Anna

The last part:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-part-3-a.html

TroyW

May I ask, why split the months into 4 separate threads? Why not just let them run to 100+ pages?

DitzyDandelion

I am in a City and not really near the outskirts so it is very urban. Even have a tower block overlooking my little paved over back yard. Very urban chic I call it lol. I think there is a nature reserve not too far off I don't know this part of town well.

amandaw

I'm going to go ahead and join this group. I read about 7 pages, but cannot get through all the different threads. Sorry. Some might remember my posts about drinking at a work conference. That was me. I still have a job, but am getting a letter of reprimand. I start IOP August 10. Until then I have Antabuse and SR. I read a lot but don't comment much. I'm also trying to use this opportunity to get healthy. I gained 25 pounds this year and am now trying to get them off. Once I get to know people, I'll do a better job responding to everyone's posts. Just wanted to introduce myself now. I'm on day 8 right now!

TroyW

Ahhh, ok. I don't know, I just mentioned the nature thing, because for me personally, I know it calms my soul more than anything else. I remember living in the middle of the Rockies -- jumping off the ski lift at the top of the mountain, and looking out at the nature -- beyond breathtaking and invigorating for the soul.

Anyway, hope all is well with you. I'm going to grab something to eat, then off to bed. Not hungry, but need to learn to force myself to eat, especially during detox stage.

Take care!

DitzyDandelion

Ye I used to love going off into Wales and exploring up the mountains and finding pretty little waterfalls.

Margaux1969

Hi Dandelion--Writing is my dream, too, and I spent a long time wishing I was doing more of it. One thing that really helped was doing a lot of low-pressure writing for the web--"web content." Textbroker is one place I recommend; you sign up and accept small assignments, then get paid a small amount. It's pretty US-oriented, but there are several other sites. You write product descriptions, blog posts, those ubiquitous "top ten" lists, etc.

It's no way to make a living, but it really increased my confidence, productivity, and ability to write quickly.

<3

Hope you feel better today.

DitzyDandelion

Will look into that but really hope to dive into writing something I love soon. You know something you feel is what you want to write rather than what will sell.

DitzyDandelion

I know I should refine my art and get back into the swing of it first but I never do things the normal way .

angd1978

I am so glad that you didn't lose your job Amandaw... if I remember correctly you are a teacher? You had a very close call and sound like you are on the right track now. I can really relate to your story, as that could have easily been me.

Troy, please stay with us! I just went back to check on my November 2014 class and there are only a few of us left. Guess what, not all of them have been sober the whole time either. I feel if I would have kept posting after my relapse in that group, maybe it wouldn't have taken me 4 more months to get it together. We all make mistakes but there is really something to be said for having strength in numbers. We have a great group of supportive people here and we need you our group.

toadie54

Hey everyone!

Back from day 5 of my IOP (Intensive Out Patient) therapy for substance abuse (alcohol), talking to the counselor about getting into something else, this doesn't seem to have much benefit for me personally.

We talked about one on one counseling maybe being of more benefit, so may be examining that option soon.

Welcome to the new members and returning members here.

DitzyDandelion

Oh that made me sooo happy. As I said my dogs are very old and the eldest is generally pretty slow and wobbly and often a touch senile. Well they had a good bath and brush up today and look smart. The bit that made me happy is my old boy just ran.. actually ran in and out of the front room wagging his tail. He looks so happy. That is so rare these days and so lovely to see.

Tooshabby

All coffeed-up. Freezing but beautiful day down here in NZ.
DD, your dogs sound gorgeous. Last night I had a rare, lucid dream and spent time with my fox terrier, Martin (a.k.a. Boo), who passed on last year. It was sooooo lovely. I miss him so much. Talk about naughty...O.m.g! A senile old dog sounds hilarious and adorable.
One on one counselling is a superb idea, guys.
Troy - I'm one of those weird, 'healthy' (ex)-drinkers too. I think we're trying to tell ourselves something?
Great success, Margaux. Sounds like your friend is pretty attached to drinking too and you may be a positive influence.
That 'drinking wine is good for you' bollocks....makes you wonder if moderate drinkers aren't more deluded than we have been in the past!
Angd, I totally get the 'can't live two lives and be an inspiration' feeling. My drinking has made me feel like a total fraud in my profession. I'm sick of it impairing how I feel about myself and therefore how helpful I can be to others. Done and dusted (please God). You are so right Sadie about how much harder giving up must have been pre-internet. The support is amazing.
Hi John, Jillian, and Amanda! John, you can trust us to help you out with that :-)
Congrats everyone on your posted victories!
Hope things are going well for you Casey and Frank.
As you can see I have a bit of time to read and post...that's because I face-planted into a brick wall last weekend and am off work. I'm making the most of it!
xxx

