Class of March 2017 Support Thread Part One
Desperate For Sobriety
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Posts: 18
Originally Posted by Autumnlover19 
Hi everyone
I went to my first new counseling session today. It was actually an assessment required by the court but they are setting up an outpatient program for me so I am excited about that. I am in a little bit of legal trouble, not too bad but alcohol involved. I am relieved it wasn't worse could it always could be and will get worse had I continued down that road. This is a blessing in disguise, a wake-up call, and a relatively small price to pay for some much needed help and serenity. I'm happy to be here as well. On the road to recovery. There really is something special about those words. My body and mind have some healing to do.
Be good to yourselves.
AL
I went to my first new counseling session today. It was actually an assessment required by the court but they are setting up an outpatient program for me so I am excited about that. I am in a little bit of legal trouble, not too bad but alcohol involved. I am relieved it wasn't worse could it always could be and will get worse had I continued down that road. This is a blessing in disguise, a wake-up call, and a relatively small price to pay for some much needed help and serenity. I'm happy to be here as well. On the road to recovery. There really is something special about those words. My body and mind have some healing to do.
Be good to yourselves.
AL
Good luck to you.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Northeast, USA
Posts: 275
Hello fellow Marchers,
Let's see, day 13, hour 15, minute 59, seconds 28...29...30...
But hey, who's counting? (Well me, I guess.) The past 13 days-plus have been at once exhilarating and terrifying, short and long, joyful and grim. Just want to add to the shoutouts for SR. Bookmarked awhile ago, been lurking before I quit, and been an avid reader since Day 1 of no drinking.
And thanks to those who joined in March and have posted. I've only had a chance to read the first page of posts so far, but plan on reading all (currently) 13 pages.
Onward, ho!
Let's see, day 13, hour 15, minute 59, seconds 28...29...30...
But hey, who's counting? (Well me, I guess.) The past 13 days-plus have been at once exhilarating and terrifying, short and long, joyful and grim. Just want to add to the shoutouts for SR. Bookmarked awhile ago, been lurking before I quit, and been an avid reader since Day 1 of no drinking.
And thanks to those who joined in March and have posted. I've only had a chance to read the first page of posts so far, but plan on reading all (currently) 13 pages.
Onward, ho!
Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: West Wales
Posts: 1,630
Originally Posted by BadgerFan
Day 6 is in the the bank. I fought off some demons after work today. I came scarily close to stopping at the liquor store, but I drove right past it. Feeling really good about it. Keep up the good fight everyone!
kicked your AV 
awesome
Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: West Wales
Posts: 1,630
Originally Posted by mandosca
Awesome job! Whenever I am getting close to a liquor store I always start to get so stressed and worked up. I try to think of 100 hundred reasons to justify stopping then I get upset with myself for even considering. Its a whole slew of bad emotions. The funny thing is, the minute I pass it without stopping, this wave of happiness comes over me. Like "YES!! You did it!! F*ing right!!" lol... :-)
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,224
Howdy folks! Just stopping by from the March 2016 class to say hi! All my best to you on this journey. Take advantage of being part of a class...the growth you will experience together is an awesome thing. 
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Rogersville, Tennessee
Posts: 2,659
Hello Marchers of 2017!
I'm from the March 2013 class and today marks 4 years since my last drink.
That night I got a DUI and thought my life was going into the crapper, as it turns out, that DUI may have saved my life.
I wont say it was easy, especially the first few months, far from it. If not for finding this site and joining up and participating with my class I doubt I would have made it beyond those first few weeks.
Getting sober is not a cure all, everyday will not be perfect, but, when those bad days come you will be able to deal with them much better. I've had to endure my estranged wife's suicide, my brother developing cancer, then dying of a heart attack the day he won an award for his work in his industry. The running away and not returning of 2 dogs. One I got as a present to myself for making 6 months sober, and the other I got as a tribute to my brother and my parents who are all now deceased.
