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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by verne on October 25, 2004, at 8:56:35
Some musings for those struggling to Quit:
I know that the first few days and weeks can be rough. If you can just get through the immediate withdrawal, your perception will change. You will think and see things differently. The glass that was always half empty, will, at least sometimes, appear half full.
Some of the approaches that helped me get over that first hurdle are: meditation, AA, nutrition, and anything spiritual. For me the Ego had to relinquish control, I had to surrender.
Even now after over a month of being sober, I still acknowledge in a kind of prayer, that in my own strength, I would be drinking today. Left to my own devices, my intellect, my "logic", I'll find a way to drink.
When I started to make some real progress with drinking, I had "reached the end of myself". (a great line out of the movie "Groundhog Day")
It's as much zen as christian. I don't have an image of or mental idea about God that I surrender to. I gave up even any preconceived notions about God, and just surrendered. I don't even like to use "higher power" because that, too, requires too much thought and becomes a distraction. (those talking about religion aren't practicing religion)
AA helped me get my foot in the door but if I can be "talked" out of drinking, I can later talk myself back into it. Nevertheless, AA can be a great place to start. I met alot of people there who had truly surrendered and had humble spirits. The one who had been sober for decades, and had the most to boast about, wore a cap that said, "Dare to Be Average". The ego never wants an "average" day for itself. The self wants to feel above average and make an above-average difference in the world.
As for the physical aspects of recovery, the book "Seven Weeks to Sobriety" is still the best. We shouldn't be ashamed that we drink out of control. Some people's bodies process alcohol differently - sugar, types of food, too - making it hard to stop. If we get the body chemistry under control, not drinking becomes easier and easier.
verne
Posted by partlycloudy on October 25, 2004, at 9:17:14
In reply to Still Sober since I got up this Morning, posted by verne on October 25, 2004, at 8:56:35
verne, as always, your posts are a great help. i have the book you recommended winging its way to me. i can make a direct correlation between what i eat and how i feel, the whole "comfort food" thing.
Posted by saw on October 25, 2004, at 9:26:46
In reply to Still Sober since I got up this Morning, posted by verne on October 25, 2004, at 8:56:35
Hi Verne
Your post is very inspiring. You are a strong person and I admire how far you have come. It is an enormous achievement.
Your musings also let me feel that even though I am nowhere near not drinking right now, that perhaps it is possible and there is some hope for me, one day, some day.
Wasn't "Seven Weeks to Sobriety" also a movie with Sandra Bullock? I remember enjoying that movie immensely but was not drinking anything nearly as much as what I do now and thoughr I would NEVER EVER be in a situation of having to dry out like that. I don't know so much any more.
Thanks again for your post.
Sabrina
Posted by verne on October 25, 2004, at 9:39:22
In reply to Re: Still Sober since I got up this Morning » verne, posted by saw on October 25, 2004, at 9:26:46
Sabrina,
I think the Sandra Bullock movie is called something like "29 Days".
Two of my favorite movies that address alcoholism are a couple oldies: "Days of Wine and Roses" and "The Lost Weekend". Lost Weekend almost seems like science fiction it's so eerie.
verne
Posted by jujube on October 25, 2004, at 12:40:15
In reply to Re: Still Sober since I got up this Morning » saw, posted by verne on October 25, 2004, at 9:39:22
> Sabrina,
>
> I think the Sandra Bullock movie is called something like "29 Days".
>
> Two of my favorite movies that address alcoholism are a couple oldies: "Days of Wine and Roses" and "The Lost Weekend". Lost Weekend almost seems like science fiction it's so eerie.
>
> verneVerne,
I saw "Days of Wine and Roses" (I think Jack Lemmon was in it?) a number of years ago , and I agree it was a great movie about alcoholism. The way the lead female character's addiction to chocolate (if I remember right, in the beginning, she didn't even drink, but really loved chocolate) later played out into an addiction to alcohol was a real eye-opener, for me at least, into how our bodies crave and become addicted to substances (even ones we consider inocuous like chocolate). It was a great movie, even though it was somewhat heartbreaking. Did you ever see the movie "Clean and Sober" with Michael Keaton? I wasn't bad either. The one movie about alcoholism that left me emotionally drained was "Leaving Las Vegas". I felt empty for about a day after I saw it. Don't think I could ever watch it again.
Tamara
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