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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by struggle on October 21, 2004, at 22:37:17
You're always tired. You have to figure out ways to get your stuff... like when to stop on the way home, when the store is open and when you can drink it. Also you're wasting so much time figuring out how to maneuver all of these 'special errands' that you lose sight of what's really important and then you have to sleep, because ITS EXHAUSTING. You smell, you don't have any extra money, you're physically ill, weak and depressed. You cry a lot and you're always late and not dependable. You have no engergy, you can't remember things from last week, much less simple math basics to help your kids with their homework...
You're sick. You're so sucked in and you didn't even know you were going on this trip til it was too late.
It's such a freaking pain and I'm so tired of it. I'm almost ready to get off of the ride.
Posted by verne on October 22, 2004, at 21:02:25
In reply to Being a drunk is a pain in the ass, posted by struggle on October 21, 2004, at 22:37:17
What's helped me stay sober is a combination of nutritional and spiritual approaches with some AA thrown in.
After reading "Seven Weeks to Sobriety" and "Under the Influence" I realized that much of my problem was chemical. Some of this can be corrected with nutrition. But diet alone wasn't enough to keep me sober.
About 9 years ago when I was strung out on librium (100mgs per day) and alcohol (about 12 beers per day), I hit bottom hard enough to check out a nearby church service. I was a devout atheist with a background in philosophy but I wandered in because my doctor wanted me to do that or go to AA.
This was no ordinary church but the hands-on "full gospel" (pedal to the metal) sort with laying-on of hands for healing. I went through the motions for a couple months, not believing, hating the music, and one day a Peace came over me and filled me.
Since then it has been easier to stay sober although I've still had slips and even binges. The difference now is that between drinking bouts I don't sit on the edge of my seat thinking about "not" drinking, but, instead, enjoy peace.
I still struggle and I'm not sure I even enjoy life, but my spiritual experience has helped me endure.
I know that the first few days, weeks, and even months can be difficult. I've gone 35 days or so without drinking but the craving was very strong the last nite of the Boston-NY baseball series. I was thinking, "just one last time" but somehow made it through the evening drinking lots of atkins shakes and taking various supplements - especially amnio acids - that help with alcohol craving. (see the alternative board for discussions about glutamine and others)
Hang in there. I know it's hard to see any hope when you're in the middle of it. Even now I can't believe how radically my perspective changes from day to day. How one day I'm devoid of hope and the glass is half empty and the next, it's half full.
So on my bad days I don't make any decisions or take myself too seriously. Another thing that's helped is something someone told me years ago: "never make a decision at night". Waiting for daylight has saved my life.
I hope you are doing better.
verne
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 23, 2004, at 3:24:21
In reply to Being a drunk is a pain in the ass, posted by struggle on October 21, 2004, at 22:37:17
> Being a drunk is a pain in the [*]ss
Sorry to be such a prude, but please don't use language that could offend others.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil. This includes subject lines which quote by default, but can be changed.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by partlycloudy on October 23, 2004, at 6:38:21
In reply to Re: Being a drunk is a pain in the ass » struggle, posted by verne on October 22, 2004, at 21:02:25
I printed out your post the first time you mentioned those two books. I appreciate seeing your posts here, they are very supportive and give us all hope. (Right now I'm at the "peace" stage of not drinking, at least for today.)
Struggle - there are many of us here with similar experiences. I quite agree that being a drunk is a real inconvenience, to put it mildly.
pc
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 23, 2004, at 15:46:07
In reply to Re: Being a drunk is a pain in the ass » verne, posted by partlycloudy on October 23, 2004, at 6:38:21
> Being a drunk is a pain in the [*]ss
Sorry to be such a prude, but please don't use language that could offend others.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil. This includes subject lines which quote by default, but can be changed.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by partlycloudy on October 23, 2004, at 18:59:27
In reply to Re: please be civil » partlycloudy, posted by Dr. Bob on October 23, 2004, at 15:46:07
Um, I think you forgot verne, too??
My mistake was using the title of the post verbatim.