I've also had some great things happen, I left my job that was taking huge advantage of me and moved to a new city. I bought a house and paid off all my debts. I also used some techniques I learned here to quit smoking, next week I will have 1 year tobacco free. None of that could have happened if I were still drinking.
Find a plan that works for you and stick with it. You've gotten a good start by joining a class.
If you get a chance stop by Class of March 2013 and say Hi
I'm from the March 2013 class and today marks 4 years since my last drink.
That night I got a DUI and thought my life was going into the crapper, as it turns out, that DUI may have saved my life.
I wont say it was easy, especially the first few months, far from it. If not for finding this site and joining up and participating with my class I doubt I would have made it beyond those first few weeks.
Getting sober is not a cure all, everyday will not be perfect, but, when those bad days come you will be able to deal with them much better. I've had to endure my estranged wife's suicide, my brother developing cancer, then dying of a heart attack the day he won an award for his work in his industry. The running away and not returning of 2 dogs. One I got as a present to myself for making 6 months sober, and the other I got as a tribute to my brother and my parents who are all now deceased.
I've also had some great things happen, I left my job that was taking huge advantage of me and moved to a new city. I bought a house and paid off all my debts. I also used some techniques I learned here to quit smoking, next week I will have 1 year tobacco free. None of that could have happened if I were still drinking.
Find a plan that works for you and stick with it. You've gotten a good start by joining a class.
If you get a chance stop by Class of March 2013 and say Hi
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by BadgerFan
Keep us posted on your outpatient program! I'm facing a similar situation soon as a result of my recent DUI arrest. I'm very scared about the real possibility of spending time in jail, as a result. It was my wake up call, too. I just wish I had come to my senses sooner 
Good luck to you.
Good luck to you.
Good luck to you!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
Sorry for not posting in a couple days! Yesterday was my birthday and I got a bit caught up spending time with friends and family!
I didn't believe it at first, but after the first week I feel way better! Mild cravings for alcohol but they're pretty easy to ignore. Now instead of just feeling depressed about having let my life go, I've actually started trying to tackle it head on...Lots of to-do lists for all the stuff I need to sort through, clean, get rid of, donate, etc. When I have free time this weekend, it's gonna be time for a life overhaul!
How's everyone else doing? Hope everyone's doing good! Without all of you I highly doubt I would have made it this far!
I didn't believe it at first, but after the first week I feel way better! Mild cravings for alcohol but they're pretty easy to ignore. Now instead of just feeling depressed about having let my life go, I've actually started trying to tackle it head on...Lots of to-do lists for all the stuff I need to sort through, clean, get rid of, donate, etc. When I have free time this weekend, it's gonna be time for a life overhaul!
How's everyone else doing? Hope everyone's doing good! Without all of you I highly doubt I would have made it this far!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Northwest USA
Posts: 27
Day 13 is done. I was going to write more but I'm beat. Had to decide to not drink while working at the tavern today. I didn't think why I shouldn't I sit and enjoy one beer after my shift ....I asked myself WHY SHOUTCAST I stay and have a beer? Perfect. Couldn't think of a good reason to stay when I have great cats, boyfriend and home to come home to. Good night.
Guest
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: NH
Posts: 374
Originally Posted by BuddinK
I'm from the March 2013 class and today marks 4 years since my last drink.
I'm not in this class (I'm in the January 2017 class) but your post caught my eye. It's great that you took the time to post some encouragement here. I'm finding it very helpful to see great examples every day on SR of people showing it is possible. Thank you!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
I am happy to be a part of this class. I never expected to have so much support and advice that relates to me. There are amazing stories on here. I am glad I found a place to just talk to people who can relate to the struggle.
Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: West Wales
Posts: 1,630
Late Happy Birthday AmanitaMuscaria!
Congrats on 4 years sobriety Bud and thank you for the inspiration
Hello Whendovescry, MrMcTell and APT, it's great to have you here.
