Hi, my name's Dave, and I'm new to the forum.

I've been going through the program for a few weeks now, and I've had a lot of success in dealing with anxiety/panic and have even impressed myself with the results (thanx, Lucinda).

If, I'm gonna take this to the next level, though, I'm gonna have to quit drinking (and smoking, but...one thing at a time, okay?).

I have consciously decreased my alchohol intake over the past year, and am pretty sure I can knock this out shortly. Does anyone have any advice or experiences they can relate?

I have done both.

I am a firm believer in tapering off approach so as not to have too bad of withdrawl symptoms.

Try exercising which will help with the anxiety.

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Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)
Get out and walk...five minutes today, six minutes tomorrow...until you work your way up to 30-45 minutes and day and see how much better you feel in just a few weeks.

Well a friend and I decided to make a bet. I would quit drinking and he would quit smoking. That's how I did it. I think everyone has to find a way to stop and do it effectively like AA meetings, church, gradually reducing consumption and so on. There alot of ways of doing it not everyone is the same. Good to hear you are reducing your intake keep it up.

"Fear does not have any special power unless you empower by submitting to it. You can accept that your are afraid and then move on. Fear does not have to become your reality"
--Les Brown

[This message has been edited by MidNiteRider (edited 01-07-2002).]

Vedderman2001,
I used to use cocaine and drink Vodka everynight from 7:30pm until 3:00 in the morning. I was commited to a 2 week rehab and when I got out I was high and drunk again that night. When I decided that I wanted to stop, I stopped. I told my husband (at that time my boyfriend) that if he wanted to stay with me that he would have to stop too...and he stopped also. There are 2 success stories for you. Cold Turkey, When you want to give it up you will. You sound like you want to so just do it. It is so worth it


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SnowBear

My advice, and what worked for me (with smoking, I still drink about 3 times a month, which is in a social setting)-
1) keep it personal. If you tell everyone, you will feel added pressure.
2) EXERCISE. You will feel so damn good you will not want to drink (or smoke!)
3) Taper off- what do you drink ? If you drink beer, where you might usually have four or five, have two, and then drink O'DoulS!!! i know it is a drinker's nemesis, but it may make it easier to cut back in social settings.
4) be patient and CONGRATULATE yourself as often as possible.

Good luck and best wishes!