The road ahead
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 11
The road ahead
Today is my first day of a new chapter: sobriety. I'm turning 40 on in a few weeks and Christmas/ New Year's Eve is just around the corner. It was hard to commit just before the holidays, but here I am.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Welcome. No time like the present to quit. I've been here two holidays. This will be my third. I've seen a lot of folks say they are going to quit AFTER the holidays and never do. They put it off and the chance they had, slips away.
That said, holidays are tough. How do you plan to handle all the alcohol related events and all-around stress that comes with Christmas and New Years?
That said, holidays are tough. How do you plan to handle all the alcohol related events and all-around stress that comes with Christmas and New Years?
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,560
Welcome to the family, pheona. This is a wonderful place filled with great suggestions and encouragement. I know you're going to find it so helpful as you start your journey. Congratulations on deciding to start this new chapter. 
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bridgeton
Posts: 718
The meeting will help you a lot---as they do for me...you will find a welcoming group of people who share their willingness to help with you. Get through the holidays one day at a time...you can do it! Congratz!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Between Meetings
Posts: 8,997
Originally Posted by pheona123 
Thanks for the kind words. I am going to an AA meeting this evening, that's my big plan for getting through the holidays and beyond.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 522
welcome Pheona! Stick with us here at SR and stick with the people in those meetings.
It's worked for me these past 96 days.
I agree with the others, no time like the present to get sober. You'll have a nice headstart on the new year!
It's worked for me these past 96 days.
I agree with the others, no time like the present to get sober. You'll have a nice headstart on the new year!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 11
Today is day 12. I have been to 9 AA meetings since my sobriety date, and I highly recommend it to anyone out there who is attempting to quit.
Yesterday I found that a good friend was badly Burned and is in the hospital, I bounced a bunch of checks because they came out of the wrong account and that my grandmother fell and broke her pelvic bone in 3 places and is in the hospital.
These are all reasons to have a glass of wine (or 6). But... I didn't. Today instead of feeling foggy, guilty and hungover, I feel grounded and centered. I know my old friend Sauvingnon Blanc is full of false promises.
Tonight I am venturing out for my first holiday party. I hope it is a positive experience. I would be lying if I didn't mention that I still crave a drink, but feel stronger than my addiction.
One last thing, for anyone out there who is reading this who wants to quit and thinks they just can't, I'm here to tell you that you can. A week before I quit, I had no plans to, but when it is time, it is time. Give it a try, name it out loud and move forward. For me, saying that I want to get off this ride and I can't seem to do it alone was the first step in taking back my power. Alcohol doesn't want you to shed light on it's hold over you. It thrives on secrecy. As soon as I stopped protecting my addiction, I was able to climb out of the hole and get my head above water long enough to see things clearly. You can to. Give it a try you might surprise yourself, I did.
Yesterday I found that a good friend was badly Burned and is in the hospital, I bounced a bunch of checks because they came out of the wrong account and that my grandmother fell and broke her pelvic bone in 3 places and is in the hospital.
These are all reasons to have a glass of wine (or 6). But... I didn't. Today instead of feeling foggy, guilty and hungover, I feel grounded and centered. I know my old friend Sauvingnon Blanc is full of false promises.
Tonight I am venturing out for my first holiday party. I hope it is a positive experience. I would be lying if I didn't mention that I still crave a drink, but feel stronger than my addiction.
One last thing, for anyone out there who is reading this who wants to quit and thinks they just can't, I'm here to tell you that you can. A week before I quit, I had no plans to, but when it is time, it is time. Give it a try, name it out loud and move forward. For me, saying that I want to get off this ride and I can't seem to do it alone was the first step in taking back my power. Alcohol doesn't want you to shed light on it's hold over you. It thrives on secrecy. As soon as I stopped protecting my addiction, I was able to climb out of the hole and get my head above water long enough to see things clearly. You can to. Give it a try you might surprise yourself, I did.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Congrats on 12 days. That's awesome. Like the twelve days of Christmas.
I hope you aren't putting yourself in a risky postion. Less than two week sober is pretty early to be around drinking, especially the holidays and the pressure to be festive.
However, if you are determined to go, have a strategy for dealing with the temptations and have an exit plan.
Good luck.
Originally Posted by pheona123
Tonight I am venturing out for my first holiday party. I hope it is a positive experience. I would be lying if I didn't mention that I still crave a drink, but feel stronger than my addiction.
However, if you are determined to go, have a strategy for dealing with the temptations and have an exit plan.
Good luck.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Des Moines IA
Posts: 377
Good that you are pursuing a new path. It's especially great to come through the holidays with our sobriety intact, my first one felt like a bad storm I'd weathered and survived and I felt great about that. Chances are you will too.
Sober Alcoholic
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,539
Pheonia, You sound good. Typically I would be concerned about someone going out to a party with less than 2 weeks sober. After reading your post I not overly worried. Something tells me you are in a very good place for only having 12 days. If you stay the course I believe your recovery is going to be amazing! Stay well.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 11
My husband is supporting me and not drinking as well. This is a small gathering of a few good friends, so I'm feeling strong. I want to see how it feels. I also have a cold so if I freak out, we have an excuse. We are having my husband's parents and his aunt and uncle over for Christmas dinner and I have already told them we won't be serving wine/beer. They were fine with it. The big one for me is going to be my 40th on Jan 5th. Still not sure how I'll handle that one.
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