topic DAY ONE in Staying well

DAY ONE

Soup_da_Loop — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 03:11:13 GMT

Im starting a journey on getting well, It has take me years to finally admit I am depressed, I've been terrified of the stigma and the medications. I have some therapy booked, and have seen a homeopath for health support. I am struggling with Alcohol, and it is making me ill, my digestive system is out of wack, is there somewhere I can talk to others who are trying to stop drinking? I need to talk about it, and I want to stop all together, I have tried so many times, but keep going back, I know it is making my issues unsurmountable, but I can only stay off it for about 2 weeks then it starts again, please Help, many thanks.....frustrated, alone, sick, not moving forward, like a duck swimming, feet going like mad but not moving anywhere..........thanks again S60

DAY ONE

Peppermintbach — Sun, 19 Aug 2018 22:45:26 GMT

Hi Soup da Loop,

I hope you don’t mind if I offer a very compassionate and gentle welcome to you to the forums 🙂

Congratulations on making the decision to start your journey to get well. I admire all the proactive steps you’ve taken, such as, therapy and homeopathy. Good on you...this is a huge step forward.

I must admit that I’m very attached to my alcohol so I can empathise with you. I think it’s a very courageous decision to want to stop drinking...

I think here’s the thing about substance reliance...I feel it often takes multiple attempts before any one person comes “clean” (so to speak). So I feel it’s quite common to stop and start, that is, temporarily recover then temporarily relapse multiple times before a person can get to that point of more permanent recovery.

I don’t know if you’ve tried before (so apologies for suggesting something you already know about) but you might like to consider joining an alcoholics anonymous group. Perhaps you might find that helpful...

There’s no rush or pressure but it would be nice to hear from you again if you’re feeling up to it. Thinking of you in the mean time.

Kindness and warmth

Pepper

DAY ONE

Birdy77 — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 00:52:11 GMT

Dear Soup da Loop (and Hi Pepper) 😊,

First off, I love the name of your post. Day One. I get up every morning thinking the same thing. And it's true, this is day one of the rest of your life, day one of the next step on your journey, day one of trying again ... it's a positive, hopeful and inspiring two words.

I, too, rely on alcohol too much, so I can really relate to your feelings. It is so hard to give up. The fact that you have therapy lined up and are seeking health support shows that you're dedicated to improving things, and that's really admirable.

I recently heard of a book called This Naked Mind, the woman who wrote it I think has a blog, and you can download the first 40 pages for free. I find her style really inspiring and it might be a really helpful support for you in your quest to give up the booze.

I really relate to your image if legs going a million miles a minute beneath the water and not moving. Exhausting isn't it.

I am more than happy to talk with you more, although I am focused on cutting down my intake rather than ditching it altogether, so if that won't be helpful, I totally understand.

You're not alone Soup da Loop.

🌻birdy

DAY ONE

Doolhof — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 00:55:10 GMT

Hi Soup da Loop,

I also welcome you to the community here. Pepper ahs made the suggestion I was thinking, to try Alcoholics Anonymous. I am not sure if they have anything on the internet these days, so many organisations do. A group could be very beneficial and supportive to you.

I try to limit my alcohol consumption to weekends and only one glass. That way I look forward to it and enjoy it. For some people I do realise that is not possible to do.

Instead of having an alcoholic drink, it is possible to reward yourself with some non alcoholic drink that you enjoy? It won't give you the same "buzz" but it may tempt your taste buds to try different things.

I have heard of some people who use physical exercise or some kind of achievement/reward system to help themselves as well.

It is wonderful you are looking at so many other options as well. The more you consider, the easier it will be to find solutions. Having a plan and goals might help too!

Cheers to you from Dools

DAY ONE

Guest0786549 — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 02:35:59 GMT

Hi Soup da Loop, good for you in seeking support, we all need it at times.

