31 Days sober from a longtime lurker
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 26
31 Days sober from a longtime lurker
I have been reading these boards for 7 years, and have never posted. I'd like to thank everyone that posts here regularly, I suspect there are thousands of drinkers like me that SR helps by providing a safe place to look for answers and experience, even though not all of us post. I have accomplished 31 days sober. I embarked on sobriety after a heavy Saturday night of drinking with friends, I'm a runner and had my long run of the week scheduled for the next morning. I had to stop running after four miles, and walk back to my starting point. That was a deal breaker for me. When I got home, I found the book The 30 Day Sobriety Solution and downloaded it immediately. I also downloaded This Naked Mind Control Alcohol. Both books have been extremely valuable in helping me have 31 days of sobriety, but I have to admit I am still ambivalent about my feelings toward alcohol.
I know that drinking is something I still think I will enjoy. I feel like it is helps me be social, and relaxes me. BUT, if I think about how much less stressed I’ve felt over the past 30 days, I honestly have to question those feelings. I’ve been sleeping better. I rarely get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom or drink water (which was a nightly occurrence while drinking). I feel more even keeled, and this in some ways feels a little boring. My friends don't seem to think I need to be sober, and keep asking when I am going to drink again. My husband isn't a huge drinker, while he is happy I am trying to cut down, I think he feels sobriety is an extreme choice for me and our lifestyle.
Benefits of 31 days: my skin seems clearer, my mind is much more alert and I don't have huge cravings for alcohol. Negatives: a small feeling I'm missing out on fun and frustrated I can't just numb away my problems and feelings.
I think that my AV is trying to trick me, and say if it's been this easy, I don't really have a problem. My sensible brain is trying to point out that a normal drinker probably wouldn't have lurked on the SR site for 7 years off and on. I think that in the past, I would come here seeking a litmus test to assuage my fears that I was drinking too much, to be fair to everyone here, those fears were too often confirmed, and I recognize now that comparing my drinking to my friends, people on this site, or my family doesn't change the fact that alcohol has been hurting me for years, just because I've allowed it to hurt me more or less than anyone else doesn't justify my abuse of drinking.
I will stay sober today and see how 32 days feels.
I know that drinking is something I still think I will enjoy. I feel like it is helps me be social, and relaxes me. BUT, if I think about how much less stressed I’ve felt over the past 30 days, I honestly have to question those feelings. I’ve been sleeping better. I rarely get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom or drink water (which was a nightly occurrence while drinking). I feel more even keeled, and this in some ways feels a little boring. My friends don't seem to think I need to be sober, and keep asking when I am going to drink again. My husband isn't a huge drinker, while he is happy I am trying to cut down, I think he feels sobriety is an extreme choice for me and our lifestyle.
Benefits of 31 days: my skin seems clearer, my mind is much more alert and I don't have huge cravings for alcohol. Negatives: a small feeling I'm missing out on fun and frustrated I can't just numb away my problems and feelings.
I think that my AV is trying to trick me, and say if it's been this easy, I don't really have a problem. My sensible brain is trying to point out that a normal drinker probably wouldn't have lurked on the SR site for 7 years off and on. I think that in the past, I would come here seeking a litmus test to assuage my fears that I was drinking too much, to be fair to everyone here, those fears were too often confirmed, and I recognize now that comparing my drinking to my friends, people on this site, or my family doesn't change the fact that alcohol has been hurting me for years, just because I've allowed it to hurt me more or less than anyone else doesn't justify my abuse of drinking.
I will stay sober today and see how 32 days feels.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,393
Very well said: I recognize now that comparing ...doesn't change the fact that alcohol has been hurting me for years, just because I've allowed it to hurt me more or less than anyone else doesn't justify my abuse of drinking. "
Thank you, welcome Change72, and congrats on 31 days. I hope you will feel like posting/sharing on your journey. I know you will have a lot of understanding and support here.
Thank you, welcome Change72, and congrats on 31 days. I hope you will feel like posting/sharing on your journey. I know you will have a lot of understanding and support here.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,442
Congrats on 32 days and welcome to posting Change 
Yeah that AV will lie to you - you're not going to have fixed a years long problem in 30 days.
Things are going well because you've stopped drinking, not because you've somehow gained control over your problem or reverted to 'normal'
D
Yeah that AV will lie to you - you're not going to have fixed a years long problem in 30 days.
Things are going well because you've stopped drinking, not because you've somehow gained control over your problem or reverted to 'normal'
D
Blue Belt
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Soberville, USA
Posts: 4,174
Welcome aboard...
Give it a few more weeks....
See if your anxiety ramps up...
That av is the anxiety talking...
If you drank to get drunk often...e.g. more than about 4 units once a week...the addictive pathways are established.
It is progressive as u know....
Give it a few more weeks....
See if your anxiety ramps up...
That av is the anxiety talking...
If you drank to get drunk often...e.g. more than about 4 units once a week...the addictive pathways are established.
It is progressive as u know....
Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: MI
Posts: 626
Hello all. I also have been "lurking" and would like to say Great job on your 31 days! I am also a new member and would like to express my gratitude to everyone on this site for all the help and support you continue to give to me on this journey. I am 9 months sober today and you have been with me for the last 6.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,564
Very glad to have you with us, change. 32 days - that's wonderful. You're very self aware - that's going to help.
REsoberALITY - It's great to meet you, too. Congrats on your 9 sober months.
32 days - that's wonderful. You're very self aware - that's going to help. REsoberALITY - It's great to meet you, too. Congrats on your 9 sober months.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US
Posts: 544
Change - welcome and congrats.
So I would guess that the first time you ran, it probably wasn't a 10k. You had to train your way up to it, right?
Can you run your desired distance only eating cake and ice cream and occasionally jogging a mile here and there? Probably. But if you want to perform your best, wouldn't you plan a better diet and running schedule?
Maybe there's a way to apply the discipline you've learned as an athlete to help you on the road to sobriety?
Stick around and let us know your next step (yes, I like puns)!
So I would guess that the first time you ran, it probably wasn't a 10k. You had to train your way up to it, right?
Can you run your desired distance only eating cake and ice cream and occasionally jogging a mile here and there? Probably. But if you want to perform your best, wouldn't you plan a better diet and running schedule?
Maybe there's a way to apply the discipline you've learned as an athlete to help you on the road to sobriety?
Stick around and let us know your next step (yes, I like puns)!
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