Class Of October 2012 Part 4
Sober since October
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: In the world in my eyes...Somewhere I've never been before...
Posts: 7,355
Hi, Octsobermates. Yesterday I reached 90 Day milestone) These 90 days feel like another life.
Redviper - I have very few friends, and don't see them often either. And a couple of years ago my best friend moved to another city, so we meet once in three - four months now. And she almost doesnt' drink at all, used to have a glass of wine with me once in a while). Though I don't see it like a problem. Drinking with friends is one of the most popular activities, and when wo choose sobritety it comes with some reassessment of a life. New activities, like sport, give oppportunity to meet people. My personal trainer is my good friend.
My best wishes to all.
Redviper - I have very few friends, and don't see them often either. And a couple of years ago my best friend moved to another city, so we meet once in three - four months now. And she almost doesnt' drink at all, used to have a glass of wine with me once in a while). Though I don't see it like a problem. Drinking with friends is one of the most popular activities, and when wo choose sobritety it comes with some reassessment of a life. New activities, like sport, give oppportunity to meet people. My personal trainer is my good friend.
My best wishes to all.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nevada
Posts: 174
Congrats on 90 days!
I don't feel so bad now. My life revolved around drinking for so long it's hard to function outside of it. I have so much more energy I'm trying to channel into something. I wish I was addicted to working out as much as I was addicted to drinking. I just can't get motivated to work out in the gym.
I don't feel so bad now. My life revolved around drinking for so long it's hard to function outside of it. I have so much more energy I'm trying to channel into something. I wish I was addicted to working out as much as I was addicted to drinking. I just can't get motivated to work out in the gym.
Administrator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,460
RV
I have way fewer friends now - but I look at the quality of the friendships I have now, and I realise I had a heckuva lot of drinking buddies, hangers on, and general acquaintances back in the day....
I like it this way
D
I have way fewer friends now - but I look at the quality of the friendships I have now, and I realise I had a heckuva lot of drinking buddies, hangers on, and general acquaintances back in the day....
I like it this way
D
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Florida US
Posts: 296
There are two women in their 60's, each over 15 years sober, that I call once in a while to chat. They are good friends but other than that I don't have any other friends. There is a girl at work that I like and we talk a lot, but she is addicted to pain pills, oxy's I believe, and the drama is way too much for my liking. She had a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction 5 years ago and has never stopped taking the pain killers. I don't disclose my problems with alcohol or my recovery at work so I am not sure how I could help this girl.
Today, I thought about taking some cough syrup not prescribed for me. I know it has codeine and I felt like getting drowsy and going to bed. Didn't do it though. It wouldn't be different than having wine. I am glad I didn't do it. I haven't been paying much attention to my recovery forums and when not actively working on my recovery I get crazy ideas.
Natalie
Today, I thought about taking some cough syrup not prescribed for me. I know it has codeine and I felt like getting drowsy and going to bed. Didn't do it though. It wouldn't be different than having wine. I am glad I didn't do it. I haven't been paying much attention to my recovery forums and when not actively working on my recovery I get crazy ideas.
Natalie
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nevada
Posts: 174
I've had to take sleeping pills a few times because of insomnia. Is that bad to do? I hear some people can get addicted to them. Alcohol has always been my addiction, pills I never liked. I don't take sleeing pills too often.
Administrator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,460
I'm glad you didn;t Natalie
RV...If they're prescribed for you, and your Dr knows your story, you've covered all the bases, but discuss it with your Dr if you're concerned for sure.
If they're not prescribed for you, or if your Dr doesn't know your full story, then maybe it's worth discussing it with him/her anyway?
D
RV...If they're prescribed for you, and your Dr knows your story, you've covered all the bases, but discuss it with your Dr if you're concerned for sure
. If they're not prescribed for you, or if your Dr doesn't know your full story, then maybe it's worth discussing it with him/her anyway?
D
Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Inbetween dances
Posts: 548
Hi all!!!
