Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

[Determinator]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

reunion? great idea! how the heck are you all?!!? toga!! toga!!

Believe, I'm definitely relating and think that's a mental challenge we all have to deal with on some level and in some way. Also I liked WonderWorlds notes on this. I'm not sure I'll ever feel "normal" because I don't recall ever feeling that way save perhaps for when I was an eight year old kid playing in a carefree world. And at that time I never wanted alcohol. hmmmmm. maybe ice cream was our alcohol then. LOL
I've thought about doing SOD (special occassion drinking) but I'm really fearful of lapsing back into my old destructive routine so I'm keeping my head behind cover for now.
come over and visit and we'll hit the range and destress bro. I did a tactical handgun class yesterday that was 6 hours in the direct sun at 97 degrees with no shade to be found. (I'm meeeeeelting). but it was a great and productive day.

hop on chat sometime and we'll show you what "really abnormal" people are like! hahahahahaha!!!!

be well everyone!!

[kaddy]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

morning everyone
hope you all have a good day
am on115 days af it going so quick

[BELIEVE]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Determinator;355224 wrote: reunion? great idea! how the heck are you all?!!? toga!! toga!!

Believe, I'm definitely relating and think that's a mental challenge we all have to deal with on some level and in some way. Also I liked WonderWorlds notes on this. I'm not sure I'll ever feel "normal" because I don't recall ever feeling that way save perhaps for when I was an eight year old kid playing in a carefree world. And at that time I never wanted alcohol. hmmmmm. maybe ice cream was our alcohol then. LOL
I've thought about doing SOD (special occassion drinking) but I'm really fearful of lapsing back into my old destructive routine so I'm keeping my head behind cover for now.
come over and visit and we'll hit the range and destress bro. I did a tactical handgun class yesterday that was 6 hours in the direct sun at 97 degrees with no shade to be found. (I'm meeeeeelting). but it was a great and productive day.

hop on chat sometime and we'll show you what "really abnormal" people are like! hahahahahaha!!!!

be well everyone!!

Lol Det you continue to garner my envy....I'll take you up on that range time one of these days!

Its nice to hear I'm not the only one feeling this way, I really was starting to think I must be crazy or something. Like you slipping back into "The way it was" is a thought that scares me. DOn't want that. To be able to drink today though then be AF tomorrow and for the months/years afterward till the next special occasion pops up would demonstrate the level of control I desire. I just dont know anyone who's pulled it off, all I see are stories of people who thought they could do just that and ended up in the same ol mess all over again. Scary stuff for sure...

[wonderworld]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Morning friends and HEY Det!

Oh I love MWO - from meditation classes to....... shooting stuff (both damn good for the soul, in my view LOL).

Believe, let me ask you this....... what if you're an alcoholic? (a word I don't like and no longer use on myself, but you know what mean.....). Like, what if you have an actual physical allergy to alcohol? Like, what if a night of drinking, or even one drink, triggers the "craving brain" in such a way that you won't be ABLE to predict or control your drinking the next day (week, month, whatever), no matter how much personal growth and self-understanding you achieve? Would that condition, in and of itself, make you (or me or anyone) a freak? It's a good question. I think I need to ask myself that too. I mean, no matter HOW well adjusted I am, I will always be a non-drinker in social drinking situations. Yes, that's a kind of freakish thought. And put "for life" on the concept, and, I don't even know what to say - it's such a weird and enormous thing. Too much. And yet I'm very happy AF like you! I'm also thinking, nobody else really seems to care if I'm not drinking at those occasions, much less thinking I'm fucked up, so, you put the nail on the head - if I'm okay with it, what's the problem? Right back to where we started. I'm giving myself a headache.

But so glad we're AF and able to have this discussion together........ I think it helps me alot.

A toga party reunion would be awesome! TOGA TOGA TOGA

Who else is out there?

Love to all - WW xox

[wonderworld]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

and hey kaddy - 115 days is SO COOL!!!!! :goodjob:

[Beck]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Hello everyone,

Well the move is over - okay are some stray boxes about but they will either be unpacked or on a shelf in the basement soon. I have company coming July 8: deadlines are good for me. My friend and her 4 kids coming in for a visit. She is actually the last person I drank with before I quit - so looks like I will be fessing up.

These past few weeks have been stressful. I've had way too many drinking thoughts for comfort - so while I've stayed AF it still feels a bit like a mental setback. As the work has subsided and things are getting back to "normal", AL is quieting.

WW - glad to have you back and giving great advice. I'm relatively new to this thread but am nearly 5 months sober. Guess it took me a while to consider myself a non-drinker.

Believe- glad you posted about your mental struggle. I too tend to rebel when I think too far down the road. I'm learning to think of AF as my new normal.

Det- I recently went to a small gathering where my NOT drinking was noticed/commented on. I may have just had the drink if I hadn't had so many recent drinking thoughts. Was afraid that the one or two drinks would have led right back to square one.

Liv- have fun in Boston...thanks for keeping the thread alive

Kaddy, Day 115 is wonderful...

Now there are curtains to hang...so I'd better get back to it.

Beck

[BELIEVE]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

wonderworld;355429 wrote: Morning friends and HEY Det!

Oh I love MWO - from meditation classes to....... shooting stuff (both damn good for the soul, in my view LOL).

