365 days without booze... join me?
Discussion
FreeLitres said:
Feirny said:
Just seen this thread for the first time, and realised that I've not had a drop of alcohol since two weeks before this thread was made. It'll be 4 years in October.
Very good.Was there a reason that you decided to give up?
yonex said:
andymc said:
Im on day 2 but that's because its become a problem, got took to the hospital with pancreatitis so its more of a must than a lifestyle, still going to a culture shock
Not great.Still, it's not as bleak as you think without alcohol, good luck with getting the pancreas sorted.
So...off to the US to a trade show, usually monster amounts of alcohol and meetings etc. This time the same volume of work and social commitments but the bike is coming out with me. Planning to leave the exhibition early to miss the post show boozing, then re-join my colleagues at 20:00 onwards. I'm actually looking forward to seeing their reactions
Is there anything other than Nytol that people take to have a good nights sleep? I haven't drank since Friday and I am having really vivid dreams and then waking up at about 4am and then tossing and turning until I get up at 6am. If I've had a few beers the night before I just sleep straight through, although I don't wake up refreshed.
BrabusMog said:
Is there anything other than Nytol that people take to have a good nights sleep? I haven't drank since Friday and I am having really vivid dreams and then waking up at about 4am and then tossing and turning until I get up at 6am. If I've had a few beers the night before I just sleep straight through, although I don't wake up refreshed.
the doc can prescribe but that can be a slippy slope, nytol is awful for hanging on you the next dayandymc said:
BrabusMog said:
Is there anything other than Nytol that people take to have a good nights sleep? I haven't drank since Friday and I am having really vivid dreams and then waking up at about 4am and then tossing and turning until I get up at 6am. If I've had a few beers the night before I just sleep straight through, although I don't wake up refreshed.
the doc can prescribe but that can be a slippy slope, nytol is awful for hanging on you the next dayThanks for the responses guys.
I didn't want to use Nytol or medication as I don't want to become reliant on these for sleep. The sauna thing would be a good shout, except another bad habit of mine used to be gym/sauna/steam and the swing into the local for 2 pints afterwards! If I just go to the gym and don't take a bag with me, I need to go home to shower which stops me from going to the pub. I know it sounds a bit weak, but no temptation is better for me.
My mum recommended tranquility tea to me, but I can't seem to find it anywhere now. She also suggested St johns wart but I thought that was more to relieve stress.
I didn't want to use Nytol or medication as I don't want to become reliant on these for sleep. The sauna thing would be a good shout, except another bad habit of mine used to be gym/sauna/steam and the swing into the local for 2 pints afterwards! If I just go to the gym and don't take a bag with me, I need to go home to shower which stops me from going to the pub. I know it sounds a bit weak, but no temptation is better for me.
My mum recommended tranquility tea to me, but I can't seem to find it anywhere now. She also suggested St johns wart but I thought that was more to relieve stress.
b
ks I'm slipping off the wagon.
Met a lady and we started going for long meals in nice country and riverside pubs with a bottle of red or two, great times but I don't want to slip back into my old habits of daily drinking.
I'm running 30'miles a week now and have put on nearly 4 kilos, that has really pissed me off after loosing 30. Still have no desire to drink when I'm alone like I used to so that's one saving grace.
Haven't told her about my previous fondness for the grog think it may be time I did.
ks I'm slipping off the wagon.Met a lady and we started going for long meals in nice country and riverside pubs with a bottle of red or two, great times but I don't want to slip back into my old habits of daily drinking.
I'm running 30'miles a week now and have put on nearly 4 kilos, that has really pissed me off after loosing 30. Still have no desire to drink when I'm alone like I used to so that's one saving grace.
Haven't told her about my previous fondness for the grog think it may be time I did.
I've been off the booze for about 6 months in total but had 2 evenings with a glass of wine each time. I'm feeling a lot happier and going to the gym 4 times a week is helping too. I had a few nights of strange dreams etc but it's all normal now and I sleep like a baby. I'd recommend it to anyone
Congrats Dipwing. We've created a PH AA thread
Congrats Dipwing. We've created a PH AA thread
Edited by DUMBO100 on Wednesday 1st April 14:27
Feirny said:
dipwing said:
A quick update......