RV in response to your previous thread on friends or lack their of, I used to think I had many friends. Friends who would bring drinks over and get plowed with me. They weren't friends, but crutches. They were there to do what I did so I didn't look or feel shameful for wantin to drink again. Now I have friends in aa, we don't hang out alot, but I see them at meetings and we catch up before and after. I have friends at work. We spend a fair amount of time together. And my family. I have time for them again. I'm here. In the moment. I may not always be happy, not because of them, just because, but I'm here sober and functioning. Ill take life today over life in the past. It may not all be butterflies and unicorns, but it's real life and it's what is important. Friends will be put in my life when the time is right. After all, I isolated so much in my drinking.
Congrats midnight on 90+ days! That's awesome!
I'm sitting on day 107 I think. It's amazing! Have a great day mates! Best wishes!
RV in response to your previous thread on friends or lack their of, I used to think I had many friends. Friends who would bring drinks over and get plowed with me. They weren't friends, but crutches. They were there to do what I did so I didn't look or feel shameful for wantin to drink again. Now I have friends in aa, we don't hang out alot, but I see them at meetings and we catch up before and after. I have friends at work. We spend a fair amount of time together. And my family. I have time for them again. I'm here. In the moment. I may not always be happy, not because of them, just because, but I'm here sober and functioning. Ill take life today over life in the past. It may not all be butterflies and unicorns, but it's real life and it's what is important. Friends will be put in my life when the time is right. After all, I isolated so much in my drinking.
Congrats midnight on 90+ days! That's awesome!
I'm sitting on day 107 I think. It's amazing! Have a great day mates! Best wishes!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Florida US
Posts: 296
Thanks Dee. I am glad too.
Redviper I also suffer frImnsonmia and take Benadryl or Ibuprofen PM to go to sleep. They are not addictive. I always have joint pains anyways so the ibuprofen helps.
My doctor said the benadryl is ok to take every night. I take 25 mg.
I tried Lunesta once, a prescription for Imnsonmia similar to Ambien and I got high. I wrote emails Under its influence that I couldnt remember writing. Thank god they were not outrageous emails. I've written those under the influence of Captain Morgan hehe.
Sleeping pills are fine for me if they don't get me high. Benadryl doesn't. It's safe for me.
Unfortunately I am the type of alcoholic that has to be very careful with the meds I take. Even a redbull for energy makes me want to drink.
But do treat your Imnsonmia RV. Feeling rotten and exhausted from lack of sleep will lower your guard against drinking.
Redviper I also suffer frImnsonmia and take Benadryl or Ibuprofen PM to go to sleep. They are not addictive. I always have joint pains anyways so the ibuprofen helps.
My doctor said the benadryl is ok to take every night. I take 25 mg.
I tried Lunesta once, a prescription for Imnsonmia similar to Ambien and I got high. I wrote emails Under its influence that I couldnt remember writing. Thank god they were not outrageous emails. I've written those under the influence of Captain Morgan hehe.
Sleeping pills are fine for me if they don't get me high. Benadryl doesn't. It's safe for me.
Unfortunately I am the type of alcoholic that has to be very careful with the meds I take. Even a redbull for energy makes me want to drink.
But do treat your Imnsonmia RV. Feeling rotten and exhausted from lack of sleep will lower your guard against drinking.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Florida US
Posts: 296
I guess there is always that danger Dee and yes I have read a couple of threads on that as well. One of the reasons Benadryl is safe for me is because I don't enjoy the feeling it gives me. It makes me feel sleepy, not high, like a being very very tired sleepy type feeling where all you want to do is going to sleep, not the I want to stay up and take more type.
Unfortunately my insomnia is very pervasive and if not treated, after a few days of poor sleep, my thought processes are affected and life becomes very bleak. I can't allow myself to get there.*
*Last year and this, the insomnia just went away for a few months. So I do go into remission at times.
Nonbenzodiazapine hypnotics like Ambiem, Lunesta and Sonata are considered safe for persons recovering from addictions but they make me feel like I just drank a bottle of wine so I fight off the sleep and stay awake. Benadryl on the other hand, makes me want to go to bed.
