Becoming "Normal"
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: GA, USA
Posts: 130
Becoming "Normal"
Good morning everyone.
My name is Jen and I'm new to Sober Recovery. I have been battling addiction for nine years now. I celebrated my 31st birthday yesterday, and my last glass of wine.
For the past few years I've wanted to be "normal." I've wanted to wake up at five in the morning, sober, and proceed with my day like most parents/wives do. For whatever reason, that hope & dream would always end at 8pm, as I would drink a full bottle (or two) of wine, by myself. Which, of course, would begin the vicious cycle of "needing" more, whether it was that night, or the following morning (hair of the dog). The sad thing is, each time I went to the store for items for dinner, I would tell myself that I didn't want or need alcohol. Yet, I always ended up with it.
Starting today, I'm taking all possible measures to get my life on track and to start treating myself better and become the mother my daughter needs me to be.
I'm very thankful I have found Sober Recovery. Just typing my feelings and my new decision, is making me feel so much better. I know I have a very long and difficult road ahead of me but sharing and reading experiences is going to make that road a little easier to travel.
Jen
My name is Jen and I'm new to Sober Recovery. I have been battling addiction for nine years now. I celebrated my 31st birthday yesterday, and my last glass of wine.
For the past few years I've wanted to be "normal." I've wanted to wake up at five in the morning, sober, and proceed with my day like most parents/wives do. For whatever reason, that hope & dream would always end at 8pm, as I would drink a full bottle (or two) of wine, by myself. Which, of course, would begin the vicious cycle of "needing" more, whether it was that night, or the following morning (hair of the dog). The sad thing is, each time I went to the store for items for dinner, I would tell myself that I didn't want or need alcohol. Yet, I always ended up with it.
Starting today, I'm taking all possible measures to get my life on track and to start treating myself better and become the mother my daughter needs me to be.
I'm very thankful I have found Sober Recovery. Just typing my feelings and my new decision, is making me feel so much better. I know I have a very long and difficult road ahead of me but sharing and reading experiences is going to make that road a little easier to travel.
Jen
You won't regret it.
A Day at a Time
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 6,435
Originally Posted by Jen31 
Good morning everyone.
I'm taking all possible measures to get my life on track and to start treating myself better and become the mother my daughter needs me to be.
I'm very thankful I have found Sober Recovery. Just typing my feelings and my new decision, is making me feel so much better. I know I have a very long and difficult road ahead of me but sharing and reading experiences is going to make that road a little easier to travel.
Jen
I'm taking all possible measures to get my life on track and to start treating myself better and become the mother my daughter needs me to be.
I'm very thankful I have found Sober Recovery. Just typing my feelings and my new decision, is making me feel so much better. I know I have a very long and difficult road ahead of me but sharing and reading experiences is going to make that road a little easier to travel.
Jen
Although sober recovery is a great place what other measures are you taking to stay sober?
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: GA, USA
Posts: 130
Thank you, MIRecovery.
The plans I have this far, to help with my recovery are:
Have my husband make trips to the store for me
Have my step-son or husband put gas in the car for me (gas stations are my enemy)
Kindly decline all invitations where alcohol may be involved
Get back into my sewing hobby, to take my mind off of drinking
Start working out again, to get my mind off drinking (I've gained 100lbs bc of alcohol)
So far, this is what I have decided to do. Does anyone have more suggestions?
Thanks so much,
Jen
The plans I have this far, to help with my recovery are:
Have my husband make trips to the store for me
Have my step-son or husband put gas in the car for me (gas stations are my enemy)
Kindly decline all invitations where alcohol may be involved
Get back into my sewing hobby, to take my mind off of drinking
Start working out again, to get my mind off drinking (I've gained 100lbs bc of alcohol)
So far, this is what I have decided to do. Does anyone have more suggestions?
Thanks so much,
Jen
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: deep south
Posts: 58
way to go jen. i'd encourage you to take small steps first. focus on today and don't worry about the future. live in the moment and enjoy it. many recovering alcoholics attend meetings regularly which help you stay the course and give all kinds of support. i'm not one of those people, but it really boils down to what works for you. i too like to exercise esp in the early evenings when i used to drink. good luck on your journey. this web site is incredible and is great away to share with others.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 25
I too liked my wine and when I stop to pick up groceries the habit is to pick up the wine too. When I started to finish off the whole bottle myself I knew it was time to change. Then I found out how hard it was for me.
For me I had to start looking behind the reasons I was drinking. Digging deep to see why I really drank. For me sheer will power didn't do it. Also to surround yourself with support is helpful. Even though I don't attend AA meetings I got myself a sponsor. It is great to talk (and not just type) to a person who has gone through this before. There is a big difference in actually talking and typing.
Namaste
For me I had to start looking behind the reasons I was drinking. Digging deep to see why I really drank. For me sheer will power didn't do it. Also to surround yourself with support is helpful. Even though I don't attend AA meetings I got myself a sponsor. It is great to talk (and not just type) to a person who has gone through this before. There is a big difference in actually talking and typing.
Namaste
A Day at a Time
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 6,435
I found AVRT (Addictive Voice Recovery Technique) to be very useful in early recovery.
I also am a huge AA fan because AA worked when nothing else would and saved my life but there are multiple pathes to recovery.
You may also wish to investigate an out patient rehab which will educate you on addiction in general and give you a support network of sober people.
One thing you did not metion is removing all alcohol from your house.
I also am a huge AA fan because AA worked when nothing else would and saved my life but there are multiple pathes to recovery.
You may also wish to investigate an out patient rehab which will educate you on addiction in general and give you a support network of sober people.
One thing you did not metion is removing all alcohol from your house.
Guest
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 590
Jen, Welcome! Congrats on your decision. I don't ever claim to be "normal" LOL....too boring. However, sober life has been a great decision for me and I have absolutely no regrets.
I like your plan. In my case, I also had to make a "Plan B". In other words, what am I going to do or add if I find myself tempted or weakening? What is my "back-up parachute" that I may need in a pinch? In my case, that is local face-to-face help. Most likely an AA meeting. I haven't done that yet. I know though that I have committed that I will go there BEFORE I take my next drink.
I like your plan. In my case, I also had to make a "Plan B". In other words, what am I going to do or add if I find myself tempted or weakening? What is my "back-up parachute" that I may need in a pinch? In my case, that is local face-to-face help. Most likely an AA meeting. I haven't done that yet. I know though that I have committed that I will go there BEFORE I take my next drink.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: philadelphia, pa
Posts: 25
Welcome. Congrats on making the right decision and taking the first step toward your recovery. I wish you the best. Just remember, you are stronger than this addiction and you do have the power to beat it!
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