Class of February 2019 Support Thread Pt 3
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
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Class of February 2019 Support Thread Pt 3
Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: The Emerald Isle
Posts: 38
Hello everyone,
I start my first post in the new thread in sunny Barcelona! Lucky me. Spending the night before I clock off to sleep catching up on all your posts.
Congratulations Evoo!
Foie and Canguy well done on making it through those 'moments'. My god is the AV strong when on holiday so I can relate. There is a lot of questioning about whether I should stay completely sober, as in just have one glass of wine etc, but just how badly I am craving alcohol over here just goes to show that yes I DO have a problem. Not that I don't know that... just that the AV tries to convince me otherwise whenever it can. But I am determined to stick with this, no matter how bloody hard it is. I just keep going back to the simple words of my therapist,"You have to quit alcohol." A licensed professional wouldn't say that for no reason, whatever my AV would say.
Addy I'm right there with you experiencing these 'feelings'. Without drinking, you really have to sit with them don't you? Sobriety is hard work, but well done us for not being cowards and doing it I say!
I'll share some benefits from my sobriety I am starting to experience so far...
- My anxiety levels are no longer chronic and are getting better everyday.
- I am noticing how much money I would be spending had I been drinking.
- I feel better about myself with everyday I beat back the urges.
- My brain feels more active, in a good way, thinking of things to do and ideas.
- I have some seriously bad life stressors at the moment, but I feel like now I can deal with them, instead of avoiding them.
- I am focusing on spending time with my family instead of just looking forward to getting away and getting drunk.
- I did some work on an essay I'm writing and it's starting to flow, where as before academic work would have always sent me into a stress overdrive.
To everyone here let's keep it going. Have to say this site and you guys are being the counterweight to my AV. Peace.
I start my first post in the new thread in sunny Barcelona! Lucky me. Spending the night before I clock off to sleep catching up on all your posts.
Congratulations Evoo!
Foie and Canguy well done on making it through those 'moments'. My god is the AV strong when on holiday so I can relate. There is a lot of questioning about whether I should stay completely sober, as in just have one glass of wine etc, but just how badly I am craving alcohol over here just goes to show that yes I DO have a problem. Not that I don't know that... just that the AV tries to convince me otherwise whenever it can. But I am determined to stick with this, no matter how bloody hard it is. I just keep going back to the simple words of my therapist,"You have to quit alcohol." A licensed professional wouldn't say that for no reason, whatever my AV would say.
Addy I'm right there with you experiencing these 'feelings'. Without drinking, you really have to sit with them don't you? Sobriety is hard work, but well done us for not being cowards and doing it I say!
I'll share some benefits from my sobriety I am starting to experience so far...
- My anxiety levels are no longer chronic and are getting better everyday.
- I am noticing how much money I would be spending had I been drinking.
- I feel better about myself with everyday I beat back the urges.
- My brain feels more active, in a good way, thinking of things to do and ideas.
- I have some seriously bad life stressors at the moment, but I feel like now I can deal with them, instead of avoiding them.
- I am focusing on spending time with my family instead of just looking forward to getting away and getting drunk.
- I did some work on an essay I'm writing and it's starting to flow, where as before academic work would have always sent me into a stress overdrive.
To everyone here let's keep it going. Have to say this site and you guys are being the counterweight to my AV. Peace.
Guest
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,174
.....Barcelona.
That'd be great.
Great that you are doing it without a drink light and dark. Not easy.....travelling is sort of time out of the bubble, always tempting to decide the normal rules need not apply. But, as we all know, the 'one glass' thing isn't feasible. Its just not what we want. I dont want one glass. I want several. Then I want to hole up somewhere and really finish the job.
Can relate to many of the benefits you list there. Anxiety figures in a lot of the posts here. Thinking about how that my drive a lot of my behaviour when drinking.
That'd be great.
Great that you are doing it without a drink light and dark. Not easy.....travelling is sort of time out of the bubble, always tempting to decide the normal rules need not apply. But, as we all know, the 'one glass' thing isn't feasible. Its just not what we want. I dont want one glass. I want several. Then I want to hole up somewhere and really finish the job.
Can relate to many of the benefits you list there. Anxiety figures in a lot of the posts here. Thinking about how that my drive a lot of my behaviour when drinking.
Duck Duck Goose!
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 325
Yes, lightanddark. Good list.
I will I’ll admit to being jealous. Barcelona sounds wonderful. I’m beginning to wonder what warmth and sunlight look and feel like. It’s about 20 degrees (F) below normal here. Bitterly cold.
I will I’ll admit to being jealous. Barcelona sounds wonderful. I’m beginning to wonder what warmth and sunlight look and feel like. It’s about 20 degrees (F) below normal here. Bitterly cold.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Down Under
Posts: 400
Just visiting my old class to say "Hi!"
Heading to Barcelona in July to catch up with our daughter that has been living in Europe on an extended working holiday.
Hope all is good with you Februrians.
Heading to Barcelona in July to catch up with our daughter that has been living in Europe on an extended working holiday.
Hope all is good with you Februrians.
Duck Duck Goose!
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 325
Well, today is four weeks - one month (albeit a short one lol). It’s also Fat Tuesday and Paczki abound. I’m of Polish descent but I don’t particularly like donuts - and my diet (I’m down 9 pounds yay) doesn’t like 1000 calorie donuts, so I’ll pass on the Paczki.
Funny how I have no problem never eating donuts because they have lots of calories and I don’t like the way they make my body feel, but the thought of never drinking can be frustrating. Yet drinks have lots of calories and they definitely aren’t good for my body. The brain is an odd duck. Or goose.
Funny how I have no problem never eating donuts because they have lots of calories and I don’t like the way they make my body feel, but the thought of never drinking can be frustrating. Yet drinks have lots of calories and they definitely aren’t good for my body. The brain is an odd duck. Or goose.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,997
Congratulations on all the milestones! Today is 19 for me.
I have been struggling with depression the last few days. I haven't wanted to drink and I haven't had any cravings really but the depression is still around. I have been dealing with this for about 2 years and I was hoping it would magically disappear when I quit drinking. I am grateful that I have had several good days so that's an improvement. I do work with a doctor and a therapist to help with this but it rears it's ugly head on occasion.
I just feel numb and sad. I don't want to leave my apartment. Taking a shower sounds exhausting to me. I will get out though. I will make myself. I know it will help to be around people. I hate when I have to pretend to be okay when I don't feel okay.
I won't drink because then I will just be depressed and guilt-ridden along with feeling sick. I'd rather just be depressed. I'm just focusing on how my body feels so much better even though my brain doesn't.
I'm going to call a friend. Put my money where my mouth is and ask for support.
xoxo
I have been struggling with depression the last few days. I haven't wanted to drink and I haven't had any cravings really but the depression is still around. I have been dealing with this for about 2 years and I was hoping it would magically disappear when I quit drinking. I am grateful that I have had several good days so that's an improvement. I do work with a doctor and a therapist to help with this but it rears it's ugly head on occasion.
I just feel numb and sad. I don't want to leave my apartment. Taking a shower sounds exhausting to me. I will get out though. I will make myself. I know it will help to be around people. I hate when I have to pretend to be okay when I don't feel okay.
I won't drink because then I will just be depressed and guilt-ridden along with feeling sick. I'd rather just be depressed. I'm just focusing on how my body feels so much better even though my brain doesn't.
I'm going to call a friend. Put my money where my mouth is and ask for support.
xoxo
Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 179
Hi, fellow groundhogs! I'm excited to be a few days away from my longest sober stint and taking extra precautions to not get too comfortable. I will say that I'm down 21 pounds and more every day, so it's nice to see my poor body recover from the crap I've been force-feeding it.
I'm super jealous of anyone travelling! Especially to Europe. When I win the lottery...
Hope everyone is feeling happy and strong!
I'm super jealous of anyone travelling! Especially to Europe. When I win the lottery...
Hope everyone is feeling happy and strong!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 246
Thank you for all the kind words guys. It's definitely been tough lately. I am just trudging forward and doing the best I can. It's not easy but the most important thing is not to drink! It can't be this hard forever, right? (I hope not!) And it's not the NOT DRINKING part that is hard. It's the anxiety and the FEELINGS! Ugh. Oh well...I am just going to keep fighting. Nothing worthwhile is easy, right?
Anyway....today marks 1 month sober! Yay! I hope Dee is right about it getting a little better after the first month. (hoping and praying)
Anyway....today marks 1 month sober! Yay! I hope Dee is right about it getting a little better after the first month. (hoping and praying)
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by lightanddark 
Hello everyone,
I start my first post in the new thread in sunny Barcelona! Lucky me. Spending the night before I clock off to sleep catching up on all your posts.
Congratulations Evoo!
Foie and Canguy well done on making it through those 'moments'. My god is the AV strong when on holiday so I can relate. There is a lot of questioning about whether I should stay completely sober, as in just have one glass of wine etc, but just how badly I am craving alcohol over here just goes to show that yes I DO have a problem. Not that I don't know that... just that the AV tries to convince me otherwise whenever it can. But I am determined to stick with this, no matter how bloody hard it is. I just keep going back to the simple words of my therapist,"You have to quit alcohol." A licensed professional wouldn't say that for no reason, whatever my AV would say.
Addy I'm right there with you experiencing these 'feelings'. Without drinking, you really have to sit with them don't you? Sobriety is hard work, but well done us for not being cowards and doing it I say!
I'll share some benefits from my sobriety I am starting to experience so far...
- My anxiety levels are no longer chronic and are getting better everyday.
- I am noticing how much money I would be spending had I been drinking.
- I feel better about myself with everyday I beat back the urges.
- My brain feels more active, in a good way, thinking of things to do and ideas.
- I have some seriously bad life stressors at the moment, but I feel like now I can deal with them, instead of avoiding them.
- I am focusing on spending time with my family instead of just looking forward to getting away and getting drunk.
- I did some work on an essay I'm writing and it's starting to flow, where as before academic work would have always sent me into a stress overdrive.
To everyone here let's keep it going. Have to say this site and you guys are being the counterweight to my AV. Peace.
I start my first post in the new thread in sunny Barcelona! Lucky me. Spending the night before I clock off to sleep catching up on all your posts.
Congratulations Evoo!
Foie and Canguy well done on making it through those 'moments'. My god is the AV strong when on holiday so I can relate. There is a lot of questioning about whether I should stay completely sober, as in just have one glass of wine etc, but just how badly I am craving alcohol over here just goes to show that yes I DO have a problem. Not that I don't know that... just that the AV tries to convince me otherwise whenever it can. But I am determined to stick with this, no matter how bloody hard it is. I just keep going back to the simple words of my therapist,"You have to quit alcohol." A licensed professional wouldn't say that for no reason, whatever my AV would say.
Addy I'm right there with you experiencing these 'feelings'. Without drinking, you really have to sit with them don't you? Sobriety is hard work, but well done us for not being cowards and doing it I say!
I'll share some benefits from my sobriety I am starting to experience so far...
- My anxiety levels are no longer chronic and are getting better everyday.
- I am noticing how much money I would be spending had I been drinking.
- I feel better about myself with everyday I beat back the urges.
- My brain feels more active, in a good way, thinking of things to do and ideas.
- I have some seriously bad life stressors at the moment, but I feel like now I can deal with them, instead of avoiding them.
- I am focusing on spending time with my family instead of just looking forward to getting away and getting drunk.
- I did some work on an essay I'm writing and it's starting to flow, where as before academic work would have always sent me into a stress overdrive.
To everyone here let's keep it going. Have to say this site and you guys are being the counterweight to my AV. Peace.
) and I can get regular exercise outside in the fresh air that will help! Keep shutting down that AV! We know how that story will end all too well and it won't be fun! I don't know about you but I don't want to start all over and go through that crap again! No way! Keep posting!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by canguy
But, as we all know, the 'one glass' thing isn't feasible. Its just not what we want. I dont want one glass. I want several. Then I want to hole up somewhere and really finish the job.
lol
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by FoieGras
I’m beginning to wonder what warmth and sunlight look and feel like. It’s about 20 degrees (F) below normal here. Bitterly cold.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by JamesSquire
Just visiting my old class to say "Hi!"
Heading to Barcelona in July to catch up with our daughter that has been living in Europe on an extended working holiday.
Hope all is good with you Februrians.
Heading to Barcelona in July to catch up with our daughter that has been living in Europe on an extended working holiday.
Hope all is good with you Februrians.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by FoieGras
Well, today is four weeks - one month (albeit a short one lol). It’s also Fat Tuesday and Paczki abound. I’m of Polish descent but I don’t particularly like donuts - and my diet (I’m down 9 pounds yay) doesn’t like 1000 calorie donuts, so I’ll pass on the Paczki.
Funny how I have no problem never eating donuts because they have lots of calories and I don’t like the way they make my body feel, but the thought of never drinking can be frustrating. Yet drinks have lots of calories and they definitely aren’t good for my body. The brain is an odd duck. Or goose.
Funny how I have no problem never eating donuts because they have lots of calories and I don’t like the way they make my body feel, but the thought of never drinking can be frustrating. Yet drinks have lots of calories and they definitely aren’t good for my body. The brain is an odd duck. Or goose.
I totally relate to the quitting thing! Easy to quit everything else but.....
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by 360shoes
Congratulations on all the milestones! Today is 19 for me.
I have been struggling with depression the last few days. I haven't wanted to drink and I haven't had any cravings really but the depression is still around. I have been dealing with this for about 2 years and I was hoping it would magically disappear when I quit drinking. I am grateful that I have had several good days so that's an improvement. I do work with a doctor and a therapist to help with this but it rears it's ugly head on occasion.
I just feel numb and sad. I don't want to leave my apartment. Taking a shower sounds exhausting to me. I will get out though. I will make myself. I know it will help to be around people. I hate when I have to pretend to be okay when I don't feel okay.
I won't drink because then I will just be depressed and guilt-ridden along with feeling sick. I'd rather just be depressed. I'm just focusing on how my body feels so much better even though my brain doesn't.
I'm going to call a friend. Put my money where my mouth is and ask for support.
xoxo
I have been struggling with depression the last few days. I haven't wanted to drink and I haven't had any cravings really but the depression is still around. I have been dealing with this for about 2 years and I was hoping it would magically disappear when I quit drinking. I am grateful that I have had several good days so that's an improvement. I do work with a doctor and a therapist to help with this but it rears it's ugly head on occasion.
I just feel numb and sad. I don't want to leave my apartment. Taking a shower sounds exhausting to me. I will get out though. I will make myself. I know it will help to be around people. I hate when I have to pretend to be okay when I don't feel okay.
I won't drink because then I will just be depressed and guilt-ridden along with feeling sick. I'd rather just be depressed. I'm just focusing on how my body feels so much better even though my brain doesn't.
I'm going to call a friend. Put my money where my mouth is and ask for support.
xoxo
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by Lipstuck
Hi, fellow groundhogs! I'm excited to be a few days away from my longest sober stint and taking extra precautions to not get too comfortable. I will say that I'm down 21 pounds and more every day, so it's nice to see my poor body recover from the crap I've been force-feeding it.