I’m in a similar situation with alcohol, 2 weeks is usually the best I can manage. But there was a time I managed longer (almost 2 months ). I went on a health kick, and exercise helped me keep busy and feel good, vegetables and fruit helped fight the cravings (I read somewhere that fruit impacts cravings because alcohol/ethonol is made from rotting fruit)! The diet/exercise made it much easier to back off alcohol and fixed my digestive system too.

As others mentioned, there’s support groups and help out there. I’ve had an injury which made me immobile and isolated atm. So I’m struggling with my addiction again. Hang in there, hopefully we’ll beat this together.

Alora

DAY ONE

Soup_da_Loop — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 03:20:47 GMT

Hi Pepper

thanks for ur gentle approach and yes ive done aa work other group work find it hard to do it in the town i live in too small and i and feeling increasingly isolated and a hostile towards being stuck in a tiny rural community tried a lot of things anyways its good to talk about it. Im sober today decided to try this approach. one day got through that then one week so in my one week next monday if i make it one month then one year so i need to talk and deal with this as i go thanks again regards s60

DAY ONE

Soup_da_Loop — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 03:25:00 GMT

Hi birdy

thanks for ur encouragement and tips. Ill check out the book and blog. Yes lets stay in touch. Regards SdaL

DAY ONE

Soup_da_Loop — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 03:28:31 GMT

Hi dools

thanks yes ive tried lots of things like the reward approach and goals well part of my pain is broken dreams too many knock backs frustrations no support so goals r not in tack at present but wanting timeout to heal so thats my new goal thanks again xxxxx

DAY ONE

Soup_da_Loop — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 03:31:21 GMT

Hi Alora

im cutting up an apple as i speak lets do it loving being able to talk about it have a good day spring is coming working on great tips from many members.

Regards and love xxxxx

DAY ONE

Soup_da_Loop — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 03:34:25 GMT

Many thanks

feels great to be connecting hope to hear from you all again great advice great i can receive it today somedays cant so hey small steps love and light to all of us xxxxx

DAY ONE

Peppermintbach — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 22:55:38 GMT

Hi Soul da Loop (and a wave to all),

Thanks so much for writing back. I think it’s wonderful to hear from you and I love the sensitive and gentle quality of your words 🙂

AA plus the other group work you did sounds like it was pretty tough to do in your small town...

Also, the isolation that you feel in your rural community must be difficult for you...it seems rather lonely there ....

Congratulations on being sober the other day. That’s a huge achievement and I am cheering you on 🙂

I agree with you that it can be comforting and helpful to form connections. I hope you enjoyed that apple yesterday 🙂

Small steps sounds like a great idea. I feel just do what you can. We all have better days and not so good days...as you said, small steps.

Kindness and warmth,

Pepper

DAY ONE

Doolhof — Mon, 20 Aug 2018 23:19:30 GMT

Hi Soup da Loop,

How are you getting on today? Hope your weekend was okay.

Living in a small town can be interesting. I grew up in a town of only a couple of hundred people in the district. Five years ago my husband decided he wanted to get out of the city and we have moved to a small town with about 400 people in the district.

Our town has one pub, a post office, a petrol station, a winery, a farmer's store and that is about it as far as businesses go.

I like to get back to the city now and then. We make a list of things we need to purchase there that cost a small fortune in out town.

It can be difficult to make friends and find support in a small town, there just aren't the places to go to met people.

Having hobbies and interests is important. The other day I felt a little down so sat and enjoyed reading a novel for a while. Distraction helps.

Hope you are doing okay! All the best with your journey of discovering what will help! Cheers from Dools

DAY ONE

Soup_da_Loop — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 03:18:42 GMT

Hi pepper

i had my first phone therapy today has left me sad im determined not to slip back

not much to say thanks for being there

got a funny video think ill watch it after lunch so i dont go spiralling into abyss

bye 😞

DAY ONE

Soup_da_Loop — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 03:22:43 GMT

Hi dools

yes isolation sucks

im dealing with a lot sadness today. Got a funny vid out for distraction

keeping on but exhausted really

hope ur day is going ok

bye 😞 🙂

DAY ONE

Soup_da_Loop — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 03:25:58 GMT

Hi birdy

ordered the book took a look at the fb page and blogs of Annie Grace good stuff thankyou am feeling sad today but determined

bye 😞 🙂

DAY ONE

Birdy77 — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 07:56:59 GMT

Dear SdaL,

You've done well, and are doing well.

