January Jewels

[Cheryl_C]

This is a daily check-in for those very new to the Village. I arrived here at the end of last month and have been stopping and starting with the drink since my arrival. Here's a little background history about myself and my drink problem.

I'm 47 years old, single with no children (not by choice). I've been drinking every day for nearly 20 years. I have had brief spells of sobriety, the longest being 4 months a few years ago. Since then I think I've only managed about 3 weeks sober, and quite a few 5 days. Five days has become something of a pattern for me! I've done 2 hospital detoxes, one for 10 days in 2005 and one for 5 days last year.

After a suicidal breakdown last year I was finally diagnosed as manic depressive and started on a mood stabiliser drug (Depakote) and an anti-depressant (Effexor). These drugs have worked an absolute miracle for me. BUT, my old old habit of drinking has refused to die (I've written about this on my thread 'I don't need to drink now, so why do I continue?')

I am really very content these days, momentarily happy even, and definitely not depressed. But I do come close to an emotional meltdown in the week before my period, and I haven't quite got that sorted out yet. I live alone with my dog, love to be outdoors, eat healthily, read, potter about! Anyway, don't want to bore you too much. Just felt if I was starting this thread an introduction was important.

So hello to all January Jewels! I aim to post on this thread every day. Hope to see you here!