100 Days Alcohol Free....

And I feel better than I have in years; mentally, physically and spiritually. After 3 and a half months of not drinking, I feel heaps of energy, many of the aches and pains that I had been suffering through have healed, and I feel very content and calm. I even had a dream the other night in which I was out to dinner with family & friends (and a few strangers) and we were making plans to go out to some parties and someone (a stranger) kept asking me if I was sure I didn't want a drink...and I was completely content and happy to say no, I have no desire at all. In my dream! I was stoked when I woke up in the morning. I know that 100 days isn't really that long in the big picture; but I just feel so good.

It's because of this, I want to share the stages that I have gone through mentally and what has helped me through the cravings etc. I know other people have either just quit or are thinking about quitting drinking and I want you to know that cravings may come-but they WILL pass. Even if you have an addiction to something else-food, drugs-the cravings will pass you just have to be strong and aware of what you feeling.

The first few weeks of quitting I did have a sense of empowerment, but this was quickly followed by thoughts of regret about telling so many people, thoughts that I really didn't have a problem I was just not happy, thoughts of that I might drink in the future. But fortunately I read the book RATIONAL RECOVERY by Jack Trimpey. This book is pretty much the opposite way of mainstream thinking when it comes to alcohol addiction. It's very anti AA and the 12 steps program (although I do know AA has worked for many people-I also believe it has failed many people). For many people AA does not work, and there is an alternative. I believe, as the author, that there is no disease. This may be politically incorrect-but that is how I have always felt. Now, if believing it's a disease gets you to quit and stay sober-then that is great. But I feel that for many people it simply gives them an excuse to continue-like it's out of their hands. This is how I feel though I know it will piss some people off; but think about it-there are no tests for diagnosing the "disease". You don't get it until you start drinking. And the 12 step people say the ONLY way to stay sober is through AA. That just does not make sense.

In the book RATIONAL RECOVERY he puts it quite bluntly-you need to just quit. Period.
He talks about the addictive voice that will bring up suggestions like "maybe I'll allow myself to drink if I know I'm going to die from cancer" Or "if someone else dies...I would need it"...when in fact thoughts like this are merely something for your addictive voice (beast) to cling to and you end up almost waiting for something to happen so you have an excuse to drink! Same as calling it a disease. This feeds into the addictive voice-"well, I have a disease, of course I can't control it, so I'll just drink"

I've said it before and I'll say it again-if believing in the disease keeps you from getting sober-then keep on believing-whatever works! And obviously if going to AA keeps you from drinking-and I know it does work for many, keep going back! But if you live in an area that is limited in the AA programs, and you don't believe in the disease-you can still quit-there are options. That is all I'm saying-and it's these other options that are working for me.

Having said all of that...I want to point out my second line of defense. Even though the book RATIONAL RECOVERY gives you a way to just quit, a person has to continue to work at it. Just like with fitness and health-you can't just read one book or do one workout and be fit for the rest of your life. You have to continue to work at it. So, for me that is through meditation and books on meditation & Buddhism.

Through meditation, I can be more fully aware of my cravings when they come (though I really and truly haven't had any for several weeks now!), and be aware of everything going on in my mind and body at the time of the craving. By the time you finish "watching" the craving...the craving is gone! And this can totally be used for any addiction-food, sex, drugs, alcohol.

I did find a book, which actually relates Buddhism to the 12 step program (so it's opposite of RATIONAL RECOVERY)-but it really helps in observing these cravings and understanding them better. The book is ONE BREATH AT A TIME, by Kevin Griffin. He was a drunken rock and roller who combined Buddhism and the 12 step program to overcome his addiction.

Now obviously, there is way more to Buddhism and meditation-and though I've studied it for years, there is soooo much to learn and so much information-I can't possibly begin to try to teach any thing on it. I am not anywhere near being a teacher. I am simply sharing what is working for me.

If you are thinking of quitting something that you THINK is harming-I urge you to do so and do it now. Then go out and find what works for you to overcome the addiction for ever.

If you don't agree with my thoughts, that is your prerogative; but as a wise blogger said to me-it's my blog, I can say what I feel. I hope, though, that this just helps people who may be struggling with an addiction-and know that other options do work. And quit now!

Have a great week!
Ciao for now!