Dog days are over
 

Greetings all,

I have been reading and posting on SR since January 2015, but I rarely start my own thread. Perhaps I am sleep deprived now, but I feel like starting one now.

Today I have exceeded 170 days without an alcoholic drink. Never, at any point in my adult life, did I imagine that it was possible to go this long without consuming some form of mind altering substance.

As I look back, I realise I have spent most of my adult life engaging in a process of self medication. It started with heavy cannabis use, which became daily, which became first thing in the morning until last thing at night. I can't believe I completed my degree, as I was essentially intoxicated throughout. I then progressed to alcohol and other drugs, then mostly alcohol, with some brief periods of reprieve.

I used substances to medicate and tranquillise anxiety, depression, fear, and sadness. I also drank when I was happy. I connected substances to work, study and leisure activities. Alcohol became inextricable with family, friendships, relationships, even children. I self medicated as I made my journey through social space-time, tranquillising the moment-to-moment units of raw experience. This process of medication transformed my experience to madness, as I damaged others around me and damaged myself.

Although at 170 days and with a questionable expectation that everything should be normal by now, this is still early days. I am trying to learn to deal with reality, other people, and myself, as my sober self. Sometimes anxious, sometimes depressed, sometimes happy, sometimes connected to others.

Dog Days are Over is a song by Florence and the Machine, which has been playing in my mind all day. I encourage you to listen to it and it's wonderful lyrics.

My best wishes to you all,

B

Great thread Mr. Behan!

Congrats on 170 days.

I had you in my thoughts this week to send you a note asking specifically how you are. You post but not directly about how you are handling things. Now I know.! :D

Little B arrives in short order. A new place. A new sober life. Stay strong. Really glad I got to know you!

Ken

yep, I agree with weasel...
congrats on 170 days and counting, glad you are with us.

FATM opened for U2 in Lansing at spartan stadium a few years ago. They finished with dog days are over... U2 was pretty good 2. Coolest visual setup ever this 360 deg monstrosity video display - awesome...

Congrats on 170 days sober! :scoregood

Way to go!! Here's to living life on life's terms...

This long term sobriety stuff is hard. We built our whole world's around self medication and one day the medication was gone.

If I'm not the person I was, who the heck am i? For me I take it a day at a time. Each challenge is a learning experience and I do the best I can. One thing that has helped a lot is AA. I see how other people deal with life and it gives me a road map of how I should deal with things.

Each day I get just a little bit better and for me that is as good as it gets

170 Days is fantastic!! :You_Rock_

You've got a lot of insight, Behan. Congrats on 170 days and counting!
Thanks for sharing with us!

You're doing fantastic, Behan :) Yeah, still fairly early. Things will ease up. Keep on going.

Love Florence and love that song :) Now I'm gonna have to play it.

Great job on 170 Behan!

Awesome job on 170 days sober exellent post Behan

Congrats on 170 days! That's a great accomplishment.

I'm absolutely the biggest fan of Florence you'll ever meet :-) Did you know she had drinking issues herself?

Thank you one and all for your kind words and encouragement. It means the world! :)

Thank you for that really interesting and encouraging post Behan. I'm really enjoying seeing things go well for you

Oh and congratulations on 170 days

Congrats on 170 days Behan - and thanks for the thought provoking post :)

D

Congratulations on 170 days sober!

I too love that song and will listen to it tonight. And tomorrow upon fist waking up so I can give myself a little happy jump start to my day. Thank you for your post.

Great song, and so appropriate.

Behan, we are proud of your accomplishment - 170 days is fabulous. Even better things are yet to come.

Good read! Nice one :)

Thank you!

She sounds a lot like Annie Lennox

Behan, congratulations on 170 days though it will be 171 by the time you read this. I think your post is great insight and I do enjoy that Florence & the Machines song.