Thrillhou

For the first time in years I can take Dayquil. There is a warning that even says "do not drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day while taking this medicine" because it can cause liver damage. From 2008-2020 I was drinking a bit more than three beverages a day. If "one beverage" is a .750 ml vodka, then I usually kept it at 3 a day I guess.

JamesW

Glad you're taking care of yourself, hope it passes quickly - still think it's a rare cat virus though lol

Hevyn

Yeah, probably the Hawaiian Cat Flu. Outbreaks all over New York.
Day 232 - how great is that?

Thrillhou

In case you are wondering where I got that "Hawaiian cat flu" joke from, here it is:

Part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnKAWwCfUKo

Part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG-goFrw6a4

JamesW

Morphed into Alaskan cat flu ?

Thrillhou

I'm gaining weight and becoming poor, so I think it's morphing into the West Virginian cat flu.

JamesW

Any reply could easily offend lol

Thrillhou

I've already alienated the admin people to the point where they don't talk to me, so whatever. That sure isn't a spiritually fit attitude for me though. It does say in the chapter "How It Works" in the Big Book that "we seek spiritual progress, not spiritual perfection". I have made spiritual progress. I no longer steal stuff and pawn it off at Half Price Books so I can buy 40s.

JamesW

That's definitely progress man, I remember days like that too.

Thrillhou

Day 233. After the NFC/AFC title games I will apply for work at Petsmart and Turck (and others?). I decided to wait until after this weekend because I didn't want to get scheduled to work on a playoffs day and miss games. Perhaps I have a problem with football. I prioritize it over things that should be more important like work. A red flag for an addiction. I've been coughing like someone who has smoked a pack a day for 40 years. This West Virginia cat flu or covid or whatever is annoying.

Hevyn

James - Ain't it the truth?

I watched the videos, Thrill - they're so cute.
Congrats on 233 days of sobriety.

Thrillhou

Day 234. I took cough syrup that expired March 2020. I hope that isn't poisonous. I'm afraid of expired food/drinks/medicine. I also took cough syrup and Dayquil pills together, which according to the warnings might cause liver damage. I should really read the warnings/expirations before I take the medicines... I find it ironic that medicine that treats a cold is much more dangerous than the cold itself. My liver finally got a reprieve from the alcohol abuse and now it's under duress again because of OTC cold medicine.

JamesW

Try not to worry too much Thrill, it's not as though you were taking them long term. And your liver probably loves you at this stage, so will forgive a small error.

Well done on day 234

Thrillhou

Stupid question maybe, but if I used to have a cough syrup abuse problem, does taking a recommended amount of cough syrup when I am sick count as a relapse? I just want to be sure. I don't think I ever mentioned my DXM phase. I am such a basehead.

JamesW

I'm really not sure, is there like a 'party line' about it, personally I wouldn't consider it a relapse. I would take pain medication if necessary ( ie Codeine ) yet that is abusable. Why not PM Dee ? he's cool guy and really don't believe he's annoyed ( if you know what I mean)

advbike

It depends what your intention is. To get high or well? Seriously, intention matters.

Having said, that if I had had a problem with it before, I would try the typical home substitutes first - like gargling with salt water, or drinking hot water and lemon juice etc. IZt would be a last resort. But, yeah, I also like James' suggestion to ask Dee, haha.

Hevyn

I agree with advbike - you didn't take the cough medicine to get high.
Maybe keep some on hand without DXM or other potentially addictive stuff.

Congrats on 234!

Thrillhou

The intention was not to get high, it was to alleviate coughing. I only took recommended amounts and I am not taking any more. I am starting to feel better anyways. I won't call it a relapse. I don't have any desire to consume anymore.

Dee74

I'm not sure about other places but I know where I live you can get cough medicine without the DXM.
If you instinctively recoil from that idea, you might have a problem?

ETA if you took it as directed for the purpose you bought it, then that's probably fine?

If I had a history with the stuff tho I'd tread carefully. D

Dee74

Part 3 is here:
https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...-part-iii.html (I'm Back part III)

D