Unfortunately my insomnia is very pervasive and if not treated, after a few days of poor sleep, my thought processes are affected and life becomes very bleak. I can't allow myself to get there.*
*Last year and this, the insomnia just went away for a few months. So I do go into remission at times.
Nonbenzodiazapine hypnotics like Ambiem, Lunesta and Sonata are considered safe for persons recovering from addictions but they make me feel like I just drank a bottle of wine so I fight off the sleep and stay awake. Benadryl on the other hand, makes me want to go to bed.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nevada
Posts: 174
Haven't been here in a few days. Life is going good and I'm trying to find a local support group to help me stay sober. With over 100 days I'm not sure if it will be useful or not but I thought I'd give it a shot.
Administrator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,460
sounds good RV.
Hope everyone else is doing ok - after feeling unwell for awhile I'm giving in and taking a short rest and recreation break from SR.
I'll catch up with you guys when I get back - stay strong
D
Hope everyone else is doing ok - after feeling unwell for awhile I'm giving in and taking a short rest and recreation break from SR.
I'll catch up with you guys when I get back - stay strong
D
Last edited by Dee74; 01-22-2013 at 12:07 AM.
Sober since October
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: In the world in my eyes...Somewhere I've never been before...
Posts: 7,355
Hi, Octsobermates! I'm hitting 100 days!
Oocleancickoo - welcome ! we seem to be sober twins) Congratulations to you on 100 days! It's awesome, isn't it?)
Redviper - glad to hear that life is going good for. Good luck with finding a support group)
My best wishes to all!
Oocleancickoo - welcome ! we seem to be sober twins) Congratulations to you on 100 days! It's awesome, isn't it?)
Redviper - glad to hear that life is going good for. Good luck with finding a support group)
My best wishes to all!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Boopville
Posts: 122
Well I guess I am joining as being quite late to the ball. My first day of sobriety (this time & hopefully last time) was October 21, 2012. As I type this tonight I am ending day 98 and am looking forward to the 100th day on Tuesday. I just keep taking it one day at a time. In some respects it feels like it was just last week that I stopped. Other times it feels like years have gone by.
I am fresh home from my Sunday beginners meeting. We do one step per week of each month through step 4. This is actually my 4th time that step four has been reviewed and after reading here the last several days and really absorbing the material tonight I have a new appreciation for what this step involves and realize that I need to move forward with these steps myself.
My sponsor is the group leader and I was asked to be the secretary of this group this evening since I am already the secretary of my Thursday night group. This was the first time I ever had to sign the cards though. It made me thankful that I did not have to be there to get a signature as I am sure I very well could have ended up there one day.
I spoke tonight about how when I read the paragraph regarding sponsors who have sponsees that feel they do not need to take the personal inventory as they are driven by their pride and that these type of people rarely need comforting those few lines really hit home. On one hand I can say that after the first week or two I no longer craved alcohol or stared at every liqueur store I passed. Gradually all physical and most mental signs of withdrawal slipped away and I jumped whole body heart and soul into being active, spending more time with my kids, planning my future, attending counseling both individual and family. I guess I figured that I was doing all the right things to make sure I had that support and accountability in place.
Well I now realize that even though I have already admitted I am powerless over alcohol and I knew that a power greater than myself would guide and help me (as it had already kept me alive and gave me the strength to have hope) and I had made that decision to turn my life over to that power, I stopped at step three and had not even given thought to step four or beyond.
I spoke with my sponsor regarding this because I know that if I do not give my best effort to this program then I may very well lose out on being the best me. I don't want to be a body in a chair week after week who is only there for personal accountability. So this week I have been requested to journal steps 1-4 for my sponsor and then we will meet up for coffee to discuss them.
So I guess it really is the time "Where the rubber meets the road" as they say each time we get to step four. I am excited and of course leery all at once as I know that the hard part of uncovering and baring my soul has arrived. So I guess this is my last day of talking the talk as now I have to walk it too.
