Hi Guys-
I am here and sober!! I am now at 131 days and going strong
MGS....Huggs to you Birthday Girl!!! Way to go on that beautiful sober time!
TS - Glad everything is moving on with the knee surgery so sending you good thoughts for a speedy recovery. Just a reminder.....whatever meds the docs give you please keep in mind if you feel at all any change with anxiety or anything post about it and definitely tell your docs. I say this with love since when I rolled my ankle and was put on the anti-inflammatories and pain meds after about a week....I was quite depressed/anxious and had a panic attack. Being laid up bummed me out but I had neg. reaction to the meds and I was weak in my recovery so I reached for my old vice. I wish I had posted prior to the relapse but after I got back on the wagon and chatted to my counselor....he was shocked that they gave a recovering alcholic...pain meds especially with my history of alcohol induced anxiety. I only say this as a caution....now I know and am on top of any changes I may feel if I am on meds or anything.
UBC.....you are the Apriller cheerleader my friend!! I am damn proud of how you handled that incident! We must be connected somehow...lol. I was reading through and realized you were teaching (yes that def. is a service profession) in Japan so I know you totally relate to me teaching my preschool kiddos in Germany (well military spouse teaching our military dependents) but you understand life abroad...hehe. I also totally relate to making change and doing good in this world. I found that breath of fresh air in April too. The weight of that dark world created by alcohol was removed when I got sober and finally see clear again. Lots of things I want to do now but still taking it a bit slow.....I know there is much more to come as we have a lifetime of sobriety ahead of us. Huggs!
AG - I think you did great on that event! I have too that being around those that drink does not bother me BUT there have been recent "drink" events lately that I also have skipped out on. Going aways for folks in hubby's squadron that were held in bars and even though I have 4 months and recovery is strong and pregnant too boot.....I still found that i wasn't comfortable going. I know too well how nasty of beast alcoholism is and the life I lived was insanity but even being pregnant.....I know that my mind may still be tempted. Scary but true and my past experience speaks volumes of how damn destructive it is so staying on guard and saying no when I don't "feel" something is right is part of how of my recovery as I see it is yours. Huggs for putting sobriety first my friend!!
Ghost and Oz......Love you guys. We are usually bumping into each other in chat so I know you guys are doing awesome. Ghost keeps me going with my movie selection....yes still love Joy Ride. Oz....well you are a solid part of my SR experience and a dear friend.
Rev....I know you are floating around and if I am not mistaken....you are currently traveling....Vegas isn't it? I know you will update us when you get back so I am staying positive as you have been at the center of our Aprillers support.
Of course Dee and Carol are always out and about and I am grateful everyday for SR and their leadership and support here. I have learned quite a bit in my quest for sobriety and I really do commend both of you for setting the tone and leading by example. You both encourage and support and offer those "get real" posts about what have worked and what hasn't in your experiences. I know it sounds gushy and what not but lets get real here. I needed help in January and you were there. When I relapsed and came back....you were there and you continuously share the positive word of sobriety and the importance of recovery. For what its worth....you both have been tremendous in saving my life. Yup...I said it. You didn't come to my house and dump the booze.....but you helped me see that a new is possible and showed me there are way to many positive, sober ways to handle life's ups and downs and sober pity parties are ok too. Huggs.
I know there others here and I believe they are doing great....they will check in with us. I also know that from the beginning of our group....that we may have lost a few. Not sure but it does happen and I know that all of us will be right there to support and encourage.
I am doing ok but I really wanted to post for all of you since I haven't shared as much lately or commented on your individual posts.....smack me for being late to the party...LOLOL. I know we are strong but all of us must continue to focus on the positives and the good and know that our success does help others.
I remember slipping and coming back and seeing a few folks I started with posting about their continued success in sobriety. No they didn't make me stop drinking (only we can do that) but I said....man look at that. They were right there with me....going through the same feelings/physical/what have you....and look at them now. I can do this....I can get back up and stop and learn from what others have done that I may also implement to make my recovery stronger.
Yeah....this go with sobriety has been quite strong. Strong because I got the missing piece friends.....RECOVERY. I really didn't understand it the first time. It sounded like some religious thing. I thought I had it.....oh but no. Recovery for me (I believe it is different for every person) is about lifestyle change.....ridding myself of a crutch.....understand what triggers are....what alcoholism really is.....and knowing that while willpower and strength is needed to put down the bottle.....I need some program of support in place as I go on this journey.
Ok...enough blabbing...LOL. I just felt I haven't been as yappy lately but I have had some more struggles in my life but none of which have been solved with the bottle. Nothing in my life is worth drinking for.
Sometimes I will say that I feel cold and selfish. I am not believe me....but I have to put me and my recovery first. I sometimes skip on threads here because I have to focus on me. Sometimes I have found some threads depressing....and I don't think I have much to offer other then a....hugg and best wishes. That is ok too.
Now I am done for now...LOL.
Huggs and stay the course friends. Know that I am sober and following our group so even if I don't respond in detail to your posts know that I read them and I am blessed to have you and SR.