I quit.

[Butterflys and Hurricanes]

I quit. That actually was kinda hard just to type out, I suppose I won't actually know how serious i am about it until next weekend since myself and my wife (Hillery) do the whole at home binge drinking, mostly on the weekends but sometimes in the middle of the week as well. I think because we don't drink everyday we don't see ourselves as that bad, but I know better because when Tuesday or wednesday comes around and we finally decide to pick up after the hurrricane that destroyed our appartment over the weekend, there is usually at least two empty gallons of cheap whiskey lying around. I've felt there has been a problem for sometime, I even managed to quit for a couple of weeks, and even just for that short period of time noticed small improvements concerning my patience with my family and my motivation to get more done around the home, but need I say more? my AV or what I called the Booze Brain conviced me that maybe I deserved a reward and all it took was one night of successful moderate drinking to think that I had attained the will power to control myself. Of course I was wrong.

I'm aprehensive about trying to quit, What if I can't? there is a reason why newbs on this sight are a little confused as to how just stop drinking, we don't have the confidence to do it, we haven't overcome the real struggle not the part about admitting to ourselves that we are alcoholics but believing that when those cravings come back that we well be able suppress them time and time again, we are to familiar with how week and vulnerable we have been in the past. I know from experience that once you have even a small victory you can see how the tables can be turned, for a short period of time you become superman. of course this is all from my own personal battle with myself and part of the reason I am so happy to have found this sight is that I won't be alone and can count on finding out more about alcoholism, what effects it's had on real people, and how there experience can help me.

There really is too much to go on about. I suppose for now I'll save some for other posts, I feel it has been a positive experience already and am very thankful to have found this sight.

[Jackalope]

Hey Butterflys and Hurricanes, Welcome. I think it's normal to be apprehensive about trying to quit and to doubt our abilities to do so, but you have a secret weapon already: [quote= I know from experience that once you have even a small victory you can see how the tables can be turned, for a short period of time you become superman. [/quote]

You ARE becoming superman just by coming here; it takes guts to say "I quit." Saying that scares your AV or your Booze Brain or whatever part of you doesn't want to quit drinking -- and that's why it's hard to type that out. But you know what? Since you know "the tables can be turned" you already hold the key to success. Just turn those tables today and don't worry about the rest. That's all it takes. Again, welcome!

[Lia~~]

Hey. I like your name. :)

Don't overthink it. You already decided to quit. Stick to it. Make a plan -- stock up on good n/a drinks and food. Ice cream. Get all the alcohol out of the house. If your wife is not joining you (and you should not push or encourage her to quit-- it won't work), then ask her not to drink in front of you and to keep her liqour out of your sight/reach. If she is drinking in the room with you, excuse yourself.

Start a diary-- and chart your progress. When an urge hits- post-- and drink milk. Milk and whiskey do not mix.

Glad you are here. We take one craving (av attack) one day at a time-- and with the help of each other-- we make it thru until it gets easier and a whole lot better. :)

[Mareu]

Welcome Butterflies and Hurricanes, glad you found your way here. You're right, you can learn so much from this site. Read and post. You will get such good advice to help you. One piece of advice you'll see is just don't drink for today. If you do that then there will be no need to feel apprehensive about having to supress cravings time and time again. And the fact is that what now seems an impossible task is achievable. There are so many here who have done it and who want to help you.

[ariel]

Welcome Butterflies and Hurricanes,

You've got some good advice in here already, and as you know the forum contains a wealth of information.

And just as a small note on your choice of name,
you've already created a butterfly effect by joining here and making the decision to quit, which can only lead to a very large impact on your life for the long term in the most positive ways.

wishing you all the best
ariel

[Ella Fant]

Welcome B&H,
The true cravings go away in a few days, you'll have to tough them out. After that it will help a lot to come here and read and post. Use the time that you used to use to drink.

You wont regret it.