Thanks for letting me ramble on. I have seen such an amazing network of people on these boards that show so much kindness, support and unconditional love for all of mankind. I honestly don't know if I would have ever had the courage to get clean here online. It was hard enough as it was. I guess though here is really not much different than in a meeting room, or counselors office other than we read and type versus looking and listening. We still experience the emotions though not only our own but others as well.
So in closing I am a late joiner of the October 2012 crew but I am present and accounted for now and will be keeping up with our progress. On a side note I got my three month chip on Thursday night it was a very karma like moment as a visitor and their friend were visitors to our meeting this week. Well it just so happened that I knew the sponsor who brought his sponsee as we had worked for the same company for fifteen years. He is a former addict who is now an abuse counselor and has been for the last ten years. I had not seen him since I got laid off last year and be had been pretty good acquaintances when we worked together. He would even stop by and visit me when I bartended just to chat and have an ice tea. He was asked to give out the chips and gave me mine along with a huge hug. I had wondered if I would run into him one day at a meeting somewhere but it just seemed like that moment was meant to happen and it really made it quite special. Well I guess that is all for this post hopefully I did not put everyone to sleep.lol.
I am fresh home from my Sunday beginners meeting. We do one step per week of each month through step 4. This is actually my 4th time that step four has been reviewed and after reading here the last several days and really absorbing the material tonight I have a new appreciation for what this step involves and realize that I need to move forward with these steps myself.
My sponsor is the group leader and I was asked to be the secretary of this group this evening since I am already the secretary of my Thursday night group. This was the first time I ever had to sign the cards though. It made me thankful that I did not have to be there to get a signature as I am sure I very well could have ended up there one day.
I spoke tonight about how when I read the paragraph regarding sponsors who have sponsees that feel they do not need to take the personal inventory as they are driven by their pride and that these type of people rarely need comforting those few lines really hit home. On one hand I can say that after the first week or two I no longer craved alcohol or stared at every liqueur store I passed. Gradually all physical and most mental signs of withdrawal slipped away and I jumped whole body heart and soul into being active, spending more time with my kids, planning my future, attending counseling both individual and family. I guess I figured that I was doing all the right things to make sure I had that support and accountability in place.
Well I now realize that even though I have already admitted I am powerless over alcohol and I knew that a power greater than myself would guide and help me (as it had already kept me alive and gave me the strength to have hope) and I had made that decision to turn my life over to that power, I stopped at step three and had not even given thought to step four or beyond.
I spoke with my sponsor regarding this because I know that if I do not give my best effort to this program then I may very well lose out on being the best me. I don't want to be a body in a chair week after week who is only there for personal accountability. So this week I have been requested to journal steps 1-4 for my sponsor and then we will meet up for coffee to discuss them.
So I guess it really is the time "Where the rubber meets the road" as they say each time we get to step four. I am excited and of course leery all at once as I know that the hard part of uncovering and baring my soul has arrived. So I guess this is my last day of talking the talk as now I have to walk it too.
Thanks for letting me ramble on. I have seen such an amazing network of people on these boards that show so much kindness, support and unconditional love for all of mankind. I honestly don't know if I would have ever had the courage to get clean here online. It was hard enough as it was. I guess though here is really not much different than in a meeting room, or counselors office other than we read and type versus looking and listening. We still experience the emotions though not only our own but others as well.
So in closing I am a late joiner of the October 2012 crew but I am present and accounted for now and will be keeping up with our progress. On a side note I got my three month chip on Thursday night it was a very karma like moment as a visitor and their friend were visitors to our meeting this week. Well it just so happened that I knew the sponsor who brought his sponsee as we had worked for the same company for fifteen years. He is a former addict who is now an abuse counselor and has been for the last ten years. I had not seen him since I got laid off last year and be had been pretty good acquaintances when we worked together. He would even stop by and visit me when I bartended just to chat and have an ice tea. He was asked to give out the chips and gave me mine along with a huge hug. I had wondered if I would run into him one day at a meeting somewhere but it just seemed like that moment was meant to happen and it really made it quite special. Well I guess that is all for this post hopefully I did not put everyone to sleep.lol.
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