For Those with Less than 2 Weeks Sober Part 6

[CarolD]

A special welcome back for those beginning a new start
:ghug

You have now proved you can quit...take those days
as a base for your new sober life.

Forward we go...side by side

[espresso]

:ghug everyone - You can all do this!

[BrixtonBear]

I'm just doing a happy dance because I didn't drink yesterday.

I love being sober. My head feels like it's filled up with crystal-clear water, and I can think clearly again.

Thanks, everyone, for all the great posts on this thread, and thanks for not giving up on struggling souls like me during these early weeks and months of recovery.

[November77]

PB!!

Alright!!!!! Congrats!!!!

[November77]

Well all, I didn't have that drink last night! But Oh my gawd it was soooo tempting. Everyone was drinking. I wanted to order one so bad I could taste it. But I broke down instead and ordered a coke and some water with a lime. That was the extent of my drinks. I only stayed for an hour then left. Which I thought was a good idea otherwise I would have ordered one eventually.

*whew*

Here's to that alcoholic beverage

And here's to all of you that are supportive and understanding

[BrixtonBear]

Way to go, November!!! Well done for not drinking yesterday. Wooo-hooo!!!

[espresso]

Great News November!!
...and PB, good to hear you sounding so optimistic and positive. Just Keep it in the Day.

[hollyce]

Thank you for the advice, Carol.

I'm just so preoccupied that I am not going to have any fun if I'm totally sober, and many of my friends are not sober in so many "fun" ways. I suppose I should just stay away from the parties where I know I may be tempted? Hmmmm... that sucks. Sooo many friends I'm going to miss for a while if I do that. Like Yoda I just typed! lol

Day 4! Woohoo!

[hollyce]

I'm feeling pretty good. Although I think I'm officially fighting off a cold. Grrr...
Still thinking about getting out of town for Turkey Day. Too many fun parties going on here with friends who like to... well, PARTY!

While I'm confident about staying away from alcohol, I'm not so sure I can say no to other fun "things".

Hmmm...
I'm off to work!

[November77]

Hello Holly,

I know how you feel. Even though I passed one test in which there was liquor around, I still think about it. Especially during the holidays. It's going to be tough because I am so used to having a few on Thanksgiving and Xmas.

All we can do is take one moment at a time. If we make a mistake we do, that's how I look at it right now. But, keep moving forward for your benefit and don't let temptation get the best of you. That's what I'm trying to do.

[ananda]

glad to see you all here keeping up the the struggle one day at a time!

It really does get eaasier...i always want to be sure you know that. Diet girl....You will get to 35 and beyond again...Its wierd cause this sobriety i am STILL not comfortable around alchohol and thats new for me. But it's ok as i have very few friends who drink...i was the lone drinker.

happy turkey lurkey day!

[Mariposa18]

Hello Everyone~ Day 13 for me today. Went grocery shopping for Thanksgiving. Put a bottle of wine in my cart, took it out, put it back, took it out, ended up buying it. Right now I'm sitting in my living room with a glass full of wine in front of me, haven't taken a sip, want to so much.

Wonder if I'd be okay with only one glass...don't know what to do....Don't want to get trashed, but don't want hide what I'm feeling or want to do either.

WTF do I do?

[Mariposa18]

I put the glass back in the fridge, didn't drink any, but I still want it...can't bring myself to throw it out either

[November77]

Hey Mariposa,

Ok.... take a deep breath. First think about your decision to drink that glass of wine. Will it benefit you? or in the long run will it end up causing you more problems? I know that this is reallllllly tough.. believe me I'm going through it everyday and it sucks.

It is your decision. I will not judge you one way or another because I KNOW exactly how it feels. However, I would just like for you to think how that one glass may lead to another and ask yourself if it's worth it?

I'll support you either way, because I do understand. Just know that we are all here for you.

Anyone else have some good advice?

[hollyce]

Mariposa... Do you really NEED that glass of wine? Probably not! Dump it out if you can, and give yourself a pat on the back for doing so. You can do it! I know you CAN.

Likewise, I know there are a bottle or whiskey and vodka in my house. I know exactly where they are, and they taunt me. I think about pouring them out, or drinking some of their contents. I think I may offer the booze to friends and just get those dang bottles out of my house. That way I won't be tempted.

