Drug Rehab Options Blog

A weblog about drug rehabs and drug addiction treatment alternatives.

Archive for the ‘Mind And Body’ tag

Newbie, 1/4/09 first day free of alcohol.

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Hi, I'm 22 and have been drinking since the age of 17ish. It wasn't a problem then (most b/c of access) - I would get drunk once in a while and have a good time.

I began drinking very heavily in June - about a 6-8 drinking session every afternoon on an empty stomach (I would only eat one big meal a day to cap off my last drink). This was the first time I started to lose control and realize that it was a problem. If I tried not to drink for a day, I would get this overwhelming fatigue and fog in my mind and body.

I think I'm an alcoholic b/c I have zero sense of control. I would say to myself, "ok, just a 24oz today" at 5pm. And by 11pm, after 8 or so drinks and 3 trips to the store later, I would just crash out and forget everything the next morning.

I've also tried to make alot of excuses for my drinking behavior, blaming others, blaming things beyond my control - but never looking inward. This has hurt my family and friends (on top of me generally acting like an ass while drunk). This is not limited to alcohol as I have an addictive personality generally, whether it was illicit drugs in my youth, or prescribed pharmeceuticals, I just don't have any control with regards to psychoactive substances.

I had 11 drinks last night and I felt the urge again today at 4pm before I stumbled onto this website. I read enough that I felt myself prepared to make this commitment; the posts also illustrated how difficult the quitting process and life without alcohol can be. I really want to "nip this in the bud" before my drinking problem gets out of hand. This is after realizing that I can never become a "social drinker" - it's either alcohol free or a pathetic drunk.

This site is a wonderful resource and I look forward to sharing my experiences (and hearing yours). Happy abstaining!

Merry Christmas

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Want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I'm thankful to be sober and with my family both in mind and body.
May God bless you abundantly this coming year.

Written by tkdan

December 25th, 2008 at 8:13 am

Does drinking alcohol shrink your brain?

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Yes, according to this study:

Does drinking alcohol shrink your brain? - CNN.com

Not that this is any new news for you, but just another reminder from scientists how damaging alcohol can be to the human mind and body. When I was in graduate school I remember a lecture in which the professor showed slides of a "normal" brain compared to that of an alcoholic, and it was amazing how much smaller the alcoholic's brain was. This is indeed frightening considering how many years I abused alcohol. Sigh...

Written by soidog

October 14th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

Today is a wonderful day. Today I have control . Today I will face my addition.

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Last night I took my pills. I felt sick. Not physically per say . I could feel for the first time I was poisoning my mind and body. For the first time taking those pills it wasn't good. I wanted out. I felt disgusted at the whole notion. I am disgusted at myself. How could I let MY life be controlled by these pills.

So today it is time to be proactive. So far today I have had 40mg Hydrocodone. This is a big change from the 90mg Oxycodone I would have taken by now.

I plan on taking 40mg more before bed. Roughly 10 - 12hrs after the first dose. As I type I am a little over half way there. I don't feel bad. A little anxious. I'm not going to lie I want to get high. I know that is my addiction talking. I will not give in.

When I get the urge to use I am going to post on this thread. This is going to be my story. This will log my success , my lows , and my highs through my recovery. This is for me.

Maybe my story will inspire someone else quit.

I am so glad this outlet is here. I feel free here. It's nice not to be judged.

Written by roxidiction

September 29th, 2008 at 11:39 pm

The cornerstone of recovery

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Quote:

We needed to ask ourselves but one short question. Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater than myself? As soon as a man can say that he does believe, or is willing to believe, we emphatically assure him that he is on his way. It has been repeatedly proven among us that upon this simple cornerstone a wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built.
This is the second step. If we have admitted that we are alcoholic then we clearly see that we must find a Power greater than our seemingly hopeless state of mind and body, we need to ask ourselves this question.

If our answer is no we need to examine whether we truly believe that we are alcoholic and powerless over alcohol---that our lives are unmanageable. If we have the power to overcome our drinking problem then we have no need to seek help from a Power greater than ourselves. If we have, after an honest examination of our situation, no hope of being able to recover through human efforts then where else are we to turn? Are we unable to grasp the hope offered us by the authors and the millions of alcoholics who have recovered through this method?

The cornerstone determines the trueness of a structure, whether it is plumb, level and square. This willingness to believe is essential to the new structure of our lives. It is a guiding principle, a solid base for our future decisions and actions. Willingness, coupled with honesty and open-mindedness is essential and indispensable to our recovery.

member

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Hi all,
I found this sight online today when I was looking up the benefits of quitting alcohol. I have been sober for 5 days. This is not my first attempt, of course. Just a new one.
The past two years of my life have been very difficult and I basically drowned myself in alcohol and my health has taken a nosedive. I am fatter than I have ever been in my life and I have successfully avoided participating in my life for about 8 months.
I recently when to a doctor for chronic back pain and she inspired me to focus on getting my mind AND body well. So, once again, I embarking on the journey to wellness. I would really like to actually get there this time. I know what to do, I guess I just don't know how to keep doing it.
I have secluded myself from most social happenings and I really agonize when I have to go because I am so ashamed of the physical wreck that I have become. I postpone living until I lose weight and I cannot lose the weight because I sabotage any kind of progress with booze.
I SO want to be healthy and alive and interested in all the things that used to bring me joy. The time iof hiding is over.

Written by enillehc

September 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm

I don’t know what’s wrong with me….

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I'm lost

I couldn’t give a sh*t about the time I have….I'm close to 60 days....the cheers……the day by day crap.

What happens when you just feel overwhelmed?Seriously?What do you do when everything around you falls apart and no matter what you do ‘right’?(you know-do the next right thing etc) doesn’t work and you’re here-staring at your life-sober and wondering WTF you’re going to do because every other option says –just drink it away?You can’t handle real life?

I want to be better than this.I thought I was.I am so close to 60 days sober for the first time in a long time and I feel nothing but lost…WTF?

These past 3 weeks?I could’ve given in every day.I had ‘reasons/excuses’-LOL.The ones I pull other people here up on.I had huge financial worries, my son was driving me mad, my husband was sick and needy and my parents are ailing-in and out of hospital and I’m the person everyone turns to and I CAN’T DO IT ANYMORE.I just can’t.

I am desperately hanging on to my sobriety because if I don’t? My entire world will fall apart but I’m wondering now if I’m doing it for all the wrong reasons? Am I just trying to keep the previous staus quo but I just happen to be sober now and feel it more deeply?

I have great support-I’m not isolating and I have people who really do support me in being sober.But I feel like I’ve missed some important piece of the puzzle and I don’t know what it is….

I started going to yoga classes recently and it really helped me feel better in my mind and body.But I’m just overwhelmed by my life lately-too much stress and worry and I’m not handling it well.

Maybe….prickly me?I just need a hug and for someone to tell me it’s normal and I’m going to be okay?

I’m off to cry now-please don’t be mean to me….LOL

Julesxox

1 month

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hi,
it's been a month on the wagon and all is ok. for some years now i have been binge using instead of daily use, like twice a month to the point of blackout.
i have been in treatment once and sober for 2 years in aa a long time ago.
its been a long tough road that only we can understand as users.
this time im ready for some help from others regarding my addictions. im am also going to seek help for the mental side of things that would not be appropriate here in this forum. but i will say that in terms of disorders i have most of them and they are killing me.
on the other hand i have made a ton of money and am financially set.
now i just need sobriety and peace of mind and body.
heeeeeeelp ;0

surfn