Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
Intro: Sober 4+ days after the usual horrible home detox. My conversation. I know it so well.
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Well if you have two beers you won't get sick.
Yeah but they only sell what you drink in 12 packs.
That's true, so it will last me six days.
Since when do you only have 2?
That's true. Okay 3 won't be so bad. You don't shake the next morning after 3. Especially after detoxing.
Okay. 2 or 3.
Well you know if you have 3 you usually end up having 4.
That's true but 4 will be the absolute max and I still won't get shakey.
Well you better make sure you eat cause you
have been shakey at 4.
That's true. I'll make sure I eat.
Just make sure the cut-off time is 9pm.
Of course, that's easy.
But what if you drink those 4 by 7pm?
I won't I'll stop at 4.
Oh and stay up after 7pm and not drink??
That's true. Not very likely. Okay 5 beers but that will be it.
Oh get real. If you have 5 you may as well have 6.
That's true. Then I'll go back to 4 the next day.
You know if you have 6 and you're not ready to sleep at 9, you may as well have 7 and *then* go to bed. You'll be okay cuz you're only doing it once and then you only have 5 beers left for tomorrow and though 7 is not good you'll still be in the safe zone cuz you're not doing that everyday.
That's true.
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Conversation #2:
Starts the same way but ends a lot quicker.
Oh who are you kidding. You know you're going to get it so just go get it.
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Well if you have two beers you won't get sick.
Yeah but they only sell what you drink in 12 packs.
That's true, so it will last me six days.
Since when do you only have 2?
That's true. Okay 3 won't be so bad. You don't shake the next morning after 3. Especially after detoxing.
Okay. 2 or 3.
Well you know if you have 3 you usually end up having 4.
That's true but 4 will be the absolute max and I still won't get shakey.
Well you better make sure you eat cause you
have been shakey at 4.
That's true. I'll make sure I eat.
Just make sure the cut-off time is 9pm.
Of course, that's easy.
But what if you drink those 4 by 7pm?
I won't I'll stop at 4.
Oh and stay up after 7pm and not drink??
That's true. Not very likely. Okay 5 beers but that will be it.
Oh get real. If you have 5 you may as well have 6.
That's true. Then I'll go back to 4 the next day.
You know if you have 6 and you're not ready to sleep at 9, you may as well have 7 and *then* go to bed. You'll be okay cuz you're only doing it once and then you only have 5 beers left for tomorrow and though 7 is not good you'll still be in the safe zone cuz you're not doing that everyday.
That's true.
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Conversation #2:
Starts the same way but ends a lot quicker.
Oh who are you kidding. You know you're going to get it so just go get it.
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Usually by that time I already knew I was gonna drink. And get drunk.
I have a few tools in my arsenol to also talk myself back to sanity too. It takes the human mind around 90 days to grasp a new way of being, surely it's worth 90 days without the "shakes" to decide if you still really want to drink. Only a day at a time, sometimes an hour at a time, you can do it.
Change the conversation.
Thank you.
Kate
In summary mine was..5.00pm "Oh, crap, I drank the top of the 3rd bottle of wine last night".."Buggar, I don't have two bottles to start from 7.00pm and finish then go to bed..WTH.., 1 and 3/4 will be enough."
6.30pm.."Will I have enough to sleep??"..Yes / No /Yes / NO"..I will go get another bottle (to be on safe side) so I shall have my obligatory 2 bottles, that way I will enjoy it, knowing I have enough..So I go get the 3rd..
7.00pm "Whew"..Pop goes the cork..
Following morning "oops, I had my two and a little more" Off to get another couple..thinks "hmph, its early maybe I will not hold out until 7.00pm" .." I know I will get a couple of Ciders, I can drink those whilst I cook" (Jeepers..It's Cider so, apple juice really..Like soda ..it will be fine)
You know the rest I guess...For many years, tried to cut back Uh Oh, NO WAY..So I stopped..
The other one is "okay, I'll set a strict limit - 3 is a good number - not too much, not too little, just enough to calm down". Then it's 3 the first night, 4 the next, and the third night, oh the hell with it.
...Hmm, Maybe I got that wrong..Back to the drawing board..sorry, I will think it through and be back to you..)lol(
In my 20's it only took 4 - 5 drinks
In my 30's it only took 6 - 8 drinks.
In my 40's it only took 9 - 12 drinks
In my late 40's it only took 12 -18 drinks
In my 50's it only took 3 - 4 pints
In my 51's it only took 5 -6 pints
(See where progression comes in)?