One Week Sober

Well, phew, one week sober, can't say that I haven't been counting the days at some points, but it is indeed one full week without a drop of alcohol of any sort.

And just to prove the point, I have committed to antabuse daily so even if I do succumb and have a drink I will be violently ill as the alcohol will process into some sort of acetylene (like nail polish remover) and I will feel an urge to regurgitate it. So that's a pretty strong incentive to not drink.

Only, over the Easter weekend it was my wife's birthday and we all went out to a fine restaurant Bistro Tartine and I watched as they drank Reisling, then Merlot, then Shiraz. It was odd at first but I loosened up when I took a valium (these were prescribed by my doctor for anxiety and delerium tremens)and we all managed to have a good night. I even went along for a cocktail afterwards (chai tea) and then to the nightclub where it is always weird to be sober.

Then, the day after that, it was Anzac Day, a traditionally big drinking day where everyone gambles on two up and drinks copious amounts of beer. Instead, I was down the backyard digging holes for the new chicken house. It is amazing how much productive work I can get done when I am not hung over or starting drinking mid morning.

Next day was another public holiday, so was up early and had concreted the footings and the wire into the ground by lunchtime. I hope there is enough security for the chooks so the fox can't get to them.

Had so much energy, and had that curious feeling of strength that I went over and cleared the pumpkin and watermelon patch that had started to go off seeing it is the beginning of autumn. There were so many little froglets and legless lizards in there it was amazing! Now I need to find something to plant there for a winter crop - any suggestions?

Went to the library yesterday and borrowed heavily on alcoholism and addiction recovery - will be featuring a few of the most salient points I get from the articles over the next few days. In the meantime, here's to being clear-headed, calm and sleeping a lot.

Oh, I forgot - I am having 5mg of Valium each afternoon at four and am having the most relaxing deep sleeps I have had for literally decades! Just last night I slept from 730pm to 11pm, woke up on the lounge, then went into the bedroom and slept through until 7am! For sure i have been doing a bit of physical work in the garden, but these nearly 12 hour nightly sleeps are exactly what I need.

It is like I am catching up on all those nights bumbling around the house at 1am trying to screw the cap off a bottle of vodka quietly so my wife wouldn't hear. Sheesh. Sleep is such a better option.