Hello lovies
Following on from last night's post - I feel bad now that I posted that need for a craving. I have been reading blogs since then and I see how many people are struggling so much with cravings that I don't want to rub anyones face in how I'm feeling (still cross by the way...)
I think what I was trying to say in my shambolic way was - If I didn't drink everyday, is it ok to be getting sober and saying that I have a drink problem? This is totally obvious and if someone asked me, of course I'd say yes but somehow I need to be reassured that it's ok! Does anyone think that drinking 3/4 days a week means that I might go through the same stuff as people who drank every night? SM was talking about PAWS in her blog, I wonder could that apply to me? Why am I even worrying about this?? I think under it is maybe Wolfie starting to possibly get her claws in...?
I'm sorry for these rambling self involved posts but I need to get this down to try and work through it. Overthinking. As usual.
I'm going to find three things to be grateful for today (one of them is sitting on the table in front of me chatting away to herself) and report back later.
Ok my dear hearts.
Keep on truckin'
xxMtts
Hi, just wanted to say first of all how much I've been enjoying your blog!
ReplyDeleteIn response to your question, yes I do think one can have a drinking problem and get sober, even if not drinking every day. I think a drinking problem has a lot to do with your relationship with alcohol, and is not necessarily defined by daily drinking. I have had 4 or 5 periods of up to 45 days sober and then blown it, mainly because I have convinced myself I 'wasn't that bad' (same thing, not drinking every day necessarily and going periods without). But and it's a big but, my overall relationship with alcohol is problematic and before I know it I'm back in the old pattern - thinking about it a lot, often (but not always) not being able to stop when I should etc etc. Someone said somewhere that people who don't have a drink problem don't generally have/read/comment on sober blogs or google information about problems with alcohol. As far as PAWS goes, I also read that although acute alcohol withdrawal is over in a few days, it takes up to a week for alcohol to be completely out of your system (can't remember which book/website I read this on and someone correct me if I'm wrong) so daily drinking isn't necessary for your body to be still topped up with alcohol therefore PAWS is definitely possible/likely.
xx
Wow silverbirch, it's your sister here (bar the sober periods!). That pretty much sums up my drinking habit too. The good thing is I know in my heart that I cannot moderate and if I start drinking again it'd take about 2 weeks before I'm back to normal. Thank you much for your reply and your lovely comment about my blog.
DeleteMy opinion.
ReplyDeleteYes, if applies to you.
I was a weekend drinker. I would drink on the week nights if there was a reason, but mainly I drank Friday -Sunday.
I was abusing alcohol. It was abusing me. It was hurting me physically and mentally. And I couldn't see it.
Comparing yourself to others never helps. Someone is always worse. And someone is always better.
So - could your life be better spent sober? Do you wish to be free of the burden of alcohol? If so, then being sober sounds like it is for you?
Thanks Anne, words of wisdom as usual! And you're so right. I shouldn't compare myself, this is my journey!
DeleteDon't feel bad Mtts. My thoughts are that if you are writing a blog about being sober, then you most likely need to be sober. But like Anne says, comparing yourself to others never helps. This is your experience and your blog and you should write about whatever is on your mind. Blogging really helps (I'm finding this time round) so you should stay with it. You are doing really well btw! A x
ReplyDeleteHi Mtts, another irish mammy yippeee! Doesn't matter how often you drink at all. I think most middle age women who get into the habit of drinking wine at home are only heading one way and have some sort of alcohol dependency problem (most likely). Minding young kids and endless housework is so ridiculously difficult and mundane at times we will use any escape we get. For me if I drink too much now (easy in ireland!), i get so depressed and anxious for days. I have given up for long stints before over the last 5 years, i am always happier without it and very proud of myself that I am putting my kids ahead of myself, i don;t worry about gettting ill and I don;t worry about ending up like my mother, a chronic alcoholic who regularly drinks hard liqueur for breakfast. I am moving towrds a place where i give up permanently again. LOVE UR BLOG!
ReplyDeleteWoo Hoo! Hi there Irish! Though I haven't been called middle aged before so.....;-)
DeleteYep, I get the whole anxiety thing for days too, horrific! I was writing off days being present me my kids 'I'll feel better tomorrow and I can be a really good mam then'....Not good.
Wow, you're better getting off the wagon now, whiskey in your porridge isn't a road you want to go down.
Thanks so much for reading! xMtts.