JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

[scottish lass]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Well Done UW - another "can I do it?" switched over to the "I can do it!" list!

[Unwasted]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

It's odd........ I wasn't tempted to drink and others weren't getting drunk. I think it was just the situation - you know, I wasn't interested on any level if that makes sense. But thanks, everyone, yes........it's good to know that something changed from the "must drink at this" column to the "didn't have to drink" column regardless of it being boring. Before I wouldn't have cared if it had been boring because I would have gotten sloshed and not cared about anything...........Onward through the fog ..........Strength to us all!

[Irie]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Day 10 here and this might be the first day I would classify as easy. Didn't even think about drinking today, other than noticing as I drove home tonight that I had no running dialogue going on in my head about "Will I or won't I?" Whoohoo!

No way I'll get complacent. I know for certain there will be a hard day in the future. I don't think I've ever made it past 10 days... maybe a day or two more, I can't remember for sure. I know I'm about as far as I've ever gotten in the last 20 years or so, so it's nothing to take lightly. I want to be ready to fight back whenever that "uncontrollable" urge hits.

Congratulations on your AF night, Unwasted. And K9. I'm in no position to give you advice, so I won't, but I do want to let you know that when I read that you haven't been taking your Antibuse, my first thought was oh, oh! I understand that you are purposefully challenging yourself, so I hope all goes as planned! I'm betting on you! You are one determined lady!

[Irie]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

. K9.. never mind! I see you already decided to take the Antibuse.

[RingingCedars]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Very proud of you Irie! I remember not long ago you thought you would never get a week in. This is terrific!

[Irie]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Thank you, Cedars! To tell you the truth I can hardly believe it is finally coming together for me!

[RingingCedars]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

UW--very proud of you too, but I never doubted you.

The conversation about being bored gave me a revelation. Many times when I thought I was chilling I really wasn't because al was involved. To seriously chill would seem boring. This is something I will need to develop with meditation, prayer and practice.

[RingingCedars]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Irie;1253661 wrote: Thank you, Cedars! To tell you the truth I can hardly believe it is finally coming together for me!

Well pinch yourself, cuz it's true! You are right though, keep focused on why you want to do this to keep doing it.

[lifechange]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

morning everyone!!
you all sound great.
Yeaaaa Irie for making it to that 10! awesome that you don't have that dialogue running through your head. for me it's really difficult every afternoon /evening. i really have to FIGHT it away and to be honest it's getting on my nerves a bit.

GO AWAY you stupid whatever you are voice devil!! leave me the F--- alone!!!
maybe that will help.

Unwasted, good for you!
and Mylife, i like your idea about not even going to parties/bars if there isn't anything except drinking going on. why bother? of course sometimes we have to. but if not....

hope you all have a happy af day!!

[Tipplerette]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

lifechange;1253732 wrote: morning everyone!!
you all sound great.
Yeaaaa Irie for making it to that 10! awesome that you don't have that dialogue running through your head. for me it's really difficult every afternoon /evening. i really have to FIGHT it away and to be honest it's getting on my nerves a bit.

GO AWAY you stupid whatever you are voice devil!! leave me the F--- alone!!!

I know and understand your struggles Life Change, it is so tough. If you are fighting and eventually winning every evening then practice makes perfect. Because the cravings only have hit strong twice in 7 days I am not adept at dealing with them. I know you are riding out your cravings and actually watching and listening to those alkie voices in your head rather than reacting to them. As difficult as it is, you are winning. I am proud of you and you should be proud of yourself. Keep up the good fight. Everyone here swears it gets easier as time goes on...

[mylife]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Hello Guys!

I'm still here and still hanging in. I'm trying to focus on finding lots of non-AL related fun activities in my life so I've been keeping myself pretty busy nights and weekends (my danger zones). Tonight I'm going out with my husband and another couple for dinner - I've already been planning AL free drinks to order and to be honest I don't feel that nervous about not drinking. I've made it to 12 days (again). I'm trying not to think about the number and hopefully I'll just wake up one day and realize - hey I've been AF for almost a year!! LOL wouldn't THAT be great!

Lifechange and Irie - we're doing it!! And Lifechange I have to agree with Tipps - practice makes perfect. When you make it to 10-days you know what it takes to do it again and you're a little stronger the next time. And we have all heard how those cravings go away at some point !! Mine just seem to come and go in waves....I'll be fine for several days and then out of nowhere I just feel like I can't do another AF day. (sigh!)

Have a great day all.

[Unwasted]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Hi Everyone - just a quick check in for me today..........day 78 woo hoo..........I highly recommend this guys..........the intermittent struggle of not drinking is so much the lesser of the evils! Keep it going! ML, good luck with you dinner. Remember, focus on how great you'll feel tomorrow.

Sending everyone peace and strength. :lilheart:

[Lulu2012]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

I'm new to the group and today is my 17th day. I'm not a bad in the gutter drinker but I am a tired drinker. It takes a tremendous effort to set up and adhere to rules and regulations of when, where and how much I can drink. I haven't thought of a goal other than just getting through each day. I will revisit this post at 30 days. Great way to kick off the year.

[Irie]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Another sober day! I didn't expect it to start getting easy at this point when getting this far has been so hard, if that makes any sense. Anyway, hardly gave alcohol a thought today. That would literally have been unthinkable not to long ago. I'm thankful for small blessings, and know it won't always be this easy. But tonight? Piece of cake!

[Hypernova]

JAMMIN JANUARY KICKOFF FOR A SOBER 2012 - NEWBIE SUPPORT THREAD

Unwasted;1253960 wrote: .the intermittent struggle of not drinking is so much the lesser of the evils!

Hey UW! This is so true. It is what I now face as I cross over the 30 day barrier. Now it's more of a decision than a compulsion. At times I feel the call of the wild. I hear it and I listen and think. My mind seems to say go ahead but deep within I know it is the wrong choice to give in and drink. I will return to where I fought to escape. It truly is the 'lesser evil'. I would love to to be free of the desire. I like living w/o alcohol. More AF time is needed until the mind gets the true meaning of the word free.
~~~~~~ Congratulations to all who achieved the goals they set in January and my hope is for everyone to enjoy a fantastic February of freedom and health.