SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information (https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/)
-   Newcomer's Daily Support Threads (https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-daily-support-threads/)
-   -   Class of May 2018 Part 5 (https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-daily-support-threads/437959-class-may-2018-part-5-a.html)

Dee74 04-19-2019 05:58 PM

Class of May 2018 Part 5
 
last part here:

https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...rt-4-a-20.html

D

Willow00 04-19-2019 07:20 PM

Thanks for the new thread Dee!
Yippee! :)

And thanks for your words. I admire you having a no drinking policy in your house. If it was just my house alone, I would do that for sure, but it’s my partner’s house, and he drinks socially, including one or two beers after work when he feels like it (not every day) ie “normal” drinking. It’s been that way for many years, I just used to drink a lot more and now I’ve stopped. So I feel a bit stuck between a rock and a hard place. Short of moving out, I don’t really think I can impose a no alcohol policy, much as I’d like to :lmao:

We don’t entertain very often so it’s not usually an issue, but my family decided to come and visit for a week from interstate, so it’s a temporary situation that will run it’s course soon... I only have 4 nights to go :lmao:

I might go out and get some coke zero today as a treat, and some soda water and juice. I quite like drinking these but I wasn’t very well prepared this time for some reason. A lesson to not become complacent I think....

Guener 04-20-2019 05:40 AM

I don't worry about you picking up Willow, because while there isn't a no alcohol policy in place you have your no alcohol practice for yourself that seems quite strong. That being said, I would still be sure to have some of those alcohol free mixers that you like around, so that you can enjoy a soft cocktail of your choice while the others are partaking of the other. And, like you do, you can excuse yourself from the scene when it it is reasonable for you to choose that time. Actually, I find that my own AV is a stronger thing to deal with than those drinking around me, and they aren't usually at the same time. Let's just say that you handle yourself very well!

My own AV has been dormant lately, and I am grateful for it. And I am ready to squash it, ha! It's nice to be free from any idea of picking up these days. But, as you said, we must not fall into complacency, either.

The sun is beginning to rise more fully here, and I can see that it looks like a clear and lovely day ahead, and I'm hoping that it is a good sign that I will enjoy my day as fully as possible.

Free2bme888 04-21-2019 08:21 PM

Thanks for all the great reading, so good to catch up!

We made it to PART 5😍❤️

My AV quiet too.

My landlady brought some alcohol home about 10 days ago. It was wine coolers. Didn’t tempt me a bit. And she only had ONE. HAHAHAHA 😂😂😂

See, that would NEVER be me.

So glad my new friend in Steamboat doesn’t drink. He smokes weed a little, but seems to do that in moderation . And I’m not tempted nor could I partake anyway, I’d loose my nursing license.

Guener and willow and Dee, sounds like all your plans are sound. Good to read your input too, John.

Shall we look toward fostering the May 2019 class? I’ll have to wait till the end of month to go to one year and overs thread, but look forward to joining all of you there as well

Best sweet dreams to all!!


Laura

John65 04-22-2019 05:39 AM

Nice to meet you, Laura! :)

It's 11 months for me today and I'm feeling pretty good.

SR and this class has been a real help to me, thanks everyone!

:thanks

Free2bme888 04-22-2019 10:45 AM

Congrats on 11 months

John65 04-22-2019 01:31 PM

Thank you :)

Willow00 04-22-2019 02:45 PM

Congratulations on 11 months John! Way to go :You_Rock_

Willow00 04-22-2019 02:56 PM

And thanks for your kind words Guener :) I don’t always feel like I’m doing a good job, but I haven’t had a drink despite the AV fighting me on it at times. I think I need to work more on my recovery.
I did want to ask you all something though... do you think it matters that my counsellor drinks? My previous one did too. I have told both of them that I stopped drinking altogether last May because I was drinking way too much for way too long. However both have mentioned since, more than once, having a drink “to wind down” at the end of the day. The current one pulled up at the last mention of it at my last session and said, but of course you don’t drink. I’m not sure how I feel about it. I guess it’s normal for them, but it’s not normal for me. So I’m just a bit uncertain. I just feel a bit detached from them perhaps... I’m not sure, so I’ll think a bit more about whether it’s helpful or not. It may not matter at all.

