noteven; thanks for answering. I am not sure whether or not I would consider myself an alcoholic or not but I have been thinking about 'other substances' since you posted about diet coke. It was a complete coincidence that when I had my first 8 hours in isolation in hosp, that when they asked me the standard questions about meds, alcohol etc I was able to say that I was on nothing (except nicorette gum). Which was a nice answer. Obviously since then I have been, and still am on, quite heavy medication, internal and external. Which I have no problems at all with. Do you know the poster called Xenia? She says that she only drinks tap water, not tea, coffee, alcohol, diet coke, ribena. I really admire her for that. Someone told me that the most difficult substance to give up is sugar (and I would include diet coke in that, as a sugar substitute). I think that in some rehabs (the one I am thinking of describes itself as a 'therapeutic community') ban caffeine and sugar.
Do you (hive mind) think that it is ok to substitute one 'addiction' for another? I was/am quite happy to get 'addicted' to diet coke. I would really, really like to have a drink tonight. The only thing that is stopping me from popping a bottle in my shop is that I am on ABs and I think that alcohol impedes what they do. And that I am seeing the GP tomorrow and I can't tell him that I have had a drink. I sort of think that I should build on the fact that I haven't had a drink for over 3 weeks, but on the other hand, I really fancy one when I am of the ABs.
The dc are fine but they have gone for 3 days camping with both of my lovely sisters, which is a big treat for them. Both siss have taken annual leave to take them. My house is a total total shitheap. I couldn't do anything near water in the early weeks of this infection but I don't have any excuse whatsoever now. Practically the only cleaning I have done in the last 4 weeks has been chucking old diet coke down the loo, and it does not work as well as I have read about.
I am rambling, I know. It is just me and the dog. I don't know what to think about the ADs. I would be interested to hear what your GP says. I will ask mine about it tomorrow.
You sound so sure and strong, noteven, that I am turning over what you have said in my mind. I have never been on ADs. I have been given a book by Thomas Szasz, called 'The medicalisation of everyday life'. He has some stuff on youtube, if anyone is interested. As I understand it, AA is against any 'props'. Children do not need props like caffeine or anything else. It must all be acquired. I am probably overthinking but I have gone a bit monastic in the last month. The dc are fairly ok about it all, even though I did look fairly horrific; it was explained to them (rightly) as a variation of a bad case of chicken pox. It will just be one of their memories. Weird school hols this year for them.
I almost want the GP tomorrow to give me another weeks' worth of ABs to keep me away from wine for another week. If anyone has any advice, please advise me to get off my arse and clean the house before Friday. Hope that Silentcatastrophe is doing well with the not smoking. Love to all and this thread will probably have closed by the time I post this.
(Thanks again to Venus, esp for telling me that I was right to take 2 doses of the first batch of ABs on the first day. And, again, my boring repetition of gratitude to the NHS and all who staff her)