I have a drink problem - Professional opinion

[jenluckenbach]

YOU ARE DOING GREAT! But we all just want to make sure you don't fool yourself and then slip back.

And you may believe that you are boring us, but if you forget to update us don't be surpised if we are pounding on your door.

Hang in there. {{{{{HUGS}}}}

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Thank you all once again.

Have got the tonic water in for when the relatives come over - could postpone it I suppose but that would mean alcohol running my life and I don't want that any more. All the time I'm thinking of drinking, even if its thinking of NOT drinking its still "in charge" and I'm stronger than that.

I truly understand what you are saying in your posts and they have all helped me see myself clearly for the first time in years. I am looking into where my local AA meetings are held and may pop along to have a chat - in the meantime this is day 5 without a drink

[carole]

I think you are truely amazing, i am just worried for you, i think you are way too hard on yourself, drinking has controlled your life obviously from what you are saying, and it is not just a matter of saying it will not anymore, but i really admire your determination and courage, i really just have to say i think you are putting far too much temptation in your way,far too early on in the peace, you have to give yourself time to recover,it won't happen over night, i am sorry i don't mean to harp on about it or keep putting a downer on things for you because you are doing so exceptionally well, and should be proud, i am just concerned that you are being too brave if you know what i mean, going to an AA meeting is an excellent idea and i am sure you will get some expert advice there, in the meantime congratulations and keep at it, you really are a very strong person, and that will help you through it all a lot,just don't be frightened to reach out and ask for help, take care and all the very best.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

The boss is going on holiday so its a tradition that we have a bottle of wine in the office on his last afternoon...............can't run away home as I've got tons of work to get done so I have asked for a bottle of tonic water instead. Ho hum....can't expect the world to change just for little old me

Honestly, its like going on a diet and all you see is advertisements for chocolate!!!!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Honestly, its like going on a diet and all you see is advertisements for chocolate!!!!

LOL!! I know exactly what you mean, Denise!

[Catty1]

WOOHOO! Day 5 - good going, those 'one days' do add up in no time!

Denise, here's another bit or two from the "Big Book". My mom used to ask me why I kept going to meetings when I wasn't drinking any more(never mind that it is to help others and show them this thing works). I read to her what are called the 12 Promises of the Program, and I want to share them with you. If you work the steps the best you can, here you are:

"If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves."

pp 83-84

Interesting how none of the above mentions alcohol - in fact, only Step 1 of the 12 mentions it! But the next paragraph touches on it a bit, and is another positive to look forward to(pp 84-85):

"And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone - even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned. We will seldom be interested in alcohol. If tempted, we recoil from it as from a hot flame. We react sanely and normally, and we will find that this has happened automatically. We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality - safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition."



Hugs
Catty1

[Pawsitive Thinking]

My colleagues have just opened the wine




100% tonic water

[Killearn Kitties]

Oh I love your drinks mat! Very stylish! If you pop over to the Thursdays Bar, they'll give you an ice cube and a slice of lemon for that, I'm sure.

[Logan]

I had to follow and say that you have such a neat coaster! Looks like that tonic water needs some ice to me, plus lemon or lime! I live in the southern US. Ice is very important to us (especially me)! LOL!!!!

Congratulations to you. You are taking it day by day, as you should. I am very proud of you.

Logan

[JenBKR]

Looks like a yummy glass of water I am really proud of you, you are doing so well. You have a lot of will-power, I'm not sure that I could do what you are doing. Great job!

[moosmom]

Brody's Mum,

Way to go girl!! I'm proud of you! But do me and yourself a favor, when I quit drinking, after a while I convinced myself that I could "handle it". I'd have one glass of wine or one beer socially, and fooled myself into believing I could control it. My stupid thinking (or as they say in AA, "Stinkin Think") caused me to relapse. Soon, I was right back where I started, not rock bottom, of course. I'm just saying that your mind can play games with you. Be careful. Keep my number handy and CALL ME!!!

[Cat's Meowm]

It's not 5 days, honey - it's one hour at a time! To show your seltzer knowing every one around you was opening the wine! Made it through that, huh? Good!
Tomorrow may be easy, might be hard. Just take it one moment at a time!
Cyber-hug!

[Pawsitive Thinking]

This happened to me yesterday.

Came home from work (sober) and took Tobey for a walk and the thought just popped into my head "I like being sober"

I certainly like waking up not feeling ill and having no cringe inducing flashbacks to stupid things I said or did the night before........

[Oggyflute]

Well done, feels real good doesn't it.

[Killearn Kitties]

Good for you! I'll be thinking of you tonight! Good luck!