Now i'm getting frusterated. I'm edgy and just flat irritated. I usually start drinking around 4pm (after work) and I know that I can't. Yesterday was easy because I felt like crap from the night before. Today, on the other hand, I feel good and am ready to party. I'm not going to though.
I wonder if there's anyone out there that can give me some tips on how to get past this edgy, irriatated, grouchy phase i'm in?
I will be in a meeting tonight for day 2 definately.
P.S. Anyone know how long the major part of the withdrawls might last?
have you found meeting in your area the fellowship as well as a good sponsor helps me alot in my recovery to connect with other ppl like minded let me know I did not have to do this alone keep coming back
Hang on. The physical withdrawals only last till the 4th day, from the evening on the 4th day you'll start feeling better and better physically. That is how I have experienced the withdrawals many times.
Yeah I can relate with the tendency to want to use as soon as I feel better or good, when things seem to be ok, or when a small problem occurs. But I've realized that I don't need to use or drink to celebrate my good times or to face the bad ones. I've learnt to not trust these moodswings that somehow try to convince me to take the bait of some of the most outrageous nonsense as reason for me to use or drink again...
If you can't wait for the meeting time, find one online, or better yet, stay in the NA chatrooms online and share what you're going through, what you think and feel presently with members who show up there. Make use of the NA literature. If you don't have any, you can read them online at www.na.org
We don't have to use just for today. If not having to use for one day seems too much, I did it one hour at a time. I remember when I start the day, I look at the time, and tell myself "I'll not use for the next one hour." and did it one hour at a time like that. I tried my best to not be alone at these times. Also HALT helped me a lot. I did not allow myself to get too hungry, ate good food. Tried not to act out on my angry feelings. They might lead to a relapse. Was never lonely. And did not allow myself to be stressed or tired, by indulging too much in any activity beyond my limits. Take it easy. Be gentle on yourself. I also reminded myself often at those times that I'm the problem, that I have the disease of addiction, and if I use, I would release my addiction all over again, in all areas of my life. I have a disease that is not only physical, but also a mental and spiritual illness. Chemicals cannot be the solution to a spiritual problem. In fact, there ain't no hardship, problem or crisis that using can't make worse.
__________________
"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.
This is where "The buck stops here" in other words you are now totally responsible for what you do with your addiction, no one else can make you make up your mind or take that responsibilty away " Its up to you" thats another saying.
Change your behavior change the what you did at 4 o'clock go take a jog, do anything at all that will take you away from what you used to do, do not just sit there and wish it away you don't have that much power yet to fight off the compulsion though that could come at anytime its usually EARNED and WORKED for by showing up clean and sober everyday for awhile.