Posted by Allen770 on October 24, 2004, at 8:45:32
In reply to Re: Being a drunk is a pain in the ass » struggle, posted by verne on October 22, 2004, at 21:02:25
". . . I've gone 35 days or so without drinking but the craving was very strong the last nite of the Boston-NY baseball series. I was thinking, "just one last time" but somehow made it through the evening drinking lots of atkins shakes and taking various supplements - especially amnio acids - that help with alcohol craving. (see the alternative board for discussions about glutamine and others)"
Thanks, Verne, for your words. I've "always heard" that "It's easier to stay sober than to get sober," and that's definately been my experience. 35 days is great! I also am going to take your advice and look at the Alternative board re supplements, albeit I've known the help that amino acids, and vitamin B-12, and Niacin, &c, can give an alcoholic, especially if he's not been eating healthily, for years, now.
I remember taking Triptophan in the late 1980's-early '90's (it also appears in turkey, as well as milk, especially milk after it's heated!) to enhance dreaming, but it cut the craving for alcohol, as well; as Naltrexone's been "discovered" to do, as well (not just soley for heroin, et. al.), but the American FDA "removed" the vitamin from the "non-perscription" market.
Anyway, Verne, thx again . . .
--Allen
Posted by Impermanence on October 24, 2004, at 22:25:15
In reply to Re: Being a drunk is a pain in the ass, posted by Allen770 on October 24, 2004, at 8:45:32
Just get drunk my friends, f**k it, I'm p**sed right now.... nobody cares.. Live your life the way you feel you should, the world won't change, but you can.... Get drunk..... or Dr.Bob will block you for three days!!!!!! Whoooooooo
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 24, 2004, at 22:44:54
In reply to Re: Being a drunk is a pain in the ass, posted by Allen770 on October 24, 2004, at 8:45:32
> Being a drunk is a pain in the [*]ss
Sorry to be such a prude, but please don't use language that could offend others.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil. This includes subject lines which quote by default, but can be changed.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 24, 2004, at 22:51:06
In reply to Re: Being a drunk is a pain in the ass, posted by Impermanence on October 24, 2004, at 22:25:15
> Being a drunk is a pain in the [*]ss
Sorry to be such a prude, but please don't use language that could offend others. You were blocked for 2 weeks last time, and I'm going to make it for another 2 this time.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil. This includes subject lines which quote by default, but can be changed.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Allen770 on October 25, 2004, at 23:18:05
In reply to Re: please be civil » Allen770, posted by Dr. Bob on October 24, 2004, at 22:44:54
Sorry, Dr. Bob, but I fail to understand your "civil notice," to me. Why are you writing regarding my post, here?
--Allen
Posted by antigua on October 26, 2004, at 9:32:48
In reply to Re: Being a drunk is a pain in the ass, posted by Impermanence on October 24, 2004, at 22:25:15
I care. I've been reading your posts all along and you seemed to be making progress. Did something/someone set you off?
I look forward to your return,
antigua
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2004, at 8:21:03
In reply to Re: Being a drunk is a pain in the ass » Impermanence, posted by antigua on October 26, 2004, at 9:32:48
> Being a drunk is a pain in the [*]ss
Sorry to be such a prude, but please don't use language that could offend others.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil. This includes subject lines which quote by default, but can be changed.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2004, at 8:23:26
In reply to Re: please be civil, posted by Allen770 on October 25, 2004, at 23:18:05
> Sorry, Dr. Bob, but I fail to understand your "civil notice," to me. Why are you writing regarding my post, here?
Because you used language in your subject line here that could offend others?
Bob
Posted by antigua on October 28, 2004, at 19:18:15
In reply to Re: please be civil » antigua, posted by Dr. Bob on October 27, 2004, at 8:21:03
I didn't say that. That was Impermanence. ??? I'm confused.
antigua
Posted by partlycloudy on October 29, 2004, at 5:44:13
In reply to Re: please be civil » Dr. Bob, posted by antigua on October 28, 2004, at 19:18:15
...with the offending word in our replies to Impermanence. I got one too.
Doh!!! Smacking forhead with hand.
Posted by gardenergirl on October 29, 2004, at 23:06:27
In reply to It's using the original quote » antigua, posted by partlycloudy on October 29, 2004, at 5:44:13
Um, yeah, but it's not like Dr. Bob couldn't point it out. You'd think he'd a said something more obvious.
Just dropping to editorialize...sorry for the intrusion.
gg
Posted by Allen770 on October 30, 2004, at 8:05:59
In reply to Re: It's using the original quote » partlycloudy, posted by gardenergirl on October 29, 2004, at 23:06:27
This is the end of the thread.
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