Verona

I've just been to my first AA meeting! I can't believe I did it, I've been so terrified of going. I just woke up with the thought this morning and thought I'd better quickly act on it before I changed my mind. Everyone was super friendly and supportive, it was very helpful! Thanks for all your support and encouragement, you guys give me strength!

Erratic

great job verona!! will u be going back?

Verona

Yes, tomorrow!!

PhoenixJ

Good for you v. Keep posting.

PippoRossi

DAY 16 for me and things are going fine. I have yet another going away party at work that will be held at a local brew house. Part of my job responsibilities are to plan such events and make sure they go OK (so I can't exactly skip out on this one). I will only stay about one hour; just enough time to get set up for the party and get it kicked off. I'll likely munch on some food and then get the heck out of there at 5:00 p.m. sharp. The smell of all that beer is gonna be a teaser, I'm sure, but I know I will not drink.

Verona

Sounds like you've got a great plan! You can do it! 16 days is awesome! Let us know how it went!

taplow

Day 7 over here, still on the journey. I have a calender, and when I drink I draw a red line, when I don't, it's a green. Since January 1st the greens are winning - but not by much.
Still, I can only do my best.

Best wishes all.

Outonthetiles

Plan ahead. Have firm resolve that not only are you not going to drink, but that you DON'T DRINK; you are no longer a drinker. Last, go on line, check the menu for iced tea, and PRE ORDER YOUR ICED TEA. It sounds crazy, but that's what I did in early recovery when I had to go to social engagements at a brewpub. Have the iced tea pre-ordered and waiting for me! Once I told a bartender at a place where I had to go for a b-day party where there was a lot of drinking going on that under no circumstances should he bring me booze. All I got that time was sort of a scowl since they make their money by getting people drunk, but eff him....my sobriety is more important than his tip jar.

BeFree1971

Erratic - Thanks, that was very kind and I'm so proud of you're 43 days!! That's great AA and SR are the only things besides willpower (and I can't rely on that alone I've learned the hard way I'm afraid) keeping me sober. As far as as the gym, I still can't get myself to clean house. I'm walking and got a little sun after my meeting. The sunshine makes me feel better. Life isn't so great at the moment, but glad to be handling it sober for once. Best to you and all of SR members XO

StartAnew68

Feeling 'odd' today. Can't explain the feeling.

Yesterday, despite my good intentions, I had a bottle of wine. I had to go down the shop again about 8pm but as I walked in the door - even having the money in my pocket - I knew I didn't want to buy alcohol.

As I joined the queue to pay I could see at the front a distressed lady being comforted by a member of staff. As I got closer I could see she was too lightly dressed for the temperature and in bare feet. It turned out the reason she was distressed was because the staff were refusing to sell her any more alcohol. It smacked me round the head that if I don't get my act together that could be me in the near future.

This morning I had an interview at an employment agency which went really well - just waiting now. This afternoon I got an email from a different agency about another job. At that point the AV popped up, ' have a bottle to celebrate things looking up'. I had one shoe on and one in my hand when the common sense spoke up, almost audibly, asking how on earth I would benefit from drinking. I laughed ruefully and removed my shoes.

Usually on Day 1 I'm feeling anger, guilt, desperation. But the only way I can explain my feelings today is scorn, disdain, ridicule. BUT not towards me, towards alcohol/my AV. Who on earth does 'it' think it is, thinking that it can ruin and control the rest of my life?

In addition to the above job prospects, I also did an online assessment for another job late last night and they contacted me this afternoon to schedule a phone interview for the morning. I am very positive about this one as it is more about personality and helpfulness than experience. A decent starting wage, excellent training, career prospects. Plus I would need to stay at my parents 4 nights a week until the lease is up on my tiny room in this shared house. I could then move to my parents town (where rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is around £100 a month cheaper). I would be in position to potentially save at least £300 a month. I've not been in that situation for years.

I know I mustn't count my chickens before they hatch BUT alcohol is NOT going to rob me of this chance to get my life back on track!

I then got an email from agency 2 to say that job prospect wasn't a goer - and I just shrugged it off as one of those things. My AV didn't even try to pipe up!

Sorry for the long winded ramble.

PippoRossi

Thanks for the great advice. I will be going over there early to set up and you can bet that I'll order my drink before everyone else arrives. Ice tea sounds great! I might also go for a sparkling water with a lemon or lime slice in it.

Caramel

StartAnew68 - best wishes for your interview; keep thinking things through, and nourish that sense of priorities.
Go well, everybody

anotherquitter

Just a note of support to all you April 2017 quitters.

I'm from the class of April 2012 - 5 years today.

You can do it. Use the wisdom and tools available and always ask for support when you need it. Be honest with yourself, let go of ego, and embrace the serenity that will be forthcoming. Be grateful for each and every small step you take in your recovery. You can do it.

But what would I know, I'm just AnotherQuitter.

Outonthetiles

It seems excessive to pre order something like iced tea, but I've approached sobriety like it's a military mission. i don't do it now, but in the first few weeks of recovery I did. I told them I was on a special diet, needed lemon and iced tea, make a big production about it. Of course, I had to leave a good tip for all the trouble I caused, but it's worth it. I'll do anything to stay sober. I plan ahead for social engagements, going out, after work, shopping everything. Anything to fight off AV. I leave nothing to chance, and it's worked so far.
Now it's a lot easier, of course, and AV has largely gone away. After a while NOT drinking becomes second nature and taking crazy steps like ordering in advance is unnecessary.

SimplyFree

I made it home. Today came with some AV chatter and illusions. I knew if I stopped and got some wine since it has been 10 days, none would say anything much. But I didn't. It is all about negative trends! Any AV chatter is too much. So that concerns me. I don't want it to escalate tomorrow and forward. Part of it is if I make it past tomorrow, day 11, it will be the longest stretch I can remember in years. So I guess I'm a bit nervous....just a thing!

Tertor

Thanks Dee. Much appreciated. Today is a better day.!

Tertor

Congrats on Day 2. Hang in there!

Tertor

I am so proud of you! I haven't had the courage to go yet. You have given me some encouragement through your good experience.

Time2Rise

Hello all. I all joined the April class yesterday and today is my Day 1. It's been going well; although, stopping for a few days, weeks or even months isn't my problem, starting back drinking after periods of sobriety is my biggest hurdle.

I'm just now reading through the thread and familiarizing myself with everyone, so please bear with me. I see that most of you are doing well with your sobriety and that's encouraging, and it will help me to stay motivated. I only hope I can return the favor.

Peace

Tertor

You can do it Pippo! I have a work thing on Friday. Dinner and drinks. That will be my day 15. I will take inspiration from you. We can get through these work things without drinking with a good plan like yours!