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NOvember 2.0 (alcohol free)

Cyc

Cyc

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 11, 2000
Messages
11,370
Location
Canada
I want to start a thread a bit early this year. My goal is to have a 100% dry November. I have come to terms with the fact that my drinking over the past year has started to become problematic. I've always been a weekend warrior, but up until the past couple years, have been able to keep it mostly to weekends or social occasions. The past year has been especially bad, with me getting blackout drunk on a couple of occasions and having some nasty symptoms come up as a result. I started noticing a pattern of drinking for 4-5 days in a row, then recovering for a few days, then starting over. This is not how I intended to enjoy alcohol. A break is in order.

Anyone interested in joining me, or sharing your stories related with alcohol, please do.
 
I think it's a good idea. I did dry July and that was pretty good (my benzo use skyrocketed though) but It's always good for a break.
I personally was asked if I was going to do it this month, I said no, but I am no longer getting drunk. A couple weeks ago I went to a party and got super drunk, I vommitted blood even, was pretty horrible. I don't think I can stop drinking but keeping a limit of 4 or 5 beers and just getting a little buzzed seems like a better idea than quitting and then going back to my 12+ drinks in one night routine. Thats my take on it anyway, I don't enjoy being "drunk" but small amounts of alcohol are nice.
 
Dec 1st?

<clipped for imagery - OverDone>

Honestly, it will depend largely on how I feel. An entire new approach to drinking is in order though. I might just keep my sobriety going until Christmas/New Years
 
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Good luck Cyc, what a great idea! Keep us posted on how you are doing :) <3
 
I did the same thing in September, and it really opened my eyes. My drinking wasn't so much problematic -- yet -- as it was habitual. 2-3 drinks every night, more on the weekends. Nothing crazy, but it was every night without fail. So I took a month off to remind myself what dead sober felt like. It wasn't horribly unpleasant or anything, but it did highlight how much I was using alcohol as a coping mechanism, since I would start drinking the instant I got home from work.

I started allowing myself alcohol again in October, and have been limiting it to weekend nights, and always in strong moderation. Depending on how the month goes, I may well be joining you, Cyc.
 
Hmm. Maybe I should have a go at this actually. My alcohol use has never been what I would consider problematic, but it certainly has increased recently.. and I think I am probably using it as a coping mechanism too. It might do me good to have a month off and allow myself to evaluate whether my current level is okay or not..
 
Have not had any form of alcohol in 4 years this January 1st. Was not a conscious choice it is more of an aversion type disorder to it after mixing too many drugs with alcohol one night and I had a terrible reaction that lasted 6 horrific hours. Intense sweating, projectile vomiting (no joke my stomach was contracting so hard vomit was literally flying 2-3 feet out of my mouth), hallucinations, persistent violent siezure like shaking and twitching, body temperature had dropped extremely low and that was it for me. My skin had turned so white I had to go to the hospital that morning as I feared I had alcohol poisoning but was on so many stimulants it did not render me unconcious. Lost my desire to ever drink alcohol again after that. I hate the shit it is truley a poison. Have never had issues mixing drugs with drugs before but of course the one time I mix drugs with alcohol I almost die. Just something about alcohol now that always makes me feel ill if I look at it or smell it even when people buy it in front of me I get irritated just looking at bottles of it.

Wish all you people great luck staying sober this november. Now if only I could develop an aversion towards opiates...
 
Nothing like a giant scare to give you a lifelong aversion to certain substances.
 
Alcohol is such a blunt instrument... ugh.

Glad to hear that you're not drinking Bo, but I'm never glad to hear of circumstances like yours that led to it. My brother had an allergic reaction to something in a liqueur once, became delusional, covered in hives, massive projectile vomiting, et cetera. Wasn't even drinking that much. He didn't touch a drop for a couple of years, but he's been slowly getting back into it. Only drinks top shelf liqueur and bottled beer, because he knows they're safe.

effie: that's pretty well the tack I took. Plus, I've been putting on some weight this year (and not in a good way), and I figured that removing alcohol would be a good way to stall that. Didn't work too well :|
 
Can't hurt to take some time off if that will be helpful for you. Hope it gives you some clarity :)
 
Alcohol sucks <snip>
fun/hangover ratio is bad.
 
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I don't consider my drinking problematic. I mean, I'm 21...so of course I drink like a 21 yr old. I do drink everyday. On the days I work it's usually a couple beers and that's it. On the weekends I drink more than that, but I never drink to where I can't control myself or black out. I fear blacking out so I'm overly careful like that. I don't think it's a "problem"....maybe I'm just taking advantage of being "young" and living it up? Yeah. I don't know. I know I drink to mask my depression. I know that. But I'm just doing what I can to keep the will to live. When I'm completely, entirely sober I have no will to live.
 
Cyc and others - I may have a go at this as well. I recall that past threads were archived.

As with many of us, I've used it as a coping mechanism/crutch/etc. The common denominator would be spirits. Beer? Whatever. Wine? It is tasty and makes me happy-silly. Spirits? Bad.Fucking.News. Worst of all? I don't really get hangovers from any other than a couple specific liqueurs to which I have a taste aversion.

Alcohol is not something that needs a presence in my life at the moment. I will report back with personal experience if I decide to participate. I should. A lot of change has been about... too much.

Support to everyone in our goals.
 
I decided with a buddy even before I checked this thread out that I'm going to try to make November a completely sober month; from all substances except maybe cigarettes.
 
Hiyer peeps <3

I'm trying my hardest to stay dry after having to go to hospital due to Ethanol-induced Pancreatitis. Jeeez it's so fucking hard.
Living with an Alcoholic parent doesn't help matters, there's always booze in the house.
I have Benzos to help me get through it (Diazepam and Nitrazepam) but I've been tapering for a long time, so this could not have come at a worse time.
My doc allowed me to double my Nitrazepam dosage but not my Diazepam.... And I've gone through all 14x5mg Nitraz in 3 days :(

Anyway, I'll stop going on. I want to wish all of you the best during your sabbaticals.. I know how hard it is (understatement of the century).
Much love <3
 
Really glad to see you posting in here, monsta <3 (obviously I wish there was no need, but you know what I mean..)

Never apologise for "going on", silly - that's the point of TDS, a place to get everything out and reach out for support! Keep talking to us :)

I won't say much here as we speak off BL too, but just wanted to wish you good luck and reiterate to use TDS as much as you need to - there are a lot of people in the same boat as you, and who understand and can give you support and advice - and many, many people willing to lend an ear :)

Good luck - remember to try not to beat yourself up if you slip, and enter the "have a drink - feel bad - drink more to cope - feel worse - drink even more" cycle.. instead, remind yourself you are doing your best, everyone slips sometimes, it is not a failing or a weakness! In fact, if it happens, your awareness of having slipped and how you feel about it are strengths that will help you pick yourself back up and try again :)

Oh, and remember to be kind to yourself - you deserve it <3
 
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