7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

[Unwasted]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

BACK AFTER MY AF VACATION!

Hi Everyone,

Just checking in to say YAY, I made it without drinking. Had a few uncomfortable moments, but prevailed! Strange, it seems so odd at times to not drink.......but I just try to remember that it feels worse the next day. So..........so far so good. Hope I can keep that going forever, but am trying to hold onto the one day at a time mantra.

Busy right now, but will try to check around the boards to see how everyone is doing.

xx,
UN
p.s. Mr. G, I think a guy would like Wild - not sure but I think so.

[NoSugar]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi, Unwasted and WELCOME BACK!

Maybe you could share some of your tips for Success on Vacation -- many of us have upcoming travels and all that goes with it.

My husband (a real outdoorsy sort of guy) read Wild a few months ago and enjoyed it although did not approve of doing such a thing w/o the proper equipment and knowledge. He also could not relate to her drug issues. I've only read the first few chapters but think I'm going to like it.

Congratulations on your successful trip!

[Unwasted]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi NS, thank you for the welcome back.

I'm not sure why I was able to do it - something seemed different this time, but it's really hard to describe. I just somehow didn't entertain the idea. Before I would say I felt a lot more agitated by not being able to drink. This time I just felt more like a non-drinker.

I have finally crossed a major hurdle, though, because my husband drank. He and I always were drinking buddies, so I'm really happy I was able to avoid the temptation. One night we actually went to a little bar and I finally got a little pissy and said my idea of having a good time was NOT sitting in a bar watching other people drink.

He only had one or two beers three different times, so that was very helpful. I think my next gargantuan hurdle will be with a large group. I think I've got the twosome/husband thing handled FINALLY. I HOPE. I HOPE. I HOPE. I HOPE.

[NoSugar]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Unwasted;1521967 wrote: . One night we actually went to a little bar and I finally got a little pissy and said my idea of having a good time was NOT sitting in a bar watching other people drink.

I wouldn't want to do it often but I've done this a couple times and actually enjoyed it -- Not participating made me feel strong and dare I say it ... superior? (I know that isn't fair since AL does not pose a problem for most people, but it still felt GOOD :H )

[Byrdlady]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

So glad to see you back UN!!! We've missed you! Congrats on exercising your AF muscles!! Go YOU!!! xo, B

[Mein Sonnenschein]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Unwasted;1521959 wrote: Hi Everyone,

Just checking in to say YAY, I made it without drinking. Had a few uncomfortable moments, but prevailed! Strange, it seems so odd at times to not drink.......but I just try to remember that it feels worse the next day. So..........so far so good. Hope I can keep that going forever, but am trying to hold onto the one day at a time mantra.

Busy right now, but will try to check around the boards to see how everyone is doing.

xx,
UN
p.s. Mr. G, I think a guy would like Wild - not sure but I think so.

You are awesome! Congratulations! You inspire me.

[Unwasted]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

NS, I know exactly what you mean. I have been having that feeling at times. We saw one really drunk woman, and I felt totally great about being sober when witnessing that. Also, walked by a woman drinking wine who just looked like she was a big drinker. Really attractive, but just something about the haggard eyes and skin. Like she was in the trap.

I just read Tatum O'Neal's book. She is finally clean after years of struggling with addiction. She mentioned something about the glow people who don't drink have. Alcohol really changes your appearance, and I feel like I can almost look at someone now and tell if they're a drinker.

The more I'm in this, the more serene I feel. When I imagine going "back there" I just picture the horrible struggle of it all.

Really hoping I've permanently turned an important corner.

[Unwasted]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hey MS and Byrdie - x post.

Thanks girls. It really is worth it. I know we keep hearing that, but at some point the message gets internalized, imbedded, and we actually believe it. Big sigh of relief here!

[free at last]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hi UN, welcome back from your holiday and congrats on staying strong. And good for you for getting a little pissy about what you want and don't want.

I'm celebrating the solstice tomorrow by doing yoga in the middle of my city -- as the advertisement said "It's easy to find your mojo on a mountain or near a stream. Try finding it in the middle of this city." Glad to report another AF night for me so I can be fresh for another AF day tomorrow.

