Class of March 2016 part 56
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 5,250
Originally Posted by PhoenixJ 
Kiki- good for posting. PTSD sucks- I would rather have teeth pulled. Seeing a therapist is a very good idea. I often tell people not to get hung up on labels. Some, it seems to me at meetings 'hide' behind a label ;I have this disease' . as a way- I suppose of trying to come to terms with the behaviours that followed them. 'That was not me- that was my addiction'. Some define it as an allergy, an intolerance, genetic, because of trauma. Yep- get that. For me accepting the label of alcoholic means I am not fighting the main and most important fact that I CANNOT DRINK!!!
Really great way of looking at things P. Thanks so much!
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Join Date: May 2017
Location: Norway
Posts: 179
Kiki, I agree with Phoenix, PTSD sucks. I've just completed four weeks intensive inpatient therapy for my traumas, and even though I've come a long way, I still have so much to work with. And I do my best work when I don't drink. I need to work through the flashbacks, the nightmares, the anxiety and the intense horrible memories, not numb myself to escape them. If I do that, I will never get better. I want to have a normal life. And that's why I can't drink.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: St. Louis, Mo
Posts: 7,334
Gratitude for what's been offered us in our lives softens the harsh attitudes we occasionally harbor. Life presents us with an assortment of blessings; some bring us immediate joy, some invite tears, others foster fear. What we need help in understanding is that all experiences are meant for our good, all bless us in some manner. If we are able to see the big picture, we'd greet all situations, large and small, with a thankful heart.
It's so very easy to wish away our lives, never finding satisfaction with our families, our jobs, and our friends. The more we find fault with life, the more fault we are guaranteed to find. Negative attitudes attract negative experiences; while positive attitudes lighten whatever burden we may be learning from.
The years pass so quickly. Our chances to enjoy life pass quickly too. We can grab what comes our way and be grateful. We are never certain that this experience offered now might not be our last.
Each morning I awake is blessing number one.
It's so very easy to wish away our lives, never finding satisfaction with our families, our jobs, and our friends. The more we find fault with life, the more fault we are guaranteed to find. Negative attitudes attract negative experiences; while positive attitudes lighten whatever burden we may be learning from.
The years pass so quickly. Our chances to enjoy life pass quickly too. We can grab what comes our way and be grateful. We are never certain that this experience offered now might not be our last.
Each morning I awake is blessing number one.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 28,673
The thing about PTSD- for Me, is to remain mindful that the memories are distorted perceptions and cannot hurt me, unless I let them. That I can see those events with the mindful clarity I have found in sobriety (very hard work for me) not to experience the emotions which I associate with them- using prof. support. It is the emotional component that has, at times in the past- left me overwhelmed and wanting to duck and cover, run and hide (generational coping mechanism of my FOO) and drink. Drinking would happen- especially if I felt unsafe- oblivion being the plan.
My beard made the transition to the new unit without any distress.
My beard made the transition to the new unit without any distress.
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 5,250
Originally Posted by FallingLeaves
Kiki, I agree with Phoenix, PTSD sucks. I've just completed four weeks intensive inpatient therapy for my traumas, and even though I've come a long way, I still have so much to work with. And I do my best work when I don't drink. I need to work through the flashbacks, the nightmares, the anxiety and the intense horrible memories, not numb myself to escape them. If I do that, I will never get better. I want to have a normal life. And that's why I can't drink.
Thank you FallingLeaves. I'm so sorry to hear about your trauma and PTSD. I don't think I knew you struggled with that. I'm glad you had the opportunity to go to inpatient treatment to get a "kick start" on your healing. I want to have a normal life too & every time I drink I take a few steps back from that goal. I don't want to drink anymore. :-(
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 5,250
Originally Posted by Bobbieka
Gratitude for what's been offered us in our lives softens the harsh attitudes we occasionally harbor. Life presents us with an assortment of blessings; some bring us immediate joy, some invite tears, others foster fear. What we need help in understanding is that all experiences are meant for our good, all bless us in some manner. If we are able to see the big picture, we'd greet all situations, large and small, with a thankful heart.
