Post: #201

I've recently had some times (because of the holidays) where I'm actually at the point of getting drunk, but I back off and go home to drink some water and eat some junk food so that I don't actually get wasted.

Not sure what's making me pull away, but I don't want to feel like I'm drunk anymore. Something in my brain is deterring me from getting shitty.

Post: #202

Kimber, thanks for following up with the start date. The wagon welcomes you as of 12/20/2013.

Post: #203

rdvirus, welcome aboard as of 12/27, and I hope you'll post some updates here as time goes on.

Post: #204

(12-28-2013 02:29 AM)Felix88 Wrote:  Okay, I'm on the wagon now, can we have some pictures of the wagon?

Post: #205

(12-28-2013 01:24 AM)dreambig Wrote:  Had a cracking bottle of champagne (grand cru) for Xmas that a client gave me. Will have to drink something truly foul on the 31st to counteract the pleasant memories in my taste buds.

dreambig, I know that is the Carr prescription but it never made sense to me, to be honest.

When I had my last drink, going on 7 years ago, I made sure that it was exactly one drink, that it was my single favorite drink (Stoli) and that I savored every last drop of it. Then just let it go...

Post: #206

Does anyone have a downloadable copy of Allen Carr's book?

I usually don't download books but Im on a remote drilling job so there is not exactly any bookstores nearby.

Post: #207

Jesus christ. Ready for a drink already lol.. Got into an argument with someone and all I could think about after was drinking a nice cold beer to cool off. Going to do some meditation

Post: #208

rdvirus, that is a good honest post.

The key is to understand that such thoughts will occur from time to time, but this doesn't mean anything. There is no need for you to follow them. You are always free to do what you've decided, for very good reasons.

Acknowledge whatever desires you might have; chuckle at them; and go on with your day and your life.

Post: #209

What's you guys's plan for New Year's? For those who are already on the wagon, as I am...

I stayed in tonight, but was really craving the bitter today. I've also gone off the cigs for this time...though I might be willing to cheat on those for bang related reasons or some such opportunity...

Post: #210

NYE is real amateur hour -- a lot of people out drinking who never drink otherwise, a lot of pent-up stress and rage from the holidays being released all at once, and some desperate last-ditch antics before the holidays are truly over. It's probably the single best night of the year not to be out.

My NYE plan is to watch a good movie and go to bed.

Post: #211

cardguy, I believe your start date was 11/30 so it will be a month tomorrow.

I'm curious whether you have any comments or observations one month in, however small or large. If you have none, that's fine too.

Post: #212

New Year's plan is day gaming as usual, not in the most crowded places like Asakusa though, everyone and their's mothers always go there in New Year, no imagination.

Post: #213

I've noticed that I always crave alcohol in the third day after I drank, today is the third day, will remain vigilant now.

Post: #214

I've had some time recently, so at the suggestion of other posters I decided to flip through the Allen Carr book. I'm about 50% through -- he offers an interesting perspective saying that all the benefits which you believe alcohol brings you are illusory. Then he lists some common beliefs people hold about how alcohol benefits them, and then he logically breaks them down. The meat of the book so far has been about emphasizing that by letting go of alcohol you will not actually be giving anything up ; the illusion that people who drink have is that alcohol brings something positive to their lives. His book breaks that illusion down.

One thing I like is that he encourages you to drink as you make your way through the book -- this way you can consider your beliefs about what alcohol brings into your life while you are drinking, and while you are drunk, and perhaps realize that all your beliefs were grounded in false social conditioning and other various b.s. I usually like to skim through books in a day or two, but maybe ill purposefully stretch this out until I hop on the wagon January 3rd, just so that the information and perspectives he offers really sink in. Anyway, I recommend the book. its been pretty interesting so far, and I think the reasoning he uses to talk about alcohol can be used to think about other stuff in your life that could be bringing you down.

New Years is coming up. Wooo!!

Post: #215

Felix, "vigilant" is kind of a funny term, as if you're worried that you're going to secretly sneak in a drink when you aren't looking...

Don't worry about the cravings -- they will come and go, just let them roll on and off you like waves. There is nothing you need to do except not drink.

Post: #216

(12-29-2013 08:37 PM)se7en Wrote:  One thing I like is that he encourages you to drink as you make your way through the book --

se7en, drinking can make all sorts of things appear in a kind of pleasant haze, including even books on why you should stop drinking...

Post: #217

I don't even have alcohol in my apartment, so I'm literally a moderate drinker. I don't even rember the last time I got drunk. I'd definitely could stand to cut time spent on the computer doing useless shit though.

Post: #218

delete

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #219

(12-29-2013 05:29 PM)The Lizard of Oz Wrote:  cardguy, I believe your start date was 11/30 so it will be a month tomorrow.

I'm curious whether you have any comments or observations one month in, however small or large. If you have none, that's fine too.

I only lasted a week. I have been to ashamed to post about it.

I just really love bourbon with a meal.

My two goals were to save money and stop having binges.

I haven't had a binge in a month now - so I just hope I can keep that up. The danger zone is usually when I am 3-4 months since my last binge.

But obviously giving up alcohol altogether is the surest way of doing that.

Still sucks about wasting mony on bourbon though.

It is what it is. Not sure what I can add. But for me - giving up the taste of bourbon is like giving up hot food or something. There is no other flavour which has that smooth/burning sensation.

Post: #220

cardguy, I appreciate your honesty, as always.

All I would say is that you can always just start again if you want to. Just because you only lasted a week this time doesn't mean you can't do a year starting tomorrow if you so decide. It's always up to you.

I understand that you love the taste of bourbon, but let's not exaggerate its magical powers. You can certainly go for a year without bourbon. It's just like changing any other habit -- it feels strange and unnatural at first, but you get used to it over time. Even after a few weeks, it won't feel nearly as unnatural as it does at first, but you need at least that long to start changing a relatively deeply ingrained habit.

Why do it? Well, you can go back to your posts earlier in the thread and in your binge thread. I would add that for a very intelligent man who is a habitual binge drinker, it is hard to recognize all the subtle ways in which alcohol affects you until you're off it completely for an extended period of time. If you actually take a complete and extended break, you might be surprised at and fascinated by how you feel very generally about life, and your day-to-day levels of interest and engagement with it, as time goes on. I think it's worth foregoing the taste of bourbon to find out -- but it's your decision to make.

Post: #221

Thanks for the post. You are right. I should try and keep working away at this.

I am scared about having another binge. My binges are pretty fucked up. And i hate that shard of guilt and paranoia that stabs you in the heart when you wake up.

So - I am still working on this. It is just weird since I don't care for alcohol or the affects of alcohol much. It is just the flavour. But I am sure the alcohol has an affect on the overall experience as well.

Thanks once again for your intelligent post!

Post: #222

Cardguy - you kind of remind me of when I was younger in some ways. A year can be a really long time, especially when you are in your early 20's. If a year is too long a goal then think something more reasonable and grow on it. Maybe two weeks, or 30 days, then enjoy bourbon for a week, then start another streak that goes longer.

Post: #223

Nah, anyone can do a year. And I believe cardguy is an ancient 31.

Post: #224

Guilty.

Post: #225

Old bastard.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling