Well, today was my first attempt at going totaly alcohol free.  I didn't make it.  I opened a beer this afternoon and took a few sips off of it.  I ended up dumping it out.  II started another one later and put it back in the fridge.  I feel like a train ran over me.  I can't sleep, and when I do, I wake up sweating and nausiated to the point of throwing up.

I am hoping to gather up the energy to make it to an AA meeting tonight.  I hope I can make it through the meeting without being sick.  How long should I expect these symptoms to last?  I have not been able to do anything around the house today.  This is going to be hard.

Thanks for listening and for your support.

Andrew

-- Edited by asmith at 16:59, 2005-08-15

Ok Smitty. Im going to give it to yu straight up, and Im saying this stuff with luve for yu, straight from the heart, from another alky.

How bad do you wanna drink? or  How bad do you wanna get sober and stay sober?

There are no easy ways Buddy. None.

You tried to day-you didnt make it. Its ok--you tried. And if you want what we have, and are willing to go to any lengths to do it--keep tryin.

The first thing, If Im in your position is, "I cant have booze in the house."

The second is "I cant spent time with myself-Im my own worst enemy"

I must go out and hang out with AA people. Either that, or be on the phone constantly with AA people. I must go to as many AA meetings as possible. I must get a sponsor. I had three-was one sick puppy.

I cannot spend time alone--or the monkey on my shoulder starts talking "Pick one up" "Piick one up.

I hafta get up in the morning and not take a drink today. Sometimes I had to cut that down to as little as 5 minutes or an hour at a time.

I spent 90 days of fitfull, nightmarish nights-I paced floors in the middle of the night. I was insanily addicted to alcohol. I walked the streets-I called AA people in the middle of the night. Yup-it was nuts.

Whens it get better Smitty? Well it starts with one day sober-then 2 days sober-and one step at a time. It took 270 days for that compulsion to completey leave, but Im sure that varies with all of us. As for the mental and emotional parts? A lifetime-a bit at a time.

It might be pure hell-but--at the end of that tunnel, when your brain and body is detoxified somewhat-you will start to feel better.

And as long as you dont pick up a drink-itll keep on getting better.

The booze has gotta go first. We know how you feel our freind, weve all been there. Hang tough and wele hang with you.!!

 

Andrew,

Phil knows what he's talking about. And from one more alkie, I can say his words are all true. If you want to stay sober, do whatever it takes. The only thing I could add to his post is, you may want to seek some medical treatment, also.

 

My prayers are with you my new friend.

Love and peace

"op"

Thanks.  I am feeling well enough right now to go to a meeting.  I am sure I will be on the boards again tonight.