Hello
Good morning! Write down 3 things you are grateful for today to help keep your brain positive. No "buts"! If all you have is "I am grateful for indoor plumbing" then put that. Today I am grateful I get to go to work. I am grateful for an extra couple bucks in my pocket for coffee. I am grateful for clean clothes.
Jennifer
Jennifer
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: U.S.A
Posts: 236
I am going to a meeting this evening. I struggled this morning but was able to talk myself out of stopping to buy beer. Ate some sugary candy like I did yesterday and the edge is taken off the cravings.
If you're feeling like you need an AA top up maybe check them out. Earl Hightower and Sandy Beach are a couple of my favourites - they really make things clear, while being entertaining and 'human' if you know what I mean. (I kind of feel like I know them after listening to so many of their recordings - was very sad to find out that Sandy died a little while back.).
Anyway - sounds like you're doing great. Maybe hang around after your next meeting and help clear up - I found it much easier chatting with others when there was a shared task on the go (less need for eye contact for a start off) and it was just general, friendly chat then, rather than a deep discussion.
Wishing you well for your journey of recovery, through sobriety on to freedom and serenity.
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: U.S.A
Posts: 236
Thank you Soberwolf and Beccy.
I have plans in about an hour to help my father with remodeling in his house and I'll be staying there until it is time to go to the meeting. I always feel positive after a meeting so I think I can safely predict a successful day 3.
I have plans in about an hour to help my father with remodeling in his house and I'll be staying there until it is time to go to the meeting. I always feel positive after a meeting so I think I can safely predict a successful day 3.
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: U.S.A
Posts: 236
Went to the meeting. Became irritated again about a half hour before the meeting .. didn't want to go but did anyway. Didn't feel like I got anything out of that particular meeting. Still was irritated after the meeting and thought about drinking but I don't want to wake up tomorrow on day 1.. as much as I'd love that temporary peace beer brings me .. it's got to end at some point because the negatives far outweigh the positives.
Anyway .. day 3 complete. Water purchased instead of beer.
Anyway .. day 3 complete. Water purchased instead of beer.
You can have reasons, or you can have results, but you can't have both.
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 1,232
This is a powerful thread
You speak with such honesty and you have a lot of insight. Hang on to your license if you can, and don't let alcohol steal your relationship with your girlfriend. These things have great value. Don't let alcohol take them away.
And as for job loss... You can turn this event into the best thing that ever happened IF you kick alcohol to the curb. If you're sober, you can use your energy and health to envision a dream job and then go after it. But you'll miss opportunities if you're a drinker.
You can do this. I've quit for a month in the past and I can guarantee you it gets better. Pretty soon after you quit, you feel so much better on every level! But....make sure you have a plan for how to manage the sudden, overwhelming craving that can pop up weeks or months into sobriety. You need a sobriety plan that will ensure you don't drink no matter where you are, who you see, or what happens.
And as for job loss... You can turn this event into the best thing that ever happened IF you kick alcohol to the curb. If you're sober, you can use your energy and health to envision a dream job and then go after it. But you'll miss opportunities if you're a drinker.
You can do this. I've quit for a month in the past and I can guarantee you it gets better. Pretty soon after you quit, you feel so much better on every level! But....make sure you have a plan for how to manage the sudden, overwhelming craving that can pop up weeks or months into sobriety. You need a sobriety plan that will ensure you don't drink no matter where you are, who you see, or what happens.
Sleeping when you can is great in early days. I treated myself like I was recovering from a serious illness - because I was.
Well done on working through that discontent last night. That's the key to recovery, finding ways to live peacefully and with gratitude without numbing out the moments of discomfort. Every emotion will pass.
Well done on working through that discontent last night. That's the key to recovery, finding ways to live peacefully and with gratitude without numbing out the moments of discomfort. Every emotion will pass.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 114
I remember the feelings of irritation and anger during the first couple of weeks after quitting. Once I started to realize I was going through alcohol withdrawls the feelings became more manageable. Suddenly there was a reason and a name for what I was going through! Those feelings will pass and your sleeping schedule will normalize then you'll wonder why the heck you didn't quit earlier!
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: U.S.A
Posts: 236
Hi.
I'll just use this thread instead of making another one. I didn't make it past day 4. I had this weird feeling .. this feeling of irritation beyond what I had described in previous posts and I didn't even try to stop myself from buying beer.
I've finished another day 1.. no drinks today. Concerned about tomorrow..
I'll just use this thread instead of making another one. I didn't make it past day 4. I had this weird feeling .. this feeling of irritation beyond what I had described in previous posts and I didn't even try to stop myself from buying beer.
I've finished another day 1.. no drinks today. Concerned about tomorrow..
Guest
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: U.S.A
Posts: 236
Hi Soberwolf and Purpleknight.
Thanks for posting.
What I've noticed is when I go to an evening A.A meeting, I usually don't want to drink that evening. I have also noticed if I keep busy, I tend to not think about drinking. It's in the moments that I am home alone and in a negative mood, I decide to drink and "enjoy myself".
I didn't sleep well last night and decided to finally read the Living Sober book I have .. it mentioned that it is hard to just sit around and try to "not drink". The book says it is better to replace the drinking with something more healthy .. my plan at the moment is to try to replace it with things that occupy my mind.
Other than that ... I just don't know .. I'm going to use today to help mentally prepare myself for tomorrow.
Thanks for posting.
What I've noticed is when I go to an evening A.A meeting, I usually don't want to drink that evening. I have also noticed if I keep busy, I tend to not think about drinking. It's in the moments that I am home alone and in a negative mood, I decide to drink and "enjoy myself".
I didn't sleep well last night and decided to finally read the Living Sober book I have .. it mentioned that it is hard to just sit around and try to "not drink". The book says it is better to replace the drinking with something more healthy .. my plan at the moment is to try to replace it with things that occupy my mind.
Other than that ... I just don't know .. I'm going to use today to help mentally prepare myself for tomorrow.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)