Today is my "NO-BOOZE-FOR-TWO-YEARS day today
I feel fan-bloody-tastic
Just thought I'd mention it!!!
Good going, the longer you go the less you care. Well done.Today is my "NO-BOOZE-FOR-TWO-YEARS day today
I feel fan-bloody-tastic
Just thought I'd mention it!!!
I was just logging in to celebrate my 6 months off, but you stole my thunder!
Nearly 2 months for me now!!
It might not sound much but its transformed myself, particularly my mental health.... a little background....
I've always been prone to anxiety over certain things which in the past I have always tried to self medicate by drinking-often heavily, usually for a couple weeks until under control again....
Well, last summer, I got really panicky/anxious over some things in life and so hit the bottle- only this time, I couldn't stop. After a week, my family were so concerned, they booked me into the Priory. I remember the long journey there, vomiting in a bucket in the back of the car and realising id hit rock bottom.
I vaguely remember being told id been booked in just for the 5 day detox - no actual therapy as I found out- just keeping you away from booze and giving you Librium to calm you and lessen the withdrawl symptoms from the drink. (still costs £3750!!)
what a shock that place was to me! Bags searched and checked on every 15 minutes! Had to give a breath sample soon after arrival. This was at about 2.30pm and hadn't had a drink since about 9.00 that morning but still blew 89 ( legal limit 35)
A chap I met the next day ,blew 178 on arrival!
I had blood taken the next day, as they test your liver function and a couple of other things. I was crapping myself that my liver function was going to show damage but thank god it was only very slightly raised, which the doctor said was to be expected after a week of heavy drinking and that if I stayed off the booze it should lower naturally after about 10 days or so.
When I am well, I am really into healthy living- good food, lots of fruit/veg, various "superfoods" such as maca powder, spirila etc and I enjoy doing weights at the gym and hiking and generally being fit and strong, so I knew I was at risk of wrecking my health with the booze but the severe anxiety and need for more alcohol to control those horrible feelings became more important than being in great shape.
Back to the Priory and as I wasn't having any therapy , the days were very long and I wanted to be home.
The therapy detox programme lasts a month and costs £12500!!
I decided that I wasn't benefiting from the place now, so discharged myself after 4 days instead of 5 as I thought id cracked the booze thing now and id just book some counselling locally when I got back home.
The first thing I did when home was have a glass of wine which was obviously a mistake. Although I didn't drink anymore, id put alcohol back in my system again.
I wasn't drinking heavy but I was drinking to control anxiety again which the alcohol makes WORSE!
Got back to work again a week later but still had bad anxiety , I am now sure, that was made much worse with the drink.
The next bad thing to happen a couple of weeks after this, was on a day off work, I bought a small bottle of whisky and decided on the walk back from the shop , to go into a quiet field near home and drink most of it quickly to wipe out the anxiety. I must of passed out as the next thing I know, a couple of paramedics are shaking me to wake up. Some people must have seen me and thought I was ill/dead I presume!
Had a good few weeks after this just drinking lightly as Priory/paramedic thing had shocked me but really I should have tried harder to stop drinking completely as when iam still a little anxious even a small amount of alcohol , as I know now, intensifies the feelings.... as I was about to find out big time.
I had something happen in my life that ordinarily wouldn't have been a big deal and I could of dealt with it fine but as I was still in an anxious state, I hit the bottle hard one evening and into the early hours.
The next day, I felt really terrifyingly anxious and as I didn't feel drunk and thought I was safe to drive I decided I would drive up to the local hills and go and clear my head with a walk.
All was going well with the drive until, down a very narrow country road, what I thought was a dog ( actually a fox) ran out from the hedgerow and I instinctively swerved. I hit a big tree, bounced off that and semi overturned , landing on the opposite bank (road only about 8ft wide) and unable to get out as door was jammed against the high bank . Anyway, the nearby occupants of a house must have heard the bang and called the emergency services , probably because I couldn't get out straight away.
