Sober 3 months & under Part 2

[resistra]

After reading about wanting just that one last beer, I think I'm going to hang on to my stale six pack to remind me if I drink just one, then all six will be gone and I will have one heck of a nasty headache and major regret the next day. Along with 6 empty cans to hide...

and.. after an entire day reading the forums I was feeling a bit anxious so I gorged myself with strawberry ice cream with chocolate and strawberry syrup... wow what a quick fix. I feel stuffed and have no desire to drink or eat anything else. The thought of that six pack right now feels disgusting. Gross.

Hopefully I'll get to sleep soon and day 7 will be here.

[gravity]

Hi theonlyway

Thanks for the update. I had a similar AA meeting experience last Friday - extremely powerful, heartbreaking shares. At the time, I did feel 'inadequate' in terms of anything I had to say (so I just listened) but afterwards I felt so grateful for everything I have. I really admire the courage of these individuals. They were releasing their anger (and it was extreme) at an AA meeting - not through drugs or alcohol. One young man who was going through a horrific event and hadn't really slept for about 3 days actually shook my hand & asked me, sincerely, how I was doing? These people really are my brothers & sisters.

Awesome work on staring down & getting rid of that beer! There is absolutely no way I can keep beer in the house although I think my wife may have some long forgotten wine hidden somewhere! I used to occasionally drink her wine when I ran out of beer even though I hate the stuff so she had to hide it from me. Oh, BTW my wife barely drinks & I'm not about to tear the house apart looking for a bottle of wine that may or may not exist .

Keep up the great work! D

[gravity]

Originally Posted by resistra

After reading about wanting just that one last beer, I think I'm going to hang on to my stale six pack to remind me if I drink just one, then all six will be gone and I will have one heck of a nasty headache and major regret the next day.

Hi Resistra,

Welcome to this little thread we have happening here and congratulations on the 6+ days ! Well, I'll just come right out and say what I'm thinkin'...ditch the six pack! There's really no reason for keeping it around, it's stale anyway. In my case, if I was having a really tough time and there was alcohol only a couple of steps away...well, it's just not worth that extra anxiety or risk.

Take care! D

[warrens]

Originally Posted by gravity

Hi Resistra,

Welcome to this little thread we have happening here and congratulations on the 6+ days ! Well, I'll just come right out and say what I'm thinkin'...ditch the six pack! There's really no reason for keeping it around, it's stale anyway. In my case, if I was having a really tough time and there was alcohol only a couple of steps away...well, it's just not worth that extra anxiety or risk.

Take care! D

I very much agree, gravity. Recovery is test of spirit enough without making it "convenient" to relapse. I get white knuckles just thinking about being alone in my home with a cold six.

warrens

[Negative Man]

Hey everybody. Checking in to say that day nine is the books. One day at a time makes this, not easy, but doable. I hope everyone is well!

-- NM

[mayorob1]

Hi Ladies and Gents,

Haven't left the planet since my little 4 beer slip. Haven't had the computer on at night last week or so, Actually have been going to bed at 8:30 every night trying to catch up my sleep.

My slip has made me more determined and I understand how useless drinking really is as a helper for stress and life's little problems.

I am also not going to care about counting the days so much anymore, just no that I am going to be sober for a long time.

Am going to catch up tonight and put in my two cents worth as usual

Thanks everyone

Rob

[gravity]

NM & Rob - it's great to see you guys posting on this thread! You sound good!

Warrens - been reading many of your posts on other threads. You have really been helping others!



Just finishing up day 74. There is a pretty serious family crisis occuring right now (not involving my wife & two little ones) so I have been highly stressed the past 3 days. A young relation has abandoned everything and has not contacted anyone (is likely drinking). I have managed to get through it so far by talking to my wife & a colleague, praying, reading/posting on SR (it helps me get out of my head), and focusing on what I have learned in AA and on SR. I will be attending an AA meeting tomorrow & seeing my sponsor. If this was happening while I was out of town...I just don't know. That old 'just a few beers to relieve the pressure' has been hanging around in the back of my mind but it is not a serious threat right now. There really is nothing I can do about this situation and I am trying hard not to worry too much about it but when it involves loved ones it's tough. I really have to take things one day at a time especially at a time of such uncertainty.

This post is not meant to worry anyone. It just helps to get it out. This is all a part of life and I have to (actually, I will) get through it without alcohol. Everything will be fine. Take Care. D

[Dean62]

Hi NM, Rob, Warrens.

Gravity. I know you can get through it without alcohol. I have read your posts and I think you have great sobriety. I really like what you are doing.

Having said that if I may.....

Originally Posted by gravity

I have managed to get through it so far by talking to my wife & a colleague, praying, reading/posting on SR (it helps me get out of my head), and focusing on what I have learned in AA and on SR. I will be attending an AA meeting tomorrow & seeing my sponsor.

Ok that's what I'm talking about when I say I like what you are doing.

Originally Posted by gravity

That old 'just a few beers to relieve the pressure' has been hanging around in the back of my mind but it is not a serious threat right now.

Do me a favor and bounce that one off your sponsor and see if he has anything to say.

Originally Posted by gravity

There really is nothing I can do about this situation and I am trying hard not to worry too much about it but when it involves loved ones it's tough. I really have to take things one day at a time especially at a time of such uncertainty.

Sorry to hear about your relative. This is kind of a serenity prayer moment. What you can control is you and how much love and support you give to your relatives who are around and need your strength.

You probably already know that. Take care.

[mtnmagic]

Hi, I want to introduce myself. My name is mtnmagic and I have 21 days today. I've been in contact with some of you on this board and it has been a real life saver to me. I have been up and down and all around these last three weeks. Negative Man has been so helpful to me (as others) and I am so grateful to have this board for help and support.

