Jack16

Hey everyone, I've been away. I fell off the wagon, with the usual results. I don't know what else to say. I'm going to try again. Thanks

Mountainmanbob

Thanks for reminding me on this early morning Jack.
There ain't nothing out there for us no more.
Good to see you here today.
M-Bob

Dee74

Welcome back Jack
Have you thought of what you might do differently this time?

D

LadyBlue0527

Glad you're here Jack. You want this, this time instead of "try", "do".

Do you have a plan in place for the next time you think about drinking?

Jack16

Thank you. I'm honestly not sure Dee. I'm being positive, but it also seems like I've tried so many different things. I definitely need to be more open and post on here. In the past, when I've felt things going awry, I've tended to clam up rather than posting about it.

I have a therapist now so that should help a lot.

Jack16

Thanks, next time I think about drinking I'm gonna:

- post on here
- do something physical
- write about my feelings, and why I just cannot do it
- focus on what I have to gain by not drinking

Bailey3

What's important is that you came back. Keep tweaking your plan and, it'll work out.

LadyBlue0527

Great news on the therapist! As much as I'm in deep right now with a situation I'm grateful that I am heading into counseling. Something I've needed for a long time.

Now, for the first part of what you said. It's easy to come here when you have resolve and are doing what's necessary to stay sober. The real work starts when you come here when you feel the way you stated. It was one of my epic fails. Great to come here and read on a daily basis but those times when you shy away from the board are the times you need it the most. I've learned that. I didn't come here because I didn't want someone to talk me out of what I was doing.

Remember, feeling like you want to drink doesn't last 24/7. It's a wave. You just have to do what it takes to get here or use any other tools you have in your sobriety belt to ride it out. It will go away. I promise, and you'll be happier for it.

Jack16

Yes, yes, yes - it's so obvious, but I didn't really see that. That is exactly it.

And yes it's true that it doesn't last. I think what I need to do is develop the skills to break the thought patterns that I always fall into when the desire for a drink comes on.

I'm not going the AA road, but I can see the wisdom in their H.A.L.T. strategy: asking yourself am I hungry, angry, lonely, tired. I find it's nearly always one of those things.

Thanks for your support LadyBlue

Arpeggioh

Welcome Back, Jack! As you can see from my join date, I've come crawling back here countless times, and every time, I've read nothing but supportive and genuine caring words from the wonderful members of this community.

This time around, which will be my last time as a newbie, I'm posting a lot more. For the first time, I entered into a "Class of" members who all quit drinking this month, and I post there morning and night. It's a place for me to check in, reassure myself and others that I'm still sober today...

I'm also not involved with AA, but can use whatever parts of their program I like to help with sobriety. I've also found inspiration from Rational Recovery and their AVRT methods; in the past, I've found SMART recovery concepts useful as well. And even through all of these, I still only look at today!

And I'm here so often, it's almost replaced my FaceBook addiction! I haven't seen a picture of my friends' kids in ages!

Fight hard, our lives are at stake...Arp

soberclover

Pleasure to see you again

Jack16

Thanks Arpeggioh, yeah, I've used AVRT and found it very useful. I've got lots of tools, so gonna throw everything I've got at it. See you on forums, and thanks for the support

least

Welcome back! I hope this time you can get sober for good.

Soberwolf

Good to see you brother

entropy1964

In the past, when I've felt things going awry, I've tended to clam up rather than posting about it.

That is exactly what I do. I have not, once, since posting here ever asked for help before I take the drink. But also, since I've been posting here, I've not been drop dead serious about quitting. I thought I was. I wasn't. It think I got 6 months, then 3 or 4 but I was just hoping, if I ignored it, my alcoholism would kindly just walk away. Ha! It didn't.

Jack16

You too, Wolf. I hope you're good

Jack16

Yeah, it's so hard to shake that hope

Hevyn

Jack - I'm really glad you decided to come back. Sometimes we need further proof that we can't touch it - that's how I was. Good to see you.

Wtbaf16

Most of us have failed many times just keep trying. This is only day 4 for me but I'm going to do my best. Really that's all we can do to combat this disease . And take yourself out of your usual routine to avoid the witching hour! Good luck to us all.

Delilah1

Welcome back Jack! I have had many day ones in the past as well. I came back to SR on January 1st and have been sober since. My biggest support has been the January class. You should join the May class to find at the same point in their sobriety as you are.

Glad you are back!!