I got checked over by the ambulance crew ( I was unhurt) and then came the police with the breathtest- I failed.
A day in cells then, and the enormity of what I did hit me hard- and so it should of. Thank god no one else was involved.
So , so very ashamed and angry at myself for driving but, In the mental state I was in, I just didn't think that I would still be over the limit.
My day in court, crapping myself. Lost licence obviously, big fine. I am going to do the course and so will get my licence back this time next year hopefully.
I managed to keep my employment but have lost the position I was in and lost a large amount of salary.
In early February, with the support of my family and the determination to sort myself out, I ve stayed completely off drink.
I feel so, so much better and I am training hard at the gym as well as lots of cycling.
I actually have no desire to drink now, whatsoever and I am just enjoying feeling so alive and well and actually looking forward to things.
I know I could enjoy a couple drinks with mates and not have anymore now but, just don't want to do it at the moment.
I'll always be prone to anxiety but I a m determined not to use alcohol in the future, in the mistaken belief that it will help- it sure as hell doesn't and with me, puts me on a self-destruct mission!
I ve really waffled on here, so apologise for the long post but hope someone can take something from it.
This time last year, I did one of 6th gears supercar driving experiences- The Ferrari 458 Italia was my pick out of the six I drove. Just been watching the in-car vids taken that day- wish I could do it again this year!
It might not sound much but its transformed myself, particularly my mental health.... a little background....
I've always been prone to anxiety over certain things which in the past I have always tried to self medicate by drinking-often heavily, usually for a couple weeks until under control again....
Well, last summer, I got really panicky/anxious over some things in life and so hit the bottle- only this time, I couldn't stop. After a week, my family were so concerned, they booked me into the Priory. I remember the long journey there, vomiting in a bucket in the back of the car and realising id hit rock bottom.
I vaguely remember being told id been booked in just for the 5 day detox - no actual therapy as I found out- just keeping you away from booze and giving you Librium to calm you and lessen the withdrawl symptoms from the drink. (still costs £3750!!)
what a shock that place was to me! Bags searched and checked on every 15 minutes! Had to give a breath sample soon after arrival. This was at about 2.30pm and hadn't had a drink since about 9.00 that morning but still blew 89 ( legal limit 35)
A chap I met the next day ,blew 178 on arrival!
I had blood taken the next day, as they test your liver function and a couple of other things. I was crapping myself that my liver function was going to show damage but thank god it was only very slightly raised, which the doctor said was to be expected after a week of heavy drinking and that if I stayed off the booze it should lower naturally after about 10 days or so.
When I am well, I am really into healthy living- good food, lots of fruit/veg, various "superfoods" such as maca powder, spirila etc and I enjoy doing weights at the gym and hiking and generally being fit and strong, so I knew I was at risk of wrecking my health with the booze but the severe anxiety and need for more alcohol to control those horrible feelings became more important than being in great shape.
Back to the Priory and as I wasn't having any therapy , the days were very long and I wanted to be home.
The therapy detox programme lasts a month and costs £12500!!
I decided that I wasn't benefiting from the place now, so discharged myself after 4 days instead of 5 as I thought id cracked the booze thing now and id just book some counselling locally when I got back home.
The first thing I did when home was have a glass of wine which was obviously a mistake. Although I didn't drink anymore, id put alcohol back in my system again.
I wasn't drinking heavy but I was drinking to control anxiety again which the alcohol makes WORSE!
Got back to work again a week later but still had bad anxiety , I am now sure, that was made much worse with the drink.
The next bad thing to happen a couple of weeks after this, was on a day off work, I bought a small bottle of whisky and decided on the walk back from the shop , to go into a quiet field near home and drink most of it quickly to wipe out the anxiety. I must of passed out as the next thing I know, a couple of paramedics are shaking me to wake up. Some people must have seen me and thought I was ill/dead I presume!
Had a good few weeks after this just drinking lightly as Priory/paramedic thing had shocked me but really I should have tried harder to stop drinking completely as when iam still a little anxious even a small amount of alcohol , as I know now, intensifies the feelings.... as I was about to find out big time.