Dee74 04-22-2019 03:18 PM

Congratulations John! :)

Hi Willow - if your drinking is part of your counselling it sounds a bit off to me for them to keep mentioning theirs - but if it's a more general counselling thing, I dunno....

it's not always possible to find counsellors with knowledge or experience of recovery.

go with your gut :)

D

Free2bme888 04-22-2019 03:57 PM

Ditto Dee

Go with gut. As s nurse, I find the counselor mentioning that very unprofessional and insensitive . As a caregiver we are not to talk about ourselves, but

Free2bme888 04-22-2019 03:59 PM

Must be cognizant of our patients needs

Is this your grief counselor ? Or general counselor.?

I just can’t imagine any caregiver being so sinister as to give a remark like that


Ugh


Sorry willow

Guener 04-22-2019 05:28 PM

My counseling, which includes discussions of issues outside of alcohol frequently, is with an addiction specialist. So, we often associate what is being discussed with recovery of the person as well as the abstinence I practice. If you decide that you like your current counselors that have brought up drinking in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, I would bring up the feelings that it brings to you when such statements are made. If you really feel that the relationship you have with a therapist is damaged, it may be better to consider somebody else. A sensitive therapist should be cognizant of your weak areas and speak to them in a way that furthers all of your goals. Have you articulated what you are seeking clearly to make sure that you are addressing you as the whole package? Sometimes I have to direct the conversation one way or the other to make sure that I'm focusing on what is good or what is hurting to make sure the other person is clear on what is going on with me at the moment in a meeting. It's very hard to find a good therapist, and you'll have to make sure that you're receiving the right messaging and advice for what you seek.

Free2bme888 04-22-2019 07:55 PM

Agreed with Guener too

Willow00 04-24-2019 04:11 AM

Thanks everyone ❤️
I do like my counsellor, and it’s a general counsellor. I went specifically for grief but she deals with all sorts of things, although not a specialist in any area. I think I’m probably just overthinking as usual... I do think I need to steer the conversations into areas I need to work on, because we seem to get caught up in things that I feel are trivial. They may not be, but the sessions are expensive and time is limited so I want to get the most benefit from them. I will stay with her for now as she’s making me aware of some good tools insight into coping strategies.

Guener 04-24-2019 04:41 AM

Greetings, my friendly Maysters.

I'm beginning to pull up from feeling slightly slumped after all the energy of the past weeks that went into work. New routines, new things to be done, enjoying a bit more rest, all of it will play out the way that it should if I keep myself gently prodded each day to remember what is important for that day. Working on attitude today.

"Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose ..." is one of my favorite French idioms, the more things change, the more they stay the same. I'm not quite sure how to evaluate that idea today. It certainly rings true when we look at the outside world. How does it fit into recovery in a general sense, I wonder? Certainly, things within me are changing more and more, slowly, but certain things remain constant. I guess that the primary unchanging thing has to be my sobriety within recovery, keeping that anchor in dealing with the world. More than in the sense of futility that I use to gather out of the expression. I'm not sure why I brought this up, but odd things just pop into my head from time to time.

My priorities for the next month are pretty simple. Stay sober. Get Kitty #2 into the vet. Watch and adjust my current and future finances carefully. There are enough things around that to keep me busy for a number of days. Keeping it down to Earth.

Onward ...

Guener 04-25-2019 11:44 AM

Life threw me one of those nasty bumps yesterday, when I discovered that somebody withdrew money out of my checking account using a payment transfer app I didn't even know existed. Fraud. It is not a small amount of money to me at all, and when I realized something was very wrong I had a short time of thinking that I would have gotten sloshed over it if I wasn't drinking. At least I'm not defrauded by the booze this time.

