Doug39

I started drinking on a daily basis way back in the Spring of 1989.

In 2013 I managed to stop drinking for 117 days - but my heart wasn't in it and I did nothing to change myself - I just sat around craving alcohol. Of course I failed to stay sober.

Today I am 114 days sober, I am working my AA program and making positive changes in my life. This Sunday I will break that 117 day record.

I am feeling relatively good these days, PAWS symptoms are minimal and I am able to recognize the stressors in my life and tackle them head on before they overwhelm me.

I am concerned that I will suffer PAWS symptoms in the future - I hear people talk of still having bad days years after they took their last drink.

RecklessEric

Go Doug!!
Don't worry about possible bad days in the future, my friend.
Everybody in the world has terrible days.

But you knock the hell out of that record!

ljc267

I think that is a big step!

I know I used to drown my stress with beer. My anxiety kicked way up when I quit drinking. Was quite high for a few months. I think it was partly due to not drinking anymore, but also partly due to the fact that I couldn't recognize nor knew how to deal with the now visible stress.

Upstairs

Congrats in advance Doug!

stargazer016

Way to go Doug!

I have found at 20 months sober that life still happens, both the good and the bad. However, I now take far more responsibility for my responses to life's challenges. I no longer need to go running for alcohol to relieve my momentary stress, only to put whatever off until tomorrow. Life not drinking is far less stressful than life drinking ever was. There is no reason to be fearful moving forward. Trust me on that!

zjw

good job dont get complacent!. and dont celebrate with a drink! i know i know but at every big milestone i'd feel good about my mission accomplished and then the AV would be like why not a drink ::facepalm:: it'd start trying to tell me how awesome i was see i could stay sober for X time its not a big deal to have one etc.. I new i coudlnt give in.

glad to hear your doing good. thats a lot of drinking years! you got a whole new life ahead of you! my lifes been a lot better sober then it ever was drunk.

thomas11

Good going Doug. Keep it going, slow and steady.

entropy1964

Good job Doug.

And this is really referring back to another thread, but I did my 5th step last night and it went great. Tiring, emotional but great. And I have some serious shlit in my past. Soooo just keep moving forward with those steps. I'm doing 6&7 when I get home. I was too tired last night.

Don't worry about PAWS.....it will be what it will be. I will have some, probably many, bad days for the rest of my life. Good news is? Everything changes, good and bad.

Glad you're doing well.

Hevyn

114 days today - Doug that is fabulous. You were ready this time.

Frick - I'm happy to hear you're making good progress with your steps. It is emotionally draining, but rewarding.

Doug39

I talked to my sister in law today (she is in AA) and she did her 5th step with her pastor.

Not sure who I will do my 5th step with - I am still looking for the right sponsor.

entropy1964

Hey Doug
I didn't decide to do it with my sponsor until the day before we met! I just figured one step at a time.....