Almost 5.5 Days!!!!!!!!

A little over 5 days since my last drink!!!! YAY ME! However, the insomnia is killing me. Good thing - at least I am only TIRED, not TIRED WITH A HANGOVER! Does anyone have any suggestions for getting to sleep at night? I've tried Herbal Tea & also Evening Primrose Oil. The primrose oil makes me sleep too hard and the Herbal Teas seem to do nothing. Other than that - I feel GREAT. My skin is healthier already and I've lost about 3 LBS eating ALMOST whatever I want!!!!!!

Last night was a real test. I inadvertently locked myself out of my office building working late at about 8:00 PM. I knew eventually others working late would come out an let me in but, I was stuck out there with no keys to my car and my cell phone was about dead - go figure. LOL! Funny- a week ago - I would have walked to that store and bought myself a 6 pack because of the "stress". Well, I walked to the store but instead bought a diet A&W root beer. Came back & waited. Finally our new biz whiz let me in.

Went home - called the friends I had called to keep calling the office to get someone to let me in. We had a large time joking about it. I know if I had picked up that first beer - I never would have enjoyed the humor in what had happened. I would have rather erased it in an alcohol fog. How crazy is that? To erase the good, funny, life stories that define who we are. It really put things in to perspective. Such a small incident with such big indications.

Well, this weekend is my real test. I am a karaoke junkie and with karaoke comes alcohol. I've vowed to give karaoke up for awhile (not forever!) until I get my alcohol cravings under control. I've always said I would love to see the day when I could walk into a place where everyone else is drinking and never pick up a drink. I know that day is coming...............until then - I'll be using my karaoke system at home with a pot of coffee!!!!!!

Hope everyone has a great alcohol-free weekend!

Way to go Star! 5 days is a wonderful accomplishment. It does seem those first few are the hardest. But, take heart, it does get easier as time goes on. Sounds like you are doing the right things--not going to karaoke is a wise decision. As for the sleep, have you tried exercising? Don't do it too late at night or it might keep you awake. That always helps me. I also find a long hot shower to relax and then a little meditation helps me fall asleep.

I hope you get some rest soon! You have a great positive attitude and I look forward to hearing more from you....again, congrats on the 5.5 days!

Congratulations!!!

It took me a little over a week to be able to be able to fall asleep in sobriety. I ended up downloading a bunch of relaxing music like Enya, ya know that meditation type stuff? I'd put it on really low and that was the only way I could fall asleep. To this day I need the tv on to sleep. I can't fall asleep in absolute silence. I also take a Tylenol PM to help lull me to sleep. I'm scared of any kind of prescription stuff. Careful with Tylenol PM though. A girl I was sponsoring was taking 4 a night. She never told me, but told my friend, that she couldn't take enough PM to get the same feeling pot gave her. She ended up relapsing on pot and disappearing. I didn't start taking PM until a few months ago, so I was well over 2 years sober.

As far as karaoke, I think its a good idea to stay away for now. My first time trying, I was about 40 days sober and I went to my old hangout for a friend's birthday. Thought I'd do karaoke and drink coffee. I was there for 5 minutes before panicing and running to my car in tears. At about 3months sober, I tried it again, this time to play pool. I went with a friend who was supportive of my sobriety, and he din't drink, even went to the bar to get my iced teas. I was ok and had a blast. When I felt a little squirly I got something to eat. I also took my own car so I could leave if I needed to.

These days I play pool in a league on Sundays, and 3 other members on my team are in recovery. I go to karaoke ever so often, also with other in recovery.

We can go anywhere as free people, as long as we have a valid reason for going, and are mentally and spiritually fit. Give yourself time to get used to being sober. Chalm did it at what, 25 days? She conquered and went to the parade and she made it. So you see, its possible, and oh so fun to watch the other drunks and think "thank god thats not me!!!!"

Well done on the almost 6 days. I think you're smart to stay away from kareoke for a while. I still have a really hard time being around alcohol and I'm a little over 2.5 months sober.

