ALCOHOLICS: RECOVERY & FITNESS (Serious Only Please)

[raynerd]

Good you stayed the course man.


<Alcoholic checking in, sober today though

Best way for an alcoholic to check in! Sober today as well

[mirroroferised]

Good you stayed the course man.


<Alcoholic checking in, sober today though

Was simple man. I couldn't believe just how easy it was. My father in law loves his drink and he was drinking around me all trip. Not phased once. I'm pretty stoked about that.

teh awesomes



x2

Happy Friday friends

Thanks twisttx

Life's little miracles bud! Congrats, hope to be the same guy on my trip in February!

I have no doubt you will be. Come way to far to blow it all now.

[jquin]

Bumping this post because I want to help any that missed it. 19 days after reading this book, I still have no desire to drink. After many attempts to stop or drink less, this book helped tremendously. Check it out. Thisnakedmind.

Can a book really do anything? I downloaded and read the sample chapters. Should I buy?

I'm 5 years in with a pint of whiskey (at least) a day. Can't stop. Gained a ton of weight. Went to rehab back in march and was sober for 40 days before relapsing (longest sober time in the 5 years).

[EjnarKolinkar]

Put 4 years together sober recently. Really grateful for this. Its all one day at a time.

[BankWalker]

Can a book really do anything? I downloaded and read the sample chapters. Should I buy?

I'm 5 years in with a pint of whiskey (at least) a day. Can't stop. Gained a ton of weight. Went to rehab back in march and was sober for 40 days before relapsing (longest sober time in the 5 years).

It helped me after 9 years of trying to stop. I would drink over a pint of liquor each night.. or a 12 pack of beer. I'm on a 49 day stretch without a single buzz or a desire to get one. I don't feel like I'm taking the one day at a time approach. I don't feel that I'm missing out on anything without the booze. The only thing I'm missing out on is waking up feeling like death. What do you have to lose by reading the book? Read it and see what happens.

[mirroroferised]

Can a book really do anything? I downloaded and read the sample chapters. Should I buy?

I'm 5 years in with a pint of whiskey (at least) a day. Can't stop. Gained a ton of weight. Went to rehab back in march and was sober for 40 days before relapsing (longest sober time in the 5 years).

A book can help I suppose but sobreity has to come from inside you. You have to truly want it.

Put 4 years together sober recently. Really grateful for this. Its all one day at a time.

That's just awesome Robert. Great job man.


On spread.

[jquin]

It helped me after 9 years of trying to stop. I would drink over a pint of liquor each night.. or a 12 pack of beer. I'm on a 49 day stretch without a single buzz or a desire to get one. I don't feel like I'm taking the one day at a time approach. I don't feel that I'm missing out on anything without the booze. The only thing I'm missing out on is waking up feeling like death. What do you have to lose by reading the book? Read it and see what happens.

Thanks man

[raynerd]

Put 4 years together sober recently. Really grateful for this. Its all one day at a time.

Happy Birthday Robert! 4 years of a better life! Congrats!

[Kev1972]

Just turned 43 last month. I've been drinking since I was 13 and always chasing that happy feeling.

I was never an every day drinker. Just a drinker that once started never wants to stop. Friday nights would be black out drunk. Saturday would sleep all day recovering, then get blitzed again on Sunday.

I never felt like I had a problem, I know a lot of people a lot worse than me. But I am getting older and even being just a weekend drinker its hard to ignore the damage alcohol does to my body and my life.

Been sober since the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Hope to stay that way til they throw some dirt over me.

Now its time to focus more on the gym and hit that 4 plate bench I've been chasing for years.

[mirroroferised]

Just turned 43 last month. I've been drinking since I was 13 and always chasing that happy feeling.

I was never an every day drinker. Just a drinker that once started never wants to stop. Friday nights would be black out drunk. Saturday would sleep all day recovering, then get blitzed again on Sunday.

I never felt like I had a problem, I know a lot of people a lot worse than me. But I am getting older and even being just a weekend drinker its hard to ignore the damage alcohol does to my body and my life.

Been sober since the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Hope to stay that way til they throw some dirt over me.

Now its time to focus more on the gym and hit that 4 plate bench I've been chasing for years.

Good luck to you. Sounds like you have good grasp on where you want to be. Hope you get that bench too.

