My Journey - Being Honest
 

Had a drink after 3.5 weeks drink free. My partner Janet won at bingo and to share her joy I had about a third of a bottle of gin on each night - sat and sun. No ill effects apparent thank god and no guilt. I didnt feel under the influence - no misbehaving, no rows, full memory.
Now Im not complacent and now Im going on another alcohol drought ,as this time , from midnight I go on a low carb diet and it wouldnt compliment this. Not just that of course. The MAIN reason I started abstinence or my " new way" was to get the benefit bag that giving up the sauce allows us. I will continue to strive to achieve to enjoy it's contents.
I do not wish to go back to my old ways and indeed , I didnt go into any physical or mental place that has led to me needing or craving more.
So - I took a chance - and survived unscathed. If I dont write these things down and share then I wouldnt feel truthful to this community.
I hope all who read are in fine shape and are remaining positive and healthy.
Regards
Dave 🤠

So, you relapsed after 3 1/2 weeks of abstinence. Well, I'm glad you're back and do you plan on stopping drinking completely? If so, you will find lots of support here.

Those can be the scariest relapses...easy to want to take another chance.

Hope you can put down the drinking for good.

Many here can tell you a familiar story of relapsing lightly at first and within no time being back to drinking the same or more, and plenty scathed.

I also can’t help but observe how easy it is to find every excuse under the sun to “have to” have a drink. For some, weddings = drinking. Others, winning at bingo .. for others, losing at bingo. Having a good day, having a bad day. Celebrating.. mourning. Getting the job, losing the job.

If you want to stop drinking, I encourage you to discard the false idea that ANY circumstance permits or requires alcohol.

Thanks Anna and Carl
 

The long term prognosis is good. The mental cravings are not their and I have put my sober time to good use - creating new living frameworks and targets. A slip yes but relative to where Ive been Im well ahead of my own game. Abstinence remains my goal - I dont have mental hurdles currently, just a load of stuff that a sober world has already allowed me to set out on the table. For example I have today been able to pay for my garden to be cleared ahead of summer - Ive booked and set up monthly installments for 2 weeks in the sun in October. Ive also begun a committment to a long term savings plan ( my long term will now be extended somewhat).
Ive read a lot , my mind is sharper and my eyes look like they are from earth.
If these things can happen in the short term then I look forward to the future.
Thank you for your early replies .
Regards
Dave 🤠

Thank you Lily
 

I appreciate your contact and views.
I do not take any of my choices lightly and I read all replies - sometimes sooner than others but always.
I wasnt expecting endorsement of this event. This train has forward momentum and as I continue to strive for sobrietal perfection I will always be honest to the membership - if only to show this human racing away from previous despair.
Regards
Dave 🤠

Hi Dave not to pile on but I think you're underplaying this by quite a bit and that makes me think you're being played by your addiction a little.

Maybe this link will help explain to you why I think that.

https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...get-drunk.html

The too long summary is

D

Warning Heard Dee - Thank You
 

If Im underplaying then its not consciously. But then there lies the hidden tormentor , the sub - conscious.
Im a competitor and if it wants to play games along the way Ill take it on.
I dont want or propose to be like everyone or anyone else - nobody would ask that of course. Ive always enjoyed being an individual within the team and just as I can empathise with everyone who has had their lives ruined by this drug - and appreciate their views and tolerance - I must forge my own furrow as we all do in the end.
I remain hopeful of my outcome and thank you much for your experienced input on an ongoing basis.
Its why I came
Regards
Dave 🤠

I think many of us are outliers. rebels and individualists Dave - thats not to say we don't share a common problem. :)

just food for thought, man.
D

Here is what my alcoholic mind does with such experiences.

As a watcher - You got away with it, maybe I can too. People are always telling me about the fatal first drink yet there you stand unscathed. Maybe they are exagerating.

As a relapser: Wow, how did that happen? Glad not much harm came from it. Back on the road now. Then, after a few days or weeks, "it's interesting that I didn't lose control. Maybe I am not alcoholic after all. Perhaps the break from drinking was all that was needed to set me right again." Then perhaps later still, the thought comes that a drink would be nice. I have been sober a long time without any problem, and last time seemed to work out ok....

You get where this is going. The big problem for me was I never saw the first drink coming. Alcoholism can be very subtle. In hind sight I could see all sorts of things, but I never could recognise the danger signs in advance.

Continued ;)
 

Agreed - I have a problem Dee.
And this is all helping me through.
Most days I get to check in here and write something or take a read at the experiences of others.
I appreciate the power of the group union.
You and the moderator team are a great help.
The road will be long and worth it.
Regards
Dave 🤠

Hey Gottalife
 

I wrote a lengthy reply but the site sort of reloaded itself and it disappeared.
In a long winded way - I said that I hear you and many thanks for taking your time to reply.
Regards
Dave 🤠

I'm glad you wanted to talk about what happened, Dave.
It's all been said - I have nothing new to add. Just be careful with you precious life. We care about you. :)

Hi Hevyn
 

I went off course - now back on.
No cravings - no shakes - no lack of clarity , although sometimes upon re-reading my ramblings I can see that that might not be obvious to others. Imagine me a month ago!
Thank you for taking time out to respond. All views count.
Regards
Dave 🤠