Believe, let me ask you this....... what if you're an alcoholic? (a word I don't like and no longer use on myself, but you know what mean.....). Like, what if you have an actual physical allergy to alcohol? Like, what if a night of drinking, or even one drink, triggers the "craving brain" in such a way that you won't be ABLE to predict or control your drinking the next day (week, month, whatever), no matter how much personal growth and self-understanding you achieve? Would that condition, in and of itself, make you (or me or anyone) a freak? It's a good question. I think I need to ask myself that too. I mean, no matter HOW well adjusted I am, I will always be a non-drinker in social drinking situations. Yes, that's a kind of freakish thought. And put "for life" on the concept, and, I don't even know what to say - it's such a weird and enormous thing. Too much. And yet I'm very happy AF like you! I'm also thinking, nobody else really seems to care if I'm not drinking at those occasions, much less thinking I'm fucked up, so, you put the nail on the head - if I'm okay with it, what's the problem? Right back to where we started. I'm giving myself a headache.

But so glad we're AF and able to have this discussion together........ I think it helps me alot.

A toga party reunion would be awesome! TOGA TOGA TOGA

Who else is out there?

Love to all - WW xox

Wow WW, pour me a shot of reality straight up no chaser....

Actually I think your post clears it all up, for me anyway. Thats the big question, what if this is some kind of physical ailment thats beyond my control? If it is then the best I would be able to hope for would be to wind up right where I am, AF all day everyday. As far as being ok with that? Well I guess it would be my best option like I said, but I would still feel like I was dealt a shitty hand in that regard. I don't want to be an alcoholic who's managing not to drink. I want to be a regular dude, and even remaining AF, if that something I HAD to do and not something I was CHOOSING to do, then I'd still be dragging some fucked up ball and chain around the rest of my life. Sure I can do it, I'm doing it now, but I'd still feel jipped somehow.

Sorry for the drama, I should just be content I guess but its hard 2do for some reason. Usually by the time I reach my goal, any goal, I'm already bored with it and want something better. Maybe thats all this is. Lol climed this mountain but I noticed the next peak over is just a couple feet taller, making it way better than the one I just climed.. I can't help it.

[wonderworld]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Believe, how bout YOUR serving/dose of reality? LOL You dished it right back my brother. And the truth is, I know EXACTLY what you mean. And I think you said it so well. The fact that I'm 45 and have had the shit kicked out of me by alcohol a few more years (and after stretches of AF so the contrast was blinding time and again), may help me to accept (oh thanks). That, and feeling too tired to wrestle with it anymore, life's too short, blah blah bah. And my Dad literally drank himself to death. And I have no doubt I have the same "IT". WTF can I do about it? And...... bottomline...... I didn't CHOOSE it, did you? That would be retarded. I didn't choose my childhood or my parents or my genes either (new agers leave me alone. NOBODY would have picked my parents. again- that would be RETARDED)

Here's what what one of my flesh and blood friends had the gaul to suggest to me last night - why don't I meet some people (dudes) and go out on some dates. There. Howz that for switching deck chairs on the Titanic, UM, I mean topics? LOL!!!!

the biggest whatever..........

WW xox

[wonderworld]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

AND HEY Beck!!!!! I didn't see you there for a minute. I remember you from way back when. Wowza on the 5 months! Totally relate to you too. Moving stress - yuk! Deadlines - thank God or I'd never finish anything. A week of houseguests just passed - I survived! Glad you made it through the rough patches and are safely back here (p.s. me too).

WW xox

[livingfree]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Quick check in from Boston!! My DD is running me 100 miles an hour - so haven't had time to check in!! I have forgotten how much I LOVE this area. It is going to be awesome having her live here. I will be planning many trips here to visit!!

I am very tired - DD thinks I am to young to get so tired so easily - Shes full of life and doesn't sit still for a second. I used to be that way ....... no more.

Love to all - Reunion soon!!

love to all

[Determinator]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Beck, glad to hear you survived the move and are still AF, congrats! personally I think cardboard boxes make wonderful furniture LOL.

Living, Dx and I had an absolute ball in Boston the one and only time we visited. Glad your enjoying your DD.

well I've been playing with my two new flashlights I got today (have I mentioned that I'm a flashlight nutcase? I mean...um....collector?). My neighbors must think the strangest things of me. I'm often outside comparing beams and making notes.

Be well everyone......

[wonderworld]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

wow. that's a new one on me. A flashlight collector. Leave it to Det...... my mind is blown.

Liv I love Boston too! And if you start visiting DD up there, I'll drive up and meet you! mini-meetup! That would be a blast.

I've got a day of one hundred annoying small tasks ahead of me, so I better make a move.......

See you all a little later-

WW xox

[bald headed old guy]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Wonderworld, Det, and all!
Hello again. It has been a long time since I have checked in here, nice to see everybody again! I am fine and doing very well, A/F, and planning on staying that way. We ahve been superbusy with work and family in the past few months (hence my absence) but it looks like things are quieting down now so I will I hope be ont he boards more often!
Stay Strong!
BHOG

[Determinator]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

BHOG! heya bro, where you been? glad to hear you sounding upbeat and happy.

WW, my most powerful flashlight puts out more than 3,100 lumens. now if you had my "affliction" you would be super geeky impressed by that!

[Beck]

Day 31 and Beyond: Hello, I'm a non-drinker

Now I've got fast internet up in my house...there's also TV which I am less than thrilled about. The moving guys laughed at our small TVs. (we have two for 6 people).

A flashlight collection? Really a new one on me - and I used to live in England where there are collectors for everything (else!!!).

Liv, sounds like fun. We're off to New England in a few weeks for vacation...

Have a good and productive day WW and BHOG.

Beck