Oh yeah, my DH read Wild in one day. Couldn't put it down. I'm now halfway through the Long Walk to Freedom. Now that I have 4 hours every evening, I am rediscovering my joy of reading.

Happy solstice and here's to another AF weekend.

[mylife]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Hello Guys - I recognize quite a few names in this blog so thought I'd jump in.

UN - you sound great and so happy to see you back.

I have been sober most of this year - but had several false starts with my ultimate goal to stop drinking forever stopped due to problems caused by my own mind - always struggling with the idea I could moderate. Anyway, I had an embarassing incident finally at the end of last month during a family vacation weekend which caused my sister to actually call me and ask if there was a problem with my drinking. I hope this was the wakeup call I finally needed. I told her I did think I had a problem - a huge step for me - and that I was going to stop drinking all together. And I have.

I'm finishing up a 2 week vacation with my husband - completely sober. Really only missed AL once or twice - but I was able to think through what having a glass of wine would lead to in my case - wanting the whole bottle - and that pretty much stopped my throught process.

It's great to hear everyone doing so well. Happy Solstice to everyone!

[NoSugar]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

mylife;1522232 wrote:
I have been sober most of this year - but had several false starts with my ultimate goal to stop drinking forever stopped due to problems caused by my own mind - always struggling with the idea I could moderate.

I'm finishing up a 2 week vacation with my husband - completely sober. Really only missed AL once or twice - but I was able to think through what having a glass of wine would lead to in my case - wanting the whole bottle - and that pretty much stopped my throught process.

Hi, MyLife

I just mentioned to 3June that she seems to have gotten to the point of accepting (and feeling good about!) NOT ONE NOT EVER really quickly - how fortunate for her!

It doesn't seem like it is something that can be forced -- you have to take actions that change your brain. For me it has been reading and reading and posting and posting etc. etc. on MWO. Also, like you mentioned 'playing it forward' can be very sobering (:H).

Glad you're posting! Have a great, long, and AF day!

[mylife]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Thanks NS!

Yes, my brain is VERY stubborn and resistant to accepting some things when it doesn't want to. For a lot of areas in life this has helped me - but for this particular problem it has worked against me. I think, however, I am finally there. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

[free at last]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Dear Mylife,
So great to hear from you! I have wondered how you were doing. Like you, I thought I could find a way to moderate -- took me several efforts over these past few months but my brain is finally wrapping itself around the "not one, not ever" mantra. Please do stay in contact. We benefit from each other.

[mylife]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

Thank you Free. Yes, I have to say I think this will be the hardest thing I've ever accomplished - but I know in my heart I will accomplish it. I think many of us will here.

"Not one, Not ever."

[Unwasted]

7 MONTHS OF SOBRIETY BLOWN

My Life :lilheart: So good to see you - well, you know what I mean..........We've been at this a while now, haven't we? I guess we're just to that point of no return. We had to try it the hard way, but AL is a formidable foe. Fucker..........I hate that I ever got to this place, but it is what it is, and I have to accept it. I'll look forward to hearing from you!

You know, it's funny that you should mention your embarrassing moment - that's one of my last deals too. I blurted out something I would never have said and the next day I just thought..........that SO wasn't me. Really, it was like having Turretts (sp?) or something. HA! Well, I think telling your sister was a good thing to do, because trying to hide it is such a struggle. I just told an old friend of mine ...... she just discounted it..... no one likes to lose a drinking buddy.

Congrats on the 2-wk sober vacation. That's a huge accomplishment in my books.

Free, the mantra is a good one. I always fast forward to knowing how my craving will kick in and down a piece of sticky candy..........my best defense so far Well, okay, that and super healthy foods otherwise!

It doesn't seem like it is something that can be forced -- you have to take actions that change your brain. For me it has been reading and reading and posting and posting etc. etc. on MWO. Also, like you mentioned 'playing it forward' can be very sobering ().

NS - very wise indeed. I agree about the timing, fast forwarding the results of thinking we can have just one, and the power of reading and posting here. Reading addiction books also helps me A LOT. Just seeing that people do in fact overcome the odds strengthens my resolve.

Have a great night everyone - ALLS - haven't seen you since before vacation - hope things are good with you and that you're progressing well in your marathon training!

xx,
UN