[seyyar]

I don't know if i'm an alcoholic but i have problems due to alcohol anyway, so i decided to quit. This is 20th day without alcohol and my urge has stopped, nightmares are gone, anxiety levels dropped and i feel great overall. The first 10 days were hard but it got better after that. This thread is great motivation so i thought i should drop by. Thanks and good luck everyone.

[Big_Sky_Guy]

I don't know if i'm an alcoholic but i have problems due to alcohol anyway, so i decided to quit. This is 20th day without alcohol and my urge has stopped, nightmares are gone, anxiety levels dropped and i feel great overall. The first 10 days were hard but it got better after that. This thread is great motivation so i thought i should drop by. Thanks and good luck everyone.

Right on! And continued blessings.

[Kev1972]

I don't know if i'm an alcoholic but i have problems due to alcohol anyway, so i decided to quit. This is 20th day without alcohol and my urge has stopped, nightmares are gone, anxiety levels dropped and i feel great overall. The first 10 days were hard but it got better after that. This thread is great motivation so i thought i should drop by. Thanks and good luck everyone.

Good job man. I haven't had a drink since Nov. 25th. No withdraw symptoms for me.

I was kind of worried about hanging out at the bar meeting people without drinking but I went out Tuesday and met a girl that said she met me before when I was blitzed. I didn't remember her at all. This time I sat with her til close, got her # and met up with her after for a little goodnight kissing. All I drank at the bar was redbull and water. No one really noticed I wasn't drinking. I saved a ton of money, normally I'd drop 80-100 easy on a night out. This time I think I spent 6 bucks including tips. Remember everything I did and said, didn't wake up feeling like a bulldozer ran over my skull. I could get used to this.

[Korry1]

I got 30 days in today. I feel good, but I know I got to take it one day at a time, now.

[Big_Sky_Guy]

I got 30 days in today. I feel good, but I know I got to take it one day at a time, now.

Congrats!

[mirroroferised]

This past Saturday was the 1 year anniversary of my good friend Marc who we lost last year to a brain tumor. It was also the first time in a long time that I really struggled to not have a drink for a little while. We were at his family's home for dinner and to spend time with them and reminisce. It was a painful day with lots of pictures and memories. When a video was played and I watched/heard him talk for the first time in a year I started to cry a bit. I felt lost to be honest and I wanted a drink. I ended up excusing myself and going for a walk outside. Cleared my head for a few minutes and played the tape the whole way though. If it wasn't for that exercise and knowing as well that I had to work that night I may very well have caved for the first time in over 2 years. It was a closer call than I've had yet. I've kept it to myself for the last couple of days but decided to own it and share. I didn't drink but I realized just how easily I could slip.

To this day playing the tape the whole way through has been a saving grace for me. Any of you out there who are struggling just take a few minutes and really focus on what will happen after you have that first drink. It saved me from saying f*ck it all on Saturday night when I was very vulnerable and had a fridge full of beer at my disposal. Thankfully I didn't give in.


Hope you are all staying sober. Thanks again for this thread guys

[Kev1972]

Made it through another weekend. I even did a santa run bar crawl motorcycle ride with friends and stuck to red bull and water the whole time. Felt pretty good being out all day and night without waking up to a pounding hangover.

[CHOOSE]

What do you guys do to have fun and meet people when not drinking?

I feel like I'm answering my own question, but I've been looking into animal shelters (can't find many that are looking for volunteers), and furthering my education. I work third shift, which makes it difficult to do a lot of stuff.

[Korry1]

Congrats!

Thank You!

[boathead]

What do you guys do to have fun and meet people when not drinking?

I feel like I'm answering my own question, but I've been looking into animal shelters (can't find many that are looking for volunteers), and furthering my education. I work third shift, which makes it difficult to do a lot of stuff.

boy this is a loaded question....and everyone might answer it differently. first and foremost, i've learned that i don't have to go running around finding things to do; but this is a skill it took me a few years to acquire....how to be by myself and be ok. and so, what did i do in the beginning? lots of gym time. lots of AA, and letting some easy, sober relationships come my way. i started a new hobby, and took some classes: crochet....i was a 42 year old male at the time, crocheting! and high rep squats.

Made it through another weekend. I even did a santa run bar crawl motorcycle ride with friends and stuck to red bull and water the whole time. Felt pretty good being out all day and night without waking up to a pounding hangover.

and even if you might have been a little uncomfortable, now you KNOW you didn't have to drink. very cool.

[devoteddear]

I may not be posting this in the proper forum but hopefully one of you veterans can offer me some direction!