It's so very easy to wish away our lives, never finding satisfaction with our families, our jobs, and our friends. The more we find fault with life, the more fault we are guaranteed to find. Negative attitudes attract negative experiences; while positive attitudes lighten whatever burden we may be learning from.
The years pass so quickly. Our chances to enjoy life pass quickly too. We can grab what comes our way and be grateful. We are never certain that this experience offered now might not be our last.
Each morning I awake is blessing number one.
It's so very easy to wish away our lives, never finding satisfaction with our families, our jobs, and our friends. The more we find fault with life, the more fault we are guaranteed to find. Negative attitudes attract negative experiences; while positive attitudes lighten whatever burden we may be learning from.
The years pass so quickly. Our chances to enjoy life pass quickly too. We can grab what comes our way and be grateful. We are never certain that this experience offered now might not be our last.
Each morning I awake is blessing number one.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 5,250
Originally Posted by PhoenixJ
The thing about PTSD- for Me, is to remain mindful that the memories are distorted perceptions and cannot hurt me, unless I let them. That I can see those events with the mindful clarity I have found in sobriety (very hard work for me) not to experience the emotions which I associate with them- using prof. support. It is the emotional component that has, at times in the past- left me overwhelmed and wanting to duck and cover, run and hide (generational coping mechanism of my FOO) and drink. Drinking would happen- especially if I felt unsafe- oblivion being the plan.
My beard made the transition to the new unit without any distress.
My beard made the transition to the new unit without any distress.
Thanks for your posts today P. They really helped me and it's nice to know I am not alone.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,687
Originally Posted by beerbgone
I know exactly how you feel Thirteenth. Been there and done that! We just have to keep swinging the bat. A hit is inevitable if we just don't give up completely!
That's my feeling.
That's my feeling.
Welcome back, Kiki, good to see you. I hope this time it's the final go round for all of us.
Hi Bobbie, bbg, Sam, FallingLeaves, Dee, PR, and all I've missed.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 593
Hey all! I'm finally home after three weeks and back online. We can be somewhat nomadic while traveling, so I often don't have much internet access. My tablet even refused Wi-Fi in two airports yesterday--lack of security or something. OK, yes, I need a phone.
Glad to see you back Kiki. Your determination ensures your continued healing. You are gonna make it!
Onward and upward, Phoenix!
I'll get caught up with the #55 thread tomorrow morning over startin' fluid. In the meantime closing out day 33 with some chamomile-mint tea and sleep. Pushing 19 hours awake I guess. Have a good day/night everyone.
Glad to see you back Kiki. Your determination ensures your continued healing. You are gonna make it!
Onward and upward, Phoenix!
I'll get caught up with the #55 thread tomorrow morning over startin' fluid. In the meantime closing out day 33 with some chamomile-mint tea and sleep. Pushing 19 hours awake I guess. Have a good day/night everyone.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 5,250
Originally Posted by Pelagic263
Hey all! I'm finally home after three weeks and back online. We can be somewhat nomadic while traveling, so I often don't have much internet access. My tablet even refused Wi-Fi in two airports yesterday--lack of security or something. OK, yes, I need a phone.
Glad to see you back Kiki. Your determination ensures your continued healing. You are gonna make it!
Onward and upward, Phoenix!
I'll get caught up with the #55 thread tomorrow morning over startin' fluid. In the meantime closing out day 33 with some chamomile-mint tea and sleep. Pushing 19 hours awake I guess. Have a good day/night everyone.
Glad to see you back Kiki. Your determination ensures your continued healing. You are gonna make it!
Onward and upward, Phoenix!
I'll get caught up with the #55 thread tomorrow morning over startin' fluid. In the meantime closing out day 33 with some chamomile-mint tea and sleep. Pushing 19 hours awake I guess. Have a good day/night everyone.
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