Priscilla (capt noonie) needs good thoughts and prayers

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by yorkiefan_

Sounds like a plan. After what you just beat I have all the confidence in the world in you, Priscilla!

Indeed....God has plans for Priscilla, our very talented friend.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Addiction to anything is not a weakness or moral issue. It is an illness and needs treatment just as diabetes, cancer or any other illness does.

We all get so hung up on being perfect people. Those of us who are in my age bracket grew up watching stupid perfect families on tv. ... the perfect families that don't actually exist. Ozzy and Harriet and the like....

And, yes, alcohol is a sneaky thing ... it is legal, therefore it is ok, right? Yeah, sure for some, but not good for all. The numbers of people it kills either directly or indirectly is crazy. It does not make things better...it compounds and makes them worse, whether they are physical or mental.

The part in red, x 1,000,000!

SO many people, even in this day and age, *still* think of substance abuse / addictions as a choice. It's a brain chemistry issue and that's been proven ad nauseum now via Pet Scans. It's an above-the-neck illness, end of story. It's not a light switch anyone just flips off bc they want to.

Originally Posted by ladyjane

No, it really is not. If you can do that on your own, terrific Priscilla...but if not, I highly suggest AA. Heck, I suggest the 12 step programs for lots of different reasons...I have often wondered if the world's problems would be solved if everyone worked a program.
It's a refreshing way of dealing with life and its bs.

Hah, I can see a world with WAY less problems if more people worked a program, went to "groups", got into recovery for whatever ailed them at the core of their being.

Another awesome organization to consider, if anyone is reading/interested, is Smart Recovery - they are a non-12-step recovery group organization, and they are totally non-religious. Also, btw, they have groups specifically focused on certain substances at times...like, food -- fyi, YorkieMom .

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

The part in red, x 1,000,000!

SO many people, even in this day and age, *still* think of substance abuse / addictions as a choice. It's a brain chemistry issue and that's been proven ad nauseum now via Pet Scans. It's an above-the-neck illness, end of story. It's not a light switch anyone just flips off bc they want to.



Hah, I can see a world with WAY less problems if more people worked a program, went to "groups", got into recovery for whatever ailed them at the core of their being.

Another awesome organization to consider, if anyone is reading/interested, is Smart Recovery - they are a non-12-step recovery group organization, and they are totally non-religious. Also, btw, they have groups specifically focused on certain substances at times...like, food -- fyi, YorkieMom .

Thanks for sharing this ... 12 step programs are not for everyone. Each person must find what works for them.

I personally found that the NA 12 step book helped me a lot with other issues..it was easier to substitute food or a man (yikes)....or other words .. it does not focus on one drug like AA does with alcohol. I liked AA meetings because at the time there was so much long term sobriety there and people to learn from in terms of learning about living life on life's terms.

[MauiGirl]

Priscilla, it is going to take a long time for you to fully recover, and to fully comprehend what happened to you.

It truly seems like a miracle that you are even alive at this point.... be grateful for that blessing, and live every moment to the fullest. Your life has been changed forever, and I wish you bright, beautiful, healthy days ahead.

Love and prayers going out to you always.
Sandy

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I totally agree with you about the alcohol being legal people think it's ok. It's really not. It is a drug, actually a poison. But I am done with it. It's not worth the risk for me for even one drop.

A neurosurgeon I clerked for said the same thing: alcohol is a poison.

You have my support too in quitting. My dad quit many years ago. He used alcohol to anesthetize himself from the pain of my mom being sick, and then dying. I think his experience is part of the reason I do not drink. That, and my body is wired more for caffeine addiction.

Carla made a very good point about Nyquil. Another thing to be careful with is mouthwash.

[Lilah Charm]

I have lost countless members of my family to addiction, alcohol being a primary one and unfortunately numerous friends along the way too. It is a sad thing to take so many. I think any kind of external support would be an awesome thing and I totally encourage it. What a beautiful blessing that you get to live! That you got another chance! You must have had angels watching over you and perhaps this was a blessing in disguise so that years and years of he wear and tear of alcohol abuse do not degrade you over time...waking up again groaning at what you do remember and wondering what it is that you don't remember, reaching for the Motrin, broken relationships and bad choices and always that hot craving running down your throat. Instead you got this great opportunity to suffer so deeply and come so very close to death to appreciate the beauty of your life and now you get to choose to be free of something causing you so much pain- obvious quick and hot pain now but secret and slow poisoning pain before. I wish you great success and renewed enthusiasm for life, I wish you tears that refresh and clarity and peace. Please let me know if I can help you on your journey. Hugs and healing to you....

[JMuedog]

I hadn't checked in to YT for several days and just caught up. So glad you're getting solid foods now Priscilla! Hopefully you'll get to see your primary Dr. soon. Hope to see you back at home this week(just thinking positively). Good luck with your continued recovery!

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Maximo

A neurosurgeon I clerked for said the same thing: alcohol is a poison.

