AA has saved a lot of people!!!
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
XVP: I'm gonna make a move
Thank you so much to everyone for the very kind and encouraging posts and emails. This spin dry stuff ain't a whole lot of fun. Sleeping for only minutes or maybe an hour at a time. Alot of weird dreams that I don't even want to remember.
I had a real tough time about 8 O'clock this morning. The first bar opens at 8 here. I sure wanted to jump in a cab and head over there. But I got through it, fell back to sleep and didn't wake up until 4 this afternoon. I couldn't believe it. I actually got some real sleep.
But I missed some football games. I'm happy for the Oregon Ducks. One of my sisters lives in Corvallis. I'm watching the Big 12 championship right now. All Nebraska so far. You know, you can't watch a football game here without seeing one of those blasted Red Lobster commercials. Do we have a Red Lobster here? NO!! So I went to the supermarket and got my own steak and shrimp. I got the George Foreman Grill workin'.
My best friend, Al, has lots of experience with AA. He's been telling me for years that if I wanted to make a move he would guide me into it. I picked a great time to dry out. Al and me are in phone contact at least a few times a week, except we're incommunicado when he's duck hunting in Arkansas. So guess where he's at right now. He's duck hunting in Arkansas. I think he's gonna be shocked that I'm finally making a move. Al has had some relapses over the years but he always goes back to AA. He say's it's the only thing that has ever kept him off booze for any length of time.
I don't want to make any decisions while I'm still in the withdrawal phase. I want to be at my best mentally before making any decisions but I think I'm gonna have to get out of my neighborhood. I have a lot of friends here, but they're all drunks like me. That's too bad. It's gonna be really hard giving them up.
Take care
Mickey
Hi Mickey,
I am not an alcoholic however, I used to 'use' it for medication, before I had great insurance as I have 3 chronic pain diseases. Then, it 'would' at times, be abused due to the level of untreated pain.
I understand to a certain degree as I had no choice at the time (years ago) when I could not afford anything for myself while raising 3 children with no outside help. I owned my own business that was enough to pay for all of their needs and no more.
I hated it so bad and started to wonder if I was an alcoholic and finally, when I received appropriate care, I was asked if I would like a drink & said a flat no ! because, I was relieved of pain and so now, I have a drink only when I just want one (maybe 3 in a year).
I believe that it was an emotional uplift as well due to being so sick and it helped to keep me happier..lol..I think, had I not gotten the Real help that I needed, I would most certainly have turned into an alcoholic.
I have known many that have overcome alcohol addiction and every day, they say that they 'could' slip and that it is sometimes a Daily decision and sometimes a minute to minute decision and sometimes it is a second to second decision.
I will pray for you that you Do sleep a lot or Anything that gets you past the DT's. After the withdrawal, it is not done..it is a life decision and if you are serious, you will be walking where Many before you have been successful.
Therefore, if they can do it - you can too !
I wish the best for you and may you realize the beauty and fulfillment of sobriety and wake up feeling fresh and excited about life again before the alcohol took its' hold.
It is a hard journey & a hero's reward to be free from anything that binds you and is unhealthy for all concerned.
Best wishes & please keep us posted,
Meredith
"You are never too old to become younger."
— Mae West
···
--- On Sun, 12/5/10, Mickey <mickeycrimm@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Mickey <mickeycrimm@yahoo.com>
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: XVP: I'm gonna make a move
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, December 5, 2010, 2:20 AM
Thank you so much to everyone for the very kind and encouraging posts and emails. This spin dry stuff ain't a whole lot of fun. Sleeping for only minutes or maybe an hour at a time. Alot of weird dreams that I don't even want to remember.
I had a real tough time about 8 O'clock this morning. The first bar opens at 8 here. I sure wanted to jump in a cab and head over there. But I got through it, fell back to sleep and didn't wake up until 4 this afternoon. I couldn't believe it. I actually got some real sleep.
But I missed some football games. I'm happy for the Oregon Ducks. One of my sisters lives in Corvallis. I'm watching the Big 12 championship right now. All Nebraska so far. You know, you can't watch a football game here without seeing one of those blasted Red Lobster commercials. Do we have a Red Lobster here? NO!! So I went to the supermarket and got my own steak and shrimp. I got the George Foreman Grill workin'.
My best friend, Al, has lots of experience with AA. He's been telling me for years that if I wanted to make a move he would guide me into it. I picked a great time to dry out. Al and me are in phone contact at least a few times a week, except we're incommunicado when he's duck hunting in Arkansas. So guess where he's at right now. He's duck hunting in Arkansas. I think he's gonna be shocked that I'm finally making a move. Al has had some relapses over the years but he always goes back to AA. He say's it's the only thing that has ever kept him off booze for any length of time.
