Let's Get Through Together, May Day Weekender 28/4-01/5
saoutchik
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 16,184
Let's Get Through Together, May Day Weekender 28/4-01/5
It is a long weekend in many parts of the world and this thread is for those of us trying not to waste it by well - getting wasted.
The reason we start early is to include our friends from Australia and New Zealand in the run up to the weekend.
Everyone is welcome on this thread.
If you are currently still drinking or drug taking but want to stop, you're welcome.
If you have stopped recently and are looking ways to stay stopped, you're welcome.
If you have some sober time and can pass on any tips or experiences, you're welcome.
Sober weekends are much more fulfilling than just spending money on putting toxins into our bodies. On this site and elsewhere you often read that alcoholism is progressive. One thing that you don't read as much is that sobriety is progressive too. It is not a smooth and linear process like you might see in an economic projection but something like a bull run on the financial markets, full of surges of optimism and sudden dips from fears and anxiety coming out of leftfield, but the long term trend is always up.
A little bit of support and shared experience from people in the same boat can make the difference between failure on our own and success together.
Welcome to Weekenders
The reason we start early is to include our friends from Australia and New Zealand in the run up to the weekend.
Everyone is welcome on this thread.
If you are currently still drinking or drug taking but want to stop, you're welcome.
If you have stopped recently and are looking ways to stay stopped, you're welcome.
If you have some sober time and can pass on any tips or experiences, you're welcome.
Sober weekends are much more fulfilling than just spending money on putting toxins into our bodies. On this site and elsewhere you often read that alcoholism is progressive. One thing that you don't read as much is that sobriety is progressive too. It is not a smooth and linear process like you might see in an economic projection but something like a bull run on the financial markets, full of surges of optimism and sudden dips from fears and anxiety coming out of leftfield, but the long term trend is always up.
A little bit of support and shared experience from people in the same boat can make the difference between failure on our own and success together.
Welcome to Weekenders
Mini Novel Post Writer
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,649
Good morning everyone 
Great opener Sao!
The hardest time for me any time I've tried to quit was always the weekend. That's when the enemy of sobriety arrives which is large spaces of free time. During the week most of us have to get up in the morning and have responsibilities that assist us in combatting the urges. But, when Friday arrives and it's time to go home our thoughts turn to that free time and what to do. This is why it's so important to have a plan.
Sobriety is much easier when you line up an entire weekend of things that make it impossible to drink. The less you leave the door open the better.
I've actually developed a routine that gets changed up a bit here and there. I have very little time on the weekends to sit and ponder what I am going to do next.
So, what is everyone planning for this weekend? If you don't have any plans what can you add to the weekend that will eat up that free time? Plan now, don't leave the question open as to what you're going to do. If you do this you'll find it's much easier.
Have a great day everyone!
Great opener Sao!
The hardest time for me any time I've tried to quit was always the weekend. That's when the enemy of sobriety arrives which is large spaces of free time. During the week most of us have to get up in the morning and have responsibilities that assist us in combatting the urges. But, when Friday arrives and it's time to go home our thoughts turn to that free time and what to do. This is why it's so important to have a plan.
Sobriety is much easier when you line up an entire weekend of things that make it impossible to drink. The less you leave the door open the better.
I've actually developed a routine that gets changed up a bit here and there. I have very little time on the weekends to sit and ponder what I am going to do next.
So, what is everyone planning for this weekend? If you don't have any plans what can you add to the weekend that will eat up that free time? Plan now, don't leave the question open as to what you're going to do. If you do this you'll find it's much easier.
Have a great day everyone!
saoutchik
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: London
Posts: 16,184
Congratulations on shotgun LadyBlue! You're absolutely right, long spells of free time without any activities are the enemy of sobriety so planning for the weekend is really good practise.
My internet speed seems to be at a snails pace today, my OP took 15+ minutes to post.
My internet speed seems to be at a snails pace today, my OP took 15+ minutes to post.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
Internet problems? That happens to outlaw countries.
In! Great start to the thread, sao.
I don't have a problem with free time, but then I have a lot of free time and I like it. I like the slower pace of sobriety, where I can make plans and keep them, where I can take care of myself and my surroundings and where I can stop adding on things about which to feel bad.
I like doing the right thing. I like the feeling of a day that is completed without regrets.
I love getting up at 4AM just because I'm sober and have the energy to do so.
If you are lurking this thread, jump in. Bring your hamster.
In! Great start to the thread, sao.
I don't have a problem with free time, but then I have a lot of free time and I like it. I like the slower pace of sobriety, where I can make plans and keep them, where I can take care of myself and my surroundings and where I can stop adding on things about which to feel bad.
I like doing the right thing. I like the feeling of a day that is completed without regrets.
