Have you tried chamomile or mint tea before bed? I've found that sometimes after I've had a particularly stressful day at work (or drank a TON of caffeine throughout the day), a nice cup o' tea relaxes me and puts me out.

I know that your body is still going through the withdrawal process and that it's a different situation than my stressful days, but you might try it. Or, a nice hot bath before bed? Maybe with a little bit of lavender?

Just trying to help you out a tad... Sorry your day sucks, justme! But remember, when your day sucks, it will get better soon! :)

Thank you... I will try some tea tonight... it's a negative on the bath, though I wish I could... dorms only have showers and if they had baths... I wouldn't go in them! Haha.

Thanks a ton :)

Establish a bedtime routine. (I know in a dorm that doesn't always work, but try it for a week.) Take a warm shower, put on clean jammies or nightie, read a chapter in a novel while drinking hot chocolate or decaf tea, then slip into bed that maybe was preheated with an electric blanket.

Ohh sounds sooo... delightful :)

I went to the AA meeting... it was weird... I didn't like it... all these weird people in one place. Scary. I don't want to be like them.

Day 4. sober. Holla.

How come you "don't want to be like them?" What exactly don't you want to be "like?" What were the attendees like?

Day 4! You're doing it, Hon! You're conquering it! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by justme005

ohh sounds sooo... delightful :)

i went to the AA meeting... it was weird ... i didnt like it... all these weird ppl in one place. scary. i dont wanna be like them.

day 4. sober. holla.

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They have exactly what you want, sobriety. Hang in there, and find out how they got that sobriety.

Ill try... but I feel like I want to just sip on a nice beverage tonight... not to get drunk but just... because I want too... I miss it. I know the weekend is coming and I'm going to a superbowl party I wanted to stay sober till then.. but so much stuff has happened this week.. I just want to dirnk a bit... ill write later to see what happens... if I don't finish my hw I won't drink and I don't get done class till 930 tonight.

I have to hang in there... I just... feel like its been sooo long. We shall see.

Oh Darlin, don't... please.

One drink isn't going to be enough.

Do this for yourself... you can say no. You're stronger than your cravings.

Why not buy yourself some Godiva chocolate or a huge cup of coffee... something, anything. Or... buy yourself something tangible. Something that you can say that you bought when you were battling this addiction. Some little trinket or fufu thing...

Justme - YOU CAN DO THIS!!

You have to fight that feeling. I think it might be best for you to avoid the superbowl party if you know you won't be able to refuse the drinks. Or you could let your friends know you quit and tell them to please not offer you drinks. If they ask why, just say "health reasons".

I think you should give AA another try. Why did the people seem weird to you? Were there any your age? I would see if you can get in a counseling program at the school. You could also ask the person who runs that AA group to help you find a mentor close to your age. It's easier to relate and talk that way. Remember, those people have attained sobriety. Even if they seem weird, they might have some wonderful advice for you. I would go to at least one more meeting and ask for a mentor.

I know you want just one drink. Just ONE. I know, I am battling an addiction myself. Cigarettes. You know, nicotine addiction is just as hard to break as alcohol addiction.

I can tell you that if you do take that one drink, it won't be enough. You will want another, then another. I tell you this as I sit here twiddling my lighter just wanting to light up.

But you can do this. I know you can.

I know the folks at AA can be a little frightening sometimes, but remember, some of them are mothers, fathers, doctors, lawyers. They have all been where you are now and they all are now where you want to be.

If you aren't comfortable with the one you went to, find another in your area. They are all over the place, but tend to be on the QT because many people don't want others to know they are addicted and going to meetings. Try local churches, many churches have meetings.

Once you find one you like you will need a sponsor. A sponsor is the person you call when you feel you need a drink, or when you are just having a hard time. Sponsors are there for you day and night to help you battle the addiction and embrace sobriety.

Hey, good for you for trying to quit smoking! I know it sucks. Right now I'm been nicotine free for about 6 months. It gets way easier after the first month or so, at least for me. Good luck!

Thanks J9... good luck with your cigg addiction. I'm sure you can do it too! I know I should... nt go out tonight... I really hope no one calls me... maybe I just won't answer.. you no? The AA meeting I went to was at a church near my college... they were all older and I got there a little late and was so scared to walk in.. But my friend went w. me so we sat al the way in the back and people kept looking at me funny and talking about God and the 12 steps... I guess I have to look into something else... UGHH..! Drinking wouldn't be such a problem if it weren't for the stupid black outs and not remembering... it used to be fun. Ohh well I am off to rehearsal we'll see what happens when I get out at 9:30... maybe ill stick to finishing up some hw... thanks for these post everyone... your really keeping me thinking and staying on top of this.

OKKKK so you convinced me... I stayed in tonight... HAA. Yes now I'm 5 daysss soberrr. Word :)

Boo-YA! 5 Days! You da man! (or, woman... lol)

You said "off to rehearsal"... what rehearsal? Drama? I've done professional and community theatre... LOVE IT!

Nahh I play the trumpet so I was at orchestra rehearsal.. I also play some piano and I love playing guitar!

I've played piano for, oh golly, bucus of years... wow... I feel old now... LOL!

18 years. Wow.

I play flute and piccolo, too. Got to love music! :)

Hey, girl good for you for hanging in there! Sounds like you have lots of musical talent. That's awesome!

I'm drunk :(

And high now...

I blew it... oh my god...

When you wake up, get back on the wagon.

Shake it off. Get up. Go on.

You can do this.

And I had 3 cigarettes yesterday. We aren't perfect. We fall off the wagon sometimes. The point is to realize that we are human and that we make mistakes.

Now, you need to go to AA, find another group if you felt uncomfortable with the first (and remember, you will feel uncomfortable until you make some friends there), and get yourself a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who you can call at any time of the day or night when you feel the need to drink. Sponsors have even been known to come to you in your time of need.