I don't want to make any decisions while I'm still in the withdrawal phase. I want to be at my best mentally before making any decisions but I think I'm gonna have to get out of my neighborhood. I have a lot of friends here, but they're all drunks like me. That's too bad. It's gonna be really hard giving them up.
Take care
Mickey
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
There will be drunks wherever you live.
Don't lose your friends, just don't be around alcohol.
···
--- On Sat, 12/4/10, Mickey <mickeycrimm@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Mickey <mickeycrimm@yahoo.com>
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: XVP: I'm gonna make a move
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 6:20 PM
Thank you so much to everyone for the very kind and encouraging posts and emails. This spin dry stuff ain't a whole lot of fun. Sleeping for only minutes or maybe an hour at a time. Alot of weird dreams that I don't even want to remember.
I had a real tough time about 8 O'clock this morning. The first bar opens at 8 here. I sure wanted to jump in a cab and head over there. But I got through it, fell back to sleep and didn't wake up until 4 this afternoon. I couldn't believe it. I actually got some real sleep.
But I missed some football games. I'm happy for the Oregon Ducks. One of my sisters lives in Corvallis. I'm watching the Big 12 championship right now. All Nebraska so far. You know, you can't watch a football game here without seeing one of those blasted Red Lobster commercials. Do we have a Red Lobster here? NO!! So I went to the supermarket and got my own steak and shrimp. I got the George Foreman Grill workin'.
My best friend, Al, has lots of experience with AA. He's been telling me for years that if I wanted to make a move he would guide me into it. I picked a great time to dry out. Al and me are in phone contact at least a few times a week, except we're incommunicado when he's duck hunting in Arkansas. So guess where he's at right now. He's duck hunting in Arkansas. I think he's gonna be shocked that I'm finally making a move. Al has had some relapses over the years but he always goes back to AA. He say's it's the only thing that has ever kept him off booze for any length of time.
I don't want to make any decisions while I'm still in the withdrawal phase. I want to be at my best mentally before making any decisions but I think I'm gonna have to get out of my neighborhood. I have a lot of friends here, but they're all drunks like me. That's too bad. It's gonna be really hard giving them up.
Take care
Mickey
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I related to your plight. I have not had a drink for over 25 years. I can assure you life gets better without booze( the only people that can measure that are people who have stopped drinking).
It is hard to percieve your life without alcohol, because it has been a big part of your life for a lot of years.
Also, I have had the same friends for over 50 years----(they are all drinkers). I still am friends with them----I just don't drink with them.
Good luck
···
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Cohen <brucedcohen2002@...> wrote:
There will be drunks wherever you live.
Â
Don't lose your friends, just don't be around alcohol.
Â--- On Sat, 12/4/10, Mickey <mickeycrimm@...> wrote:
From: Mickey <mickeycrimm@...>
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: XVP: I'm gonna make a move
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010, 6:20 PMÂ
Thank you so much to everyone for the very kind and encouraging posts and emails. This spin dry stuff ain't a whole lot of fun. Sleeping for only minutes or maybe an hour at a time. Alot of weird dreams that I don't even want to remember.
I had a real tough time about 8 O'clock this morning. The first bar opens at 8 here. I sure wanted to jump in a cab and head over there. But I got through it, fell back to sleep and didn't wake up until 4 this afternoon. I couldn't believe it. I actually got some real sleep.
But I missed some football games. I'm happy for the Oregon Ducks. One of my sisters lives in Corvallis. I'm watching the Big 12 championship right now. All Nebraska so far. You know, you can't watch a football game here without seeing one of those blasted Red Lobster commercials. Do we have a Red Lobster here? NO!! So I went to the supermarket and got my own steak and shrimp. I got the George Foreman Grill workin'.
My best friend, Al, has lots of experience with AA. He's been telling me for years that if I wanted to make a move he would guide me into it. I picked a great time to dry out. Al and me are in phone contact at least a few times a week, except we're incommunicado when he's duck hunting in Arkansas. So guess where he's at right now. He's duck hunting in Arkansas. I think he's gonna be shocked that I'm finally making a move. Al has had some relapses over the years but he always goes back to AA. He say's it's the only thing that has ever kept him off booze for any length of time.
I don't want to make any decisions while I'm still in the withdrawal phase. I want to be at my best mentally before making any decisions but I think I'm gonna have to get out of my neighborhood. I have a lot of friends here, but they're all drunks like me. That's too bad. It's gonna be really hard giving them up.
Take care
Mickey
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
WRONG ANSWER!!! Sheesh....
It's the lifestyle that must change - and that means staying away from the old lifestyle!!!
Drunks for friends = same old lifestyle.
Godd luck Mickey. You are plenty smart ehough to find the help you need.
Jigger
···
--- On Sat, 12/4/10, Bruce Cohen <brucedcohen2002@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Bruce Cohen <brucedcohen2002@yahoo.com>
Don't lose your friends, just don't be around alcohol.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is hard to let go of your life & start Everything New and yes, I am with Jigger, it includes friends as the old saying goes "Junk in = Junk out". As you improve your quality of life, you really change inside & out - therefore, you basically evolve into your better nature and your old drinking friends will not appear the same in your eyes. It is not a better as in not equal, it is a best for Yourself life that includes 'like - people'. I have been a life coach, in the not so distant past with great results. The change starts inside & you must have conviction Resolve along with Your Active Participation in whatever it takes to get healthy. It is not an easy road however, it is the most rewarding ! No matter what your situation may be. Unhealthy for you or others as in Impacting yourself or others for the worse, defines a problem that you either overcome or wallow in & it is 100% your choice. You are the only one Mickey ! That does not mean that you do
not seek support ! In fact, that is the action necessary to Stay Healthy, once you have made up your mind. Hang in there & get the Support from those that have walked down or Up rather, the very same Path. I guarantee you, they had to leave friends behind.
~ ¤(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸ Meredith ¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¤ ~
"You are never too old to become younger."
— Mae West
···
--- On Mon, 12/6/10, Jigger Woodruff <bayfieldkent@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Jigger Woodruff <bayfieldkent@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [vpFREE] Re: XVP: I'm gonna make a move
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, December 6, 2010, 1:38 AM
--- On Sat, 12/4/10, Bruce Cohen <brucedcohen2002@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Bruce Cohen <brucedcohen2002@yahoo.com>
Don't lose your friends, just don't be around alcohol.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WRONG ANSWER!!! Sheesh....
It's the lifestyle that must change - and that means staying away from the old lifestyle!!!
Drunks for friends = same old lifestyle.
Godd luck Mickey. You are plenty smart ehough to find the help you need.
Jigger
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
If Mickey beats this thing, and I hope he does, he may notice if he ever visits a bar in a non-drinking state that the conversation suddenly seems a lot more boring than he remembers it being from before.
···
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, Jigger Woodruff <bayfieldkent@...> wrote:
Drunks for friends = same old lifestyle.
Mickey, Best of luck conquering this menace. Remember, too, there are a bunch of people right here, a few key strokes away, who respect you even though we have never met you. Keep it up.
···
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Thanks, Jigger. The main reason I've been thinking about getting out of the neighborhood is I live on the same block as my favorite watering hole. And, of course, I'm friends with the owner, the manager, and all the regulars. They really don't like to see me go on the wagon. I'm by far the biggest customer in the joint. It's a working stiffs bar and the regulars don't make a whole lot of money. But Mickey can always be counted on the buy rounds when he gets in his cups. So not only the regulars, but the owner and manager, for monetary reasons, think I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread.
I hold some records there that I'm really not proud of. The day bartender is in charge of counting the drinks that were served the night before. I'm the only one that drinks V.O. whiskey. One evening right at shift change I walk in the bar and order a cup of coffee. I had been drinking in the bar the night before and went into a blackout. The day bartender sits the coffee in front of me and says
"Here you go, Mr. 27 shots of V.O." Their shots are actually a shot and a quarter.
"I didn't drink all those shots myself. I bought some for others" I said.
Tom the night bartender was walking behind the bar and heard what I said. "Oh, no!" he said. "You drank them all yourself."
I broke that record a few weeks ago. 31 shots.
What triggered me to finally admit my addiction last week was I got invited by my barroom buddies to shoot some pool. Their a lot younger than me and they get a big kick out of watching an old man knock pool balls off the table. I don't pick on them for money. They say they learn from me and I give them some cheap entertainment. They just need quarters to rack 'em. Occasionally, one of them will beat me and they get a big kick out of it. I'm very gracious when they beat me.
Years ago, long before I got involved in the conventinal gambling world, from the age of 16 to my late thirties, I was a barboxing nine-baller who mainly played races to 5 or seven for the money. I lived to play pool. I quit pool for a lot of years because I was making too much money in the conventional gambling world.
So I get invited to play pool last week. I had been trying to dry up and hadn't had any whiskey for two days. I was just trying to down some beer to come down easy. I go to shoot, and my arm was jerking and twitching for lack of whiskey. I couldn't get it smoothed out. I couldn't make three balls in a row. I was embarrassing myself. I finally said
"give me a shot of whiskey."
