O/T: Last day Scared

[Wally]

I want to thank all of you for all the info I have learned from great minds. I have signed up for rehab, my own choice, and have no idea what to expect. Well, I do but I don`t. I`ve drank for over 30 years and now want to draw the line and make a change. I don`t know if any of you have been threw this, but I could use some advise. I personally don`t know anyone that`s done it.

Thanks again for all your help. I hope I make it back.

[Lars Christensen]

Wally,

Can not give you any advise, but you are doing the right thing, hang in there buddy.

Good luck.

 

Lars

[crazy^millman]

Wally there is this from the Bible. There is a time an place for everything. There is a time for peace and a time for war. The time you drank is the time of war in your life the time after this will be the peace you never knew. Good luck and be strong and yes you will come out of with more than you ever knew you had.

 

Ron

[MACHINEMASTERG]

well wally your half way there if you are the one who decided that a change was needed !!! good for you ...you will come out a better person ..

[gcode]

Wally,

I quit after 20 years without rehab or AA.

It was the love of a good woman that got me through it. Its not easy, but I can tell you this.

Life is much better on the other side.

[chris m]

Wally, I cannot give any advice but if you feel that you need to do this I'm sure that you can

 

Just take things one step at a time and you'll get through to the other side

 

C

[Brendan P]

Congrats to you Wally.

1 for realizing you have a problem...

2 for doing something about it.

 

My advise is to only do if for yourself.

Don't do it for you brother,mother,wife ect....

do it for you!

 

Take 1 day at a time,and never,ever think that you can solve lifes problems with a drink or some drugs.

 

I commend you for being strong enough to ask for help and guidance from your friends here at EMastercam!!

 

It takes guts to do this.

[L Hanft]

Wally, good choice. I'm not sure my thoughts will help - but here goes. I drank a lot after Viet Nam, actually I drank every moment I could. Not sure why, I guess I just needed to be numb. I day I started thinking--- and ask myself just what I was getting out of all the drinking. The only answer I could honestly come up with was, "An empty wallet.". I managed to stop. Just like turning off the switch to a light- flick and the switch was off. Now I drink maybe 2 or 3 beers a year and the rare drink at dinner or social events. I guess my problem wasn't "organic" but rather between the ears. I hope you can "flip the switch" to off. Looking back now I wonder what I ever saw in the bar scene or gained from drinking. Drives my friends crazy that whenever I go to the bars with them (rarely) I order a diet coke....

[jeff]

Good Luck!

[Surface]

Congratulations on the first step of the journey. You deserve a lot of credit for being able to admit you have a problem and then doing something about it. Good luck.

[Wally]

I started in Vietnam and can`t remember a straight day since. Althou I`ve managed to raise 7 great kids and 32 years of marrage. I found a friend on line on Wednesday that I haven`t seen in 25 years. I called him in Nevada - his first words were "Oh my God - you`re still alive" That just threw the fear into me. I am a former Marine but I`m afraid this will be the toughest battle I will ever have to fight. I thank you all for the support and kind words.

God Bless and Semper-Fi

[Code_Breaker]

Congratulation Wally,

 

My help came from the Lord. I don't know where you stand when it comes to believing what the Scriptures (Bible) has to say, but, when you put your trust in the Name of the Lord and His Word. During your time, I suggest you read from the Scriptures, especially Proverbs. There are 31 chapters, so read a chapter a day. Believe that God is speaking directly to you through them. You will find the strength to overcome anything. Keep in mind that His grace is sufficient. My pastor's definition of GRACE is "God's power to succeed." God's grace is your strength.

 

May God bless you, and let us know when you're back. Keep in touch.

 

 

Code_Breaker

[jspangler]

HI

O'Douls has worked for me!!

I had to stop because I would drink too much, get too wild and get into trouble. Plus, the wife finally put her foot down.

Now when I'm in a social situation where drinking is expected, I can be on my 6th O'douls while everyone else is still on their 2nd Corona, and not want to jump in my car and do donuts on someones front yard!!

 

The worst part is the akwardness you'll feel at first. I picked up a little "How to" book on Social speaking and small talk, etc., and it definitely helps.

Just remember to take it day by day, don't beat yourself up about it or anything you might regret that happened while you were drinking. You'll be OK.

 

Good Luck

 

John

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

Been there Wally. I went in on my own as well but at 17 and for 7 years of drug addiction.

 

You certainly are making the wise decision. Funny thing is sometimes one day at a time is too much of a chunk, sometimes it's one minute at a time, or even one second at a time. One thing I've noticed over the years in talking with other's in the same boat, when you recognize the need for a change in your own life - as opposed to intervention, or some other forceful method attempting to make you change, the success rate is drastically lower. If you wnat the change, you'll succeed. You'll mopre than likely need to make new friends, new lifestyle choices, but it's all worth it in the end. My uncle was a Vietnam Vet as well and a bit after I went into rehab he decided that it was time for a change in his life as well. Much like yourself, he had been married for a long time, raised 5 children held steady employment, etc... He was clean and sober for around 5 years before he passed due to an anyeurism(sp?). There is no doubt his quality of life improved during that time.

 

Hope that makes sense...

