DAY ONE

[Soup_da_Loop]

Hi

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

[Peppermintbach]

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

[Doolhof]

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

[Soup_da_Loop]

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 😞

[Soup_da_Loop]

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 😞 🙂

[Soup_da_Loop]

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 😞 🙂

[Birdy77]

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

[Doolhof]

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

[Soup_da_Loop]

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

[geoff]

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.

[therising]

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