I am not an alcoholic, I don't think. I did however from the age of 20-25 binge drink about 3 times a week, regularly blacking out. I am now able to enjoy a couple of drinks and happily stop there...most of the time. I can get over zealous and find myself drunk during social drinking occasions. Maybe I do qualify as an alcoholic?

Currently, I am in a long term, live-in relationship with a man who over the past year I have lost to the bottle. When we began dating two years ago, he hardly drank at all. Now he drinks every night after work. He displays all of the signs of alcoholism. He has verbally admitted his problem to me in the past on more than one occasion. I have an extreme amount of love for him and faith in him but am losing respect for him. The fear for his future, my future, our future is beginning to consume me. I have attended an al-anon meeting it helps on some level for a short period of time. It's more personal than the insight I am seeking. I should state that, I am not currently interested in leaving my boyfriend. I see how difficult this disease is to overcome and would like (if possible) to play a positive role in his recovery. I see him try to recover on his own by rationing out his daily intake but, he always ends up making a second and sometimes third trip to the liquor store.

Could any of you please offer me advice on:
1. How to approach this topic with him?
2. How to behave or interact with a struggling alcoholic when they are drinking? (What did you find helpful or hindering from your SO?)
3. Would it make a difference if I lived a completely sober life?
4. When he does something foolish due to being drunk (i.e.)rude to hostess of gathering or vomiting everywhere) should I help or is that counterproductive to an alcoholics process?

I have googled and read up on these questions to find that I am reading the opinions of doctors who likely have not been on the other side of the fence, and the collected advice is not uniform. I have also read that wanting to support him means that there is a problem with me and that I should runaway from him as fast as I can. Al'anon however suggested that I don't make a decision for six months. Any real life insight will be deeply appreciated.

[raynerd]

I may not be posting this in the proper forum but hopefully one of you veterans can offer me some direction!

I am not an alcoholic, I don't think. I did however from the age of 20-25 binge drink about 3 times a week, regularly blacking out. I am now able to enjoy a couple of drinks and happily stop there...most of the time. I can get over zealous and find myself drunk during social drinking occasions. Maybe I do qualify as an alcoholic?

Currently, I am in a long term, live-in relationship with a man who over the past year I have lost to the bottle. When we began dating two years ago, he hardly drank at all. Now he drinks every night after work. He displays all of the signs of alcoholism. He has verbally admitted his problem to me in the past on more than one occasion. I have an extreme amount of love for him and faith in him but am losing respect for him. The fear for his future, my future, our future is beginning to consume me. I have attended an al-anon meeting it helps on some level for a short period of time. It's more personal than the insight I am seeking. I should state that, I am not currently interested in leaving my boyfriend. I see how difficult this disease is to overcome and would like (if possible) to play a positive role in his recovery. I see him try to recover on his own by rationing out his daily intake but, he always ends up making a second and sometimes third trip to the liquor store.

Could any of you please offer me advice on:
1. How to approach this topic with him?
2. How to behave or interact with a struggling alcoholic when they are drinking? (What did you find helpful or hindering from your SO?)
3. Would it make a difference if I lived a completely sober life?
4. When he does something foolish due to being drunk (i.e.)rude to hostess of gathering or vomiting everywhere) should I help or is that counterproductive to an alcoholics process?

I have googled and read up on these questions to find that I am reading the opinions of doctors who likely have not been on the other side of the fence, and the collected advice is not uniform. I have also read that wanting to support him means that there is a problem with me and that I should runaway from him as fast as I can. Al'anon however suggested that I don't make a decision for six months. Any real life insight will be deeply appreciated.

This is a delicate topic in many ways. I have had a marriage dissolve and a big part of it was my drinking. My ex wife didn't put up with it, or even try to support me in the end. I was angry and bitter at the time.
I am remarried now, sober for a few years but my current wife experienced my drinking in the beginning. She WAS supportive, she helped me in many ways and I will always be grateful to her, as at one point she was the only positive thing in my life.

That being said....I did try to quit drinking in my first marriage, but failed miserably. Any time my wife at the time upset me, I just said fcuk it and went back to drinking. I never really went the full distance in trying to quit.

Enter my next wife, I loved her dearly and was clearly seeing that my road to destruction was going to end our relationship sooner or later. I made a conscious decision to join AA, do all the steps and take my life back.

