Things that ur happy about

[metallimuse]

I think I didn't do myself any favours by not attending a meeting this week because I decided to work overtime.I think I need to do it every week as it definately has a sobering effect on me and reminds me why I've decided to stop.

[Paul ™]

eFest wedding today!

[metallimuse]

eFest wedding today!

Have you got a new hat for it Cilla?

[feral chile]

Cheers for your kind words feral and spindles.Life in some respects is seeming better but in other respects its a long road.My addiction issues are an on going struggle and I'm not going to lie on here I responded very negatively over my arguement with my best friend.My friend who I confided in with my issues was incredible though and said "ok,that's your one free pass.You know you've done wrong but I understand.No more,I'm here for you" which was exactly what I needed and made me more positive.

I can't help but feel abit empty though.It seems like the sparkle has gone out of my life.

Give it time, some people might take a while to adjust. You're making a huge change, and people don't handle change well, whether it's learning something about someone that they hadn't realised, or whether it's adjusting to a change in a relationship.

You're lucky in that you seem quite analytical, it should make it easier for you to identify situations that increase temptation, and to avoid them where possible.

We all develop coping strategies, and it takes time to develop new ones. Anything that breaks up the associations connecting us to our old destructive habits needs to be embraced.

So, sometimes it's particular situations, sometimes it's finding something else that we can turn to when stressed, and sometimes it's distancing ourselves from people associated with our previous llifestyle.

You're making long term changes, and we as humans respond to instant gratification.So set yourself short term goals, and give yourself a little pat on the back, or a reward not associated with the behaviour you're trying to break, for each milestone you're passing (set the milestones slightly earlier than the temptation cycle).

It's not easy, all our associations come with emotional attachments. The secret is to take small steps, and if there's a slip back, don't turn round and look towards the past again.. Keep focused and moving forwards, bit by bit.

Edited October 21, 2012 by feral chile

[kaosmark2]

Thats your addictive voice talking. Its important to recognise that your addiction is trying to kid you into feeding it.

I felt like that the first couple of weeks after I'd quit boozing and I reckon this is very true. I'm feeling a lot better now though, just day-by-day I have a bit more energy and am in a better mood.

[Paul ™]

Have you got a new hat for it Cilla?

Haha no, but here is a photo of the cake, check out the flag!

[Rufus Gwertigan]

Had a good week . Sky have given me a free HD upgrade for 12 months and a new box. My phone is out of contract and I gave them a ring to see what they would offer. Ended up with the same package for the same money but I a Lumia 800 and a free Xbox. Had good news on the health front. Although I have memory issues and some problems with my sight, I had a clean bill of health from my consultant. Need to lose weight and exercise more but that is nothing new

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I felt like that the first couple of weeks after I'd quit boozing and I reckon this is very true. I'm feeling a lot better now though, just day-by-day I have a bit more energy and am in a better mood.

The treatment unit I attended did a 6 week treatment programme. During it they took photos of us each week and it was striking the changes you could zee in your appearence.

[Spindles]

Thanks peeps, it was getting really frustrating with them constantly saying they were awaiting approval, and it just constantly not happening, but having finally got there it's definitely worth it.

Edit:

Another awesome thing today, one of my flatmates cooked for me when I got home from work. Great to have that even though I know it won't be every day that I'll get it sometimes helps loads.

Big smile at this post, things like this can make a huge impact on turning an average evening into a great one.

Thats your addictive voice talking. Its important to recognise that your addiction is trying to kid you into feeding it.

This. I know this voice, the voice that says "you are going to fail tomorrow/next week/next month so why waste time pretending otherwise tonight?". That voice is a fucking liar, do not listen

I'm still loving being back at work. I hurt like hell today, having just got in, but a warm bath and a rest and all will be well. Pain is getting worse again lately, but I'm not going to let it get me down.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I realise it but I must be honestas there is no point lying on here.I have drunk.No drugs but I have drunk.I keep justifying it aswell which I hate.I've not been drunk but the past two nights I've had a drink after work.First night I did it because I wanted to get to know one of my bosses and it seemed the only way to break down the barrier and bond and tonight because I did some pro plus to get through a shift so I thought I'd have a beer to counter it.

I was on the verge of going to Tescos on my way home now to get more booze to carry on but managed to come home instead and sat here with a cup of tea instead.In some respects I've done well but the fact is I've still had a drink.

In my head I think I face a real cross roads when my first pay check comes in.I need to buy some trainers so I can start going running after I finish work to detract from the urge to drink but the other thing is with money in my wallet I know I will be able to fund a 'session',that's when the hard work will begin trying to battle that demon.

I missed this post, sorry. There are a few things that you can do when you get paid. Buy up on food and pay your bills, then either post your bank cards to you second class or cut it up and report it lost. Another is to start paying most of your cash on bills upfront like your rent etc. That gives you space without the way to cave into temptation.

[Spindles]

Nice thinking monsignor gwertigan

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I missed this post, sorry. There are a few things that you can do when you get paid. Buy up on food and pay your bills, then either post your bank cards to you second class or cut it up and report it lost. Another is to start paying most of your cash on bills upfront like your rent etc. That gives you space without the way to cave into temptation.

Very good advice. It'll give you the opportunity to be yourself again away from the destruction. If that's what you want metallimuse, take those steps. You get to be you again. That's got to be worth the sacrifice.

[feral chile]

Big smile at this post, things like this can make a huge impact on turning an average evening into a great one.

