Day 12.

Sounds like tommorow will be a challenge since I have been invited out to a bar. I normally decline invitations...always in the past preferring to stay home by myself and drink(I have lost nearly all my friends in the past few years because of my anti-socila behaviour).

As weird as it sounds, going to the bar is a step in the right direction for me. The problem will be being around all the alcohol, I'll be driving which will stop me from drinking a lot.. .but I need to refrian from having even one.

I'll be using a few tricks at the bar to prevent people from asking me why i am not drinking. I can say I am on a diet or just order pop(soda) and not tell anyone what it is, etc.

Hi Krodos,

It's only the first drink you have to avoid.....do remember that.

Just think you will be driving home and tomorrow you will know that you drove legally, can remember everything that happened and you will be feeling so great because you stayed sober.

So we shall look forward to seeing Day 13 here tomorrow?

One day at a time. One minute at a time, if you have to :)

Friday at last :)

This weekend is just about doing things at home just me and my husband. Maybe take a look on a flea market.

The next two weekends I have to go out or having people over, so I will really enjoy this last break before I really have to deal with temptations.

IO...two weeks! Fantastic. I can't believe I hit that Sunday. And the travel was fine. No drinking!

Krodo's, I understand exactly. I didn't go out on New Years to get drunk at home alone! Going out and doing anything with people is a step in the right direction for me now. We both hit two weeks Sunday, and we're both going to make it there.

My sister gets married tomorrow. I know that this a challenge, but I am determined not to let her special day become my excuse to give up on all the work I've done, and I refuse to ruin this for her. I've got a phone full of numbers to call from AA, I've got SR, I'm not going to let this trip me up. I will hit two weeks on Sunday!

intention, I do plan on making it. I believe I can resist taking that first drink. Last weekend my wife had me by her a bottle so she could have a drink and left the bottle in my usual spot. It is still here untouched all week.

My biggest concern I guess is feeling peer pressure to have a drink thats all. Which is why I will at the very least pretend to drink.

Malcolms, Yeah, I am very excited by the prospect of going 2 full weekends in a row with no drink. I got off early today and drove right on past the liquior store after work on my way home.

The new line I use is "No thanks, I'm taking the night off." People don't even question it. I don't have to say anything else. I just go on with my conversation and people totally get it.

Another thing is that we never have to make an excuse for our decisions. They are our decisions. No need to justify. Plus, we are doing AWESOME THINGS for ourselves! I'm so inspired to hear about all the good stuff that is happening now that we're working to be sober. Thanks for posting guys. It's helpful.

My night was good but I'm a little blue. The guy I was seeing broke up with me tonight but it wasn't a bad or stressful thing. We enjoy each other and hang out a lot it just turns out it won't be more than that. So, once we cleared the air at the beginning of dinner we went on and had a great night. The best part: I didn't feel the need to drink! Instead, I'm just letting myself feel the bummer of it not working out with a nice fella but I know there are plenty more where he came from. I don't need to drink and end up feeling a lot worse about the whole thing than is necessary.

So thanks for posting tonight guys. It was a welcome thing to hear good news from so many.

-BJB

Overall a good weekend; my husband and I have seen a bunch of old "Lost"-episodes (from season 1). We will probably see all the old seasons before season 6 comes out here. :)

Yesterday night I was cooking. When I opend a fresh bottle of balsamic vinegar, it hits me how similar it was to open a bottle of wine and I suddenly missed cooking with a glass of red wine in my hand.

Today I was also reminded of my old habit; We visited a second hand shop and found a lot of good stuf like a kalaha-game and a brand new bat lamp, but most of the time I thought about that the shop got a lottery with cheep chocolate and very bad red wine as prizes, sponsor gifts of course, and the last time I was where I bought a lot of tickets just to make sure I won. So I won and my husband wanted the chocolate, but I talked him into the wine, because I really needed that bottle; the house was dry.

Great Wallingford and another good weekend here.

