Checking in at 6 months
 

It’s been six months without a drink and I appreciate looking at all the positive postings here. Been down this road a few times and about this time I usually think I could test the waters. I recall someone here saying to play that tape forward and envision where you should be in a few days. That is great advise. Obviously I would be kicking my butt and feeling like crap. I accept that 100% sobriety is the only way to go. Just keep it that way and there are no worries. For those who are struggling, it isn’t easy but stay the course. Achieving good outcomes isn’t always easy but in the end its well worth the effort.

congrats on 6 months labfriend :)
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Congrats on six months sober! :)

100% is clearly the optimum position so keep it up and thrive...

Great work on 6 months!

Congratulations on 6 months Labfriend :)

Congratulations 🥳

6 months - a huge win for you, Labfriend. So glad to hear the good news. :)

Congratulations on 6 months sober 🙏

Congrats on 6 months, well done.

It's good to hear from you labfriend and that you're doing well.

Thanks for posting. It gives people like me a goal to look forward to!

When I committed to never drinking again, there was a change in my psychological perception. I found permanent sobriety to be much easier than allowing for that occasional drink now and then. Yes, it's actually the easier softer way. The problem with "just one drink," is that it always led to another, which led to one more, and on and on. If you are an alcoholic, it's odd because finding it's easier to not drink at all than to have one on a special occasion is a surprising experience. It was something I never could have anticipated.

The cravings leave, but I still had that occasional thought that it would be nice to relax with a cold one after a good day's work, but that isn't craving to me. It's just an irrational thought, but I believe those irrational thoughts can be the death of sobriety. This is also supported by a book, Under the Influence, where the chemistry of alcoholism is explained. When a person enters the the alcoholic phase of drinking, the way his body disposes of the alcohol changes. Alcohol in the system produces a toxin that causes discomfort, and the only relief, which is brief by the way, is another drink. Normies don't experience this.

Sure the initial battle with cravings was a Hellish experience, but once you rid your mind of needing an occasional drink, you are on your way to real freedom. Congratulations on 6 months. From here on, it's just about thinking, or "playing the tape forward" as you put it.

Six months is a HUGE deal!! Congrats!!

Congratulations on 6 months!!! Way to go. It will get better and better.:c011: