ArtFriend

Mad as in crazy, not angry

I posted about this before... the slightly off-center feelings and thoughts one has after a certain amount of time sober. It's fun until it isn't. This is a stress inducing reality that is strongly pulling me to the liquor store. I haven't succumbed, but the pull is there.

Anyone else identify with this? Or am I simply ready for the booby-hatch?

Dee74

It took me a while to feel comfortable being sober...there was always this jarring nerve twitching thought that something was 'wrong'...

There wasn't - I just hadn't ever been sober for any real length of time as an adult.

I got used to it

D

SoberLeigh

It takes a while to feel comfortable in your sober-skin; the only way to get there is to stay sober and wait for it to happen.

You will get there, ArtFriend.

Aellyce

I definitely have had a few crazy days since I got sober. Not frequently, and far from the madness I experienced while drinking, but some intense days definitely. Last couple of them just last weekend. Mine are also usually linked to some kind of stressful event, but the thoughts and feelings are definitely exaggerated to be just reactions to stress. It usually really helps me to talk with someone, even if just online and even if it's not a lot of talk, but knowing that someone is listening is comforting. Luckily I no longer experience a mental state like that as triggering for wanting to drink or only very vaguely for fleeting moments, but in the beginning confusion in my head made me want to drink. My suggestion is that you try to distract yourself with something, or as I said, talk to someone. Posting here is good, too, I did that several times when I felt crazy and always received tremendous support.

Good to see you, btw

trachemys

I"m making a phone call. When the guys in white coats show up, just let them in.

ArtFriend

I find that I overreact to minor things, like having to sort thru a million menu options on a phone call (in English or Spanish?) or putting too much salt in a stew. Who cares right? There are millions of people with REAL problems!
Thanks for listening

Thanks haennie ... nice to be back

ArtFriend

ArtFriend

AddictGuy

Your problems are important because they are your problems, Artfriend. It seems so often we have to reboot when we give up a false "center" like alcohol. Once we have spent enough time looking at life through its haze, it becomes a very valid question, what is the center? What is normal? It's like we are in a strange land and things just aren't right. How do we even take a step forward?

I think sometimes we have to just let it all settle and to realize that there is a new right and a new normal. As long as we are not using, beyond that, we need to just our inner compass find its own equilibrium. To just allow things to find their own way within us. It takes time.

AddictGuy

. . . .allow our inner compass . . .

AddictGuy

. . . allow our inner compass to . . .

AddictGuy

trachemys

Next time you put too much salt in a stew, float a big chunk of peeled white potato in it until the salt levels.

And don't lock the nice men in white coats out.

least

It took me a while to get used to living sober. I was so used to always being either drunk or sick. Give yourself more time, and good treatment. Good food, exercise, and rest. Be kind to yourself.

SoberLeigh

Love that song, ArtFriend. Oldie but goldie.

JT0626

ArtFriend, I had a very similar discussion with my counselor the other day. She told me: "Do whatever it is you have to do to nurture YOU". I'm saying the same to you. :-)

Gilmer

WOW! Thanks!

SoberLeigh

Thanks from me too, trachs.