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

[KateH1]

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

Great to see you over here, Wonder! And yes, in spite of it all there surely is some great sobriety happening here!!

WIP, we were cross posting......again!! LOL! I completely agree about "Modding". I will not join in any of those discussions. Non of it is about the modding described in RJ's book! Nope! In RJ's book modding is all about a period of AF, of no less than 30 days, followed by an "occasional drink" a "take it or leave it attitude". This is not what we are seeing here, at least for the majority. It is their choice to continue drinking, I want nothing to do with it!

Everytime I read a post that says, "It takes time....sometimes years, but one day it will happen", I want to gag! Sobriety doesn't "Just Happen". It is not magical. And the saddest thing about these statements is that Alcoholism is a Progressive disease, it does not get better, it gets worse........Much Worse as time goes on! With that being said, misery loves company, and drinkers love other drinkers! In my drinking days, I loved the company of others who drank! Non-drinkers made me uncomfortable......gee, I wonder why?

WIP, I love reading your posts......you bring a lot of wisdom and useful information! I miss your posts when you are not around! You inspire me!

So, with all this being said by all........I am happy to say that I have changed my "Mood" back to Inspired!

You Guys are the Best!!! :h:l

[Chief]

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

I agree with everything you say, Kate.....and I'm so glad you are back....

Don :l

[kriger]

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

Tomorrow is Day 31 for me so I guess I'm jumping the gun to participate in this thread; I certainly have enjoyed all the posts esp Kate, Lvt, WW and WIP- you are all wise women. I am here for the same reason-to become free of alcohol, period!. It is serious to me and I truly do look up to all of you ladies. Doggy comes to mind, as well. I am so proud to be making it to the "31 Days and Beyond..." thread- these 30 days have gone by really fast for me. Now I'm on to blast thru Sept!!! Have a great day ladies. Kriger

[A Work in Progress]

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

It's a really good thread, Kriger. Helps me a lot, and you will be a great contributor.

wip

[kriger]

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

Starting, I didn't mean to leave you out. I look up to you, as well, with your 8 weeks!!!!!!

[KateH1]

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

Welcome, Kriger!!! Heck isn't it day 31 for you in Australia!! I look forward to your contributions on the Non-drinking thread!!

xxx Kate

And Don, thank you so much! In so many ways you are my anchor!!! XXX

[startingover]

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

Wow, I have really enjoyed this discussion. Thanks Kate. It has really made me think. I am AFRAID of thinking of modding in any way. I know I can't do it. But when I read about it, that little voice starts to question me. Kate, you said after a couple of months you struggled a bit? I have found at certain times it is much more difficult. I read somewhere that PAWS (Post acute withdrawal syndrome) can affect us at different time. I think it was something like 15 days, 30, 60, 120 and so on. At that time our cells released more alcohol and it could cause symptoms again. No idea if that was accurate but I wonder if that is so? Has anyone else ever heard of this?

Way to go Kriger

[KateH1]

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

I think there is something to that......if you read back on this very thread to when we were all at those points, you will read our thoughts at those times, several of us speak about going through those struggling times, thoughts of perhaps have one or two etc. Believe wrote very honestly and openly of his "experiment" back into the drinking world. Alcohol is a very sneaky and cunning adversary....and security in our sobriety can be a fleeting thing, "Just when we think we'ver got it, we can loose it !"

For instance, just his morning I read a thread that casually mentioned a fine bottle of red wine, something I used to enjoy quite a bit.......for a few seconds, that bottle of wine sounded familiar and romantic to me.........but, I did not dwell on that thought, I dismissed it immediately and frankly right now, at this moment, that bottle sounds like expensive Acid! By acid I mean something that would destroy me from the inside out!

You've got it Kriger.....it is "Thinking," that keeps us going forward with living as fulfilled non-drinkers.....it can also be Thinking that pulls us back to AL.

[brittzak]

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

As I get more time under my belt, I realize that I can never let my guard down in terms of alcohol. The "casual" glass of any thing could be my demise. I have to always remember that last binge...it started with one glass too. Staying AF is mind-set...if I begin to look at alcohol as anything other than HORRENDOUS DEMISE in my life, it has potential to ruin my life again. I had 8 months AF last year and began thinking..."one glass won't hurt". Within a couple months my "modding" became an all out binge for 4 days.

Hope you all don't mind me butting inhere....I like the strength I have read.....

