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Just wanted to say hi

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 19

Well I've made it to 4 weeks without getting bombed, plastered, licked, done, faced, hammered, wrecked, wasted, drunk. See what happens when you drink like a "champion" for 20 years? You learn a lot of synonyms, that's what.

For those enjoying my journey - I sure am - my closest call in my first month of responsible drinking was a bbq at our neighbours who are 60. Never saw that trigger/threat coming. It came in the form of a really nice cab sauv from California (they are real wine people) and my neighbour's gracious manners in constantly feeling my half-full glass. It is definitely much harder to say no to a top-up than a new drink outright. It was started to get scary but after my 4th glass of wine (in 3 hours with a big dinner in the middle), I pulled the cord and luckily my chute of sobriety opened. But it was a close one. I really felt like drinking 10 more of those glasses...

I've learned after one month of responsible drinking that I feel better, happier, more alive. The curtain has been pulled back on the Wizard of Drinking and he is a charlatan. I always had a feeling that was the case but I just couldn't bring myself to believe it.

Looking forward to month number two.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 19

I also have to say that hearing from all of the people that have welcomed and encouraged me has meant a lot and really helped me. Thank you.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6

Scott it really sounds like you are benefiting from the tools on this website. I can't wait to learn more about them and to read more about your journey. :)

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 19

the program has been great in identifying triggers for me - of which there are a lot. I never recognized "how" or why I drank - I just did because that's what I've always done. Now I realize that in many situations, I'm fine, but in many others, it has been very important to identify the risks that they present.

motivation for me has been the simple inner drive to just stop. it's been over 20 years - more than half my life - of the same old abuse of alcohol. motivation has also come from simple things like being able to remember my weekend, or not feeling like death warmed over after piling on the drinks the night before. (I used the BAC calculator and realized I consistently ratchet up my BAC into the high 200's every drinking session - another simple tool of the program which has given me some objective insight into my problem. As a further note, I also realized it's pretty hard to drive to work remotely sober the morning after your BAC was at 280 at 1am).

scott

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2606

Hi Scott,

It is great to hear that you made it through a tough week. Keep working through the program, reflecting on your goals and moving forward.

How has the program been helpful to you so far? How have you remained motivated?

Samantha, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 19

I've made it through a tough week. I survived a flurry of high-risk drinking situations this past week (parties, cottages). I was able to have a glass of wine with dinner, or a beer after a run, and then STOP, unlike the last 20 years where stopping after one drink didn't seem to be an option.

The longer I go, the more clarity I get looking back at my past and my drinking behaviour.

No blackouts and hangovers is a really nice change. The support of everyone here has been a huge help.

Thank you.

Scott

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11216

Congratulations Scott!

It sounds like you are doing amazing! I love your attitude and that you are aware of high risk situations. Keep your guard up and always remember why this is important to you.

Read over the section of the program entitled "Dealing with Difficulties". This section will help you understand trigger situations and give you tools to avoid and address them. The emergency coping plan located in this section is great to have on hand at all times.

Looking forward to hearing how you are doing!

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 19

thanks for the support.

i've made it a week. Two nights I had 2 drinks, well-spread apart with my wife. She is not a trigger for me. No danger of getting carried away.

this past week was dangerous b/c of a conference out of town. all my mates from work are heavy drinkers. dangerous triggers vis-a-vis friends, location, time, etc. So, I've driven to the conference and left right after class is done for the day. 2 hours each way. man I'm tired, but sober.

one problem I have is that ALL of my friends drink heavily and are triggers. I have a party saturday, then back to back cottages. at least I'll have my wife and kids with me. I'm going to try to keep it to 1 or 2 drinks per day. I know this is dangerous, but other than hiding under a rock, I'm going to have to learn to say "no thanks" to a lot of people, all the time.

if I make it through the next week, I'm gonna be feeling pretty good.

my main weapon in the war against the drink is that for the first time ever, I have finally admitted I have a problem and also, I am very committed to change my life.

I'll post again in about 10 days, with either great news, or not so great news.

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 251

Hello Scott,

Sorry I'm a little late on welcoming you. But here I am and welcome to the site. You sound like a really great person with good intentions. For me, admitting that I had a problem was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. But it wasn't until I could face the facts that I could start getting better and recognizing the need for a change.

I hope you are doing well, check in and let us know how you have been doing.

Ray

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1562

The story of Bill W co-founder of AA is a great example of why knowledge and fear will not keep an alcoholic away from his first drink. Around 1930s' Bill W was admitted to the Towncenter Hospital for Alcohol and Drug treatment. There a doctor called Silkworth told him about the obsession of the mind that forces the alcoholic to pick a drink after a prolonged period of absence and then the talked about the physical allergy that lead the alcoholic to get drunk after he takes the first drink. And then when not drink they are restless irritable and discontent....And he went on to say only a psychic change can fix the problem.

So Bill W goes out with the knowledge, but gets drunk and then fear keeps him sober for some time but then he gets drunk and comes back the 3rd time. Thats when his friend Ebby comes to him with a spiritual solution. Bill W then sobered up never to drink again until he deid (1971).

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Just wanted to say hi