Preparation
T -14 Morning
T-14 Morning Audio
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Preparation
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T-14 for me today.
I had a “day off” yesterday which is not unusual for me as I don’t really feel like a drink until Wednesday or Thursday.
Why am I giving up drink again? Because I can’t deny there is a worsening pattern in my drinking that has been building up over the 3 years since I started again. More and more I have episodes where I go over the top in my drinking quite unexpectedly. No planning involved. Just carry on drinking when normally I would not and end up passed out usually after a blackout. I can see my past all coming back and there is no way I want to delve into all that again.
I’d be a fool to carry on drinking now that I’ve seen what’s happening. And you can’t even predict how much it will escalate. It could suddenly go extreme and then something really bad might happen and I’d kick myself for not stopping earlier. It’s all a question of time. The longer I leave it before I stop, the worse my life will get, the worse I’ll feel and the worse my relationships will be.
Now, if I take a drink, I can’t be too sure what will happen after that.
T-14 for me today. I have decided to have a day off the booze. Drank a lot yesterday. Anxiety is high. Home from
work now and walked past the pub. Not today…Ive got thus…I hope.
I don’t have belief in my ability to stop drinking at this stage due to past experiences. No doubt though that I want to quit completely, I am just done. This is what I am looking for prep time to give me back confidence in myself.
Great video Kevin. T-14 today and chosen to have a day without. Currently 2.30pm and wine time usually at 4. I can do this. Off for a walk (with my mask on) instead. Thats the plan
I wont be drinking at all , i want to stop now and not touch a drop , cutting down might not work for me , am i ok with this approach?
As per my experience last October, I had to decide to stop and actually stop before I could do this course, but I find the preparation ‘lessons’ fine.
Recently I was watching clips re a ‘guru’ who is into ‘making the most of your life’ – a lot of his suggestions or mantras were really good, such as visualizing the person you want to be and reliving the emotion in advance that you want to feel (otherwise you’ll just relive your previous routines).
All this was fine (and it’s very hard to do), but re alcohol, he was completely ‘laissez faire’.
Ie, drinking wine is fine and can transport you to a different, interesting and creative mental state.
Obviously I didn’t have to follow that ‘permission’, but for a while I was thinking, why should I ‘delay gratification’, Isn’t it good to have a structure in one’s day that includes the evening ‘apéro’ ?
However perhaps it’s okay for those who can limit their drinking but apparently not for me 🙂
Getting back to ‘this side of the river’ was very very hard.
Regards.
What do you mean by 4 days off?
Hi Sara,
It means you have to choose 4 days where you don’t use any alcohol, spaced out over the 14 day preparation phase.
Thanks Kevin T14 done!!
🙂
Thank you!
I love your persistence and I AM sure it is contagious.
Only way mate 🙂
Hi Kevin, I really like the T- countdown. In the past I would try to taper but I never had the visual that this gives me. I am only into the second day but I am optimistic. Thanks.
Great to hear Marsha 🙂
I would rather stop altogether.
Hi Lee, if you want to change the dates, you can let Esther know here: es@habitsunplugged.com Thanks 🙂
If I’m drinking wine do I stick to the same measurements through the whole 14days? Well except on the 4 days I don’t drink lol
Hi! I’m on T14 morning and ready to start cutting back. Nervous and excited at the same time! At this point I want to start to create a new normal and a new evening ritual. (but I do so love my wine!)
I’m going to think of it as a toxic relationship which I must break off.😈 You know the one where you tell your girlfriend her boyfriend is no good for her and she deserves better but she just can’t see it…
I’m sat here with my daughter who is giving me some worldly advice that alcohol is not good for me 🙂 Youngsters even without yet knowing the worldly ins and outs of life are so wise! We come into this world sensible and then do silly things. So I have started to reduce over a number of days and don’t want to stop start – it just works better for me from a mindset point of view. My last night will be Tuesday night and I want to go into Wednesday feeling good for day 1 so will limit especially that night. I’ve completed my “whys” which I am sure will change over time. Still nervous but there we go.
Hi kevin im in the T 14 morning
I will start my taper today. Looking forward to ridding myself of this poison. I am so terrified of withdrawal however with tapering down I feel it is a much safer method than quitting all together. That would be too extreme. I may plan to have my first alcohol free day tomorrow. And be more mindful when i drink
One day at a time.
Hello everyone. I started the course last year but was unable to keep up as I lost my job. Doing fine workwise. Saturday I decided to get blitzed. I don’t know why almost as though I need to feel awful to get it out of my system. A few beers a box of wine and spent most of Sunday in bed. I started the prep though. What’s worrying me is that I’m not feeling so great two days after and have read all the horror stories of withdrawal symptoms. Should I be that concerned or just crack on with ano upset stomach and feeling hit and cold for a few days ?!
Sometimes this happens Stewart… You are in the preparation phase… Most of the horror stories surrounding alcohol are from people who are drinking alcohol morning, noon, and night… Then, through careful trickery, the alcohol industry wants you to believe that this is also going to happen to you… Most people never gone through any of this nightmarish stuff… Just think about how good you are going to be feeling when you are not drinking any more… This is where you need to focus your mind
Hi. I’m going through the Prep Program, as suggested, but I’m really trying to stop alcohol consumption all together. I’m like the jalopy auto, unsafe at any speed (drinking). So, focus on the goal and think about all I have to love.
All the best to everyone.
If you want to stop altogether, you should stop. I can put you onto day one if you like. Let me know, Raymond.
Hi Kevin.
Thank You for the option of starting at T-1, but I’m interested learning about your preparation program too. I just watched T-14, and have started your book This program “habits unplugged”, I realize I can apply to so many of my destructive behaviors/habits, and that gets me really excited about this whole process of a lifestyle change.
Dec 20 was my last drinking bout, champagne and tequila. How’s that for messed up? So I’m still detoxing.
I gain strength from reading the comments from others committed to this program. So, Onwards and upwards, Ray.
Yes, you can apply the same logic to many changes. I’m glad you are doing the preparation material. There is so much in there about mindset.
I too am going through prep but don’t plan to drink at all but seeking tools to become free from this trap of alcohol! Creating a new life free from alcohol is the best decision I have made for all aspects of my life. Grateful for all your support!
Best to you all!
Great analogy Moira. I’m going through the prep phase for the great information, I do not plan on drinking either, sick and tired of being sick and tired. Good luck on your path!
How supportive you all are! I love that comment,Cynthia…”sick and tired of being sick and tired”.So true. I stopped drinking on the 6th of October 2019..also doing the Prep to gain more knowledge. Feel great..best decision I have ever made for my health! I understand Moira too…my husband and I love tohave friends over in the summer holidays..best part was when they go home happy..we used to sit, relax and finish off what’s left of the wine with some cheese/crackers…a peaceful, reflective, content time…now , will have to change that ending to something different.xx
I am doing the preparation because it was advised, but trying not to drink. But if I do in this period, I’ll use the advice re cutting down, slower, lower alcohol %, etc.
I’m thinking about the future social occasions when I know having a drink with special friends will be something I’ll miss and how I”m going to handle it.
I’m determined, but that’s easy when one does not have the craving 🙂 (It will come in a day or so…).
I will try to think of this like a marathon, the one I’m training for (a dragon boat paddling relay in mid November).