Six Months Today!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: NC
Posts: 1,649
Six Months Today!
I am grateful to be six months sober today. It has been an extremely difficult journey so far. But not for the reason I expected when this all started. Not drinking has been easier than I thought once I realized I cannot drink in moderation and that I was dependent on alcohol. But the PAWS symptoms have been a huge struggle. I did not know anything about PAWS until I joined this site and started having all the symptoms. I am still battling lots of them but some have improved. So I soldier on every day hoping that I will continue to feel better and reap the benefits of living alcohol free.
Congrats! 
Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: England
Posts: 1,849
Well done CB - I totally get what you're saying about PAWS - I feel I am suffering from this - so your achievement is all the more commendable - from what I have read - things will improve - so yes, keep going, it is all so worth it!
, it does get better the more sober time you have. 
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: virgin islands
Posts: 145
All the congratulations are wonderful - but they won't necessarily keep you from that next drink. I've seen folks who thought they had this licked end up picking up again and then struggling to get back into the rooms. Some never made it.
I can only speak from my experience, but at about 6 months is when that voice inside started planting doubts. I thought I had overcome any issues I had with drinking and that's when the maybe's started. Maybe I could have a glass of wine, or two, with dinner - without drinking the whole bottle. Maybe I could have a cold beer on a warm afternoon, without turning it into a session that lasts well into the night. Maybe I wasn't an alcoholic after all and had just been a 'heavy drinker'.
But I didn't drink. I had some fixed vacation time and wasn't travelling, so instead went to a daily noon meeting that I hadn't previously attended. Just listening again to all the experience of those in the rooms reinforced my realization that a drink was not an option. I'd conveniently started to forget that, as an alcoholic, this was a lifelong affliction that required constant vigilance.
My intent is not to rain on anyone's parade, and I applaud your achievement. Just adding a word of caution that while celebrating our achievements is great, continuing to apply the knowledge we have gained and strength we've acquired is what will really help us reach the next milestone.
But what do I know - I'm just anotherquitter.
I can only speak from my experience, but at about 6 months is when that voice inside started planting doubts. I thought I had overcome any issues I had with drinking and that's when the maybe's started. Maybe I could have a glass of wine, or two, with dinner - without drinking the whole bottle. Maybe I could have a cold beer on a warm afternoon, without turning it into a session that lasts well into the night. Maybe I wasn't an alcoholic after all and had just been a 'heavy drinker'.
But I didn't drink. I had some fixed vacation time and wasn't travelling, so instead went to a daily noon meeting that I hadn't previously attended. Just listening again to all the experience of those in the rooms reinforced my realization that a drink was not an option. I'd conveniently started to forget that, as an alcoholic, this was a lifelong affliction that required constant vigilance.
My intent is not to rain on anyone's parade, and I applaud your achievement. Just adding a word of caution that while celebrating our achievements is great, continuing to apply the knowledge we have gained and strength we've acquired is what will really help us reach the next milestone.
But what do I know - I'm just anotherquitter.
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,748
I am very proud of you and what you have accomplished! 6 months of recovery is very hard to get. In fact, I was not sure if I was in "recovery" or in some other mode for the first six months?
Resetting ourselves and living free from an addiction is one of the most powerful things we can accomplish. You have been battling PAWS and that is not an easy situation at all. Keep moving forward and continue being positive. Believe in yourself and the ability you have to change your life. Celebrate all the small and large accomplishments. You are doing this!!
GO YOU! Thank you for being here and for sharing your journey.
Resetting ourselves and living free from an addiction is one of the most powerful things we can accomplish. You have been battling PAWS and that is not an easy situation at all. Keep moving forward and continue being positive. Believe in yourself and the ability you have to change your life. Celebrate all the small and large accomplishments. You are doing this!!
GO YOU! Thank you for being here and for sharing your journey.
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