Rehab
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: middle of nowhere
Posts: 2,849
Hang in there newhope.
I got out of 6 week inpatient on Feb 10th. Life has kept on throwing its best of the worst at me since then. It is very true.. I felt extremely vulnerable after the first few days out and I've continued to slide backwards.
But, I'm going to stay sober no matter what. Drinking is not going to make me feel any better.
Remember you're not alone. Rehab is a workshop to rebuilding your life sober. It's going to take some time to reintegrate and figure out how to fit comfortably back into your life. That's ok! We have to remember to lean on our supports as much as we have to until we can walk tall and strong on our own two legs.
Feeling crappy doesn't mean treatment didn't work. It means work needs to continue to happen. This too shall pass... life will go on, things will change, and the way you feel right now will not stay forever.
Keep doing the work... and if you still have these low feelings talking to a dr would be a really good idea. I have an extremely hard time staying sober without being properly medicated.
Remember to be kind to yourself. Remember all the good things you've gained from this entire process. Remember you are strong and resilient. Remember you are not alone.
Hang in there. We can do this together.
under new management
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 2,339
rebuilding our lives takes time.
I have hobbies, scrapbooking, love to read and write, walk, watch my favorite TV shows. I look forward to these things but in the beginning of my sobriety I felt like there was endless, empty space in front of me and I didn't know how or what to fill it with.
Try thinking about things you have enjoyed in the past.
I have hobbies, scrapbooking, love to read and write, walk, watch my favorite TV shows. I look forward to these things but in the beginning of my sobriety I felt like there was endless, empty space in front of me and I didn't know how or what to fill it with.
Try thinking about things you have enjoyed in the past.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: middle of nowhere
Posts: 2,849
Hi newhope,
daily gratitude lists I found helped me to refocus my thoughts on to the positive things that I enjoy and bring me a sense of peace or purpose.
I understand missing the desire to drink. I often have a feeling similar, I feel like I miss the chaos and insanity of being entirely consumed by drink.
It's the craving of escapism, of numbing my emotions. The best cure for me is taking positive action. We can't just think ourselves better. Waiting and thinking is what kept us stuck in a rut.
This too shall pass
I've been telling myself that often today.
daily gratitude lists I found helped me to refocus my thoughts on to the positive things that I enjoy and bring me a sense of peace or purpose.
I understand missing the desire to drink. I often have a feeling similar, I feel like I miss the chaos and insanity of being entirely consumed by drink.
It's the craving of escapism, of numbing my emotions. The best cure for me is taking positive action. We can't just think ourselves better. Waiting and thinking is what kept us stuck in a rut.
This too shall pass
I've been telling myself that often today. Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,240
Hi Newhope....glad you made it home from
rehab to begin a new life sober.
When you go to your meetings, open, step,
big book, discussion you can come here each
day and share with us what you heard, learned,
suggestions, things that gave you hope in that
one hour out of your day.
When I went to rehab back in 1990, I didn't have
the luxury of a computer like they have today. I had
2 little ones in grade school who kept me busy
and while they were in school, I took the perfect
opportunity to make a noon meeting before they
got home. It became part of my daily routine.
Weekends I went to a night meeting when
my spouse could take them to his parents
home right around the corner from several
of my meetings.
I needed those meetings to help me learn
how to work those steps in all areas of my
life to help me remain sober and build a strong
solid foundation to live my life upon for many
days sober down the road.
I couldn't talk recovery with family because
no one had addiction problems, so I was left
with reaching out to members in the program
that always understood where I was coming
from, understood me without question.
Support from the fellowship of AA was and still
is my lifeline to reach out to if I ever get squirrely,
get off track mentally, spiritually, emotionally
or physically incapable to do what is absolutely
necessary to remain sober.
It does take time to begin to feel like you
are a part of something, a program of recovery,
the fellowship. However, with each meeting
you attend, the more folks will see you and get
to know you and begin participating in meetings
with service work.
