Originally Posted by quitter62

It’s been a long while since I posted but thought someone might need to know that there IS HOPE, even when you feel the obstacle is insurmountable!!!

I drank hard for probably 35 years or so until I decided ENOUGH! SR Forum Folks are the ones who talked me off the cliff every time I was ready to give up! Thank You!!!

4 years and 10 months in and my LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER than I ever thought possible. Drinking was a crutch that I thought I needed socially! Now I am just amazed that it was always just an EXCUSE to calm my fears, to blend in, to have fun. Don’t need it at all! I am more CONFIDENT than I ever was. Life is GREAT!

You will THANK YOURSELF LATER FOR WHAT YOU DO TODAY! Be STRONG, Live your BEST LIFE!

24 More is the Plan of the Day!!!!

Originally Posted by kenton

Really struggling with Covid this time round. I had to call an ambulance out on Monday night because my husband started convulsing, then he collapsed and was struggling to breathe. Unfortunately, Covid has triggered quite serious stomach complications in him which seems to be affecting his body’s ability to maintain a safe body temperature. Luckily his oxygen level is ok and he’s now stable. I’m fortunate in that I don’t have the stomach symptoms - I haven’t been able to hear for 5 days, my ears and sinuses are so blocked up. I wish I could drill a hole into my head to relieve the pressure. Even the children are suffering this time. Both sons have the stomach complications - my daughters aren’t too bad. My husband is definitely the most ill out of all of us and he is a fully vaccinated super fit 45 year old man who only three weeks ago ran a 20 mile obstacle course race. I would never have believed Covid could still be this bad. Honestly, it’s so much worse than when we had it before. Maybe it’s because all 6 of us have it at the same time so there’s loads of virus here? I don’t know. All I know is that it’s severely lowering my mood. My sense of humour is missing in action along with my sense of smell. It’s so difficult being stuck inside and trying to care for everyone when I’m feeling so ill myself. Sorry for being so miserable. I know that this will end but right now it honestly feels like it will never end. It’s triggering so many sad memories and thoughts. I need to get my head right but I just feel really sad and foggy. Thank goodness for my sobriety - its when life is really tough, that’s when I cling to my sobriety the most. 24 more for me please xxxx

Originally Posted by Vinificent

It’s been many 24 hours since I checked in. Happy to see familiar handles and trying to catch up 🤗

For whatever reason, I let the pandemic change my sobriety plan. At first I logged into the AA virtual meetings and still dropped in here, but eventually was doing none of it. The more I ponder it, I realize it was my type A, impatient personality rearing it’s ugly head. There were many people having to adapt to technology who somehow managed to avoid it until they were forced to use it. A better person would have embraced the opportunity to help and teach, but I quickly grew frustrated with muted mics and slow connections…it all became too much static, and I avoided virtual social interactions unless forced to join work meetings. Then by the time AA started meeting in person again, I tried going back but felt disconnected, like going back to your old school and feeling like you are just not that person anymore.

And then I slipped. Yep - just walked into a package store, purchased a box of wine, and proceeded to drink the entire box over a 24 hour period. I had convinced myself that I was no longer an alcoholic and would buy this box of wine and use it only for cooking or an occasional glass when I wanted to unwind. Yeah OK - that lasted a hot minute, and after the first glass I was determined to drink the entire contents. That was 3 days ago, and this is the first I am admitting it to anyone. My husband and daughter both suspected something was off with me and I have not told them that they were right. The last 24 hours have been brutal as my body was detoxing. The good news is this experience fiercely renewed my memories of pain, anxiety, and self hatred, and once again determined to not feel that way again.

Sorry to be so long winded and thank you for reading this much into it 🙏

Bottom line, I am grateful for every hour of the past 24 that I did not drink, and I am here asking for 24 more. Please and thank you ❤️