There is no way you are going to stop him if he doesn't see the writing on the wall. Realize this. He has to want this 100%. He either stops completely and forever or the cycle gets worse and never stops. So, what should you do? You obviously love him but you need to give him some hard love. Tell him his drinking will not be tolerated anymore and it is destroying you. Be aware this may not end the way you like and you either leave or somehow put up with it.

If he isn't in to quitting 100%, it probably won't happen. I am grateful for my wife's support, but I had to make some serious changes.

[devoteddear]

Thank you for your reply and congratulations on your sobriety!!

I am remarried now, sober for a few years but my current wife experienced my drinking in the beginning. She WAS supportive, she helped me in many ways and I will always be grateful to her, as at one point she was the only positive thing in my life.

Enter my next wife, I loved her dearly and was clearly seeing that my road to destruction was going to end our relationship sooner or later. I made a conscious decision to join AA, do all the steps and take my life back.

If he isn't in to quitting 100%, it probably won't happen. I am grateful for my wife's support, but I had to make some serious changes.

Can you recall any specific ways that your current wife provided you with support?

[raynerd]

Thank you for your reply and congratulations on your sobriety!!

Can you recall any specific ways that your current wife provided you with support?

You're welcome, I don't know if it helps much but it was my personal experience from being on the opposite side as you.
I think what helped me the most from her was hearing to say she was never going to leave me. Deep down I felt helpless and that my relationship was doomed due to my drinking. I still thought she would leave eventually, and I wouldn't have blamed her, but it felt good to know how much I meant to her.
I didn't quit drinking for her only though. I knew I would die a drunk if I didn't quit. But, knowing I had this amazing person by my side in good and in bad really helped me want to quit and give her a happy life that she deserved. She didn't nag me about drinking, make threats and or even yell at me. It was more like a quiet dissappointment, and it broke my heart to do this to her. Sometimes what isn't said is much worse at evoking empathy. I loved her and still love her with all my heart. She was there when it seemed like the world was against me (so I ridiculously thought) and I didn't have a shred of self-respect left.

I was at a crossroads, I realized I could get help, do whatever it takes to get sober, or alternatively throw it all away and drowned away in booze. I chose the former. I am grateful I did, I have 4 beautiful children, a wonderful wife and am happier than I could have ever pictured.

My advice is to really talk to him, when he is sober. Ask him if drinking is making him happy or is he trying to chase a feeling that booze used to do for him. That's how I felt at the end, constantly chasing what drinking "used" to make me feel like. It never came anymore and I didn't know how to live without drinking. What a desperate feeling, so trapped.
If he feels he needs to stop, he has to realize he cannot just cut back or change what he drinks. Half measures do not work. Pick him up a copy of the AA big book and see if he is willing to read it. If he is and does read it, this may be a good start for him to hit up a meeting.
I do know from my first wife, threats, yelling and ultimatums just pushed me further into the bottle.
Knowing that my second wife loved me enough to be with me through all of my self-destructive chit gave me strength to finally quit.

I am not saying that this is going to work of course, he HAS to want this, he HAS to make incredible efforts and changes to make this happen. If you don't see any of this, it may be time to walk. You don't deserve to be miserable, not one bit due to someone else's disease. The thing with this disease...there is a way to put it on the shelf, the "victim" just has to go to any lengths to get the "cure"

Wish you the best, and if he does make some real changes, realize he may stumble a couple times on the way. It's what he does after he stumbles is what matters.

[twisttx]

Put 4 years together sober recently. Really grateful for this. Its all one day at a time.

How completely and utterly fabulous!

Just turned 43 last month. I've been drinking since I was 13 and always chasing that happy feeling.

I was never an every day drinker. Just a drinker that once started never wants to stop. Friday nights would be black out drunk. Saturday would sleep all day recovering, then get blitzed again on Sunday.

I never felt like I had a problem, I know a lot of people a lot worse than me. But I am getting older and even being just a weekend drinker its hard to ignore the damage alcohol does to my body and my life.

Been sober since the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Hope to stay that way til they throw some dirt over me.

Now its time to focus more on the gym and hit that 4 plate bench I've been chasing for years.

Congratulations!!! I quite around forty, and those last few years were hard miles. How's that bench going? Got to be easier to chase with all 8 cylinders firing.

Good job man. I haven't had a drink since Nov. 25th. No withdraw symptoms for me.

