I quit drinking after tonight...wish me luck

[TK421]

I'm sick and tired of being sick-and-tired...and I'm sick of blowing at least $100.00 at the bar a week, so I could use some good vibes...things at the theatre are not going well at the moment ( we are undergoing some radical changes, and at least four major employees have left the past three months, and two major production staff are leaving soon.. ) I could use a hug...maybe a pity-smiley? If there is such a thing, but I am really trying my best to get off of the drink

[Chan790]

1. Good Luck!

:hi:

[TK421]

7. Thanks...I'll need it this week

:thumbsup:

[UrbScotty]

2. Hang in there.

I am confident that the will to succeed is in you.

[TK421]

8. I hope so....if things don't improve after this week? who knows...

but at least I'm trying, right? :(

[LeftyFingerPop]

3. Best of luck to you....

I quit once, for a few years, mainly for health reasons. It was no big deal for me, but everyone is different.

Now I have a few maybe once a week or every 2 weeks.

If it is a major part of your lifestyle, you may miss all of the things that go along with it...the social aspect, etc.

Don't be afraid to ask for some professional help if you find yourself having some difficulty.

My best wishes to you. :hug:

[TK421]

11. You know...I'm sure I may sound like the textbook alcoholic by denying this

but I really don't think I have a problem....I really don't. It's something of a habit for me ( much like wanting coffee and a cigarette shortly after in the morning ). It's something I don't really give much thought to, and really don't crave. It's just become a routine with me, and in my line of business let me tell you...there is a GREAT deal of alcohol consuming because of the stress level ( I technically should be dead now because of that, by the way ). We typically go out for some drinks after work...that's just how it is. I am finding that it is becoming QUITE an expense ( out of embarrassment, I will not post what I spent at the bar down the street this past month, but let's just say it was in the thousands ). Credit cards really DO suck

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. When you get the urge

remember what you just said:

I'm sick and tired of being sick-and-tired...and I'm sick of blowing at least $100.00 at the bar a week

I've been sober for 18 years and almost eight months, and that's what worked for me: reminding myself of how drinking made me feel — not only physically, but also how I felt about myself.

Best of luck to ya. :pals:

[TK421]

13. I have to ask you how you did it...in detail, sir

As I stated in the above post, I have found it to be just a habit for me ( much like smoking, which I am also trying to quit, but alas....) Eighteen years is quite impressive...my hats off to you...do you ever miss it?

[Oeditpus Rex]

20. Only when I'm working in the yard or something on a hot day

But, for that, there's non-alcoholic beer — and, contrary to popular opinion, there're a couple of really good ones. :)



How I did it? Uhhhh... well, I woke up one morning, hung over as usual, looked at all the empties on the floor and thought, "Dude, you gotta knock this shit off." I drank the last two beers I had, then went next door (I was lucky in that there were sober alcoholics living on either side of my house) and said, "Bud, I gotta problem."

It so happened that that night there was a big AA meeting — okay, it was more like a dance, I guess. They had a moment for "first-timers," and I went up and said, "My name's Dave, and I'm an alcoholic."

I didn't expect that to empower me, but it did. Afterward, though, I got more help from my friends; they really looked out for me, as compared to the AA folks who mostly preached to me. (I stopped going after about five meetings.)

Note that I'm not knocking AA, though. It's worked for millions, and it certainly helped me. But AA didn't "do" it — I did, because, like you, I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

[TK421]

35. Love this post.....bookmarked, because I think it encompasses what I have felt

and also had to go through....my best to you, sir. :D

[Oeditpus Rex]

39. And mine to you, sir

<--- Dr Pepper :D

[TK421]

40. Right now, I'm drinking a water with a slice of lemon!

you will NEVER hear that from me here again!!@!@!@

[Lyric]

48. ...