You've got a great attitiude. Keep it up.

--splitimage

It sounds like you're doing great SPM. And I like the idea of doing karaoke at home. It's like practicing doing it sober before you head out for the real thing.

Congrats on reaching day 6. One second/minute/day at a time.

Cyran0

Hi Starpony. I love that root beer too. Ya ever get the chance try Abita's Root Beer. Man, is that good.

I wanted to tell ya you doin great. I remember my first week. Well, actually still kinda feels like my first week a little. It comes and goes now. It gets easier and farther apart, those temptations and urges. Let your friends know you stopped drinking. I did with mine and they have been supportive even though they still drink. But, i think as time passes and they see how serious i am, its gonna become contagious. Two of them questioned themselves on sunday at the parade.

Just keep doing what ya doing and if ya wanna chat or pm i'm here the majority of the time.

take it easy, ya heard
chal

Hi Star, how are you doing today? I hope you got some rest last night.

I don't want to highjack your thread, but I want to make a comment about something Chalm said. About sobriety being contagious. I think it truly is...after I got sober, my boyfriend decided to get sober. One thing he told me is that watching me made him believe that it was possible. He said if I could do it, surely he could too.

((((((((( Star )))))))))

Keep on keeping on. You're doing great.

Hugs,

Jan

(((DepressMe))))
(((Raynaadi))))

I MADE IT!!!!!!!

THROUGH THE WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!

YEEEEEE- HAW! As we say down here in the deep south!

I got so much accomplished. No hangovers, less cravings by the minute! Thank you for your continued support.

I know I will get back to karaoke one day. But only when I am ready! I know I will be able to do it one day and that is what keeps me going! Got the satellite installed and the high speed wireless internet - and they have been saviors. Not overly obessive with either of them but, its just NICE.

I think life SOBER is so REWARDING and I know I am on the tip of the iceberg. AND YES - I already have friends wanting to jump on my bandwagon of sobriety! Even my ex - who is a violent alcoholic.

If I help one person in my life because of my sobriety - in my eyes I have won. I can't change the world but, I can influence - and THAT is something close to my heart!

Thank you for your continued support! YOU GUYS ROCK!

Sorry, had to post another to elaborate on the EX thing.

Also the CLARITY I have without alcohol-induced thoughts.......

We ended our 6 month engagement due to his alcohol use and abuse (verbal turned mildly physical). I have not seen him since the incident and have determined that is best. However, I have offered phone support. I in no way am putting my heart or head into him changing. But it brings me strength to know I can talk to him without enabling him........

Time will tell if he is serious.......and with my new outlook.........I have all the time in the world! I'm just happy being me - without him! So clear - I would have never been able to be this strong under the influence!

Yipeeeeeee haw!! Tee hee I was thinkin bout you this weekend knowing the weekends were hard for you. You did it!!!!

Well done on making it through the weekend.

good job

Figured I'd just keep this thread instead of starting a new one just to update. I think I'm pretty close to 45 days now. Sleep is no loner a problem. AND HOW NICE IS IT TO REALLY SLEEP? I never knew there was a difference between "passing out" and "sleeping".

I've lost 11 LBS.

I handle stress better.

I'm ahead at work rather than behind.

I'm broke......but my bills are paid.

I made it through karaoke Friday night and had a blast. Lucky for me the Karaoke Guy is a good friend of mine that does not drink so I had constant support. I sounded better than I ever have - it was amazing. And $2.00 for some diet coke sure beats the bar tab after 6 beers. WOW! Funny thing was, here were all these people drinking beer, I wasn't, and I actually felt more "normal" than I ever have.

It was a good feeling and glad I made it.

Glad to have all this support here with PC. You guys are the best.

Glad you had fun at karaoke sober, and yeah it's amazing how much money we save by not drinking. Sounds like things are going pretty good for you. That's great. I hope it continues.

--splitimage

Wooo hooo!!! Sounds like you're doing fabulous. Isn't it awesome to start experiencing things sober? Keep up the good work!