VivekaElm

Hello folks!

Today I am celebrating my 4 months of sobriety! But I was wondering if anyone else has had "mental" relapse moments the week, or two weeks, leading up to your sober birthday? I find that I sink into a pit of despair when my sober bday approaches and I'm struggle to battle with both my addiction and the desire to remain sober. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can keep myself from falling into the same old routine month after month? Or is it something that will eventually lessen as I progress through my sobriety?

Thanks!
Viveka

Dee74

Hi Viveka

Congratualtions on 4 months

I'm not sure I ever had that...I felt a bit low with some anniversaries but not all of them, routinely.

I decided PAWs was a good fit for what ailed me...whether its fits you or not I don't know but there's some useful information in this link

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) — Why we don’t get better immediately) « Digital Dharma

Are you doing any programme, or doing this on your own?

D

Draciack

Welcome VivekaElm and congrats on 4 months

Milestones are a time for reflection, which always makes me a bit loopy. It can be a time for celebration too though - like taking a trip or starting a special new ritual. You know, scramble it up.

Glad you're here.

Spirit08

I was always excited to get my monthly chips and couldn't wait for my year! What worked for me was jumping in with both feet and gaining a working knowledge of the steps and spiritual princials. I held onto them for dear life. Was willing to go to any length.

My two year is coming up next week. It's very hard, the emotional pain today. Sometimes, don't drink and go to meetings is the best we can hope for. That's the most imporant thing, that you don't drink.

Are you calling other alcoholics? Do you have a sponsor? That helps a lot. Read the literature, e.g., the big book and the step book. Keep me posted and I hope it works out well for you.

blessings,

artsoul

I noticed some definite moodiness going on right before a sober birthday, but a day or two after one, I felt fine. I really didn't believe it until I experienced it myself, but now I know to at least be prepared to deal with it when those milestones come up.

I liked Draciack's suggestion that it might be because we are more reflective, or aware, of our addiction/recovery. I also like the idea of doing something fun, rewarding or special to make it a positive thing.

Keep hanging in there!!

LaFemme

I'm a week behind you...I needed to think about that for a second...maybe don't focus so much on the day count and the anniversary wont be as big a deal? Of course you might not be counting already.

VivekaElm

Thanks to all of you who replied! I am still getting used to using the Sober Recovery forums and have forgotten about this post!

least

What worked (and still works) for me was expressing gratitude for my blessings. I'd been such a miserable creature for so long that I had to force myself to be grateful... but the more I was grateful, the more I found to be grateful for! So now on my sober birthdays I am just grateful that I found this new and better life. It helps me to keep from obsessing over negative things or wavering in my resolve to stay sober.

jls22

Congrats on 4 months!! That is great. You should focus on being very proud of yourself!

SwanSong

Congats on 4 months! It's been a long time since I got sober with a program so I can't really recall how I felt as I progressed through the months - but 4 months is groovy! Good for you!