hope all is well, newlife! haven't heard from you in a while and thinking of ya!

Zontar - I have e-mailed her as I was getting concerned - I know she is on holiday but thought she was going to post while overseas!

hugs, Maggie x

Thank you Maggie and Zontar for checking on me. We JUST got back from Ireland and I know I said I would post when away but it was such a busy and awesome time that I just kind of unplugged from everything.

I did not track while I was on vacation, so for the last two weeks+, however, I can say without a doubt that I drank WAY WAY less than I normally do on vacation. I was amazed at myself, actually. Cravings virtually gone. I did drink, but it was like I was a different person. Like the kind of person who can have just one or maybe two drinks and then not want more. Not watching the clock to see when I could decently have a drink: if I wanted a drink I had one, but I wanted them WAY WAY less than I normally do. No desperation: where is the nearest bar? No running out to buy wine to keep in my room. Amazing.

Actually, on a hike in the woods in Ireland (which is absolutely beautiful and fantastic, we all LOVED it), I thought of the following analogy, which I hope will not offend the men in the group. It is very weird but here goes. It feels like when I had my two daughters and was weaning them from breastfeeding. At first you think, this is so hard, how will I ever do it? It will never stop and I don't know how to make it stop? Etc. But then you keep sort of cutting back and cutting back and gradually everything just sort of dries up. I feel like my alcoholism is drying up, gradually, but definitely, and while I have used some effort at cutting back, for the most part it just seems to be working and clicking into place mostly on its own through a process I don't really understand. Maybe it was just the change of routine, the real proof will be what happens now that I am back on my home turf.

Anyway, I am very very happy about it. Now I need to go and catch up on all of your posts. I just quickly read your thread, Maggie, and it sound like you have turned a corner too. Good for you!! YAY!! WOO HOO!!!

Hugs to all from Newlife

That is great progress newlife! Congrats! I liked you analogy and can relate for sure. Also I think we both are experiencing the shift where not drinking at all or drinking very little becomes the "default setting" in the brain/body instead of the other way around. Glad you had a nice trip! Ireland is such a beautiful country and want to go back in the next few years.

Yay Newlife!

Made me think of another anology. Son is going to kindergarten next year but still clings to his blankie. Mom, deciding it's time, starts new program. Each time blankie goes to wash she cuts an inch off the sides. Eventually the blankie is the size of a hankie and the boy simply loses it.

Steve.

Steve: I like that analogy!!

But it REALLY points up the need for most of us (not you LUCKY fast responders) to BE PATIENT AND HANG IN THERE. It is very very hard and discouraging, but what is the alternative? Maybe it is easy for me to say because I have not had really any bad SEs or feelings from the nal, but taking it is really, it seems to me, a very small price to pay for a chance at a life not controlled by AL. I want to be back in control, not have AL controlling me. I am beginning to see that as a very real possibility and IT FEELS WONDERFUL!! DON"T GIVE UP!!

XOXO Newlife

SO good to have you back newlife - I really missed you ! And glad that you are okay - I was sort of worried to be honest! I am really happy to hear that you might have turned that corner - it certainly sounds the case - and like you, I just tell people to have patient and have faith! It will all work in the end of that I am sure - just really happy that you are finally seeing it happen!!

Hugs, Maggie x

Thank you, Maggie and thank you for caring about me, worrying and missing me. First "regular" night home after work last night. I had two glasses of wine, but I drank them very slowly, over several hours, like a "normal" person, and REALLY enjoyed them. That is what I had hoped and dreamed when this all started. Hard to believe that I might actually be seeing it come true.

Glad to hear of your progress too!! Funny that we might be having our "breakthroughs" at the same time. You are an angel for caring about me. Fingers crossed for both of us.

Big hugs from Newlife

So glad that last night felt good about the 2 glasses of wine - I have not yet had a night where I have wanted to drink and not felt like an Alkie - I do not want to drink right now and yesterday I did have a fleeting thought about taking a Nal and having a drink - but I have had such terrible Nal-Overs that I let the thought go! I will see how the week goes - not 'trying' to have AF days - they are just happening right now. And hey - I worry about the regulars and if they do not post, I worry if something has happened to them - LOL

Have a great day, Hugs, Maggie x

Wonderful to hear that you are getting AF days without any effort - even if they are being caused by nalovers. Such a lot of progress. You have a great day too. Hugs from Newlife