[wonderworld]

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

mind? hell no Brit! that's some powerful testimony. Glad you shared it.

ww xox

[startingover]

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

That is how I feel Brittzak. I did 8 months about 8 years ago, got all confident and had one glass, since then I have been in a worse position than ever.
I never want to drink again, it worries me that I will slip sometime, you know when confidence returns or something? I need to keep reading, learning and getting inspired. At the moment most of my time is spent either on here or reading books about alcoholics. It is what is helping me just now though.

[wonderworld]

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

And hey Kriger! Nice to see you HERE . woo hoo!

love ww xox

[KateH1]

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

Brit it is great to have you here! You have learned so much and you are one of the most courageous people I know! I have learned a lot through your experience.......lots!! Some time, I would love for you to share what you shared with me about how the first 8 months sober, you were white knuckling it all the way and how this time out, you are going about this a little differently!!

XXX Kate

[livingfree]

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

Wow - some GREAT discussion going on here. I am grinning from ear to ear! I read each post on this thread with intensity as I learn so much from all of you.

Kriger - a HUGE congrats on the 31 days. Oh how I remember the utter joy in my heart when I made it into the second month ... and the sheer FEAR at the same time! Stick with us and we will help you on your path!!

WIP - I'm proud of you for speaking your mind and hanging in here through all of the disagreeing posts you receive back. You are an amazing woman, and your strength is growing by the day. YOUR confidence and straight forwardness is something every past and present drinker is desiring ... and when someone is still in the "co dependent" (AS LVT would say ) mode, they lash back at what they want most ...... so don't conform ... stay strong .... and continue to be the huge asset that you are here!!

LVT - I strongly disagree with your comment about not being able to express yourself in words. You are a great communicator!! I really appreciate your honesty and individuality. I am the opposite of co-dependent -- the rebel that I am!!!!

WW - Lady - it is great to see your post on this thread today. I was starting to get a complex that I had chased you away somehow! :upset:

Hail the CHIEF! I hope you post in here more often Chief You are one of the people that helped me see I could do this from day one!! I am so happy to report that I am 8 months AF and living a new life in so many ways. I can't tell you how much your posts have meant to me over these months. Thank you Thank you!!!

Starting over -- I love your user name. I have also read where the alcohol in your cells can let go many weeks later, esp. if you have been drinking every day for a long time. I good friend of mine who has been sober now for years told me that you have to watch some key time periods. I posted it a few months ago - but if I remember correctly it's 5 days, 2 months, 90 days, 5 months, 8 months and 2 years, and 7 years. But I need to recheck those times. Many people who have been free of AL for years seem to agree with those time periods. Maybe its emotional, maybe physical ... but non the less .... REAL!! Best to you and keep posting!!

Kate - You ARE a wise woman, and your ability to express yourself is one of your greatest strengths!! Thanks you for always being honest, open and thought provoking!

I really think that the posts of late are a reflection of the crossroad that this forum is about to take. The latest posts about "senior senior" members demanding respect is out of sheer desire for the site to "go back to ' the way it was' in the beginning". When this site began - it must have been an amazing time to be a tight knit group. There is obviously great ownership in this group. But change happens and this site has taken on a life "of it's own" - there is a season of transition happening. It is in this season that rebellion can break out and that is what we see happening now. It's been building for a few months. It's the natural order of "change" that causes wars in the world!! The site is ultimately about ONE thing .... Stop the Abuse of Alcohol. When people try to make it about anything else ... the balance is disrupted. All hell breaks loose and some leave, some get wounded, and some just step outside until the dust settles. But I find that the ones who are working the MWO program stand out and shine as the people who REALLY make a difference on this site. The social clubs that are created ... pale in comparison to those who are making it happen and helping others make it happen!

So in a long way around - I am saying that YOU KATE - and YOU WONDER and Chief and others are really making a difference. For that I hope you know that your presence here REALLY MATTERS!! Your opinions count ... your wisdom inspires, your honesty helps others see that this program works to the level you work it! Don't EVER stop being honest and open about your thoughts and feelings about this web forum!! Just about the time I start feeling I can not help others get this down - I read some new persons plea for help and I see myself 8 months ago --- and it brings me right back to why I log on here. We can make a difference. We just have to keep sharing and walking this road together!!

Gotta get to work!

[livingfree]

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

cross posted with a bunch as I was writing my "story" :H Brit - please do share here - we learn the most from others walk on this journey! Thank you!