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 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

[Birdy77]

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

[Doolhof]

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

[Guest0786549]

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

[Soup_da_Loop]

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

[Soup_da_Loop]

Hi birdy

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

[Soup_da_Loop]

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

[Soup_da_Loop]

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

[Soup_da_Loop]

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