Good news and then more good news

Best wishes, Fumble Fingers. I've known others who battled that addiction. You've made the first, most important step - deciding to quit.

I think the guitar will be a help to you, hopefully a big one. Having something fun, rewarding and challenging (as is the guitar) should help with occupying your thoughts.

fumblefingers

Good for you.

Hang tough, one day at a time.

And remember you got lots of friends you can talk to here. We are all pulling for you.

Wes

Well done mate! Here's hoping all the best for you. :)

On a similar note, for some reason picking up the guitar six weeks ago prompted me to break a 20 year habit of fingernail biting. And you thought alcohol and nicotine was bad ... :P

Congratulations, man, it's great to hear stories like this to brighten someone's day.

I'm supporting your soberness, and I hope you stick qith it, unlike my aunt and uncle who have been smoking for many years, even when they had 3 kids. Now they are all in high school, having grown up with smoking parents. It's sad.

Once again jsut hang in there, after a while you'll get used to not drinking, and won't need it or even care about it anymore

I'm in awe with all the support. Giving up bad habits is hard to do no matter what it is.

Thank you everyone. I'm sure I will be bend your ears for some support every now and then.

Good on you mate. Hang in there.

I gave up smoking many years ago, and that was tough so I can imagine that drinking isn't an easy one to toss either.

Just in case in helps, here's some strategies that helped:

1. I convinced myself that I was gaining something not giving something up. I.e. gaining health, gaining freedom from something, gaining self respect for what I achieved, etc.

2. A friend who gave up carefully put the money aside that he saved each week from not indulging. He then spent it on things he could see - and that kept him motivated. His house quickly acquired stuff for his kids, a big TV and all sorts of things that they all appreciated and used on a regular basis.

3. When I gave up cigs I brainwashed myself by thinking of every negative image that I could about the habit, until it felt bad just to think about it. I also played on my vanity and challenged myself to prove that I could succeed.

4. A friend (who happens to be a psychology professor) came up with a different idea. He thought of an organisation who he really disliked and wrote out a large cheque to them. It would have really hurt him to support this organsiation, whose politics and attitudes he despises. He put the cheque in an envelope, addressed it, put a stamp on, and placed it on the mantlepiece. He told all his friends to post it if they ever saw him indulge again. He never did. :D

We all have different ways of motivating ourselves, and getting through the difficult bits, but we're all with you 100% and hope you succeed.

Great news about the guitar progress too. :)

On a similar note, for some reason picking up the guitar six weeks ago prompted me to break a 20 year habit of fingernail biting. And you thought alcohol and nicotine was bad ... :P

Good onya mate.

You should find picking a lot easier with nails - both guitar and nose! :roll:

On a similar note, for some reason picking up the guitar six weeks ago prompted me to break a 20 year habit of fingernail biting. And you thought alcohol and nicotine was bad ... :P

Good onya mate.

You should find picking a lot easier with nails - both guitar and nose! :roll:
Actually the nose picking gets harder, Them nails can do some damage. :lol:

:oops: sorry about the sig, i forgot :oops:

On a similar note, for some reason picking up the guitar six weeks ago prompted me to break a 20 year habit of fingernail biting. And you thought alcohol and nicotine was bad ... :P

Good onya mate.

You should find picking a lot easier with nails - both guitar and nose! :roll:

LOL! Talk about replacing one bad habit with another. :roll: :lol:

5 Days... Whoo-Hoo! (applause).

Keep coming back no matter what... Find a Sponser, read the book and do 90 in 90. You'll get there.

thats awsume, congrats :) :o

That is terrific Fumblefingers. I am one of those that gets addicted to things easily. I had a smoking habit that lasted 10 years or so that was incredibly tough to break. But I havent smoked in little over 3 years now. I took up drinking at one point and that brought on all kinds of problems with my girlfriend, my kids, my job, etc. I cant say that I dont drink now, but I definately have to watch myself.

Point is, hang in there and do the very best you can. Get in a support group if you can. Addictions are tough and can ruin more than your life. You've taken your first step to a better place and life really is better sober.

Best of luck to you. And great job on the guitar lesson.

Geoo

I'm one of those stubborn SOB's that once the minds made up I will not fail. So far I'm thinking clearly enough to get the wiring almost finished for the strat but I still can't sleep worth a crap. I think I forgot how to sleep, only know how to pass out. Also reading music lessons are starting to sink in. I have to admit that I have not played for a few day's but I hope to reconcile that tonight.

Thanks for everyone's support.

Sid

Hey fumble fingers,

Congratulations and good luck on the rest of your life. Music will definately help with keeping your mind busy.

A dull mind usually leads into boredom and boredom usually brings on bad habits.

May music follow your footsteps, wherever you go.