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

:hug:

[Aristus]

5. Good! Now maybe you'll GET BACK TO YOUR POST!

B-)

Seriously man, that's great. Good vibes and a hug for ya. :hug:

[TK421]

14. Hey Aristus!!! I'm always at my post! ( no matter what Han Solo and Luke Skywalker

did to me up in the Falcon ( bastards..both of them ). I am good, sir...very good. I hope I can hold out....as I mentioned above, it is a very...VERY stressful time at the theatre ( our lead actress called out sick tonight, and we had to cancel the show ) I had to call about 40 people who had tickets to explain to them what happened....I can't even begin to get into the mechanics of those conversations, but I'll just say that I REALLY needed beer tonight.....


Hopefully, not tomorrow...no

[Critters2]

6. Congrats and best of luck!

When you need support, you might find it in the DU Recovery Group. And here, of course!

[TK421]

15. Thanks, MyCritters!

You may see me there! :D

[crimsonblue]

9. smoke some pot..

then you won't want to drink... :hippie:

[TK421]

16. Yeah...pot just makes me tired and hungry any more, and I don't know anyone

around here selling....but I know what you mean; that was always the comfortable alternative to drinking for me :thumbsup:

[auntAgonist]

10. best wishes to you!

I hope you can accomplish what you're setting out to do.

:hug:

lean on your friends for support.

aA
kesha

[TK421]

18. Thank you auntAgonist! I will certainly try and keep you guys updated!

:pals: You are really one of the coolest people on here....you know that, right?

[auntAgonist]

26. ...wow..

I don't know what to say to that except thank YOU!

:hug: :pals: :hug:

I'm rootin' for you :)




kesha.

[TK421]

27. back atcha!

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: Oh, in case I forgot......:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

12. My dear TK421...

YOu can do it...

How about AA?

They can be very helpful, according to my friends who've been there...

Hugs anytime, sweetie, anytime at all...:hug: :hug:

[TK421]

19. Thanks Peggy...I don't think I'm at an AA attention level at this time

I think I know what the problem is....I'm spending way too much money at the bar, and I need to stop.

So I may resort to growing magic mushrooms so I can....( hah! ) just messing with you, Peggy! You know I like to mess with you!!!!@!@!311@#12 Everything is really fine, though...I am definitely quitting this shit....my body can't handle it like it could at 21, so that is my cue to probably stop.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. LOL!

You can mess with me any old time, OK?

I'm here for you, sweetie...

:hug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

23. There's not really an 'AA attention level'

Some of the stories I heard there shocked me — made me think, "Man, I wasn't anywhere near that bad." And I wasn't. But I was bad enough for me, and I knew I needed help.

[TK421]

29. I guess what I meant to say was there are certain people who will look at you

in a certain light if they know you drink often enough ( much like the bartenders at the bar conveniently..or inconveniently located right down the street from me ) They know exactly what you want when you walk in there, and most people like that....but recently? I just feel a bit uneasy about it

[Oeditpus Rex]

37. Yeah, I know

When I got to where I was buying a 12-pack every night, I'd alternate between three liquor stores near me so none of the clerks would think I was drinking a 12-pack every night. :crazy:

[KitchenWitch]

17. Check your PM

If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.

:hug:

[TK421]

21. hey, thanks!

:D

[goldcanyonaz]

24. OMG? from one boozer to another; see indide. K???

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[TK421]

30. Love 'ya back

lots of hugs back atcha!!!! :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Inchworm]

25. That is a call you have to make

dont worry so much that its a big deal. Well, unless it becomes a big deal. Then seek other folks fighting your fight.

:hi:

[TK421]

31. I think I've made it, Inchworm....and I really do believe I'll follow through with it!

:D

[goldcanyonaz]

28. are you serious? I drink a lot, and I mean a lot...

I drink a lot to just forget.

[TK421]

32. You drink for part of the reason I drink....

most of the time, I just want the buzz

[goldcanyonaz]

34. fuck, thought i deleted this.

I always think I am gonna get a click, but it never comes.

[TK421]

36. BLEEP!!!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## DON'T DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

==================
GROVELBOT.EXE v4.1
==================



This week is our second quarter 2008 fund drive. Democratic Underground is
a completely independent website. We depend on donations from our members
to cover our costs. Whatever you do, do not click the link below!