I was kind of worried about hanging out at the bar meeting people without drinking but I went out Tuesday and met a girl that said she met me before when I was blitzed. I didn't remember her at all. This time I sat with her til close, got her # and met up with her after for a little goodnight kissing. All I drank at the bar was redbull and water. No one really noticed I wasn't drinking. I saved a ton of money, normally I'd drop 80-100 easy on a night out. This time I think I spent 6 bucks including tips. Remember everything I did and said, didn't wake up feeling like a bulldozer ran over my skull. I could get used to this.

Yep. Bout that.

I got 30 days in today. I feel good, but I know I got to take it one day at a time, now.

Take it anyway you can. One day, one hour, one minute. Congratulations on your 30 days!

boy this is a loaded question....and everyone might answer it differently. first and foremost, i've learned that i don't have to go running around finding things to do; but this is a skill it took me a few years to acquire....how to be by myself and be ok. and so, what did i do in the beginning? lots of gym time. lots of AA, and letting some easy, sober relationships come my way. i started a new hobby, and took some classes: crochet....i was a 42 year old male at the time, crocheting! and high rep squats.


and even if you might have been a little uncomfortable, now you KNOW you didn't have to drink. very cool.

Crocheting has to be the cheapest most productive therapy on the planet (for me). Made every Christmas present I gave this year. Love it. Also, agreed with the learning how to just be, and be okay. I really enjoy my alone time these days. It's nice to go out occasionally, and find some excitement, without having chaos chase me around every corner. It's not "boring" any more. It's wonderful.

I've crocheted my way through many a meeting. I've given little things I make to my friends in meetings. Makes them happy, makes me happy.

And...

Happy New Year!!!

[BackwoodsGa]

I had to start from scratch. all my old friends were druggies and drunks... Not easy but a must.

What do you guys do to have fun and meet people when not drinking?

I feel like I'm answering my own question, but I've been looking into animal shelters (can't find many that are looking for volunteers), and furthering my education. I work third shift, which makes it difficult to do a lot of stuff.

[BackwoodsGa]

Made it through another weekend. I even did a santa run bar crawl motorcycle ride with friends and stuck to red bull and water the whole time. Felt pretty good being out all day and night without waking up to a pounding hangover.

Priceless!

[EjnarKolinkar]

How completely and utterly fabulous!!

Thanks Twist.

Went to a sober people new years party and had a great time. Chicken and dumplings and beef and mushrooms for dinner with some cheesecake for desert. The weather warmed up nicely that evening and a good time plus a lot of laughs was had by all.

[BackwoodsGa]

Happy sunday everyone!

[BackwoodsGa]

I may not be posting this in the proper forum but hopefully one of you veterans can offer me some direction!

I am not an alcoholic, I don't think. I did however from the age of 20-25 binge drink about 3 times a week, regularly blacking out. I am now able to enjoy a couple of drinks and happily stop there...most of the time. I can get over zealous and find myself drunk during social drinking occasions. Maybe I do qualify as an alcoholic?

Currently, I am in a long term, live-in relationship with a man who over the past year I have lost to the bottle. When we began dating two years ago, he hardly drank at all. Now he drinks every night after work. He displays all of the signs of alcoholism. He has verbally admitted his problem to me in the past on more than one occasion. I have an extreme amount of love for him and faith in him but am losing respect for him. The fear for his future, my future, our future is beginning to consume me. I have attended an al-anon meeting it helps on some level for a short period of time. It's more personal than the insight I am seeking. I should state that, I am not currently interested in leaving my boyfriend. I see how difficult this disease is to overcome and would like (if possible) to play a positive role in his recovery. I see him try to recover on his own by rationing out his daily intake but, he always ends up making a second and sometimes third trip to the liquor store.

Could any of you please offer me advice on:
1. How to approach this topic with him?
2. How to behave or interact with a struggling alcoholic when they are drinking? (What did you find helpful or hindering from your SO?)
3. Would it make a difference if I lived a completely sober life?
4. When he does something foolish due to being drunk (i.e.)rude to hostess of gathering or vomiting everywhere) should I help or is that counterproductive to an alcoholics process?

I have googled and read up on these questions to find that I am reading the opinions of doctors who likely have not been on the other side of the fence, and the collected advice is not uniform. I have also read that wanting to support him means that there is a problem with me and that I should runaway from him as fast as I can. Al'anon however suggested that I don't make a decision for six months. Any real life insight will be deeply appreciated.

Unless hes willing to make an effort...its a lost cause.