Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

[Chillgirl]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Congratulations on 60 days AF!

Turnagain, your name should be Turnaround! The new healthy you sounds wonderful, keep doing what your doing, I never tire of waking up in the morning feeling good.

Chill

[gregorino]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Way to Go Turn!

Turn! Congrats!

You have become such a prolific and articulate contributor - and only 60 days! You sound as though you have years - truly inspiring to those coming here desperate for a way out.

Thanks for all of your great posts!

[Guitarista]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Turnagain;1180715 wrote: I want to thank all of you for sharing your experiences and for offering encouragement to me and so many others who have come here broken and with little hope.

Because of what I have learned here and because of your support....it has now been 60 days since I've had any alcohol....or nicotine.

As many of you know this is not my first stretch of AF months. BUT...there is a major difference this time.

For the first time, I have accepted that I cannot moderate. I tried and failed countless times. My body doesn't work that way.

So....I am a non-drinker now. That's the way it is. And you know what? That's more than fine!

I no longer think in terms of what I 'gave up.' I think in terms of what I'm getting. My body is healing. My brain chemistry and circuitry is on the mend. The depression has lifted. The anxiety has dissolved. My self respect has returned. My relationships have improved. I have energy and enthusiasm. I can think clearly. I can sleep through the night. The night and day sweats have dried up. I am productive again. I ENJOY life again. AND....lordy, lordy, this girl has a bunch of money piling up in the bank that would've otherwise gone up in smoke and down my throat. My $22 a day habit added up to more than $8000 a year! And when you figure I was doing this for the last 5 plus years? Wow...I can't believe I wasted $40,000! One thing's for sure...I'm not going to waste another $40K!

I also refuse to waste another moment of my life by being altered. Each day is too precious. I have been to hell and know I NEVER want to be there again. I know what it is to really live again....and I know how to keep thriving.

To those of you who are struggling....here's the reality: there is no magic bullet...or supplement....or mantra....or method. Information is power, of course, and we need every tool we can find and all the support we can get. BUT...when it comes down to it... IF you are one of those whose body does not process alcohol 'normally'...there is one solution: You cannot drink. Alcohol is toxic and addictive for us. IF this thought scares you....imagine your life if you continue to take in the poison. Is this what you want for yourself...your family....your future?

Are you willing to trade your life for a drink?

I hope you will choose to trade the drink for your life.

It's amazing on the other side....

Brilliant! Just a fucking brilliant post. Thank's for sharing your thought's, as it makes a very real difference. It is amazing on the other side, and it just get's better and better.

Keep it going, and best wishes on your journey. Freedom from the chains at last! Yeeaaahhh!

G-bloke.

[Reenie]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Very inspiring posts Turnagain! Congratulations on 60 days!

[greeneyes]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

CONGRATULATIONS, TURN AGAIN!!!

Great post!

[Queenbug]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Detox trumps botox!!!!! LOVE IT!!!! Well done my friend xx

[Jolie]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Turnagain,

Great post! Way to go 60+ days AF!

YOU ARE AWESOME!

[TribalRose]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

WOW! It's posts like this that I happen to find and see the Truth about this AL beast. The hope and happiness is proof that we can take control of our destiny...Thank you Turnagain.

[RingingCedars]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Turnagain;1180715 wrote: I want to thank all of you for sharing your experiences and for offering encouragement to me and so many others who have come here broken and with little hope.

Because of what I have learned here and because of your support....it has now been 60 days since I've had any alcohol....or nicotine.

As many of you know this is not my first stretch of AF months. BUT...there is a major difference this time.

For the first time, I have accepted that I cannot moderate. I tried and failed countless times. My body doesn't work that way.

So....I am a non-drinker now. That's the way it is. And you know what? That's more than fine!

I no longer think in terms of what I 'gave up.' I think in terms of what I'm getting. My body is healing. My brain chemistry and circuitry is on the mend. The depression has lifted. The anxiety has dissolved. My self respect has returned. My relationships have improved. I have energy and enthusiasm. I can think clearly. I can sleep through the night. The night and day sweats have dried up. I am productive again. I ENJOY life again. AND....lordy, lordy, this girl has a bunch of money piling up in the bank that would've otherwise gone up in smoke and down my throat. My $22 a day habit added up to more than $8000 a year! And when you figure I was doing this for the last 5 plus years? Wow...I can't believe I wasted $40,000! One thing's for sure...I'm not going to waste another $40K!

I also refuse to waste another moment of my life by being altered. Each day is too precious. I have been to hell and know I NEVER want to be there again. I know what it is to really live again....and I know how to keep thriving.

To those of you who are struggling....here's the reality: there is no magic bullet...or supplement....or mantra....or method. Information is power, of course, and we need every tool we can find and all the support we can get. BUT...when it comes down to it... IF you are one of those whose body does not process alcohol 'normally'...there is one solution: You cannot drink. Alcohol is toxic and addictive for us. IF this thought scares you....imagine your life if you continue to take in the poison. Is this what you want for yourself...your family....your future?

Are you willing to trade your life for a drink?

I hope you will choose to trade the drink for your life.

It's amazing on the other side....

Wow Turnagain! Congratulations!! What a brilliant post. :goodjob:

[Struggles 106]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Hey Turn

Thank you so much for your post! It was very inspiring for, sitting here with one week AF and NF. You are right -all those monkeys weigh a lot. And like you I'm finding the caffeine
less appealing.
I hope to post something inspiring at 60 days! I know I can do it.
Thanks again

[hadit]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Turn again, Thankyou for such an amazing inspirational post. Well Done on 60 days. I have had some success but still struggle. Your post has made me even more determined to be AF....for life!!!:goodjob:

[chelsea]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Thanks Turnagain for such a fantastic inspirational post and congrats on your 60 days! x

[Lost Soul]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

I haven't posted for a while but am doing an 11 months AF at the moment

Turnagain - What a nice post - It's great to SEE and FEEL again.
Such a short time it takes to see such huge positive changes.
Wondering HOW we could possibly have been under for so long.

You are spot on - AL has us living in fear of being without it, living in an unreal world.
Deep dpwn scared of who we are without is not enough.

I'm also happy to be where I am now,
I have worth,
I am enough,
I am strong.

And when life is not all rosy (as it never is!) I am striving to remember that it is normal to feel doubt in myself, and a bit bollox, and not like swinging from the chandelers naked :H
I am not scared because I am making the right choice to be AF. And I proud of how far I have come. And I will not get cocky as I am grateful for I will never forget where I have been

[Turnagain]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

Lost Soul;1200823 wrote:
And when life is not all rosy (as it never is!) I am striving to remember that it is normal to feel doubt in myself, and a bit bollox, and not like swinging from the chandelers naked :H
I am not scared because I am making the right choice to be AF. And I proud of how far I have come. And I will not get cocky as I am grateful for I will never forget where I have been

Welcome back, "Lost" Soul...and thanks for sharing your encouragement. Sounds like you FOUND yourself a while back! 11 months AF is inspirational.

We'd love to have you around more in these parts!

[Lost Soul]

Gratitude...Acceptance....Freedom

:thanks: Turn Again - It's great to feel alive again isn't it?

I don't know what the future holds for me, but I am staying positive

I am so thankful to be where I am and am happy to share some od the thoughts that have kept me AF, I know these boards have been a great help to me and would be glad if my experiences help anyone else!