You have my support too in quitting. My dad quit many years ago. He used alcohol to anesthetize himself from the pain of my mom being sick, and then dying. I think his experience is part of the reason I do not drink. That, and my body is wired more for caffeine addiction.

Carla made a very good point about Nyquil. Another thing to be careful with is mouthwash.

Really, mouthwash? But you don't swallow it. That would still be considered a risk?

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Lilah Charm

I have lost countless members of my family to addiction, alcohol being a primary one and unfortunately numerous friends along the way too. It is a sad thing to take so many. I think any kind of external support would be an awesome thing and I totally encourage it. What a beautiful blessing that you get to live! That you got another chance! You must have had angels watching over you and perhaps this was a blessing in disguise so that years and years of he wear and tear of alcohol abuse do not degrade you over time...waking up again groaning at what you do remember and wondering what it is that you don't remember, reaching for the Motrin, broken relationships and bad choices and always that hot craving running down your throat. Instead you got this great opportunity to suffer so deeply and come so very close to death to appreciate the beauty of your life and now you get to choose to be free of something causing you so much pain- obvious quick and hot pain now but secret and slow poisoning pain before. I wish you great success and renewed enthusiasm for life, I wish you tears that refresh and clarity and peace. Please let me know if I can help you on your journey. Hugs and healing to you....

I'm sorry to hear you have lost so many to alcohol. I'm so glad I was not another one. I don't think not drinking anymore will be too hard for me. I am too scared to even want to crave it now. And yeah, so over waking up and not remembering what happened the night before.

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by JMuedog

I hadn't checked in to YT for several days and just caught up. So glad you're getting solid foods now Priscilla! Hopefully you'll get to see your primary Dr. soon. Hope to see you back at home this week(just thinking positively). Good luck with your continued recovery!

Yeah I'm getting solid foods but they pretty much suck. Can't wait to get home and cook my own food. Bf is also bringing me in food. Yesterday he brought me some sushi, a little chicken tortilla soup, and some hummus I was really craving. Omg so good. In addition to the food that the hospital gives, I was still hungry. Stomach growling all day. When I get out I am hoping to gain 5-8 lbs of healthy weight back. Before I could stand to lose a few, mostly from the extra calories of alcohol. So I guess I got a "jump start" from tube feeding for so long. But def I am not as strong as before. I will need to start exercising too once I get out. Right now just walking around the grounds outside with the pups almost daily, that's it.

[Maximo]

I am very happy you are enjoying walks with your pups and that you have a good appetite.

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Really, mouthwash? But you don't swallow it. That would still be considered a risk?

Since you have a potentially deadly reaction to alcohol, I would avoid it. Might get into the bloodstream even just gargling. Listerine is 23% alcohol.

Alcohol rehab recommends not using mouthwash containing alcohol because it is too tempting. The taste can trigger a desire to drink.

[yorkiefan_]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Yeah I'm getting solid foods but they pretty much suck. Can't wait to get home and cook my own food. Bf is also bringing me in food. Yesterday he brought me some sushi, a little chicken tortilla soup, and some hummus I was really craving. Omg so good. In addition to the food that the hospital gives, I was still hungry. Stomach growling all day. When I get out I am hoping to gain 5-8 lbs of healthy weight back. Before I could stand to lose a few, mostly from the extra calories of alcohol. So I guess I got a "jump start" from tube feeding for so long. But def I am not as strong as before. I will need to start exercising too once I get out. Right now just walking around the grounds outside with the pups almost daily, that's it.

That's awesome taking walks with the pups now. Is your diet pretty strict, or is it just eliminating obvious things like deep fried food, chips, stuff like that?

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Really, mouthwash? But you don't swallow it. That would still be considered a risk?

There are many mouthwashes on the market now that don't have alcohol in them.

[Yorkiemom1]

There are MANY "sneaky" sources to accidently get alcohol triggers from foods/additives/mouth washes/etc.....especially with the Holidays pending, with all the cooking....flavorings, like VANILLA also contain high alcohol content....

You have engaged this beast in battle, and you are winning! Congratulations on surviving your recent battle......you are a very strong person to be as sick as you were and come out on this side, intact and alive! You are certainly up to the fight ahead of you, reorganizing your diet/intake to avoid a re-occurrence of this nasty disease! Prayers for strength as you try to adjust your new life and diet to keep you in tip top shape.....loving the help and encouragement you are getting from your significant other!!!!

[Lilah Charm]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

I'm sorry to hear you have lost so many to alcohol. I'm so glad I was not another one. I don't think not drinking anymore will be too hard for me. I am too scared to even want to crave it now. And yeah, so over waking up and not remembering what happened the night before.

Thank you- I am so glad you are not too. You are so young and beautiful and fun and full of life. I did share your story with my sister, she is 28 and such a wonderful special person, I worry very much for her and she was blazing on my mind reading your thread. It is easy to think we are infallible when we are young and strong and stories like yours are terrifying reminders that so often end up very sad tragedies. I am so glad for your new start! I know it will be hard but I am sure you can do it, you are so strong- look at your survival drive! You will do great