You can do this. Just take it one day at a time... one hour at a time if you have to.

Thanks for the encouragement... I know I can do this...

So yesterday, I'm in class (its a forum class) we just all talk about our practicum and how we feel being in the field of music therapy for the 1st time... so during class the teacher (my advisor) was asking us to reflect and stuff.. no one was answering so I went first and opened up and talked about stuff... then everyone else went and I just listened... at the end of class my teacher asks me to stay after a minute.. os everyone leaves and its me and him... he's like so what's going on? I'm like uh nothing... hes like you were different today... I was like how so?? (I was so confused) he's like you were more reserved today... I was like ohhh I don't know... that's just how it is today and like grabbed my coat and left. It was so awkward.I think he may be starting to sense that I am not rite... not myself... is it because of this drinking thing? I don't know what he meant and what he was trying to get at... I think he may want me to open up to him and stuff about practicum and my life. Lol.hes a therapist so I guess he senses stuff... any ideas of what I should do or say to him? Should I shoot him an email? Just saying I'm sorry but I'm going through some of my own things.. just to give him an idea... or should I just forget it... ahhh!

You folks are so nice to me and I know ull have some helpful feedback :/

Your professor is being a good teacher. He's noticing that you're going through something and is trying to help. Maybe set up an appointment with him and just talk. You said he's a therapist, maybe he can give you some pointers about finding a sponsor.

Have you tried to find out about your school guidance counselor? She/he could help you too...

I think the people around you (like your professor) are noticing that you're going through a difficult time. Maybe they are seeing a new resolve in you. Darlin, you went 5 days without drinking. That's an awesome first step. Its very possible that they are seeing that you're different... because you were completely sober, not hung over, or waiting for the next party. That's awesome, Hon.

Don't be afraid to talk to people that can help. I'd make an appointment with your professor and go from there.

Music therepy? That sounds amazing. You go, girl. :)

Remember, its never wrong to ask for help.

Thanks so much... I'm nervous talking to him though... but I really want too... ill see how things go and maybe ill set up something w. him :)

I think that's a gread idea. Hang in there, hon. One day at a time. And you're doing really good! Just because you messed up once, doesn't mean that you failed. It's a battle that you have to fight every day, and when you mess up, just dust yourself off and keep on going. I think that Historian Chick made a really good point about how people are noticing the difference because you are sober and have a strong resolve. So good for you!

Aww... your going to kill me... I blew it again... :( I had a few beers and smoked some bowls... I'm not drunk though and I am not going to black out... so that's still good, rite? Oh well... ill ttyl

No its not good at all, Without the physical consequenses there is no motivation or fear to quit. It's a false sense of security, and its easier to keep getting high, than to go through the rigors of sobriety.

No, Darlin, that's not still good.

Its so easy to slip back into the habit... "just a few beers" is not good.

You've got to take control of your cravings. You are stronger than this.

Talk to a counsellor. You need to start actively pursuing help on this one. I think its time.

Come on girl, you can do this. :)

But what if... I only drink on the weekends? I know its still no good... but I WAS drinking every single day of the week... you no? Yeaa I don't like talking to people or confrontation... a counsler would get me to say things I don't want too and make assumptions. I feel like I can just do this on my own, but if I need help I know where to go.

The best way to quit alcohol, is listening to those that have quit. It doesn't matter whether you drink on the weekends, or once a month. When it becomes a problem, you need to deal with it. Just because you didn't puke your A$$ off today, doesn't mean you won't tomorrow. Just my opinion, but in my experience, you will not seek help, until it gets bad for you, so its your choice, what you do from here. Drink up.

What if you only drink on the weekends? What will make you stop drinking during the week? An alcoholic must stay away from all forms of alcohol at all times.

What if I just smoke my cigarettes on the weekend? I'm still addicted or I wouldn't be smoking at all, right? Well, same goes with alcohol.

Hun, a counselor will never make assumptions. That's not what they do.

You do need help. And very few alcoholics can do it on their own.

Yep as talaniman and J_9 said there is what is called weekend alcoholics
If you can't go without it no matter what your pattern is if you can't break it/go without it it is an addiction.

Darlin, you're going to have to decide if your pride is more important than ridding your body of this addiction.

No one can make that decision, but you.

Okk folks, I understaand... I feel so terrible todaay I got drunk and high aagin last night. I can't pull myself together to go talk to anyone.. I just cant.. I don't no y.. I think I'm denying this problem rite now... I was trashed... oh mann. I was doing so good w. 5 days sober... now I'm bak in the groove of drinking every night again.

And yes, there are parts of last night I can't remember.

But the giants won!! AHHH very excitng.

Like we have all said before, No one is going to make you stop drinking than yourself. If you decide you are going to stop, then YOU are going to have to make it happen. Make up your mind.

You're going to have to get over your embarrassment about talking to someone and just do it. You have the power to stop, but you need the support to make it.

You were doing well last week... and you can do it again.

I know...

That's the thing...

Darlin, YOU KNOW.

Take a page out of Nike's book and Just Do It.

Okk so if I did go to a counsler, what would I say? "hey, i like alcohol, i have black outs when i drink alot, i have low self confidence, im scared im gunna lose my liver by the age of 25..." what the hell are these people going to do for me? I'm going to talk, they are going to tell me I have a problem... when really, I'm not even an alcoholic (yet) my mind is just messed up... I've done drugs in my past and its effected my thinking now and forever... but you no? I can't take it bak now. I have to live w. it. I'm very stressed out... I am just starting my practicum and I have to play and sing in front of people I know and don't know... everything is piling up and I need to grow up already. I have to pull myself together. I have to.