After about 5 shots my stroke smoothed out and I went back to running balls. It was right there shooting pool that night that I finally said to myself
"Mickey, you have a big problem."
I feel alot better today. I can tell I'm on my way back to good health. I contacted AA this morning. We'll see what happens.
···
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, Jigger Woodruff <bayfieldkent@...> wrote:
It's the lifestyle that must change - and that means staying away >from the old lifestyle!!!
Drunks for friends = same old lifestyle.
Godd luck Mickey. You are plenty smart ehough to find the help you >need.
Jigger
And, of course, I'm friends with the owner, the manager, and all the regulars. They really don't like to see me go on the wagon. I'm by far the biggest customer in the joint. It's a working stiffs bar and the regulars don't make a whole lot of money. But Mickey can always be counted on the buy rounds when he gets in his cups. So not only the regulars, but the owner and manager, for monetary reasons, think I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Dear Mickey,
Feb. 3, 1983 - the last day I had a drink of alcohol (just about two-and-a-half months away from my 30th birthday). Quitting was hard, but it got easier with each passing day, thanks to AA and the support of friends and loved ones. "Anyone" who does not support you, or in any way undermines your effort to stop drinking is neither a friend or loved one - but rather an enabler and, in all likelihood, someone with their own drinking problem who is resentful of how your choice to quit makes them feel less secure.
You mentioned "blackouts". I had those too. And to this day, every time I hear about or read a story of the injury or death of someone as a result of the actions of a drunk driver - I wonder if I ever caused some horrific or deadly accident because, in a blacked-out stupor, I drove drunk. Only about 6 months after I quit, one of my uncles was killed in a head-on collision (while driving to the local mall at 7:30 in the morning to get his walking exercise done) by a drunk driver, with multiple DUIs & a suspended license, who crossed the middle line, taking out Uncle John and severely injuring a policeman in a cruiser behind my uncle. Of course the drunk was basically unharmed. I think I felt more guilt than the drunk driver - for the reasons I stated above.
I don't really know you & will probably never meet you - but I wish you godspeed. it will not be easy. Most things of value rarely are. So choose those people who will respect and support your decision as carefully as you choose the paytables on v.p.
···
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Mickey" <mickeycrimm@...> wrote:
I'm back in contact with Al and he has given me some pretty good advice. My main concern about AA is my occupation. A lot of Alcoholics are also compulsive gamblers. And a lot of Alcoholics who aren't compulsive gamblers would see my occupation as just another addiction. So I wanted to know how to handle the situation. Al has been a professional gambler longer than me and he gave me his take on how to handle the situation.
He says that the only requirement to join AA is that one has a desire to quit drinking. You don't have to discuss your occupation. If the subject comes up he just says "I don't discuss my occupation at meetings." He said he had to learn this the hard way because he has admitted his occupation before and it just opens up a big can of worms. He says you mostly get lectures from people who have no clue about advantage gambling. The lectures are about the evils of gambling and that it is just another form of addiction.
He says he was asked about his occupation in an AA meeting in Reno one time and admitted that he played poker for a living. He didn't mention machine play. When the meeting was over a member came up to him and asked him to teach him how to play poker for a living. The guy asking had done time in the pen for robbery. He was robbing places to support his gambling habit.
I guess I already have a sponsor in Al even though I haven't attended one meeting yet. Al said: "Here, let me ask you a hypothetical question and let's see what your answer would be. They lock you in a room by yourself and a liter of whiskey. Your instructions are to drink 2 shots a day until the whiskey is gone. How would you come out on that deal?"
I started laughing.
"What are you laughing about?" Al asked
"That jug of whiskey wouldn't make it through the first day! Then I'd kick the door out!" I said
"Most people could pass that test" he said. "But you and I can't."
Al sounds like a Great Support for you ! You should still be able to do what you love & know for a living and truthfully, you never have to work a day again when you love what you do. I love what Kenny & I do in the jewelry business ! It is fulfilling a passion, not an addiction. So, keep on keeping on Mickey, I know you can see the light at the other end of the tunnel with friends like Al & others that understand your plight.
~ ¤(¯`*•.¸(¯`*•.¸ Meredith ¸.•*´¯)¸.•*´¯)¤ ~
"You are never too old to become younger."
— Mae West
···
--- On Sun, 12/12/10, Mickey <mickeycrimm@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Mickey <mickeycrimm@yahoo.com>
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: XVP: I'm gonna make a move
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, December 12, 2010, 7:53 PM
I'm back in contact with Al and he has given me some pretty good advice. My main concern about AA is my occupation. A lot of Alcoholics are also compulsive gamblers.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]