Still, it throws you for a loop when something like that happens, makes you angry (and scared about finances, for me). I went to the bank and filed a dispute for the charge. I get provisional credit but am concerned about it going potentially against my favor. Big companies are hard to deal with, even over things that are small to them, leaving me feeling like a bug that got squished but is writhing around.

I cannot worry over it too much today, as there is nothing more to be done for now.

Guener 04-26-2019 04:33 PM

Grocery shopping today after leaving work a little early on a bright and sunny day, I have laid in my supplies for the weekend and a little beyond. It's not the most exciting way to celebrate Friday, but it will do. I had a pretty good week, despite my banking trouble.

Tomorrow I will be out raking pine needles with Mom, a chore that isn't too bad and is actually mindful when you focus upon the task.

I have been skipped over on Jury duty for next week, so that's a boon.

No action from the AV has been bothering me lately, I continue to be grateful for just having these kind of days. I read other posts in forums and see how hard it is right now for some people presently, and I am reminded of the differences. I just need to get a little better sleep for a couple days to make things easier throughout the day.

Peace.

Dee74 04-26-2019 05:44 PM

I've never had one of those disputes go against me Guener - different country I know but wishing you a good outcome :)

D

Willow00 04-26-2019 07:52 PM

I hope everything works out ok with the bank Guener. It must be a worrisome time, but hopefully it will be sorted out soon. Well done on not drinking! I’m going out to see some live music today. Everyone will be drinking around me but I am determined not to drink. I have volunteered to be the sober driver :)

Guener 04-28-2019 03:25 AM

Working on a crossword puzzle soon, I am going to see if I can make myself tired enough to go back to sleep for a while, because I'm not feeling 100% this morning (sore throat). But I have done some good SR reading this morning, and I feel enriched by it. It is easier to fall into slumber when one has a settled mind.

I don't have any side obligations to work this coming week, I think, and that is a good thing to leave me more focused on what I am doing in the office and for my free time. While I do not mind having a lot of obligations, I am happy to have a little more routine in the next few days. Of course, these thoughts suggest that something will just pop up, LOL.

The cats think it is time to be up for the day, since I have been stirring for a couple hours now, and they are chasing one another through the apartment. If I lie down, however, one of them will probably decide it's a good thing to come up on the bed and go back to sleep with me. I wish I had their energy.

Bumblebee2 04-29-2019 03:54 AM

Hi guys! April is flying by sooooo fast. I was even a few days late on some bills because I didn’t realize it was almost the end of April.. time is flying.

next up- May!!!!!!! Guys! May! We are so close. I am so happy to be with you guys and hold your hands at the finish line.

things have been going fairly well for me. Busy, but good. I got into yoga recently, which I am surprisingly enjoying. But I’m still eating like crap and I’m unhappy with my current weight.

went to a sleepover party this weekend. It was 4 of my good friends and their daughters. I brought my girls. It is so cool that my friends kids are hanging out with my girls.

We do these ‘sleepover parties’ occasionally because we don’t live super close, and the moms can drink. I used to be so excited to drink with my friends, and have no worries of driving. This is my second sober sleepover. It went really good.

so much more I could type. And I didn’t get to respond to any of you guys... but got to move forward with the day. First up morning yoga.

have a great day!!
bumble

Guener 04-29-2019 05:57 AM

Morning yoga sounds like a great ritual to take on everything that can come up ahead, Bumblebee.

I can stand to lose some weight that I have put on over the past year, and I have stopped buying a chocolate bar each day after work to help remind me to look after my body a bit better, and 10 lbs in the next month is my goal.

I will be walking more to further my aim above and to keep my mental health on course as well with some exercise.

Free2bme888 04-29-2019 07:18 PM

Hi all!

Nice catching up with you all

Went camping with Chip in Utah over the weekend, We had a great time hiking and biking in a place called Natural Bridges National Monument.