I love getting up at 4AM just because I'm sober and have the energy to do so.
If you are lurking this thread, jump in. Bring your hamster.
Maladaptive
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: East coast, USA
Posts: 558
I'm in. Going to play pickleball or go bike riding on Saturday. Then out to the casino sat night. 2 of us don't drink. My wife and a friend could go either way but probably won't drink. 1 friend may have a beer. I am not expecting any problems there.
Sunday, we are going to prep food for the coming week. We used to do that when we were mildly drinking. When the drinking got heavier, we stopped.
Looking forward to it.
What else is going on?
Sunday, we are going to prep food for the coming week. We used to do that when we were mildly drinking. When the drinking got heavier, we stopped.
Looking forward to it.
What else is going on?
Maladaptive
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: East coast, USA
Posts: 558
Biminiblue, I'm usually not allowed to go near my friends when they play. They always seem to lose!
Usually they play blackjack or 3 card poker. I could care less about any of it- i like my money! I used to sit at the bar and wait for them, but now I might go to a nearby mall, or play penny slots to pass the time. Heck, i might even take the money I'm saving not buying booze and play with them! I'll have saved about $75 this week from being sober!
Usually they play blackjack or 3 card poker. I could care less about any of it- i like my money! I used to sit at the bar and wait for them, but now I might go to a nearby mall, or play penny slots to pass the time. Heck, i might even take the money I'm saving not buying booze and play with them! I'll have saved about $75 this week from being sober!
Guest
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 2,256
Love what you wrote about sobriety being progressive Sao. Never thought about it like that before. So true about the surges of optimism and dips of anxiety. And yes, the long term trend is always up. Oh, and I love the picture of the baby penguin by your name. For all of those reasons, I'm in
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,756
like the casinos. I don't play anything, I like to hang on to my money too. But given the opportunity, I like to walk around and experience the sites and sounds. One casino in the city has a large walk thru aquarium. Another is currently being re-built. I'll probably visit it once it done, go for dinner then a walk about.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
Originally Posted by Shitzupuppy 
Biminiblue, I'm usually not allowed to go near my friends when they play. They always seem to lose!
Usually they play blackjack or 3 card poker. I could care less about any of it- i like my money! I used to sit at the bar and wait for them, but now I might go to a nearby mall, or play penny slots to pass the time. Heck, i might even take the money I'm saving not buying booze and play with them! I'll have saved about $75 this week from being sober!
Usually they play blackjack or 3 card poker. I could care less about any of it- i like my money! I used to sit at the bar and wait for them, but now I might go to a nearby mall, or play penny slots to pass the time. Heck, i might even take the money I'm saving not buying booze and play with them! I'll have saved about $75 this week from being sober!
I like the extra money, too. I've saved many thousands of dollars since I stopped drinking.
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,756
So as most of you know, I've been going thru some really stressfully times both at work and at home with my daughters depression and related issues. This has naturally had an effect on me.
This morning I was reading up again on PAWS http://alcoholrehab.com/addiction-re...awal-symptoms/. It says here that symptoms can peak at six months. I'm at six months now so great, I'm getting a triple whammy.
Meaning that things will get better, all have to do is white knuckle it thru. Actually I think this even more reason to seek out therapy with my wife like she suggested last week.
This morning I was reading up again on PAWS http://alcoholrehab.com/addiction-re...awal-symptoms/. It says here that symptoms can peak at six months. I'm at six months now so great, I'm getting a triple whammy.
Meaning that things will get better, all have to do is white knuckle it thru. Actually I think this even more reason to seek out therapy with my wife like she suggested last week.
Giving up is NOT an option.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 7,808
I'm in! Great intro, Sao. Sobriety is definitely progressive. It does get easier and easier as time goes on. The early days for me were quite the roller coaster, and there were times I wondered if it was worth it. There were times I wanted to get off the ride. But after over two years, I clearly see the upward trend. I'm glad I've stuck it out. I am going through something rough right now, and it occurred to me this morning that I didn't even THINK about drinking my way through it. That feels like a victory. If this had happened a few years ago I would have gone straight to the bottle.
Maladaptive
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: East coast, USA
Posts: 558
Originally Posted by STDragon
So as most of you know, I've been going thru some really stressfully times both at work and at home with my daughters depression and related issues. This has naturally had an effect on me.
..
Meaning that things will get better, all have to do is white knuckle it thru. Actually I think this even more reason to seek out therapy with my wife like she suggested last week.
..
Meaning that things will get better, all have to do is white knuckle it thru. Actually I think this even more reason to seek out therapy with my wife like she suggested last week.
I don't really like having to take it, but it does help me. Maybe your daughter should go see an MD about it. My doctor prescribed it for me.
It really does help the patient and family.
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