I often read at the beginning of the meeting,
How It Works or handed out chips or collected
empty coffee cups, or I baked a hell of a lot for
many many meetings which allowed myself to
be responsible for my actions in getting to a
meeting when sometimes I didn't want to go
but knew I needed to be. To hear some sort
hope in the messages shared by fellow members.
Hope that if they can suit up and show up daily
and remain sober for as long as many had, then
so could I.
Many times it was just putting one foot in
front of the other, going thru the motions
until many of what they taught me began
to make sense.
Remember that you are never have to
go thru anything alone by yourself ever
again or figure out anything by yourself
because there will always be someone
somewhere that has been there done that
same similar thing as you.
Never be afraid to ask for what you need.
Answers to questions you don't understand.
Folks will be more than happy to guide
you along in your own journey to achieve
health, happiness and achieve the gifts of
the promises as written in the big book of
AA.
Remember progress and not perfection.
rehab to begin a new life sober.
When you go to your meetings, open, step,
big book, discussion you can come here each
day and share with us what you heard, learned,
suggestions, things that gave you hope in that
one hour out of your day.
When I went to rehab back in 1990, I didn't have
the luxury of a computer like they have today. I had
2 little ones in grade school who kept me busy
and while they were in school, I took the perfect
opportunity to make a noon meeting before they
got home. It became part of my daily routine.
Weekends I went to a night meeting when
my spouse could take them to his parents
home right around the corner from several
of my meetings.
I needed those meetings to help me learn
how to work those steps in all areas of my
life to help me remain sober and build a strong
solid foundation to live my life upon for many
days sober down the road.
I couldn't talk recovery with family because
no one had addiction problems, so I was left
with reaching out to members in the program
that always understood where I was coming
from, understood me without question.
Support from the fellowship of AA was and still
is my lifeline to reach out to if I ever get squirrely,
get off track mentally, spiritually, emotionally
or physically incapable to do what is absolutely
necessary to remain sober.
It does take time to begin to feel like you
are a part of something, a program of recovery,
the fellowship. However, with each meeting
you attend, the more folks will see you and get
to know you and begin participating in meetings
with service work.
I often read at the beginning of the meeting,
How It Works or handed out chips or collected
empty coffee cups, or I baked a hell of a lot for
many many meetings which allowed myself to
be responsible for my actions in getting to a
meeting when sometimes I didn't want to go
but knew I needed to be. To hear some sort
hope in the messages shared by fellow members.
Hope that if they can suit up and show up daily
and remain sober for as long as many had, then
so could I.
Many times it was just putting one foot in
front of the other, going thru the motions
until many of what they taught me began
to make sense.
Remember that you are never have to
go thru anything alone by yourself ever
again or figure out anything by yourself
because there will always be someone
somewhere that has been there done that
same similar thing as you.
Never be afraid to ask for what you need.
Answers to questions you don't understand.
Folks will be more than happy to guide
you along in your own journey to achieve
health, happiness and achieve the gifts of
the promises as written in the big book of
AA.
Remember progress and not perfection.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,454
Originally Posted by newhope01 
first weekend home and no desire to drink.
please don't shoot me when I say this but, I miss the desire to drink.
strange. like I have nothing to look forward too.
please don't shoot me when I say this but, I miss the desire to drink.
strange. like I have nothing to look forward too.
and when faced with change we're gripped by the fear that life might not be worse, or at least, as 'good'as it is now.
It takes a little time after that last drink for that screwed up alcoholic thinking to fall away but it will
Noone of us would stay sober if we felt we lost out on the deal.
Give it time...if you're like me you devoted years to drinking.... it might take a little longer than 30 days for things to coalesce.
Soon, you'll have so many things to look forward to you'll think back to this thread and laugh..honestly
D
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,122
Had my first craving this last Saturday.