Guener, I’m sure the bank will decide in your favor.

Hi Willow, sounds good that you will help direct your counselor. I think that’s the hardest part about being sober—identifying and articulating our needs to others.

Hi Bumble, I share your sentiments exactly!

I had strong AV last Wednesday when I had THREE offers on my house!!

2 over my asking. Sold!

More later....

Guener 04-30-2019 12:48 AM

Sounds like it must have been a beautiful weekend, Free. I haven't been to that park myself but know some people who have been, and I marveled at their pictures. I'm glad that you got out into some natural surroundings for a break.

Congratulations on getting your house sold. No doubt that is a relief not to be carrying that concern over your head. I hope the paperwork goes as smoothly as possible over the days ahead.

Things are beginning to return to normal at work for me, and I'm happy about it. I have been busy but not going through stress, and I'm really enjoying the people lately, even more. Things will be shifting into summer mode soon, which means a much quieter time on campus, but there will be new things to do that I will learn about later.

I notice lately that people around here buy lots of alcohol at all hours. My state has a significant problem with alcohol and drug use that is more evident when I have my eyes open. I have a meeting with my peer counselor next week, with the program that coordinates services for those of us in recovery who need help on things, and I understand why they ask so many questions about substance use history that I now just have to answer a string of "no's" to, but that others are facing like I have.

Willow00 04-30-2019 02:33 PM

Hi Maysters! Happy 1st day of May! Well it’s already Wednesday morning here, 7.30am in Oz :)
It’s 2 weeks till Mother’s Day here. It’s the first Mother’s Day without my Mum. And it’s the anniversary of when I stopped drinking. I have a photo of that day with my Mum. My family and I are going to the same place this year for Mother’s Day, as Mum really loved it there, so we just booked a table. We weren’t sure about it, but wanted to do something special in memory of my beautiful, dear Mumma. I still can’t believe she’s gone, 8 months on. It will be a very emotional day :(

I’ve been really busy with work, and life, but in good ways.

Bumblebee I love yoga too. Thanks for the reminder, I need to do more of it, especially after all the chocolate I ate over Easter :)

Free congratulations on the sale of your house! That must be a big weight off your shoulders :)

Guener it sounds like you’re feeling more settled, which is good to hear :)

Gettingcloser 04-30-2019 03:25 PM

Hi everyone
I will be joining you this May as we march towards one year sober. My date is May 29th 2018. I can't believe it. It was really one day at a time until one day turned into one week, then one month and now one year!

Guener 04-30-2019 05:27 PM

Hey, Gettingcloser, aptly named, as we do draw upon our 1st annual sobriety date.

Marching along in all things, today I started an online course in Philosophy that is very interesting thus far. It will give me something else to think about when I have quiet moments to pass. I'll let you know more about it at a later date when I've absorbed more than a lecture.

The skies are beautiful here lately and it's warm and pleasant, so I am doing more walking this week.

Not much to say but to carry onward!

Free2bme888 04-30-2019 08:21 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/d3683vdc/AFDE89...EE0-C231-B.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/jq46Z613/05-ECB...84-A67-D25.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/FzNyh1Yx/A7-B8-...-B9799-BF5.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/T34JnRsR/4-CB5-...DCFA225-A9.jpg


The first three are the bridges in order, the middle thickest one being the youngest. The first one had the most spiritual energy.

The last picture was of arch canyon from the lookout. If you can enlarge the pic you might see a small arch in the canyon wall

Free2bme888 04-30-2019 08:26 PM

Hi gettingcloser! So good to hear from you, and to know you are doing well is great!

Guener, what a turning point to be busy and not over stressed. And a new class too! Great thinking to keep busy (sober) and make brain cells at the same time.

Willow, I think going to your moms favorite place is a wonderful tribute! How proud she is of you I’m sure, and she’d hug you in appreciation for your strength and fortitude if she could 🥰


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:06 AM.