Ding, Ding, Ding!!! You hit the JACKPOT!!! Feel proud about your 9 days WITHOUT a drop of alcohol!!! Go buy something nice for yourself!!! Go do something special for yourself You deserve it...
Your almost at 2 weeks...

Good for you!!!! One day at a time. Have you tried for 8 years to quit drinking though? If you have, it may be time to reevaluate your strategy. Do u binge? What is your drinking pattern?

Hello flyingbull,

Everyone is different but I know that when I stopped drinking I could not have done it without the face to face support that I got at AA meetings. Maybe you should check it out.

I drink every evening and on weekends....I don't binge...but my tolerance was up so I had to keep adding to get the desired effect...which really didn't happen...i was drinking 4 "airline" bottles of 99 proof liquor and then 500 ml of white wine all in about 2 hours...it got so that I would fall asleep after dinner for a short time and then not sleep very well at night...no hangover but tired the next day.

Now I am on day 10....I still have the craving in the evening but it's not so maddening as it was the first few days...I am sleeping better but still feel somewhat bloated...and moody, irritable, especially in the evening.

Should I try an anti anxiety med?

I don't want AA for a variety of reasons...would rather get other support if possible for now....but I will do anything to maintain this sobriety...it just feels fragile and I am scared....

Bravo to you for 10 days, it's not an easy task. I highly recommend a support group of some sort, it's one of the best ways to help you at this beginning stage of sobriety. It helped my husband greatly when he started his sober journey. I would find at least 2 people that you can count on to call and talk to as well. Having people that are close to you in your life that you can reach easily is very important.

I don't have anyone like that...I am married with one kid left at home. I work from home also. I am relatively new to the town I am living in and don't have that many friends here although I would not burden a friend with my issues. I think an online forum that is supportive maybe really good for me as I can be honest...I feel this urge to "confess" my drinking details....to someone and see if anyone can relate to doing some of the stupid, reckless, deceitful things I did....I am not proud of this....I want to get it off my chest and move forward....

My wife really has put up with a ton of my nonsense , she is very supportive of me getting whatever help,I need. My family loves me and would do anything for me....I have to make this work,

today is day 14! Two weeks...last night I went to a party with tons of free booze and food, live band...and I didn't drink! This was really tough, the demon was alive and rearing its ugly head...they had all my favorite poison. I found myself looking for an opportunity to get a glass of something but the opportunity didn't arise. I instead went outside on the deck and listened to the band...its was probably not the right social activity for me to be at...but it was a friend and an obligation...

Hello flyingbull,

Well done on 14 days and I wish you continued success.

As you have stated, the party was probably not the right sort of social activity for you to be at. It is better to stay away from such events in early sobriety as the temptation is still strong. When I stopped drinking I found that I had to put sobriety before everything else, including friends and obligations. Now after a few years sober I have no problem in going to places where alcohol is served. However, I do not go to those places without good reason.

There is a saying in AA that goes: If you sit in the barber shop for long enough you will get a haircut.

Been there. Doom, gloom. Anxiety. But after a few weeks pride and reason. Then a backlash at 2.5 months. Then six months. Oops.
I know all the exuses,.

I went to a club meeting last night and again great food and an open bar...my wife was not with me, no one would have known..cept me...I didn't drink...but then I felt denied and was grumpy driving home...grumpy that I couldn't enjoy alcohol like everyone else responsibly...like a normal person.

Actually I miscounted yesterday and today is 14 days so yeah...anyway its close to 10pm and I got through another day...blah blah blah...

only good thing is I was a few pounds lighter on the scale today...I am sleeping better but I am tired in the afternoon and I have had some headaches which I normally (drinking normal) never have.

I drink tons of water...I need 30 days and then we will see what I feel like committing to....I wish I was at sea, on a sailboat working hard and no alcohol within 1000 miles....

Good deal on the two weeks!

But if you go to the barbershop eventually you get a hair cut...

I wish you continuing sober time. It gets better ea day

1is2many

Remember- even if this sound cliche' that you take this one day at a time. I have over 4 months of continuous sobriety, but I can't think about it in that frame of mind. I have to take this each day.

I threw everything I could at this disease- including this forum and others in recovery. I stayed away from AA for over a year but eventually dove in and found the support that I needed.

May you find peace and continuous sobriety. Try to take it a day at a time.

Big hugs to you.
Peg

Today is day 17...still getting it done. Slept pretty good last night...still some headaches and still tired in the afternoon...I have lost 5 lbs since I started this...I have no problems and dont even think of alcohol until about 5pm and then I am in battle until about 8pm after which i am safe.

My wife leaves for three days tomorrow and i will be on my own...yikes.

Sounds like you are making excellent forward progress. Great job!

A book that helped me a lot in early sobriety is "The Easy Way to Stop Drinking" by Allen Carr. He recommends that if you normally go to bars and parties to go right after you quit. If you are intrigued and want to know more his reasoning, then you might want to pick up his book. It isn't for everyone, but if it clicks for you, it will be a big help.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Easy-Way-Stop-Drinking/dp/1402736479

Your wife leaving for a few days will be an interesting challenge for you. I had the same experience -- all alone, no one will know. But you will know. If it gets tough, post here, go out for a walk, or call a friend. But have a plan in place in advance if it gets tough.

You can do this!

Hi.yes funny thing we think when the booze is all free.easy .but not really.you made a great choice staying sober.lt may suck at first , really it gets easier.lm sober now for18 months.l find people who drink look sloppy and less attractive.l think clear headed people are way more interesting.Funny how we change.l use to love wine.l would call it my wine.not anymore.l am okay not drinking .lts just a thought and a thought can be changed.change your thought change your mind .littrrally that simple.us humans like to complicate life.anyway good on you for staying sober.you can do it.promise not really hard.peace out stay on your new sober journey.light at end is better!!