This. I know this voice, the voice that says "you are going to fail tomorrow/next week/next month so why waste time pretending otherwise tonight?". That voice is a fucking liar, do not listen

I'm still loving being back at work. I hurt like hell today, having just got in, but a warm bath and a rest and all will be well. Pain is getting worse again lately, but I'm not going to let it get me down.

I love that comment! You've summed things up exactly, don't listen to that negative voice of doubt, give yourself the chance to succeed by building up little successes.

[AcademicPistol]

I am happy that I managed to get just the right level of drunkness Friday and Saturday night (with work sandwiched in the middle) and I had 2 top nights consecutively with little to no hangover on the morning afters

[metallimuse]

Very good advice. It'll give you the opportunity to be yourself again away from the destruction. If that's what you want metallimuse, take those steps. You get to be you again. That's got to be worth the sacrifice.

I'm happy in the fact that I haven't been intoxicated in any way for over 2/3 weeks now but as I said,disappointed that I have drank at times.There was that one instance when I wanted more and was on the verge but managed to not go down that path.

Another test will be my Muse gig on Friday as I will be meeting up with old friends for it but I think I'm just going to take enough money to get there and back.I'm sure the lads will offer me a drink but I plan on saying no thank you.

I want to go to another meeting again as soon as I get some money to remind me why I'm doing this and to hear other people's stories as it has a sobering effect on me and helps.I really want to get some trainers aswell so I can start going running after work and focus some of my energy there.Also I've felt I look abit bloated since I've stopped but that might just be my mind playing tricks on me.

They've said in meetings that I have a compulsive and obsessive issue aswell with regards to my addiction which is why I tend to stay awake for hours watching DVDs and eat te same foods constantly so I figure although it may be just swapping one thing for another atleast the fitness push would be beneficial to me.

[zahidf]

EDL leader Tommy Robinson arrested for assault. along with 54 other members apparently!

Also he might be extradited to America, to face charges for when he illegally entered American to talk on 9/11.

I'm happy with all the ironies present in that last sentence:-)

[eFestivals]

EDL leader Tommy Robinson arrested for assault. along with 54 other members apparently!

Also he might be extradited to America, to face charges for when he illegally entered American to talk on 9/11.

I'm happy with all the ironies present in that last sentence:-)

I wonder if he'll try using the Human Rights Act to avoid extradition?

[zahidf]

I wonder if he'll try using the Human Rights Act to avoid extradition?

Even better

'Also among those understood to have been arrested on Saturday was Kevin Carroll, who is standing in the police and crime commissioner elections for Bedfordshire.'

http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/local/edl-leader-arrested-over-assault-1-4396265

[eFestivals]

Even better

'Also among those understood to have been arrested on Saturday was Kevin Carroll, who is standing in the police and crime commissioner elections for Bedfordshire.'

http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/local/edl-leader-arrested-over-assault-1-4396265

better, really?

It's not like he's got a hope in hell of being elected - tho I guess the expected piddly turn-out might work to his advantage - but I'd say his arrest is likely to gain him a few more (stupid) 'sympathy' votes.

Has anyone pointed out to 'Tommy Robinson' that his real name gives him away as an immigrant?

[zahidf]

better, really?

It's not like he's got a hope in hell of being elected - tho I guess the expected piddly turn-out might work to his advantage - but I'd say his arrest is likely to gain him a few more (stupid) 'sympathy' votes.

Has anyone pointed out to 'Tommy Robinson' that his real name gives him away as an immigrant?

I'd like to think that people wouldn;t be stupid enough to vote for a police commissioner up on charges.

Even in the North :-) ;-)

Edited October 22, 2012 by zahidf

[Rufus Gwertigan]

I'd like to think that people wouldn;t be stupid enough to vote for a police commissioner up on charges.

Even in the North :-) ;-)

Personnaly I am unhappy that people with convictions are excluded.

[eFestivals]

I'd like to think that people wouldn;t be stupid enough to vote for a police commissioner up on charges.

quite a lot of people who were intending to stand have had to withdraw, cos the rules say they have to be clean. And personally, I think that's a bad thing. It's not only the squeaky clean who will have the best ideas for good policing.

And anyway, there's people stupid enough to support the EDL, and there's plenty of people stupid enough to vote tory - so I don't reckon Kevin Carroll getting arrested will harm the votes he gets, I think it will have the opposite effect.

But here's betting that the case against him will be rushed thru to try and disqualify him from being able to stand - which I think will be a dreadful move. Underhand tricks like that is one way the likes of the EDL will gain support; they need to be confronted head-on, and for the argument against them to be won.

[zahidf]

http://thequietus.com/articles/10429-daniel-trilling-bnp-interview

Interesting article and book on the rise of the far right

[eFestivals]

http://thequietus.com/articles/10429-daniel-trilling-bnp-interview

Interesting article and book on the rise of the far right

too too sadly, the far right always gains ground in this country when the tories start to move themselves from the far right towards somewhere more sensible (without actually ever getting there, of course). It happened in the 70s, and it's happened again recently.

[Spindles]

quite a lot of people who were intending to stand have had to withdraw, cos the rules say they have to be clean. And personally, I think that's a bad thing. It's not only the squeaky clean who will have the best ideas for good policing.

And anyway, there's people stupid enough to support the EDL, and there's plenty of people stupid enough to vote tory - so I don't reckon Kevin Carroll getting arrested will harm the votes he gets, I think it will have the opposite effect.

But here's betting that the case against him will be rushed thru to try and disqualify him from being able to stand - which I think will be a dreadful move. Underhand tricks like that is one way the likes of the EDL will gain support; they need to be confronted head-on, and for the argument against them to be won.

This.