[TK421]

38. but, GrovelBot....I already DID! Am I damned? Damned to hell?

and if I'm going to hell...will they at least have beer? ( I figure if I'm going to hell, what the fuck, right? )

[MilesColtrane]

41. Your brain is stronger than the grain.

If John Barleycorn really has a hold on you, see a doc so that you can nullify the withdrawals.

[TK421]

56. I'm into my first night here, and so far I am just fine

don't even have the desire :thumbsup:

[puerco-bellies]

42. I made the same decision just over 5 years ago.

Give it one year. Look within to see why you would rather be loaded. In my case my problem wasn't what I was putting in my body, it was the thoughts I was putting in to my head.
Best wishes,
p-b

[TK421]

57. I think with me it was all about the buzz after a long, stressful day at work

and knowing that I would go home well-rested...I'm beginning to think that I don't need that anymore; it's been too damned long, you know?

[old mark]

43. All the best, TK.

...I quit over 20 years ago. After a week or so, it was not a problem
Find something enjoyable to do with the time you would have spent drinking.
Not pushing, but it might be helpful to find an AA meeting and sit in on one or two and see what you think.If it's not for you, that's OK, but it may be easier to go to meetings for a little while.

Good luck-don't quit quitting.
FWIW, quitting cigarettes was a hundred times harder.
ADDED: read the posts-seems like you have a lot of friends here.
Good luck again.
mark

[TK421]

58. Thank you for that.... smoking is another habit I really need to kick

I'm beginning to feel a bit self-conscious about how I smell around certain people who don't smoke; you would be surprised at the reactions of people whom you thought you knew that draw certain conclusions about you that way. I've managed to cut back ( not even a half a pack a day ) and that is quite an improvement on my part. The drinking, I find is more of a social after-work thing and it is just becoming an extremely expensive habit that I have enjoyed for the past six years here.

Thanks for your response! - Mark ( me, too! )

[old mark]

73. Do yourself a great favor...

...do not quit smoking and drinking at the same time. You will not succeed with either.
Cigarette smoking is terribly hard to quit, and a long process due to ingrained habit associated with smoking.

I used to be a bar band musician in the 1960's-1970's, and I have had to quit a whole assortment of pleasurable vices. Cigarettes were the worst for me by far. I really hate them now-to me, selling tobacco is the same as selling crack.

I have heard of people just throwing the pack away and having no further problems, but that ain't me.

Good luck.

mark

[datasuspect]

44. quitters never win

[TK421]

59. Perhaps I won't quit outright, but I suppose I can always try

I may never win, either....but my liver might be in better shape twenty years from now if I do manage to do it

[tjwmason]

45. Best of luck to you.

You're clearly going through some difficult times, you have my best wishes and anything else I can give you. :hug:

[TK421]

70. You...it is great to hear from you, my friend!

How have you been? I know it has been a while! Sorry that you had to stumble upon such a morose thread such as this..but I will be fine. The situation at my job has deteriorated the last four years I have been there, but I'll get through it, I promise you! I'll even keep you posted on my progress. :hug:

You take care, TJ...

[Doug.Goodall]

46. GOOD LUCK

That 100 bucks will be sweet in your pocket

[TK421]

60. Thank you Doug! It will be going to credit cards....

don't get me wrong...that is a good thing, a VERY good thing ! :D

[Callalily]

47. Wishing you the best

of luck! :hug:

[TK421]

61. Thanks Simply Fugue! So far today, I haven't had any violent impulses

or urges to drink....it's all good here so far, but then again my work day was fairly easy. I would hate to think what would have happened if it wasn't? But right now, my drug of choice is caffeine...and LOTS of it! ( check out my thread on Sweet Tea...I just LOVE this shit )!

[BarenakedLady]

49. Good luck.

:hug:

[TK421]

62. Thanks, BarenakedLady...I could barely type your name without fantasizing about you!

that sounds...inviting! :pals: I'm doing well..so far. I can't say for certain if I have succeeded in my goal until the weeks end, and then perhaps I will have made some amount of progress.

