daily migraines out of the blue about 4-5 years ago. If I drink I usually get one within 30 min, but it varies. I also do not get a "happy buzz" at all now and hardly even feel the affects of the alcohol in a good way, so why do it, right? Monday I went out for the first time in 11 days and passed the liquor isle. I have been reading and hearing how everyone is drinking tons now so I grabbed a bottle of whiskey thinking, "Why not?", if I get a headache I can take a pill that will reduce the migraine if I take it right away. As I was walking away I made a U-turn and put it back on the shelf. The reason wasn't the migraine but the thought that ran through my head..."why do I want to drink this now, it will only make me depressed?". I certainly don't need help in that department these days. Smart move on my part...a rarity.

It substitutes for all the sugar in booze.

Good luck with it.

He got hooked on the sugary coffee drinks from Starbucks, says it helped. He still smokes cigarettes, if it keeps him off drugs, puff away. He just celebrated 4 years clean.

Served on board of halfway house for 21 years. I've seen more than most. Take each day as it's own day. Get through it. Then a new one starts. I saw amazing transformations in my years there. All the best.

and throw that much in a jar every day. Adds up quick.

The hardest part for me was changing the mental associations I had with specific activities and alcohol.

For example, I took photos for my kids extra-curricular activities. When I got home, I'd pour a glass of wine and settle into my computer to go through the photos and crop/edit the best ones to share with the other parents and the various organizations. Scrolling through unedited photos just didn't seem right with a cup of coffee or glass of water. It felt decidedly odd to do it without a glass of wine.

That's a silly example, but there are tons more.

So I guess my advice would be to actively try to recognize times, occasions, and activities that do have the strongest alcohol connections and do whatever you can to disrupt the connection and link it to something else instead.

Best wishes! I cannot imagine swearing off alcohol completely during a time like this. I applaud you for it.

Folks,

Every reply helpful.

Agreed about the sugar, I have a stock of Snickers bars in the cupboard. Not much of a smoker but I have dug out an old tobacco pipe and that does hit the spot. I guess during these early days anything that isn't alcohol or street drugs has to be better.

The comment about associations chimes with me. Last night I cooked a curry for my wife and the association of curry and a glass of wine was soo strong! Got through it with lemon juice followed by a strong coffee.

Also the comment about the booze shelves in supermarkets. There are so many spirits and the bottles are attractive in the wrong way. Another association, bottles and booze.

I'm very grateful for the replies and will re-read this thread if I start to weaken.

ATB,

D.

Having to be a shut-in is not helping much.

AFA the original getting off it went ... it was easier than expected. Then again, I've kicked much harder stuff, so I have that perspective. And I'd only been a heavy drinker for about 8 years. But the last two years were HEAVY.

Folks,

OK, not perfect so far, 7 clean days out of 10. This is an improvement but not exactly the 'wagon'.

D.