I had something happen in my life that ordinarily wouldn't have been a big deal and I could of dealt with it fine but as I was still in an anxious state, I hit the bottle hard one evening and into the early hours.
The next day, I felt really terrifyingly anxious and as I didn't feel drunk and thought I was safe to drive I decided I would drive up to the local hills and go and clear my head with a walk.
All was going well with the drive until, down a very narrow country road, what I thought was a dog ( actually a fox) ran out from the hedgerow and I instinctively swerved. I hit a big tree, bounced off that and semi overturned , landing on the opposite bank (road only about 8ft wide) and unable to get out as door was jammed against the high bank . Anyway, the nearby occupants of a house must have heard the bang and called the emergency services , probably because I couldn't get out straight away.
I got checked over by the ambulance crew ( I was unhurt) and then came the police with the breathtest- I failed.
A day in cells then, and the enormity of what I did hit me hard- and so it should of. Thank god no one else was involved.
So , so very ashamed and angry at myself for driving but, In the mental state I was in, I just didn't think that I would still be over the limit.
My day in court, crapping myself. Lost licence obviously, big fine. I am going to do the course and so will get my licence back this time next year hopefully.
I managed to keep my employment but have lost the position I was in and lost a large amount of salary.
In early February, with the support of my family and the determination to sort myself out, I ve stayed completely off drink.
I feel so, so much better and I am training hard at the gym as well as lots of cycling.
I actually have no desire to drink now, whatsoever and I am just enjoying feeling so alive and well and actually looking forward to things.
I know I could enjoy a couple drinks with mates and not have anymore now but, just don't want to do it at the moment.
I'll always be prone to anxiety but I a m determined not to use alcohol in the future, in the mistaken belief that it will help- it sure as hell doesn't and with me, puts me on a self-destruct mission!
I ve really waffled on here, so apologise for the long post but hope someone can take something from it.
This time last year, I did one of 6th gears supercar driving experiences- The Ferrari 458 Italia was my pick out of the six I drove. Just been watching the in-car vids taken that day- wish I could do it again this year!
Edited by oceanview on Wednesday 1st April 23:15
oceanview said:
Nearly 2 months for me now!!
It might not sound much but its transformed myself, particularly my mental health.... a little background....
I've always been prone to anxiety over certain things which in the past I have always tried to self medicate by drinking-often heavily, usually for a couple weeks until under control again....
Well, last summer, I got really panicky/anxious over some things in life and so hit the bottle- only this time, I couldn't stop. After a week, my family were so concerned, they booked me into the Priory. I remember the long journey there, vomiting in a bucket in the back of the car and realising id hit rock bottom.
I vaguely remember being told id been booked in just for the 5 day detox - no actual therapy as I found out- just keeping you away from booze and giving you Librium to calm you and lessen the withdrawl symptoms from the drink. (still costs £3750!!)
what a shock that place was to me! Bags searched and checked on every 15 minutes! Had to give a breath sample soon after arrival. This was at about 2.30pm and hadn't had a drink since about 9.00 that morning but still blew 89 ( legal limit 35)
A chap I met the next day ,blew 178 on arrival!
I had blood taken the next day, as they test your liver function and a couple of other things. I was crapping myself that my liver function was going to show damage but thank god it was only very slightly raised, which the doctor said was to be expected after a week of heavy drinking and that if I stayed off the booze it should lower naturally after about 10 days or so.
When I am well, I am really into healthy living- good food, lots of fruit/veg, various "superfoods" such as maca powder, spirila etc and I enjoy doing weights at the gym and hiking and generally being fit and strong, so I knew I was at risk of wrecking my health with the booze but the severe anxiety and need for more alcohol to control those horrible feelings became more important than being in great shape.
Back to the Priory and as I wasn't having any therapy , the days were very long and I wanted to be home.
The therapy detox programme lasts a month and costs £12500!!
I decided that I wasn't benefiting from the place now, so discharged myself after 4 days instead of 5 as I thought id cracked the booze thing now and id just book some counselling locally when I got back home.
