Hi Nurby - parts of your story sound similar to mine. I picked up my bad drinking habits from my student years too, met someone who liked to drink as much as me (now my husband), once I got married we bearly drank, but as wages increased we began drinking more - I became concerned when I started getting the shakes and decided I needed to abstain for a while (50 days). Prior to starting my 50 abstaination, I began to experience other symptoms, rapid heart beat, sleeplessness, weakness and weight loss (I lost a stone in a week!). I was convinced it was to do with alcohol but on seeing my doctor was diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis. Early treatment of this meant I couldn't drink for 6 weeks anyway, but what happened after the 6 weeks? I just began drinking more than before!!! In view of my husband I drank 2-3 beers and half a litre of vodka (straight!!!) nearly every night, but also would sneak extra shots behind his back! I accepted I was alcoholic when I started craving a drink in a morning, and would take risks just so I could have a drink. I once drank all afternoon, forgetting I needed to be somewhere important in the evening and ended up driving there drunk - was told to go home once I got there because I looked in such a state! After cutting my drinking down a little I decided to abstain for another 40 days, but it was hard that time and felt myself sinking into depression after 1 week of no drink. Being quite involved with church I sought some prayer support which gave me the strength to get through. For the last 2 years I have been trying to moderate my drinking but its not been without its slip ups. I am now looking to do another 30 days AF - my plan for September. Anyway, welcome to the site, I look forward to getting to know you - have you read RJ's book yet?
