 or so hours.

For the past 26 years, for me, it has been: "I did not drink yesterday, and I will not drink today."
Clichés aside, it is one day at a time. Get yourself active. Learn to love, or at least like, yourself. Find a hobby, activity, or job to busy your time. Meetings help, particularly in the beginning. Find one near you. You'll find someone there with whom you'll be able to talk, face to face.

Since you didn't drink yesterday, don't drink today. Be well

I wish you well and hope that you are feeling better. It's good that you recognized that you have a problem, that's the first step...I think keeping busy and finding a hobby like the others have suggested will be good for you, and you may make some friends along the way!

Hey jaycich:

How's your day going?

jaycich wrote: »

Teamdhb120 wrote: »

I'm on day four. You can do this!

How you holding up?

I'm doing well and I'm way more productive.

jaycich wrote: »

pondee629 wrote: »

Hey jaycich:

How's your day going?

Hey partner, pretty good. I woke up feeling better today, although I slept for about 9 hours. I went to Quiznos, then to look at some cars as I need one if I want to drive for uber (oil & gas is down). After I went to the grocery store and bought some mahi mahi. I may have overcooked it. Lol Watching the rockets play Portland right now.

No beer.

How bout yourself?

You guys Feel free to write about yourselves on my thread.

Proud of you! I don't know if I've commented on your thread before but I know I def read it before and I've been rooting for you!

Seek support asap

Hello there, functioning alcoholic here (recovering), it doesn't affect my job and I don't do anything harmful while drinking other than damaging my body and gaining weight. My goal isn't to completely stop drinking but drink only on special occasions. I used to drink four 40oz each weekday and five to six on each saturday and sunday...so believe me when I say I understand where you are at; on top of that I smocked medical marijuana which I have completely quite. I don't drink to get drunk or tipsy but I do drink because of boredom combined with stress from work and it helps me sleep.

I am not perfect yet (you can see my diary) but majority of the time I no longer drink and gradually getting myself to the point where I will cut it out completely unless going out with friends. But the thing that has helped me is finding something to focus on and that includes establishing some hobbies and habits. I force myself to cook all my food which keeps me occupied and moving quite a bit. I started playing piano and guitar again, reading, etc....you have to force yourself to do the things you did before drinking-one thing at a time. I also established routine, like bathing before bed, logging everything I ate/drank, doing clay masks, brushing teeth, etc. I have a nightly routine that I stick to.

The first week of quitting the "habit" is not easy, falling asleep is a little tough (but focusing on your breathing helps me fall asleep, there is also a great breathing yoga technique that can help!). But the main thing is establishing routine that you stick to and slowly add things to do. Once I got that on some level of control I now started working out which makes me not want to drink because I am working so damn hard...makes me eat cleaner too.

It is important to keep cold water in the fridge and a filled glass around you, every time you feel the urge to drink-drink the water, it actually helps...eventually that becomes a habit too.

I am not into things like AA as I don't like the religious twist around it and it's targeted towards abstinence vs I want to learn to have control and moderate how I drink, I don't want to be helpless. There are apps for smart phones that help you track the things you quit (like for iphone there is Quit That! BeClear, Quit it!) in which you log how much money you spend a day and shows your progress not just how long you have abstained but how much money you saved yourself. There are also several reddit pages you can join like reddit.com/stopdrinking which has other people with experiences, stories and triumphs. It helps to read it when you are losing focus.

I only have 1 friend who I rarely see (majority of them moves to out of state and others I lost interest in). I quickly become solitary and drinking glued me to the couch and tv...but this isn't living...this is cruising. If you live near a city find some local things to go do, instead of spending money on alcohol spend it on doing something you enjoy. Start re-establishing those friendships, make plans like seeing a movie or doing movie/dinner/game night; it does help being around friends (just don't be around those that make you want to drink, lol).

Change one thing at a time and cut out a beer a day or a week, take small steps until you are ready to leap. I feel I finally reached my point of leaping but it took an entire month to get to this point but gaining control over the addiction. Just because we are a highly function alcoholics, we are still by definition alcoholics and it robs you of the possibilities of life. Low-risk drinking is no more than 3 drinks on any single day and no more than 7 drinks per week for women. For men, it is defined as no more than 4 drinks on any single day and no more than 14 drinks per week. Right now you drink 6 per 7 days a week which is 42 which is 28 more than it is advised. So cut down gradually and start regaining control of your life. I can already feel the difference it's making for my energy and body, it's worth it. There was a day and I was busy doing dishes and I realized that I actually liked being sober...crazy idea but I did like it. I am no saint...but I am getting there

Wish you best of luck, feel free to add me for any support, etc.

@jaycich.
Thanks for your thread. I'm going to a function this weekend with lots of alcohol and will post on Monday how it goes.

Please add me. I'd love to talk to you.

I am so happy to hear things are going well. Congrats on your success thus far, I'm proud of you.