The first thing I did when home was have a glass of wine which was obviously a mistake. Although I didn't drink anymore, id put alcohol back in my system again.
I wasn't drinking heavy but I was drinking to control anxiety again which the alcohol makes WORSE!
Got back to work again a week later but still had bad anxiety , I am now sure, that was made much worse with the drink.
The next bad thing to happen a couple of weeks after this, was on a day off work, I bought a small bottle of whisky and decided on the walk back from the shop , to go into a quiet field near home and drink most of it quickly to wipe out the anxiety. I must of passed out as the next thing I know, a couple of paramedics are shaking me to wake up. Some people must have seen me and thought I was ill/dead I presume!
Had a good few weeks after this just drinking lightly as Priory/paramedic thing had shocked me but really I should have tried harder to stop drinking completely as when iam still a little anxious even a small amount of alcohol , as I know now, intensifies the feelings.... as I was about to find out big time.
I had something happen in my life that ordinarily wouldn't have been a big deal and I could of dealt with it fine but as I was still in an anxious state, I hit the bottle hard one evening and into the early hours.
The next day, I felt really terrifyingly anxious and as I didn't feel drunk and thought I was safe to drive I decided I would drive up to the local hills and go and clear my head with a walk.
All was going well with the drive until, down a very narrow country road, what I thought was a dog ( actually a fox) ran out from the hedgerow and I instinctively swerved. I hit a big tree, bounced off that and semi overturned , landing on the opposite bank (road only about 8ft wide) and unable to get out as door was jammed against the high bank . Anyway, the nearby occupants of a house must have heard the bang and called the emergency services , probably because I couldn't get out straight away.
I got checked over by the ambulance crew ( I was unhurt) and then came the police with the breathtest- I failed.
A day in cells then, and the enormity of what I did hit me hard- and so it should of. Thank god no one else was involved.
So , so very ashamed and angry at myself for driving but, In the mental state I was in, I just didn't think that I would still be over the limit.
My day in court, crapping myself. Lost licence obviously, big fine. I am going to do the course and so will get my licence back this time next year hopefully.
I managed to keep my employment but have lost the position I was in and lost a large amount of salary.
In early February, with the support of my family and the determination to sort myself out, I ve stayed completely off drink.
I feel so, so much better and I am training hard at the gym as well as lots of cycling.
I actually have no desire to drink now, whatsoever and I am just enjoying feeling so alive and well and actually looking forward to things.
I know I could enjoy a couple drinks with mates and not have anymore now but, just don't want to do it at the moment.
I'll always be prone to anxiety but I a m determined not to use alcohol in the future, in the mistaken belief that it will help- it sure as hell doesn't and with me, puts me on a self-destruct mission!
I ve really waffled on here, so apologise for the long post but hope someone can take something from it.
This time last year, I did one of 6th gears supercar driving experiences- The Ferrari 458 Italia was my pick out of the six I drove. Just been watching the in-car vids taken that day- wish I could do it again this year!
Interesting. Your point near the end when you say you think you'd be able to drink again with mates and not to get addicted. That's a concern. Personally I don't think you could.It might not sound much but its transformed myself, particularly my mental health.... a little background....
I've always been prone to anxiety over certain things which in the past I have always tried to self medicate by drinking-often heavily, usually for a couple weeks until under control again....
Well, last summer, I got really panicky/anxious over some things in life and so hit the bottle- only this time, I couldn't stop. After a week, my family were so concerned, they booked me into the Priory. I remember the long journey there, vomiting in a bucket in the back of the car and realising id hit rock bottom.
I vaguely remember being told id been booked in just for the 5 day detox - no actual therapy as I found out- just keeping you away from booze and giving you Librium to calm you and lessen the withdrawl symptoms from the drink. (still costs £3750!!)
what a shock that place was to me! Bags searched and checked on every 15 minutes! Had to give a breath sample soon after arrival. This was at about 2.30pm and hadn't had a drink since about 9.00 that morning but still blew 89 ( legal limit 35)
A chap I met the next day ,blew 178 on arrival!