[Mariposa18]

November and Hollyce~ Wine is still sitting in the fridge, haven't touched it. You're right, I don't *need* it, but I'd *like* to have it, kwim?

Trying to keep busy and not think about it...Thanks for the advice and support, I truly appreciate it~

[colagirl]

Mariposa - some advice I've heard here many times when I'm in your position... play the tape all the way through. How will you feel after that one glass? How about after you finish the bottle? How about tomorrow when you're starting your days over? This has helped me overcome situations like this. I know exactly how hard it is to dump out that glass, but I hope that's what you do. Good luck!

[November77]

Mariposa,

Good! Just try to keep the faith. I know this is hard, believe me I wanted to go get a bottle of wine today for Thanksgiving...But my hubby won't let me

[Mariposa18]

I made myself a snack and some coffee and poured the wine back in the bottle =) I still have it in the fridge, but no longer feel the itch to drink it.

The People I've told about the past few months keep telling me I don't have a problem, that I was just going through a tough time...that makes me wonder, are they right and I'm just being paranoid? I don't know, all I do know is that I put the wine away and didn't drink it and that is all I can ask for right now. I don't have all the answers and can't sit here and say I will never drink again...

[Eclipse]

I went to the store today with the purpose of buying some wine. I walked up and down the stupid wine aisle and I really thought I was going to buy it...but I turned around and walked out of the store. It was painful.

I am watching my friend's kids alot lately, she is going through a divorce and she always brings me a bottle of wine for a thank you. She is coming to pick up the kids in about a half an hour...I wonder if she will bring me wine??? She doesn't know about my issues.

[colagirl]

Mariposa - good for you! I hope you can get through tonight without drinking it.

Eclipse - I'm proud of you for walking out of the store. When I get in the "sure I'm going to buy it" mode, there is no stopping me! Have you thought about what you will do if your friend does bring you wine?

Today is day 2 for me. I'm feeling pretty good. Got off work early, took a long nap. It was a beautiful day today and I'm glad I was sober to enjoy it. Going to try to have a relaxing evening. I have to go to the store later to get some Thanksgiving stuff so I will have to make sure my head is straight about not buying wine! I think I'll be okay though.

[CarolD]

Some of you may not know of H.A.L.T.

Don't let yourself become overly
Hungry...Angry...Lonely...Tired

Each time I returned to drinking after I decided to quit
at least 2 of these elements were in place.

Please be vigilent and watch out for HALT...

Let's all stay sober...just today...

[hollyce]

Mariposa-

I've also wondered in the past if I was being paranoid about being an alcoholic, especially since my friends all told me I just needed to take a break. That they'd all had times when they needed a break, and that was good enough. But what happens when that break is over? Back to obsessing about alcohol? Hangovers etc? Hmmm... What's your pattern? Are you happy in that pattern?

That'll be something you have to sort out for yourself.

You seem to be in a deep state of processing all your feelings. Keep that up.

[BrixtonBear]

You know, I've had the same problem, with well-meaning friends telling me that they think I'm not an alcoholic.

The problem is that they don't know the true extent of my drinking behind closed doors in the privacy of my own home, where I drink all the alcohol in the house and am still looking for more at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning, inspite of having to get up for work the next day.

Infact, I've got a challenge to face right now. Some friends from a town where I used to live are meant to be visiting on Saturday. On the phone last night, they said "we'll bring the wine", even though I've told them previously I feel I have a drink problem.

Now I'm not sure what to do. I stayed awake most of the night worrying about it. I really feel like phoning them and saying "I'm sorry, I don't feel too good, please can we cancel your visit", or something like that. I know it's very anti-social, but I'm so early on in my recovery and I feel I need to protect myself from well-meaning people who unwittingly may sabotage my attempts to heal up.

Any suggestions?

[CarolD]

I feel I need to protect myself from well-meaning people who unwittingly may sabotage my attempts to heal up.

I totally agree. Early sobriety is a fragile time.

My experience...
when I told friends I was now attending AA
keeping a non drinking apartment.....they usually drifted away.

By then all my social circle were escessive drinkers.
I have an old thread in Alcoholism...My Dead Friends.

For me to stay sober...I needed to find new friends
who shared the same goals and lifestyles I desired.
That's an important recovery tool for me....the
fellowship of AA is outstanding...

You are the most important person PD ..
.stay strong..stay sober! Thanks for sharing.