I'm super jealous of anyone travelling! Especially to Europe. When I win the lottery...
Hope everyone is feeling happy and strong!
I'm super jealous of anyone travelling! Especially to Europe. When I win the lottery...
Hope everyone is feeling happy and strong!
Guest
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,174
Morning G'hogs
FG......no donuts but want drinks, yeah, I know......I like dark chocolate. Allow myself a 100g block on the weekends (yeah, I know.....sad life, lol). 2400 kj in one of those. A 6pack of standard beers is 3600. (Tho maybe not in the US)
Would I sit and eat a block and a half of chocolate? No. But beers? No worries. Crazy.
Good to see u here again JS......drop in occasionally ok?
Addy, 360, you both sound like a combination of struggling and determination. The determination will win out and you'll find a better place soon. Alcohol cannot help in any way.
Is Canuck still here?
Busy day for me......have to go out and talk to real life other people. Meetings.
I try to avoid but it goes with the territory.
Later...
FG......no donuts but want drinks, yeah, I know......I like dark chocolate. Allow myself a 100g block on the weekends (yeah, I know.....sad life, lol). 2400 kj in one of those. A 6pack of standard beers is 3600. (Tho maybe not in the US)
Would I sit and eat a block and a half of chocolate? No. But beers? No worries. Crazy.
Good to see u here again JS......drop in occasionally ok?
Addy, 360, you both sound like a combination of struggling and determination. The determination will win out and you'll find a better place soon. Alcohol cannot help in any way.
Is Canuck still here?
Busy day for me......have to go out and talk to real life other people. Meetings.
I try to avoid but it goes with the territory.
Later...
Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: The Emerald Isle
Posts: 38
I don't take well to cold like that and just when I left home it got around that temperature so I am glad I got away. Flying back now tomorrow and back to the busy busy life of deadlines and work, yay!.James, you will love this city if you haven't been before, it truly is amazing. I haven't been out of Dublin in a good few years and now I realize how small the city really is, definitely need to get out more, use these pennies I'm not drinking away on it might be an idea.
So many good milestones guys, really is great to hear
360 you're doing the right thing by reaching out. It can be the hardest thing to do when depression comes a knocking, but getting support is the best thing for it. We're all here for you too as you know.
Addy anxiety really is a pest isn't it. Wish it had an off switch. I know exercise helps for me, but I really need to start taking my own advice on that!
So many good milestones guys, really is great to hear
360 you're doing the right thing by reaching out. It can be the hardest thing to do when depression comes a knocking, but getting support is the best thing for it. We're all here for you too as you know.
Addy anxiety really is a pest isn't it. Wish it had an off switch. I know exercise helps for me, but I really need to start taking my own advice on that!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: The Emerald Isle
Posts: 38
Canguy yeah the anxiety thing is how im fighting off the urges to drink a lot. I just think back even to my moderating days and think how anxious I was. So when I want to have a drink I think of this as an experiment in a way, to say no im seeing how not drinking affects my mental health. I still do suffer though and it is a trigger in itself.
I am treating this as more than an experiment of course, but sometimes i need to tell white lies to myself to fight the av's rationality. Also I tell the av that any doubts I have about going sober I can bring up at a meeting when im back, but for now, regardless of where I am, i'm staying sober. Its worked so far.
you are so right about alcohol not helping in anyway. Its a depressant and it depresses, simple as. Also man do I get bad hangover anxiety, its a fear that sticks with me all day. Do I want to experience that again? No thanks!
I am treating this as more than an experiment of course, but sometimes i need to tell white lies to myself to fight the av's rationality. Also I tell the av that any doubts I have about going sober I can bring up at a meeting when im back, but for now, regardless of where I am, i'm staying sober. Its worked so far.
you are so right about alcohol not helping in anyway. Its a depressant and it depresses, simple as. Also man do I get bad hangover anxiety, its a fear that sticks with me all day. Do I want to experience that again? No thanks!
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