Sorry I'm so long in replying. I had a mini vacation this past weekend and haven't been to the board until tonight.
Joe and Maggie, thank you for your posts, I truly appreciate it. Your posts from here and elsewhere on the board shows that you are both caring people and I am thankful you're here.
Maggie, switching to beer is something worth considering. My first thought was that my bladder would say "meh" before my brain would and I'd wind up back on rum. Part of my mindful drinking IS having beer on Sunday. The 1-2 that I have really doesn't do much for me but it does get a small amount of AL into my body. I used to abstain that day but it's beer Sunday now. Perhaps I could add another beer day.....
I also feel like I've been drinking mindfully in that I buy my AL daily. If I buy more than that evening's worth, I wind up drinking it, so I only get 1 night's worth at a time. I also space my drinks out each evening. It's not much but it does keep me from drinking more than I do. The amount I drink may not seem like a problem to some people, but it is to me. I have to drink every night and that makes it a problem.
Joe, I read every one of the links in your reply. It has lead to set some goals that may not in themselves get me to stop drinking but will hopefully help to lessen the amount I drink. They are:
*Delay the time I start drinking, even if it's 5 minutes a day. If I can keep doing that, over time I'll start drinking at a much later time and won't need as much before I'm ready for bed.
*Try to increase the time between drinks. Same result as above.
*Never drink on an empty stomach, which is something I always do.
It's not much but it's a start. I can't say enough how much I appreciate your input, as well as Deuce and anyone else who gives their 2 cents worth. I was near giving up when I first posted. I've been on 100 mg for a couple of weeks. There's not a huge difference but I haven't got staggering drunk in that time and I'm drinking ever slightly less than before.
Hugs back at ya Maggie....
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