Consumption of mass quantities

What a week's worth of sobriety can do...

I did not expect to feel so much better after one week's worth of not consuming alcohol, but I do! My blood-pressure is pretty high and most likely due to drinking too much and not eating well. Oh, exercise has been non-existent, too. Only after a few days of staying sober, my cravings for fatty foods has drastically changed. Vegetables actually taste good!

I hope I have not damaged my liver to the point where it cannot heal itself.

Alcohol use/abuse does not help with my anxiety or agoraphobia. It worsens everything. It just doesn't seem that way when heavily intoxicated.

I have driven under the influence several times within the past few weeks. I have warned my parents, whom I still reside with, about this behavior, but they do not seem to take what I say seriously. It's their car that I operate while drunk, but they say nothing.

I DO NOT blame them for my troubles with alcohol. I'm just upset because of their callousness and aloofness. Not that I've been an angel. Much to the contrary. Perhaps it is time to move on. Oy, 35 and still living at home??? Yeah, I would think that time came awhile ago!

Drugs... AND alcohol. Drugs.... AND alcohol.

"Do you do drugs?"

-"No, but I drink."

-"Do you get strung out on drugs?"

"No, but I get drunk."

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?????????

The difference is that alcohol is legal to manufacture, sell and consume. Well, that's the only difference that I'm aware of. Oh, it's also legal to advertise for alcoholic beverages.

I'm not going to knock the industries that make money from alcohol production. Eh, maybe a little. Nah, I won't. This isn't about them. It's about me and my poor liver.

"Oh, my poor internal organs! How I have abused and neglected you!"

Hang in there, everyone. Treat yourselves well. Be good to yourselves. Be good to your internal organs.

"What a mess. What a mess. If only I was sober long enough to realize...."

- R a y

"What a mess. What a mess. If only I was sober long enough to realize...."

Sounds like you HAVE realized Ray!!! It makes me happy to see your post. Feeling great after a week of sobriety....just imagine 2 weeks? A month? 6 months? Not that every day is heaven, but it's damn close after you get some sobriety under your belt. Keep it up!!! Life is truly amazing without booze. I'm just like you, never did drugs, just a straight alcoholic. I'm coming up on 9 months sober...you can do it too!!! I'm so proud of you, really proud of you. You rock!!!

It sounds like your folks have their own problems, Ray. It's not easy to know how to deal with alcoholism in the family. Congrats on your first week of sobriety. Keep it up and enjoy yourself.

A week clean, that is great, Ray =) I agree with Raynaadi that it sounds like you have realized, hope the realization sticks, hun.

Thank you all for your replies. It is nice to know that there are people who understand.

I was able to pick someone up at the airport last night, without much anxiety. Despite the urge to drink, I was able to ignore it and walk out the door. JFK aiport is always aggravating to drive into, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

I'm up to about three cups of chocolate milk a day. I might have to use a sugar substitute like Stevia, perhaps, in order to keep fit. Well, chocolate milk is not as bad as consuming mass quantities of alcohol, so I'm not too concerned about it.

Before I quit drinking, I mostly craved for salty snacks. Hmmm.

I'm eating vegetables like a madman. A healthier madman. Good changes. Yes. Very good. Good changes, yes, but... will it last? There's that sense of doubt and pessimistic thoughts again.

I think I'm going to go "vegetarian" for awhile. The thought of taking animal flesh out of my diet does make me quiver, though. It must have been my viewing of, "Super-size Me" that did it.

Now I feel sober and saner than I've ever been, but still don't know what to do with myself. I'll have to work on that, as well.

Take care, everyone and thank you.

-Ray

I craved salty snacks too for the most part. I didn't get too involved in sweets when I got sober, but I do get a sweet tooth here and there and I too drink chocolate milk. Check out the chocolate soy milk, yum! As far as going vegetarian....be careful. You just put your body through major shock by cutting out the booze, you don't want to go nuts. Plus, you'll need protein more then ever. Keep all the food groups in order for awhile while your body adjusts.

"There's that sense of doubt and pessimistic thoughts again."

Don't listen to that voice. That's just the alcoholic in you trying to pursuade you to say ***** it and drink. Ignore it. You don't have to drink, ever again, if you don't want to. Those pessimistic thoughts will fade as time goes by. Remember to give time time. You can do it, and I'm here to help!