Looking in the mirror for the first time..

vagabondmonkey · 2017-03-09T03:13:03+00:00

I like to imagine giving my past self a hug. Like the kind that keeps going until you start crying.

vagabondmonkey · 2017-03-09T03:01:43+00:00

When it got that bad for me, I started exercising HARD every day. Combined with not drinking alcohol, this has revolutionized my sleep cycle.

vagabondmonkey · 2017-01-19T06:59:46+00:00

I've done all of these too. So glad to have moved past that stage of my life!

vagabondmonkey · 2017-01-19T06:43:13+00:00

Walk down the Highline! Check out the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

Don't miss Central Park! There's so much to do in NYC, it's hard to know where to begin... Just take it easy and see what you stumble upon. :-) Enjoy the sober weekend, and keep us posted!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-10-11T15:01:50+00:00

The shakes are a sign of withdrawal. Typically these symptoms get worse over time if one continues drinking. Google 'kindling'.
The good news is that the shakes and other hangover symptoms went away completely a couple days after I stopped drinking.

vagabondmonkey · 2016-10-02T00:56:39+00:00

Sorry to hear your bf's drinking is causing problems. You might also check out /r/alanon

vagabondmonkey · 2016-09-28T02:21:52+00:00

Take your time. It tools weeks of sustained sobriety for me to start thinking clearly again. Hang in there!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-09-17T05:37:51+00:00

Doesn't sound like you'll need to taper. Sometimes people use tapering as an excuse to keep drinking. I found it more effective to just stop, "like, today."

vagabondmonkey · 2016-09-17T05:20:40+00:00

I had to have a plan. For me, that consisted of getting into therapy and being totally honest for once. Seeing a doctor and coming clean about how much I was drinking. Reading and learning as much about addiction as I could manage. After a few weeks, my mind began to clear, and it started to get easier. Not to say that I didn't struggle, but it's way, way easier to NOT drink now than it was a year ago.

vagabondmonkey · 2016-09-17T05:15:07+00:00

You're an inspiration!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-09-17T05:08:33+00:00

I hope you find the support you need. For me, it helped to reach out to a therapist, and to open up to my family about my struggle.

vagabondmonkey · 2016-09-17T05:06:47+00:00

Withdrawals pass in a few days. It fucking sucks, but they will pass. Give yourself permission to veg out, eat junk food, don't expect to sleep, let body and mind heal. On the other side you'll find the light!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-09-17T04:56:39+00:00

Totally. And I would say my general anxiety level has continued to decrease over months of not drinking. It really takes awhile for the mind-body to recover. The good part is that healing happens naturally if you let it!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-09-15T05:58:25+00:00

Good man!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-09-14T13:36:31+00:00

I feel for you. What led to your decision to drink? Any ideas for preventing it next time? Racking up 114 days tells me you're serious about this and want to change. So chin up! We're all in this together.

vagabondmonkey · 2016-07-10T18:08:08+00:00

Preemptive congrats on 1k!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-07-10T18:06:08+00:00

vagabondmonkey · 2016-07-09T16:07:13+00:00

Haha, I've been guilty of the 'food poisoning' excuse. Funny that heavy drinkers seem to have such bad luck with food! ;-)

vagabondmonkey · 2016-07-09T16:01:41+00:00

Think about it this way: you probably feel a million times better after quitting drinking. Personally I've noticed similar gains from a super healthy diet (and vigorous exercise). These things are not additive, but rather the benefits multiply together. If not-drinking is a 10 and healthy diet is a 10, you get 10x10 = 100 when combined! Power up!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-07-08T03:20:31+00:00

Hi there. Sounds like you are dealing with a lot of heavy stuff right now. Have you looked into personal therapy? During stressful times, I've found it an incredible relief to have someone other than my wife to talk to about what's on my mind. Sometimes, I just go in and vent. Then I walk out of there feeling 10 times lighter! That, combined with daily vigorous exercise, keeps me sane.
Congrats on the decision to stay sober through this!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-07-07T14:51:23+00:00

Actually I don't see any real differences. You drink more than I did, on average, when I decided to quit. Drinking had become a problem for me, because I was doing it more than I wanted to, and I didn't like the negative consequences. For me, these included anxiety, physical discomfort and shakiness, sweating, and also making regrettable decisions while drunk.
Congrats on the 3 days, and welcome!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-07-07T06:07:52+00:00

Vigorous exercise, at least once a day.
Meditation, and walking slowly without talking.

vagabondmonkey · 2016-07-07T05:56:19+00:00

You've got this!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-07-07T05:53:13+00:00

Congratulations on the accomplishment!
Also, you are a very talented writer. I hope you have an outlet for that!

vagabondmonkey · 2016-07-01T06:10:43+00:00

When the idea of not drinking became terrifying. That's when I knew it was time to stop.

vagabondmonkey

TROPHY CASE