One Year and Under Club Part 59
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Western New York
Posts: 2,446
Originally Posted by Purplrks3647 
Hey everyone...just checking in ~ off work tomorrow so I need to stay close to SR.....Glad to be here! 
Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: North Georgia Mountains
Posts: 588
I couldn't agree more, nmd. The only difference in this attempt at giving up booze was that I found SR and I am about to hit the eight month mark. Thanks to everyone that has helped me along the way!
Quit 4/17/15
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Pa
Posts: 15,180
Not only did SR help me get through the difficult early stages of sobriety, it has kept me from becoming complacent about alcohol currently. You all will likely hit a period after a year or so where you start thinking," I could probably have one and quit again if I needed to." I have read many horror stories here of folks whom went out and didn't make it back for years. SR helps to keep it real.
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,761
I had a drinking dream again last night, but instead of feeling guilty in my dream, I was like Meh... no big deal. I woke up and thought OMG, how could I be so casual about it?
At least it served to highten my vigilance. I've taken to hart what's been said here about the one year mark and becoming complacent. Nope, Nope, not me. I'm keeping this sober bus on the road.
At least it served to highten my vigilance. I've taken to hart what's been said here about the one year mark and becoming complacent. Nope, Nope, not me. I'm keeping this sober bus on the road.
Living and Loving Life at Last
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: gods own country
Posts: 12,168
StDrag, you can't control your unconscious thoughts unfortunately, but you can control the conscious ones.
I had a drinking dream quite recently, where, like you, I was comfortable in my dream about my drinking, yet aware on one level that I wasn't meant to be. It was an unpleasant feeling to have to deal with the next morning, but fortunately these dreams have lessened, as has their affect on me. I guess 35 years of focussing on drink means my brain has lots of dream images to 'play' with when I am asleep!
I had a drinking dream quite recently, where, like you, I was comfortable in my dream about my drinking, yet aware on one level that I wasn't meant to be. It was an unpleasant feeling to have to deal with the next morning, but fortunately these dreams have lessened, as has their affect on me. I guess 35 years of focussing on drink means my brain has lots of dream images to 'play' with when I am asleep!
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,761
I've been having 'those thoughts' about alcholol. You know, why can't I be a social drinker. Easly brushed off but so afraid they will begin to come more often. I am committed to sobritey, I will not drink and nothing can change my mind.
Quit 4/17/15
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Pa
Posts: 15,180
Originally Posted by STDragon
I've been having 'those thoughts' about alcholol. You know, why can't I be a social drinker. Easly brushed off but so afraid they will begin to come more often. I am committed to sobritey, I will not drink and nothing can change my mind.
I continued to have those thoughts at times into my second year, especially on holidays or my birthday for instance. Fortunately, my thinking has shifted so that I don't view drinking as a reward or an entitlement, but as a danger. It makes things easier.
I have read many accounts here on SR of people who went back out after a good chunk of sober time with just a glass of wine or a beer. It took some of them years to get back on the sober train. Besides, I never wanted to have just one drink, I wanted to have many drinks. Who has just one drink besides normies?
Living and Loving Life at Last
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: gods own country
Posts: 12,168
StDrag, I empathise fully, I guess everyone in recovery understands and at one time at least has had those thoughts.
I still sometimes see someone about to take a sip of a cold one on a hot day, and think ' I wish I was someone who could drink socially'. But I know I am not. I jokingly tell my husband that I drank my entire lifetime supply of booze in the first 35 years of my adult life!
It can be an idea to read the newcomers threads when you hear that kind of temptation, they are full of those with the wisdom of denial, who regardless of what they see and experience here, believe they can be the one addict who can control their addiction.
Don't get me wrong, with a strong enough willpower a person can 'just drink one or two'. The problem is it will bring no pleasure to an addict who will always want more. Complete abstention takes away all of that, it is freedom of choice.
Every time you hear that voice, tell it you have not been forced to give anything up, you have chosen to live a better life.
I still sometimes see someone about to take a sip of a cold one on a hot day, and think ' I wish I was someone who could drink socially'. But I know I am not. I jokingly tell my husband that I drank my entire lifetime supply of booze in the first 35 years of my adult life!
It can be an idea to read the newcomers threads when you hear that kind of temptation, they are full of those with the wisdom of denial, who regardless of what they see and experience here, believe they can be the one addict who can control their addiction.
Don't get me wrong, with a strong enough willpower a person can 'just drink one or two'. The problem is it will bring no pleasure to an addict who will always want more. Complete abstention takes away all of that, it is freedom of choice.
Every time you hear that voice, tell it you have not been forced to give anything up, you have chosen to live a better life.
Administrator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,443
STDragon
my experience is my mind doesn't go to a frosty ale anymore - either icy water, a good ginger beer, or some kind of lemon drink is the stuff of my beverage fantasies now.
I really think complete change is possible
D
my experience is my mind doesn't go to a frosty ale anymore - either icy water, a good ginger beer, or some kind of lemon drink is the stuff of my beverage fantasies now.
I really think complete change is possible
D
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,761
Thanks everyone. I think approaching my one year may have contributed to the anxiety over not being able to drink 'normally'. I accept that it's my choice and feel so much better physically mentally and spirtually that I'd never want to go back.
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