I work the swing shift and live in the Pacific Time Zone. This means that I am usually around trudging these threads late at night after most of you are asleep. I know if I hang in there, trudging may turn into "happily skipping through" once in awhile.

The last two days I have been just wickedly sad and depressed for no real reason. NM, barb dwyer, splashy and a few others have kept in constant contact with me. It really keeps me going. Just a post, a few words of encouragement. It makes all the difference in the world.

I knew if I just hung on, didn't listen to that voice that told me, "One glass of wine won't hurt you. You'll relax!" that I could get through the sadness and depression.

Well, it worked...I found myself actually laughing tonight at work. Big sigh of relief for me.

I hope to get to know all of you better on this thread.

A little about me. I'm in very early recovery from alcoholism. I'm a codie also. My exhusband is a recovering alcoholic. I have two sons. One completely caught up in the addiction of pain meds. One is in his freshman year in college (so far signs point to normal..but with my family history who knows.)

Thanks for reading my post.

[scaredykat]

Hi Guys, been a few days since i posted on this thread. Having a hard time keeping up with everything lately. But I'm not letting it bother me. it's not worth it. I'm just doing what I'm able to do.

Today is day 42 for me. It's hard to believe I'm still trudging along. I've had a good week so far. No crisis this week. Thank god. LOL It's snowing again and I've had the winter blues the past couple of days. I get that every winter, even when i drank. I think when i drank though it was much worse where alcohol is a depressant to begin with. So, i can't wait till spring so i can go out and get my spring plants going.

Glad to see everyone on here and doing well.

Welcome to mtnmagic and Congrats on your 3 weeks. You've found a good forum here with a lot of supportive people.

Take care,
Barb

[C2H5OH_Free]

Just me checking in. Today is day 45, and I'm doing well, I think. I'm working the steps with my sponsor. I'm still working step 4. I have to admit that I've been kind of dragging my feet with this step. mainly because between work and doing all the things I've been not doing due to drinking, I have no time! I was feeling real bad about it, and talked to my sponsor, and he basically told me "It's not a race." He made sure I was going to meetings at least once a week (I go to about 4 or 5 a week) and that I'm not drinking. Other than that, he thinks I'm doing fine.

I concur.

Again, I want to say, I'm so glad I found SR. You guys all ROCK!!!

[gravity]

Hi Dean62,

Thank you so much for the encouragement & support. I am really learning to trust my instincts (not always easy) and it really helps when others believe that I am on a good path.

Bit of an update on my situation. My missing relative did call me this morning and was very confused & upset. I still don't know what the cause of her behaviour is. I did maintain my composure and offered love & support without enabling her in any way (eg. did not offer to send any money, she asked but I refused to call her counsellor on her behalf). She does not seem to be in any danger but has not addressed the situation. So things are a bit better. When I woke up, I asked the Creator to watch over her, 2 hours later she called, safe - how about that!

Originally Posted by Dean62

Do me a favor and bounce that one off your sponsor and see if he has anything to say.

I ran the whole situation by my sponsor and he thought I was handling it perfectly. He also reminded me that the reason I am able to respond so well is because I am sober. As you suggested, I also asked him about the 'few beers to relieve the pressure' thoughts (he knows the feeling). He just asked me if I was going to drink today? I said no. He said good enough..everything is going according to plan! I'm going to another meeting tomorrow & we are going for coffee after.

I am using the Serenity Prayer and while I can accept that I cannot change this situation, I am having difficulty not getting emotional about it. I'm starting to believe that what I am feeling is normal, a part of life and I have to accept that as another thing I cannot change.

I hope you had a great day. Take care. D

[gravity]

Originally Posted by mtnmagic

The last two days I have been just wickedly sad and depressed for no real reason. NM, barb dwyer, splashy and a few others have kept in constant contact with me. It really keeps me going. Just a post, a few words of encouragement. It makes all the difference in the world.

I knew if I just hung on, didn't listen to that voice that told me, "One glass of wine won't hurt you. You'll relax!" that I could get through the sadness and depression.

Well, it worked...I found myself actually laughing tonight at work. Big sigh of relief for me.

Wow! We are going through such similar emotions. The sun is starting to poke through the clouds for me as well and I am catching myself laughing and enjoying the good things in my life - my family, my job, my health, my sober friends. Everything is getting better - just have to be patient. I wish you all the best. D.

[mtnmagic]

Thanks gravity. It's pretty amazing isn't it, when a bit of that sunshine starts to poke on through?

I relate to your earlier post about getting emotional in situations that are close to your heart. Heck I can relate to getting emotional to any kind of situations right now.

Thanks for the reminder about the serenity prayer. Sometimes I try and analyze and make things complicated when there is no need. A simple action is all it takes. Hope all is well with you tonight.

Also, I appreciate the welcome from you scaredykat and congratulations on your 42 days. That is awesome!

[Sportster]

I'm happily cruising along with one full month sober. Maybe it's a pink cloud but I'm enjoying good health, a clear head, no hangovers, but admittedly a little bored. I was reading the post about what to do with all this sober time and found some good ideas there. Thank you.
I even managed to hit the gym yesterday but when I came out I was thinking, hey when I retire I'm going to buy a sailboat, sit on it and drink all day. Geez, why does that sound so good? Of course my next thought was why wait till retirement, so it's a good thing that before a plan like that can be put into place there is plenty of time to rethink it.
Still, sitting on a sailboat drinking all day sounds pretty good. Gotta quit thinking like that!