Great going Jlg76 and taplow
Wishing you all a good and sober weekend.
Congrats on 4 years sobriety Bud and thank you for the inspiration
Hello Whendovescry, MrMcTell and APT, it's great to have you here.
Great going Jlg76 and taplow
Wishing you all a good and sober weekend.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Northeast, USA
Posts: 275
Ack. Day 13 has now turned into Day 1.
It was my birthday yesterday, the day I joined and first posted. I had hoped that I could keep AV at a distance, but it is a crafty devil, and started the dialogue early in the day (if not the day before):
"Happy birthday," AV said, "I know you have always thought this was a special day in the year for you to reflect on the coming year for you."
"Yes," I replied. "More than New Year's, this is my time to look forward."
"What a great idea," AV countered, all innocent-like. "I noticed you haven't been drinking. Great for you! But you seem different, somehow."
"Yes, this is a journey I have pursued for many, many (many) years, but this is the only the second time it's taken hold, and the first time I feel like I actually might change my path."
To which the AV replied: "Wonderful! Change is always exciting. But I remember you always liked to have a great meal and a cocktail, and wine, and after-dinner drinks on your birthday. It's too bad you can't do that this year. I noticed how hard you worked the past 13 days." To which I could only reply: "What, AV, 30+ years of progressively-worse drinking is not enough for you?" AV just smiled. And waited.
Tonight, AV won out. I pushed back on it this afternoon with what I've read here over the past week and a half: have a plan. I chose to picture myself asking for water when the waiter asked for drinks, and then focusing on the menu. But in the end I didn't feel like going out. Instead, had a lovely meal at home...complete with a bottle of wine. Plus whatever I could find in the liquor cabinet (had already cleaned out the hard stuff). Found a small amount of low-alcohol specialty-flavored mixer, which I, of course, drank (yuck). Sigh.
But I know from reading here, and from my recent 13 days, that no matter what happens, every day without a drink makes AV smile a little less, and me smile a lot more.
Here's to smiling. And to Day 1. And mostly to SR and its community, which has helped me get this far, and I hope will help me get to a new Day 13 and beyond.
It was my birthday yesterday, the day I joined and first posted. I had hoped that I could keep AV at a distance, but it is a crafty devil, and started the dialogue early in the day (if not the day before):
"Happy birthday," AV said, "I know you have always thought this was a special day in the year for you to reflect on the coming year for you."
"Yes," I replied. "More than New Year's, this is my time to look forward."
"What a great idea," AV countered, all innocent-like. "I noticed you haven't been drinking. Great for you! But you seem different, somehow."
"Yes, this is a journey I have pursued for many, many (many) years, but this is the only the second time it's taken hold, and the first time I feel like I actually might change my path."
To which the AV replied: "Wonderful! Change is always exciting. But I remember you always liked to have a great meal and a cocktail, and wine, and after-dinner drinks on your birthday. It's too bad you can't do that this year. I noticed how hard you worked the past 13 days." To which I could only reply: "What, AV, 30+ years of progressively-worse drinking is not enough for you?" AV just smiled. And waited.
Tonight, AV won out. I pushed back on it this afternoon with what I've read here over the past week and a half: have a plan. I chose to picture myself asking for water when the waiter asked for drinks, and then focusing on the menu. But in the end I didn't feel like going out. Instead, had a lovely meal at home...complete with a bottle of wine. Plus whatever I could find in the liquor cabinet (had already cleaned out the hard stuff). Found a small amount of low-alcohol specialty-flavored mixer, which I, of course, drank (yuck). Sigh.
But I know from reading here, and from my recent 13 days, that no matter what happens, every day without a drink makes AV smile a little less, and me smile a lot more.
Here's to smiling. And to Day 1. And mostly to SR and its community, which has helped me get this far, and I hope will help me get to a new Day 13 and beyond.
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