lovehoops

Hi all, checking in...
Troy, please stay with us. Like angd. Said, there are not very many left in previous classes. I stayed I January until may. I stopped posting there are picked up a drink in July. It's hard to make connections again. I just got a PM from a January classmate and it touched my heart..stay here......

Welcome to all of the newcomers.

I will be away for a week. My husband is doing an IRONMAN race this Sunday...huh. I am a drunk and he is an ironman...go figure?
Anyway, I will be with a few families until Tuesday. I will most likely not be able to check in. I will be thinking if you all and wish you a happy sober week..

I will be on when I get home xo

BringingBackB

Day 7 here.

This thread moves so fast! I will have to catch up on all of you when I'm tucked up in bed, but for now just a quick check in to finish up the first week.

A bit worried about getting my bloods tomorrow (the results not the needle!). All I can do is hope.


Stay strong everyone. Don't take that first drink. Remember where it leads.

JL2014

Whew hard to keep up !!!
Troy - you skiied in the Rockies - I'm jealous- you suck !
I got to ski in Ca, about 6-7 times while stationed there. Awesome !
I whitewater paddled for yrs here in southeast, til more kids came. Now I'm suffering paddling 1-2 times a yr til one of them picks it up.
Nature totally heals me.
--Amanda I'm glad you kept the job- I've lost some to drinking
Gotta read and catch up !

amandaw

I need to update my profile. I've been trying to get sober for about 4 years. I've had spurts of sobriety which I know isn't really sobriety. I guess the idea of "never again" just freaks me out. Hopefully the school conference scare will be my bottom. Yes I'm a teacher. Through the different treatment programs I've started (never following through), I've learned that many teachers suffer with alcoholism. I've even read articles suggesting teachers (among those of other professions) have one of the highest percentages of alcoholism. I'm not blaming my job. I love my job. I think it's the way I handle the stress. Which I'm sure is common for many of us on this board. Good luck everyone!

Tooshabby

Scram and John, I just read your hilarious stories about the monumental text errors in the 'enormous mistake' thread. I've done the same thing. My partner was away on work-related business and he sent me a photo of himself (not porno) with the message "thinking of you, babe". I replied to one of my best friends by mistake - who happens to be gay - with a somewhat dodgy message. Little bit of explaining to do. She thought it was funny, but sending it to a boss or a client?!! Still laughing :-D

forabetterlife

Amanda! I could have written your post. I've been trying about 4 years as well AND I am also a teacher. I never read that statistic but it sounds spot on to me. I always liked to drink, but now That I think about it, my drinking escalated around the time I began teaching (I also got divorced and moved to a new state at that time so sure it all contributed). I've always been ashamed of my drinking bc of my status as a teacher in the community and rarely drink alcohol in public, unless I'm on vacation. Glad to know im not the only one, but also ready to stop. It's certainly not helping me in any area of my life.

tokidoki

Guess I won't wait for an answer to that and will just barge right in...

Hi Julyers,

I have been a member of SR for several months. During that time, I was able to get 2 months and then about 6 weeks sober. Was really rockin' that pink cloud.

After the second relapse though, I was really in a bad place, and in a moment of total self-loathing, decided I didn't 'deserve' to be on SR.
Sheesh.

Anyhoo, have been lurking on-and-off for about a month and am giving this another try. My new day 1 was July 4th.

I'm looking forward to get to know you all and so will now look through previous threads to get to know you all. Who knows, maybe someone is even a July 4th buddy!