I think this is such a wonderful support system. I am a 39 year old woman and I've been struggling with alcohol for many years. I look after myself in all other ways; working out, eating healthy, don't smoke or do drugs. BUT I know in my heart that I'm an alcoholic. There's also a strong genetic component on my both sides of my parent's families. I have become a daily drinker - on average a 750 ml bottle of wine a day. I'm very worried about my health and feel powerless over going more than a couple days without drinking. If I do abstain, I usually double up as a reward for good behaviour - abnormal thinking I know.
I was going to AA meetings earlier this year when I stopped for a month but have not been back since resuming the addiction. I just wanted to read what everyone else is going through and hopefully gain the strength to quit - one day at a time. I did not drink today, by the way. No withdrawal symptoms- just the damn craving.
You came to the right place and congratulations on not drinking today. I used this forum for quite a while before stepping into my first meeting. There is a LOT of Experience, Strength, & Hope (ES&H) here.
Please keep coming back. We look forward to sharing your journey with you.
tlc
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__________________ "By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach." ~Winston Churchill
I also came here for a long time before getting to a meeting.
Not to be all ominous or whatever, but truth be told my drinking became a whole lot worse before I got myself into the AA.
And on top of that- even though I am probably the biggest cynic and doubter around and question EVERYTHING to the point of futility- things really did get noticeably better for me straight off, just going to AA and not drinking. And things do get better and better. It's so much easier to assess mysituation and make conscious decisions when I'm sober.
Welcome to MIP. I do hope that you'll stay around.
I found this board after I had got sober, but it would have been such a help in the early days of my sobriety. For this alcoholic, I know that I couldn't have got sober, or stayed sober, without going to regular meetings.
Just hang in there one day at a time and it will get so much better for you. And, those cravings will start to lessen.
Please keep posting and letting us know how things are going for you, won't you? We're all here to help each other.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Welcome! So glad to meet you! Do stick around because you will find youre pretty much the same as everyone on here! We all have been where you have been...for me, especially the rewards part!
Try some meetings again. Perhaps youre ready now! Hope so!!!
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
Welcome to MIP! This is a really great board, I found it when I first started AA and was trying to get sober. Congrats on not drinking yesterday! Just keep taking it one day at a time!
Artsy Gal wrote:If I do abstain, I usually double up as a reward for good behaviour - abnormal thinking I know.
I used to do that too with alcohol, and I do it with cigarettes too, when I'd try to quit and I'd make it a couple of days, when I bought more I'd go way overboard with the smoking! I'd bet that's a pretty common thing in all us alkies!
Someone mentioned that this mainly an all women message board. Did this happen naturally or is this the set-up of the board?
Thanks, Margaret
I was just kidding, but most of our members (active) are women. You people seem to follow directions better than us men and as such seem to be more successful (quicker to catch on) than men. Women also seem to have a greater desire for community. Must be the mothering instinct
Someone mentioned that this mainly an all women message board. Did this happen naturally or is this the set-up of the board?
Thanks, Margaret
I was just kidding, but most of our members (active) are women. You people seem to follow directions better than us men and as such seem to be more successful (quicker to catch on) than men. Women also seem to have a greater desire for community. Must be the mothering instinct
In that case, Dean, you make a fine "mother".... LOL
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~Your Higher Power has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.