7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

[Unwasted]

Hi All,

I made the very conscious decision to drink and am back to hating it! So, I'm here to be accountable, help myself, and help others when I can. It was the support of people here that enabled me to accrue the 7 months.

I'm thinking of this last go-round as a learning tool that's solidifying my resolve to stop the mind games and truly embrace sobriety. If my dichotomized brain switches gears on me again, I'll go the meds route!

[Pinecone]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi Unwasted! It's great to see you again! Although I hate, hate, hate this disease like poison, it has brought me into contact with some of the finest people. You were the very first person to respond to me here, and I'm very grateful for that.

Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.

Woo-hoo! So glad you're back, and here to get well again! :l (ok, I'll calm down now,)

[red67]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Unwasted, I was wondering where you went. You are a strong person and an inspiration to many people here. You know what you need to do, let's get back on track. You know you have the support of all of us here!

The one thing I am sure you know from this is that we cannot drink ever again. This addiction sucks but it also can make us much stronger people.

[Byrdlady]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Welcome back!!! I have thought of you a million times. I look thru the Tool Box quite often and you have some really good stuff in there. So good to see you and I will be looking forward to your progress! Hugs! Byrdie

[Turnagain]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Welcome back, Unwasted....

I was also just thinking about you the other day and remembering your good energy. Add your decision to come back here and get support to your list of good choices!

I sure wasted a lot of my life thinking that I just had a bad habit when it was full-out addiction. But once I realized that alcohol had created some unalterable changes in my brain, I was able to accept the fact that I just could no longer put the toxin in the body. Ever again.

That decision was so liberating. I haven't looked back. That is not to say I never get cravings. That's actually normal. It's the mid-brain doing what it was conditioned to do. I now use any cravings to create new and positive associations with being alcohol free. That reconditioning works. It's like building muscles. Takes time and persistence, but it's worth it.

I could blab on all day...but. As I recall, you are a reader and a thinker. Here's a link to a site that I have found helpful and interesting when it comes to the science of addiction:

Addiction Inbox: Serotonin and Dopamine: A Primer

Pinecone....I share your feelings, too. There are a lot of fine people here...I'm grateful for the help and friendships. We are a courageous bunch. It's not always easy to deal with being addicted to a drug that is so accepted and celebrated.

I'm glad you're back Unwasted. It's the perfect move.

[Lavande]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Welcome back Unwasted!

Sometimes I think we really need to learn some things the hard way - boy I sure did
But you're here now so please stick around!

Wishing you the best!
Lav

[scottish lass]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi UW, sorry you had to come back - but well done for realizing that you needed to.
You have 7 months success once, you can do it again - there are many of us here still trying to get to 7 months - you know it can be done, so good luck on your journey for a repeat performance:l:l

[Unwasted]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Pinecone, thank you :l I'm glad to be back with friends and appreciate the warm welcome - wish it were circumstances other than addiction, but oh well. At least we have support and kindness to help us along the way.

Molly, Red, Byrdie, Lav, SL - so great to see you all. Every one of you helped me back when, and I remember you well!

TurnAgain, thanks for the link. I can tell we're on the same page about the brain changes alcohol has caused. I've been studying that a lot lately and am with you on needing to reconfigure those destructive pathways!

Thanks to all of you for being here!

Hugs,
UN:l

[kuya]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi unwasted........sorry you have to start over, but glad you are back amongst us. From what I read you are a good person to know and I look forward to hearing from you.

[Struggles 106]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

HEY YOU!!!

Unwasted- SO GLAD to see you back!

I have thought about you many many times

You know how to do this! Welcome back

[Guitarista]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hey Unwasted,

Good to see you. I also made a deliberate choice to drink, well, on a few occasions recently, and I am over it. I much prefer my AF, sober, kick arse self.

I am walking right alongside you friend.

G bloke.

[FreeFly]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

:wavin: Unwasted! Tis good to see you again. I'm a bit of a lurker these days, and not very often, but happy to lurk today and see you again. I'm sorry it's because you may not be in the best of places but your resolve sounds strong, as it always did. You probably don't know, being away and all, but there was a thread sometime ago from lots of peeps wondering where you were. Just thought I'd let you know because you really were missed. Wishing you love and strength :h

[Juja]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

I missed your thoughtful posts, and am happy you're back with. Do stay around--for you and us.:l

[Unwasted]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Kuya, thank you. I look forward to reading your posts and seeing you around the boards!

Ann, I've thought about you too and am so impressed to see that you have five months! You go, girl!! You've really overcome a difficult struggle, I know. I haven't had time to read a lot but I saw a couple of posts that made me know you've had quite a turnaround. So happy for you.

Hey Mr. G., sounds like we're on the same time parallel with our recent falls. Let's do this. We know the drill and I think we both truly want to be sober. Why we ever choose to go back to drinking for any reason is just crazy, isn't it? I guess we get pulled in by the primitive part of our brains. I'm determined to rewire mine this time and am sure it can be done!

FreeFly - hi sweetie. It's so good to know you're still here. I didn't see the post you're referring to, but thanks for letting me know. When I first left it was because I was having wrist problems. I couldn't type without a lot of pain. Thankfully, that's disappeared (turned out to be a cyst). I'm so lucky I didn't have to have any kind of procedure - it seems to have gone down or disappeared on its own. Then, after that I didn't want to post and be a negative influence on anyone. I'm back, though, and look forward to keeping up with you all again.

Hey Juja, thanks for the welcome back. I think you're doing well, eh? I have to take the time to read which I haven't had for the last day or so. Starting tomorrow, I will though!

Thanks again, friends. Really looking forward to catching up soon.

:h

[Tipplerette]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Welcome back UnWasted, you certainly were a huge inspiration for me and one of the gems along the way that enabled me to finally reach my first 30 days AF milestone. There is so much encouragement and accountability here so you were very smart to come back.

I'm with you as I love the non-drinking lifestyle. i have had some hiccups along the way but am very convinced that not drinking permanently is the way to go. With you one hundred percent. Stick around for a few months if you can. We love having you here. xx