I think it sounds good that you had your first phone therapy ... it's to be expected that it drudged up feelings of sadness. It hurts. We're here to listen if you need to offload.

I am so glad you ordered the book and thought the blog looked helpful, I hope it is a support to you, I will be interested to hear what you think.

Do you have hobbies or anything that you like to do that you might be able to rekindle at this time, to fill those hours?

Keep going SdaL, and keep talking.

We're here.

🌻birdy

DAY ONE

Doolhof — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 23:42:51 GMT

Hi Soup da Loop,

Hope you are doing okay today! Distractions certainly do help.

I spent some time in the garden yesterday, it was a bit chilly but nice all the same. Managed to pull up some weeds so felt like I had achieved something.

I've been trying to catch up with a friend for ages to have a coffee and we actually managed it yesterday so that was lovely.

Friends have invited us to join them for dinner on Saturday so I am looking forward to that as well.

Actually I am feeling quite low myself so will need to find more distractions myself today! Maybe a bit more gardening and reading a book.

Cheers from Dools

DAY ONE

Soup_da_Loop — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 07:23:57 GMT

Hi birdy

i make heaps of stuff did some craft today friend called in and going for a walk soon

feeling ok today

staying outta my head

making no plans

relaxing by the heater

loving myself even the wobbly

bits especially the wobbly bits

day 4 no booze

take care everyone be nice to you first xxxxxxxxxxx

DAY ONE

geoff — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 18:40:00 GMT

Hello Soup da Loop, I'm sorry I'm late in replying but alcohol is very difficult for anybody to give up, it's a strong addiction where it's possible to stop but when something awful happens it's easy to start up again.

I myself used it when I was suffering from depression and it caused a lot of trouble for me but now I only drink socially, that's not the point it's about helping you stop and anyone else who has posted.

Being off it for 4 days ( now it's 7 days hopefully ) is a great achievement and the replies from all above have been great.

If your digestive system is having trouble then there maybe a problem that may only get worse, however, to stop using the alcohol it can definitely improve, but the worse time is when the clock tells you 'it's time for a drink', this is when you need to have something to eat and also drink a glass of fizzy lemonade, tonic water but it's best to be carbonated.

You also need to change your routine so any idea of drinking alcohol is far from your mind.

If you want to stop then your doctor can help you, as there is some medication ( which I've taken before ) that stops any urge to drink, you know that feeling when it's lunchtime 12 and you need a drink, well this medication stops that urge, there is no 'wanting' and even if you decide to have a drink, there is no effect, the alcohol doesn't do anything.

This will only work if you are definitely sure you want to stop, otherwise, it's a waste of time.

Like to continue if you want to.

Geoff.

DAY ONE

therising — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 19:58:29 GMT

Hi Soup da Loop

I love your intro about 'starting a journey'; such a beautiful and positive way to see it. Each bit of light (enlightenment) we find upon our path offers us greater clarity and confidence when it comes to moving forward.

I am currently reading a wonderful book by the author Joe Dispenza ('Becoming Supernatural'). It is the most unique mind/body/energy approach to well-being, with simple to understand concepts in regard to how we function. Epigenetics (a topic covered in the book) is something I find absolutely fascinating, as I believe this area of research will be largely responsible in eradicating mental health issues somewhere down the track. Yes, given the understanding of how physical and mental addiction work, we have the power to change our own genes so that dis-ease does not become disease.

Given your multifaceted approach to well-being, perhaps a look into epigenetics might hold a key for you. I believe understanding how we work gives us greater power in changing things.

Take care of yourself SdaL