Octoman

Hi All
We are all getting there a day at a time. Feels great!

stone

Hi Octoman!

Congrats on your sober time mate.

barb dwyer

that's the cutest smilie!

How's the adjusting at work going, Oct?

Octoman

Hi
Just got back from lunch with a couple of clients. Had to sit and watch everybody wash away their food with beers and wines I have to admit I found it very very hard to just drink water. Managed it though and I guess it will get easier the more I do it. Its just a case of changing my life patterns.

Still very foggy brained. Going to be great when that blows away.

How are you all doing - Love the smiley Stone!

gypsytears

That's rough Octoman. I still find it hard to sit and watch people drink... but it does get easier you're right. Hang in there, the fogginess will clear.

pointmagnet

I was out for lunch yesterday also with a client. We were the only table in the place where alcoholic beverages were not being served.

This was surprising, as I thought the three-martini lunch was a thing of the past. I guess not.

For me, I have no cravings in the middle of the day, so being around booze at lunchtime is no big deal. Work and booze have never mixed. It's after work is where my problem is....

stone

Thats a lot to deal with this early on Octo, well done mate.

Present

Keep It Simple my friend. Go to meetings and listen. Take the time to hear the experience of others who have been there. Find the strength in what they have done. Suggestions are all that AA has to offer but follow them and you just might find hope.
Alcohol is a sad road that promises only more and deeper sadness. It will seem at times that everything is conspiring against you and staying sober. Just keep it simple my friend, go to meetings, read what is offered, and listen for the suggestions to follow.

Everything will be all right in the end. If its not all right, it's not the end.

eastcoastgirl

Good luck and best wishes to you Octoman.

barb dwyer

hi Octo - how's it going?

congratulations on the lunch thing, dude.

stone

...........

Octoman

Hi everyone, and thanks for all your comments.
Its good to still be sober and like you say, sometimes it feels like you are up against it but what a great feeling when you come through!

I have a week off work so going to spend a bit of time visiting family and hopefully enjoying some sunshine (if we ever get any here!)

Will pop in when I can. Hope everyone is winning their own fights! Let me know how you are getting on.

Oct

P.S. Stone - lol, that smiley looks like me! At least the glasses do anyway - got a bit more hair

Rusty Zipper

enjoy the time off octo...

octo well, as long as i keep doing what is working...

will be able to handle anything life toss's my way...

and believe me... there has been some ring toss games in my time clean & sober...lol

aint nothing a drink or a drug will make any better... fer shure!

xxoo, blessings and recovery!

zipper

barb dwyer

good morning Octo-man ...

have a wonderful week then!

I've got some extra days off myself this week. I wish it *would* rain here, forest fires and all you know ...made for a red moon last night - kinda cool

stone

Hi Octo, blame Barb cos I cant read your name without thinking OCTOMAN!!!!!!!
Enjoy your week off mate, rest up as much as you can.

barb dwyer

it's about time we'd be hearing from OCTOMANNNNNNNN

I mean ... isn't it?

Octoman

Hey all.
Been travelling in the south West of England this week and had no access to a computer. How is everyone doing?
One month today clean unbelievably. Feeling pretty good and really feel like I am getting somewhere. Bit tough visiting my parents, they really havent accepted my alcoholism and were very sad we couldnt have a glass of wine in the garden together. My father in particular found it difficult since he is in the early stages of Parkinsons and realises he doesnt have so many good times left to sit with me an enjoy a drink. I ended up buying Kaliber (alcohol free beer) which tastes like pi** but at least looked the part as we sat together.

Other than that all well here.

Octoman

Well, thats my week off finished and back to work tomorrow. Must be the first vacation I have had in 10 years where I havent spent the entire time getting hammered! I actually went to bed before it was light each night and got up in the morning at a sensible time. Probably had more sleep in the last 7 days than I had in the last 7 months!!

I would like to say I feel like a new person but it just isnt so easy (I guess if it was none of us would be here!). But I do feel a bit more refreshed and seem to be seeing some signs of the fog lifting - just a bit and only occasionally but it gives me hope.

Despite the difficulty though I truly am glad that I am sober and am praying that I can find the strength to stay that way.

Love to all
Oct

Octoman

Odd, tomorrow will be day 40 yet right now I fel my grasp on sobriety is the most tenuous it has been. Although physically I now feel some genuine improvement I am finding my thoughts increasingly turning to drinking. No idea why. Up until a week ago I hadent come close to drinking. Since last week though I have repeatedly had to haul myself back from the brink.

I dont know where this defeatist mind set is coming from or what to do about it. I have pretty much convinced myself that I will drink again, its just a matter of time. I know thats not the way to think but I cant seem to help it.

Alive

You can help it..Remember how it feels after drinking, remember all that you can't do when drinking, if necessary write down in a paper..We're here to remind you that there's no bennefit to drinking.Your mind will try to fool you, it's the disease....Don't buy it...!