Looking forward to a hangover free Monday. :)

I call that the "wine lifestyle." Wine (and scotch) were my poisons but I was convinced I loved the lifestyle and taste of wine. It was nice. But to help me transition and feel like I wasn't missing out, I started experimenting with making other n/a drinks and drinking them out of champagne flutes and wine glasses like I used to.

For mimosas, I do sparkling mineral water, a splash of orange juice or orange flavor sparkling green tea, and sometimes a splash of Rose's lime or cherry.

I've also begun to REALLY enjoy the Dry Soda Company's line of dry sodas. They are made to pair with various dinners just like wine or prosecco but they are the most interesting soda waters. The come in lemongrass, vanilla bean and a bunch of other flavors. I really like them. You can get them at Whole Foods.

If you are missing the glass of wine in your hand while you cook, ask yourself, "Is it really the wine I miss? Or the experience?" Then start experimenting with creating a new experience/treat for yourself to sip on and see how it goes... non-alcoholic, of course. Just some ideas.

Today is my day 14! Woohoo!!! Two weeks! I had a wonderful celebration dinner and my two week sober cake with a candle. This time it was actually a ridiculously large Turtle Chocolate Caramel Apple. I could only eat half. I gave the rest to my neighbor. But it was awesome and I am totally ready to take on another week of sobriety.

Next week, I'll be in Key West. It is a gift trip from a friend. I'm quite excited but... how does one hang out on a beach and NOT drink?!? This is going to be a very new experience. But I'm ready.

Thanks for posting on here guys. It really lifts me up to see your posts. Thanks for your support and the honest in your stories, successes, and struggles. Keep it up.

See you soon,
BJB

Made it through Weekend #3
 

And the more 'distance' I get from the drinking the better perspective I have on it. Whatever damage I thought it was doing to me when I stopped 3 weeks ago, was only scratching the surface. Every day I feel that I'm seeing a whole lot of things more clearly. And I'm grateful I woke up before it was too late.:c029:

My last drink was Jan. 1st at 2:30am. I told myself I was going to stop at midnight but... well, you know.. hah :S

Welcome Purple. And congratulations to everyone! I am at day 16 myself. Wow, it has gone fast.

I'll have to try this dry soda company. I do miss pairing wine with food. I have been drinking a lot of sour lemonade and cranberry punch, which seems to hit the spot.

Day 17 is almost over.....I feel like this is the rest of my life. I am having no cravings for alcohol.....it really feels good!!

Really had a hard day; woke up with a fever or something. Spent most of the day sleeping and I am still feeling tired. Didn´t even bother to think about alcohol :)

I'm on day 17 myself.

I'm starting to get some pressure from the AA folks to get a sponser. I'm feeling good, not drinking and liking the people I meet, but when I try to read the big book, think about steps, etc., I balk. And I can identify with the share's until they start to talk about spiritiual maladies. I can believe that I have a physical craving for alcohol, perhaps a mental or emotional disease that causes me to be unable to handle alcohol, and lord knows I've got character defects, so that isn't a problem for me. But a spiritual problem? This seems to cross a line.

Anyway, I guess I have to decide what I am going to do going forward, but I am starting to feel like I'm reaching a bit of a crossroads with AA. There is only so much longer I can just sort of go to meetings without really doing anything but sitting around before the people won't want me there anymore.

Hi All,

First day for me in recovery. I gave my story in another thread in this forum if you care to read it. Anyways, I feel blessed to have this support group!

That was always my issue with AA as well. I just can't get into the spiritual side. I believe in something greater than myself... people, our collective energy and power. That's why I believe in this forum and blogging. Reaching out and being supported (or occassionally called out) by others has mad a massive difference in my sobriety. As a matter of fact, I almost broke yesterday were it not for the people around me telling me that, for people like me, there is no such thing as "one glass of wine."

AA works great for some and that's awesome. It just wasn't a place for me. My daily blog, this forum, and a handful of folks in my life seem to be doing the trick. Also, being open with my struggle when necessary helps a lot.