I had blood taken the next day, as they test your liver function and a couple of other things. I was crapping myself that my liver function was going to show damage but thank god it was only very slightly raised, which the doctor said was to be expected after a week of heavy drinking and that if I stayed off the booze it should lower naturally after about 10 days or so.
When I am well, I am really into healthy living- good food, lots of fruit/veg, various "superfoods" such as maca powder, spirila etc and I enjoy doing weights at the gym and hiking and generally being fit and strong, so I knew I was at risk of wrecking my health with the booze but the severe anxiety and need for more alcohol to control those horrible feelings became more important than being in great shape.
Back to the Priory and as I wasn't having any therapy , the days were very long and I wanted to be home.
The therapy detox programme lasts a month and costs £12500!!
I decided that I wasn't benefiting from the place now, so discharged myself after 4 days instead of 5 as I thought id cracked the booze thing now and id just book some counselling locally when I got back home.
The first thing I did when home was have a glass of wine which was obviously a mistake. Although I didn't drink anymore, id put alcohol back in my system again.
I wasn't drinking heavy but I was drinking to control anxiety again which the alcohol makes WORSE!
Got back to work again a week later but still had bad anxiety , I am now sure, that was made much worse with the drink.
The next bad thing to happen a couple of weeks after this, was on a day off work, I bought a small bottle of whisky and decided on the walk back from the shop , to go into a quiet field near home and drink most of it quickly to wipe out the anxiety. I must of passed out as the next thing I know, a couple of paramedics are shaking me to wake up. Some people must have seen me and thought I was ill/dead I presume!
Had a good few weeks after this just drinking lightly as Priory/paramedic thing had shocked me but really I should have tried harder to stop drinking completely as when iam still a little anxious even a small amount of alcohol , as I know now, intensifies the feelings.... as I was about to find out big time.
I had something happen in my life that ordinarily wouldn't have been a big deal and I could of dealt with it fine but as I was still in an anxious state, I hit the bottle hard one evening and into the early hours.
The next day, I felt really terrifyingly anxious and as I didn't feel drunk and thought I was safe to drive I decided I would drive up to the local hills and go and clear my head with a walk.
All was going well with the drive until, down a very narrow country road, what I thought was a dog ( actually a fox) ran out from the hedgerow and I instinctively swerved. I hit a big tree, bounced off that and semi overturned , landing on the opposite bank (road only about 8ft wide) and unable to get out as door was jammed against the high bank . Anyway, the nearby occupants of a house must have heard the bang and called the emergency services , probably because I couldn't get out straight away.
I got checked over by the ambulance crew ( I was unhurt) and then came the police with the breathtest- I failed.
A day in cells then, and the enormity of what I did hit me hard- and so it should of. Thank god no one else was involved.
So , so very ashamed and angry at myself for driving but, In the mental state I was in, I just didn't think that I would still be over the limit.
My day in court, crapping myself. Lost licence obviously, big fine. I am going to do the course and so will get my licence back this time next year hopefully.
I managed to keep my employment but have lost the position I was in and lost a large amount of salary.
In early February, with the support of my family and the determination to sort myself out, I ve stayed completely off drink.
I feel so, so much better and I am training hard at the gym as well as lots of cycling.
I actually have no desire to drink now, whatsoever and I am just enjoying feeling so alive and well and actually looking forward to things.
I know I could enjoy a couple drinks with mates and not have anymore now but, just don't want to do it at the moment.
I'll always be prone to anxiety but I a m determined not to use alcohol in the future, in the mistaken belief that it will help- it sure as hell doesn't and with me, puts me on a self-destruct mission!
I ve really waffled on here, so apologise for the long post but hope someone can take something from it.
This time last year, I did one of 6th gears supercar driving experiences- The Ferrari 458 Italia was my pick out of the six I drove. Just been watching the in-car vids taken that day- wish I could do it again this year!
Edited by oceanview on Wednesday 1st April 23:15
You have lost your driving licence.
You have fainted in a park.
You have been to rehab.
Hopefully you've learnt that you and drink don't mix,mwhether you feel like a drink read this.
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