[Scott Bond]

Wally

I went to the Hospital for 33 days in 1985.

 

I worked.=====8-6-85

 

Drinking is no longer an option.

 

Love Scott

[John Summers]

You might want to get involved in some life-sports, like biking, tennis, kayaking, or various forms of biathlon/triathlons. If you know you're going to push yourself the next day, you may be more apt to take care of your body.

Good luck with your effort.

[RazorB]

Wally,

I have been there and am now sober for five years. My wife who divorced me nine years ago, married me again in April. Life is wonderful without chemical addictions. It will be difficult, so stick close to support groups for the strength you don't yet have. God, AA and my family and friends are on my side. Find whatever works for you.

You can do it.

Ray

[Scott Bond]

Hi all

quote:

---

I worked.=====8-6-85

---

I thought I was writing:::

It worked.====8-6-85

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

+1000 to John's idea. There's lots of opportunities for sporting activities these days to help pass the time, not to mention your wife would probably be your biggest cheer-leader.

 

Oh, March 24, 1987 was the day I entered the hospital. Out in August some time. 5 months to re-arrange total disarray. I'd say they did a good job, then again it helps when you want to change.

[tsewyek]

Wally,

 

I wish you the best! The only advise I have is, as James said one second, one minute, one day at a time. Find yourself a good sponser who has your best interests in mind. Do the thirty meetings in thirty days and be strong. I've never been addicted to alcohol but had a monster addiction to amphetamines while in the service. Today I do not drink or drug and am married to a wonderful woman who's in her 16th. year of sobriety. If you ever need someone to talk to,let me know and I'll give you my number.

[Tim Johnson]

Good luck Wally,

 

I pray this turn out to be an easy battle for you.

[MetalFlake]

Alot of things have helped me get over (getting over) the same stuff. During the first days, weeks, few months I got strength from reminding my self that all I had to do was make it till bed time without having a drink -easy. Just till tonight when I go to bed. Next day same thing.

 

Another biggie was the realizaton:

 

I don''t have a problem with life with alcohol.

I have a problem with life without alcohol.

 

The humilty and and how idiotic I felt saying that helped me focus on life. LIFE BABY!

 

One more. Do the low CARB thing. Thats low carb NOT NO carb. Go steam it up at a gym sauna a few times week and do light cardio machines.

 

You'll drop 20# in the first 2 weeks and look and feel alot better.

 

Good luck bro.

 

MF

[Scot]

I may not be in the same situation as you, but I have my faults...as we all do. I just haven't been man enough to confront them. Good for you Wally. Best of Luck.

 

Take Care,

Scot

[robk]

Wally,

I wish you the best of luck. You are doing the right thing. This is for the best for yourself and everyone around you.

Now, not to hijack this thread or anything, but I feel like I need to vent out a little bit and this is sort of related.

I have a close friend (since Jr. High School)that has been in trouble most of his life with all sort of adddictions. About 11 years ago he went into prison for 3 years for series of crimes related to his use of heroin. His father turned him into police and according to him it was the best thing that could have happened. He cleaned himself up in prison and decided to lead a straight life. He worked his way up to a service manager at a local series of car dealerships, and made a decent living for an ex-con. He stayed very active in NA and really seemed happy... Well, I went riding with his dad this past weekend and according to him he thinks that good old Jimmy fell off the wagon, and he fell hard. Only took a few months, but in that time he managed to loose his girlfriend, his job, his apartment, and his motorcycle. He is back living with mom & dad for time being. He has a 14 year old son that he also has custody of that is living with them. I am going to have a talk with him tomorrow and see if he could open up to me. I guess there is a lot of different ways to approach this, and I'm not sure how I'm gonna handle it yet. Again, sorry for bringing this up in this thread, and I hope nobody got offended by this being a (sort of) negative post, but I can't talk to the wife about this, because she never liked the guy from the beginning. Anyways, I know that I can't change someone or the choices that the make, but I wish that he could see how much he is hurting his family. Gotta go for now, and do some work along with some thinking.

[Dan_AKA_ROY]

Good going, Wally! Looks like you'll do just fine. Hang tough. I believe quitting won't be as hard as you may think. Its resisting temptations 3 to 6 months down the road. But keep your resolve and stay the course.

 

I drink very little these days. It hinders my daily activities too much. I like to read alot: alcohol makes it difficult to concentrate. I like CAD designing at home as well as work: alcohol hurts my concentration and creativity. I like weight lifting: and alc don't mix with that too good, nope. I play poker alot. When I'm sober I do pretty well. When drunk, the chip stack goes way down. First my winnings are gone, next the entire stack! It's crazy, I "know" I'm playing well drunk, yet lose my shirt!

 

So, I've stayed clear from drinking except for a beer or two every few weeks. I never drank too heavily but in certain settings I would [a wedding, at a casino, etc]. It's so much better not being hungover from the night before.

 

MetalFlake makes an excellent point, Wally. Doing an activity like bodybuilding helps more than I can stress. Don't go crazy like the roid monsters, just do 1 hr lifting 3 to 4 times a week and some cardio. Ease into it, taking it easy for the first 2 weeks till your body adjusts. It can get addicting - a good thing Or any sports activity whatever you like. Metal could not be more right!