Don't let other people's (including AA) expectations keep you from your sobriety. If showing up to the meetings and doing what you are doing is working, then keep doing it. But if a sponsor isn't for you, then own it. I have a coach. She was actually my eating disorder coach but I'm revisiting her for alcoholism. In a way, I have a sponsor but she does not subscribe to the AA philosophy. There are definitely good things in AA but I encourage you to "take the parts that work and leave the rest." If you are getting too much pressure from the AA folks, tell them that. Again, do not let the wants and expectations of other keep you from your sobriety.

I'm happy to check in with you all again. The past two days have been very difficult for me. The cravings have been unbelievable. But I am happy to say that I didn't submit. I did end up eating a bunch of candy last night which is very out of character for me but it beats boozing. I don't want to replace one with the other (over eating for drinking) and I am being cognitive not to. But last night, I needed something to distract me or take the edge off. And candied orange slices and a funny movie did the trick. Tonight, I'm just opting for a movie.

Be well, my friends. And keep posting.

BJB

Hello sober people!

I'm new to the SR board as well as, the idea that I can go through a day without drinking. Tonight is the end of my 3 day sober. I would love to be a part of the Jan group if that's how it works.

Blessing,

Its just after midnight here so I'm on day 18.. wanted to check in and let it be known I am still keeping sober.

Welcome RacerX and allaheadslow. Glad you are here. Welcome to the Jan 2010 group.

I am from the Jan 2009 group, so it is possible and it does get easier. Just focus on today and the days start to add up. Welcome!

Hi Malcolms, you can carry on going to AA meetings without getting a sponsor. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

The reason why they are telling you it is important that you get a sponsor is because they have seen too many times what happens when people don't. When they just rely on will-power, it eventually fades and they go back to the bottle.

And they are probably right. I spent too much time last night throwing a pity party for myself because I can't have a glass of wine or a beer. I reminded myself that I don't drink just one glass of wine, but mentally that is fading. Its only a matter of time until I convince myself its ok to drink moderately, my complete inability to do that successfully in the past will be forgotten.

I still don't buy this spiritual stuff, but I also don't believe I can do this on my own, so I'll find a sponser and do it their way. Worst case scenario is it doesn't work for me and I need to do something else, but I least I tried it. After all, even if the steps make no sense to me, obviously they have worked for lots of people, and I sure as heck haven't figured out how to stay sober on my own.

Hi Malcolms,

You have just said it all there!! You have nothing to lose. All you have to do is believe that it works for others and it can work for you.

You know your will power is starting to fade. Good luck on getting the sponsor and starting the steps.

Remember, guys...
 

...one day at a time.... and the best of luck to you all!

Hi Tobascofred and welcome.

Hi everyone day 21 here. I don't really count days but it's easy to count from the first of Jan. I went on a trip out to see family and did not drink for the first time in years. It was pretty odd initially since that is such a big part of the socializing for us. But it was nice not being hungover the next day. Still feel like something was missing somehow but overall it went pretty well.

I don't really have cravings right now. My sleep is okay, difficult to fall asleep and tired in the mornings as a result. I feel bored sometimes with the extra time on my hands.

I've been working out much more consistently and noticing some nice results. Diet has improved a little too. I don't crave crappy food as much as when I was drinking.

I feel a bit sharper mentally which is very encouraging. That's always bothered me in the back of my mind that I'm slowly pickling my brain. My body is appreciating my new choices apparently.

The mental acuity is amazing. I spoke to more customers today than I have in months. Thank the Lord for my sobriety ( I did numerous time today) and please allow me the strength to continue this journey. I am indeed powerless.

I won't drink today!

Blessings,

I like this thread :)

not a Jan starter....but I still can be. Just wanted to say hi - hope everyone here is well and

I WILL BE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopefully

:)

Come back any time Klynn. We'll be waiting for you.

Day 3 for me and actually slept some last night. Still feel like a train hit me this morning (groggy) but feels SO GOOD to be sober.