6 months sober - here's my story!

[ThreeDogNight]

6 months sober - here's my story!

Looking forward to the future--so important! I am feeling nervous about getting my license back. I have so much to get in place before it happens--and it could happen in two weeks--and it becomes overwhelming. And the probation officer in MA has been horrible. Have to call yet again today. But envisioning the future as an AF person is what you help me remember. You really are an inspiration, and don't you forget it
TDN

[damo180]

6 months sober - here's my story!

mollyka;1420979 wrote: I found this thread really interesting to read back on today - thanks Sausage:l
There are quite a few with anxieties about Christmas looming. I think that we need to support eachother, and realise that we AREN'T the only ones in the whole world not raising that stupid glass of bubbly or mulled wine or whatever other muck we drink on that day and that day only and think it's lovely I've done plenty of sober christmas's but not so many sober Januarys - riddle me that one
Re. the counting days - like 199, I too count my time until my year anniversary - it is something I've accomplished - and I'm very proud of. There's no sneaky hidden 'slip' or 'relapse' in there, it's pure continuous unadulterated sober time - and it makes me feel good. After the year - that's gone, I'll move along into long(er)-term sobriety. That's just me tho - WHATEVER works for you is right - as long as it's not booze
Molly

Hi Sausage,
I have enjoyed reading your post, it is very inspiring.
Unfortunately, I slipped back in July, and back drinking again.
Nothing major, try to get 3 sober days per wk, but really struggling to do this.
Life was so much easier and better when I was abstaining.
Back reading on this site is giving me the courage to try again.

Mollyka, I am so happy to see you are doing so well.
You are always very supportive.
I wish you all the very best

Damo

[mollyka]

6 months sober - here's my story!

damo180;1422983 wrote: Hi Sausage,
I have enjoyed reading your post, it is very inspiring.
Unfortunately, I slipped back in July, and back drinking again.
Nothing major, try to get 3 sober days per wk, but really struggling to do this.
Life was so much easier and better when I was abstaining.
Back reading on this site is giving me the courage to try again.

Mollyka, I am so happy to see you are doing so well.
You are always very supportive.
I wish you all the very best

Damo

Hi Damo - lovely to 'talk' to you again - but I'm really sorry you're struggling It's a bugger to get back on the wagon after a lengthy AF stint isn't it. That's why I always say 'protect your quit' --- I found that out the hard way ---- more than once, but just cos it's a bit harder to re-motivate ourselves, doesn't mean we can't do it - and I just know you will, you had brilliant attitude - and when I was struggling - there you were to support me:l Stick around friend - you'll be on the road again and loving it - you know you will - this has been the best year of my life - precious beyond words TBH


Molly x

[SAUSAGE]

Re: 6 months sober - here's my story!

I thought I would update this as I've not been on this site for 10 years, but I suddenly thought about it last night and took a look around.
In summary, I relapsed for the 2nd time at the end of 2012, and within days was drinking daily at previous levels. It took me 4 years of daily wine drinking (latterly approx 1 bottle at least a day) before I could find the strength to quit again.

3 things happened to me towards the end of 2016 which motivated me to try again;
1) I got a place in the ballot for the 2017 London marathon and knew I could never do this if I was heavily drinking (I had previously run it 3 x in late 1990's before I really drank much at all)
2) My then 10 year old son, suddenly said to me one night " is it because you are an alcoholic that you drink all that wine every night?" I was horrified that he said this and can't even remember how I responded, but I realised I was setting a terrible example to my children, who were noticing.
3) As a result of this, I decided to try for an alcohol free night - it was my daughters school concert one evening in the November and I decided this would be a good day to try as I would be back home late at bedtime - but I couldn't manage it and opened a bottle of wine at 11pm, so I knew I was in trouble.
I tapered down between Nov and Dec in case it was dangerous just to stop and successfully quit again on 1/1/2017
Since then I've run several marathons including London New York and Chicago and running has really helped give me a focus.

I think there are 3 things contributing to my success this time;
- I have finally accepted I cannot moderate
- I have found other things to occupy my time and relax me to take the place of alcohol
- I now see alcohol as something that gives you a 20 min buzz which then fades, and however much you chase it by drinking all night, you can't get that same buzz back, and so you just end up feeling rubbish and dehydrated.

I felt I had to come back to the site to let people know the outcome of my journey. I guard my sobriety very carefully this time, and I want people to know that if at first you don't succeed, keep trying, you can do it and it is worth the fight.
Wishing everyone well