It was beautiful day and just finished up a lovely hike and the old thought of having a beer would be the perfect ending to such a lovely day entered my mind.
Weather continues to be pleasant here and it reminds me of "drinking weather." Whatever the hell that means to my AV.
It was beautiful day and just finished up a lovely hike and the old thought of having a beer would be the perfect ending to such a lovely day entered my mind.
Weather continues to be pleasant here and it reminds me of "drinking weather." Whatever the hell that means to my AV.
quat
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: terra (mostly)firma
Posts: 4,823
There are some really good threads on desire and the aspects of its presence or absence in the Secular Connections forum here on SR.
lol "..it reminds me of "drinking weather." Whatever the hell that means to my AV.", an impending snow storm which we are in for here, was/is one of those weather events my AV tunes into .
lol "..it reminds me of "drinking weather." Whatever the hell that means to my AV.", an impending snow storm which we are in for here, was/is one of those weather events my AV tunes into .
09/26/2015
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: northwest AR
Posts: 88
7 time rehaber here
The first time I went to rehab I was 20 years old and I have been 6 times since then--I am now 32 years old. Inpatient treatment is kind of like a break from everything going on in the outside world for you A- to get clean and B- (hopefully) introduce you to AA/NA. You are in a safe bubble where you are able to get the fog cleared away and you are able to focus on you. You get to be around other people going through the same things as you and you are able to open up and have counselors around that will try to help you find your next steps. It can be a little sad to be away from your loved ones but honestly they need a break also. In most places you can call your family. I would personally recommend it over out patient. The reason why I have been so many times is that the work starts when you get out of treatment and you have to be willing to take suggestions and be willing to do whatever it takes to get your life on track. For me I was not ready until about 18 moths ago, and it took me sitting in jail for 2 months to finally surrender.
I would absolutely recommend inpatient treatment it was a experience(S) I will never forget. You can message me if you have any other questions, I would be happy to help!
I would absolutely recommend inpatient treatment it was a experience(S) I will never forget. You can message me if you have any other questions, I would be happy to help!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,122
My aunt is having a hard time to adjusting to me being home. Last week during a dinner celebration my aunt thought I was hungover during the celebration as me and my husband left 'abruptly.'
She asked my father if I had a "bottomless purse" (whatever that is) as she believed I was excusing myself to the bathroom too many times as in I was using drugs ( not just the booze).
I'm not going to analyze how I may have appeared as being under the influence of any type of psychoactive substance nor am I going to delve into exactly why she feels its appropriate to ask and say such things to others rather than asking me directly.
But, I am worried that my small family is falling apart and am not sure what else I can do with the exception of maintaining my sobriety, going to AA (which she thinks is my way of pretending to be sober as she can't see how it would be an option for me as I am an atheist), and keeping any feelings or thoughts to myself with the exception of reaching out to her once and tell her she contact me any time.
Now that I think of it, this post may be just a way to vent my feelings out rather than pick up a bottle. After my aunt sent me a text that I need to consult my drs combined with what I have heard through the rumor mill, I find my mind wandering to drinking.
She asked my father if I had a "bottomless purse" (whatever that is) as she believed I was excusing myself to the bathroom too many times as in I was using drugs ( not just the booze).
I'm not going to analyze how I may have appeared as being under the influence of any type of psychoactive substance nor am I going to delve into exactly why she feels its appropriate to ask and say such things to others rather than asking me directly.
But, I am worried that my small family is falling apart and am not sure what else I can do with the exception of maintaining my sobriety, going to AA (which she thinks is my way of pretending to be sober as she can't see how it would be an option for me as I am an atheist), and keeping any feelings or thoughts to myself with the exception of reaching out to her once and tell her she contact me any time.
Now that I think of it, this post may be just a way to vent my feelings out rather than pick up a bottle. After my aunt sent me a text that I need to consult my drs combined with what I have heard through the rumor mill, I find my mind wandering to drinking.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