[BarenakedLady]

77. You've made my day.

:blush:

[Phillycat]

50. The only thing that worked for me...

was AA. Sober 4 years, 8 months. I won't wish you luck, you don't need luck. I wish you the ability to admit powerlessness. :hug:

[TK421]

72. I think my willingness to post this subject here is more than an admission to that

reaching out, I suppose...but take from that what you will, I'm willing to accept that I just might have a problem. :hug:

[applegrove]

51. Good luck. You won't regret it.

[TK421]

63. My credit limit won't regret it...my checkbook won't regret it, and I certainly

will not regret it....I've been down this road for far too long, and it's getting old REAL fast

[applegrove]

76. I quit and my life is less up and down. It is nice to be on an even keel. You have that to look

forward to.

[GreenPartyVoter]

52. *hugs* Good luck. Keep asking for help when you need it. If you are not doing AA I can suggest a

couple of other possible options. Just don't try to go it alone, ok? :hug:

[TK421]

64. The amount of support I have found here on this thread alone is sufficient

overwhelming, in fact....I don't know what else to say, but it's really cool

[I Have A Dream]

53. Good for you, TK421!

I wish you great success, and here's a hug! :hug:

[TK421]

65. Here's a hug back!

:hug: everything will be fine from now on, I really think so

[Haole Girl]

54. Hey.... me too!!!

It just didn't mix well with my other hobbies! Good luck!! :hug:

[TK421]

66. You of all people should know about this...after having been subjected to some of

my drunken rants....and you have been a really good friend, too, through it all :hug: I don't know...maybe it's just a phase? Give me some time, because I don't know what the hell is going on half of the time

[Iggo]

55. "After tonight..."?

The only time it's possible to quit is "right now."

Good luck! I'm pullin' for ya.

[TK421]

67. This was posted last night...sorry, but I went to sleep after this post

I haven't had anything to drink ( except Sweet Tea, and I just MIGHT need a support group for that ) Now it is 2:15 A.M...no beer, like I usually do

[TK421]

68. Thank you to everyone who has replied to this thread....I have found some

very helpful replies and plenty of support that is much needed at this time...

I don't forget such things...and I'm not in the habit of getting choked-up on an internet message board, but let's just...(harumph) leave it at "thank you"

You guys rock all around

[mrreowwr_kittty]

69. Best of luck to you!

:hug:

[TK421]

71. Thank you catburglar!

:pals: you know what? caffeine is doing the trick quite nicely.....if I were drinking, I don't think I would have responded to this thread tonight. I actually feel good...I feel ALIVE, and alert. I'm beginning to feel like the old "me" again ( god help the planet...god help it ).

[RetroLounge]

74. Good luck to you...

I quit nearly 18 years ago.

I went to AA, but it's not for everyone.

Do what you need to do, AA, Family, Church, Friends, Therapy, Online recovery chats, whichever way works, just don't do it alone.

By the way, we have a recovery group here on DU...

:hug:

:hi:

RL

[TK421]

80. Eighteen years is quite an accomplishment- good for you!

Day two, and so far so good for me :hi:

[bigwillq]

75. Good Luck!

Stay strong. :hug:

[TK421]

81. I'll try to....I guess the good news is I'm not shaking!

:hi:

[Brigid]

78. ((sending vibes))

Best of luck to you. :hug:

[TK421]

82. thank you Brigid!

:D

[lost-in-nj]

79. Good luck

and positive Karma


hope it works for you
and I hope your job gets back into an even keel


:hug:


:hi:


lost

[TK421]

83. I think my job is mainly responsible for my late hours at that bar

if only these people knew how to run a business effectively, instead of having to resort to crisis management then perhaps things would be different :hi: How you doin?

[lost-in-nj]

84. doing OK

wish I had a kick in the pants to quit...

I guess it will be like when I quit smoking... I will know when I am ready.

:hi:

:hug:


lost

[PermanentRevolution]

85. Good luck with everything...

I should follow your lead - spending about $20-$30 a night at the bar across the street, and that's seriously gotta stop. Really, good luck to you. You may just inspire me to go in with you. It's bad times in the business all over these days. I'm really worried that the theatre I work at down here isn't going to make it through next season, and if it folds, I'm not sure what I'm gonna do. But that's neither here nor there. Sounds like you're doing the right thing - keep your head up and I hope it all works out!