Hi there been doing really good I guess. I haven’t been on here in forever. I always seem to find myself on here when I reach a point of feeling like caving or when I’m feeling really low. I could use some uplifting spirit from those that truly understand. Sucks talking to people that don’t know what I’m truly going through and say things like
“you got this, just do it” or whatever… when they have never been through this before.
I’m at 272 days today I have no idea how I made it this far but here I am!!!
The last time I was on here it was my 160 days. Anyways, here I thought the holidays were hard when I quit last December. Never could’ve prepared myself for summer. I feel like for me summer has been even harder with the feeling of wanting a damn drink soooo bad.
Just more annoying how I’m still obsessively thinking about drinking. Wish it would just go away. Sometimes I feel like picking up a drink and saying screw it just to get that voice out of my head. So I could use some cheering up or words or wisdom!
Thank y’all!
I’m at 117 days. Been doing really well. Especially for the summer season. Know exactly that feeling. It has not been easy. And that’s why I’m thankful for this app. I was a bartender for the longest. So a drink when the sun hits right, a song comes on, concert, old friends, making memories randomly hits me, I tend to come here. They always hit me out of no where. I think, I can do this. I’ve matured pretty good since. Then I’ll get on here and scroll, read, and come across a story or how someone’s going through it be reminded, yeah I absolutely cannot. I’m like a vampire craving blood. One taste and I’m screwed. I’ll remember that person I used to be. All the people I have hurt. How far I’ve come and the hard work. After a little bit, I’ll feel ok and the craving subsides. Just hearing you saying this at your sober time tells me it’s a battle I’ll proudly keep fighting always. Because I’m so much fricken better now than before
Congratulations on your 272 days Lys.
You rockin it!!
Nice to see you again.
I get it
I was just writing to someone else today.
Early on. And I mean the first year. I was constantly romanticizing the drink. The bottle of wine. Cocktail. Whatever. I didn’t want a drink. But I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was driving me fucking nuts! This went on for a while. Then it didn’t. Don’t remember when it stopped. The romanticizing bit. But I knew I couldn’t have one.
I did start to change things up a bit. Like listen to a different type of music. Walk a different route on my exercise. Even started listening to the big book on audio. Started with chapter 3
Then I Google AA speakers. Some were pretty funny. Good stuff. Lots of memes. Music and laughter. This was all before I went to AA meetings. I wish I was doing them then.
And you’re coming up on 300 days. That was a big one for me. And I do remember suffering quite a bit to get over that 300 hump.
You are not alone friend
Addiction sucks and sometimes we get triggered so badly. And sometimes it’s just pervasive thoughts and cravings.
You made it through 272 consecutive days You rock
You will get through one more day, even if it sucks as hell. You’ve had shitty days, you’ve had great days. That is life. You don’t need a substance or compulsive behaviour to get through your day.
But: You need more than abstinence to stay sober in your body, your mind and your heart.
What is helping me to stay in a good mindset is a daily routine that I am commited to, no matter what, which includes:
self care
exercise
healthy sleep habits
healthy eating
working a recovery programm
attending online meetings most days of the week (whatever programm you may choose is fine)
connecting with sober people here on TS
You are right, people who are not affected by addiction or do not see themselves as addicted - even if they might be - are usually not very helpful. What is helpful is being active in sober communitites.
So do connect, read around, check in, talk to us, talk to other people in recovery.
I spent my first year forming new sober relationships, changing routines and behaviors. AA was instrumental in completely changing my life. I have made lifelong friendships in AA and with that comes a fun sober life full of activities. On occasion, I go to events that involve drinking but I never have the desire to join in. I built a fulfilling life with the help of those ladies in the rooms.
Thanks for your words I’m so glad this app is a thing because I don’t feel as alone when I hear people that literally know exactly what I’m talking about! Yeah the concerts and fun times in the sun for me used to be the time I would really drink the most so this has been hard but I’m glad I’m doing it. Because I do think of the times I’ve hurt people and how I am when I drink or hated waking up and having such bad anxiety because I didn’t know what happened the night before. It is like a vampire craving blood but good job on your 117 days keep it up! This community it everything to me you guys really help you have no idea!
Yeah I am looking forward to 300 day to me that will be a big milestone too and I really want to get there that is why I take it day by day because I know I really want this, just isn’t easy. Sometimes I almost feel like a little kids mindset, like I want it because I know I can’t have it. I think the things that pull me out of the severe craving is remembering who I was when I drank and I was not the person I am right now. I remember a time when I drank and I looked in the mirror and I was getting so lost in consuming it everyday that I didn’t even recognize myself anymore. Now, I look in the mirror and I feel good and proud of the woman I am becoming. I do LOVE to read I think that’s what really gotten me this far besides this community. I do do the AA it’s nice but for some reason I like this community more. I’ll give that give a listen too! Thanks for taking your time to come and share some kindness to me❤️
Ya, addiction sucks for sure! I will say it has gotten easier to where most days I feel great!! But, I still have these moments and days where I feel how I felt in my first early weeks of sobriety. I made it another day today so now at 273 so I just take it day by day! I do a lot of those things you mentioned that help you stay in a good mindset besides working out. I do work out but sometimes I just don’t have motivation. But, to be fair I have picked up other little hobbies that have helped like I’m playing/teaching myself piano again and getting more into books like I used to be when I was a kid.
You’re right I don’t need substance or compulsive behavior to get through my days. Just some days feels easier said than done!
Thanks for sharing your advice to me means a lot
I’m just ahead of you at day 353, and I knew summertime was gonna be a problem. I think this was the first time I’ve been sober on the beach since I was a kid, and just going there ( even though it was just me and the wife) was triggering. But what I did was doubled down on things I do to stay sober. I went to online meetings if I couldn’t make in person, I took my headphones wherever I went and listened to a podcast, talked with someone just like your doing now. Anything to remind me, why I’m sober and what’s gonna happen if I’m not. At 272 you’re only getting stronger. Keep at it ODAAT. You’re doing great.
I have formed some sober friends which is great because I lost a lot of friends in the process of stopping drinking. It’s actually super sad how many people don’t realize now days that they only have a lot of friends because they all like to share one thing in common… drinking. Like I had tons of friends in the scene now I only a few that has stayed by me and respected my decision. When I first started loosing friends I was super depressed and lonely because I’m such a social butterfly.
I had patience because that is all I could do and with that I had other friends that came into my life and filled those voids of all the friends I was was missing that are sober or just friends that don’t really drink so the activities we do don’t revolve around drinking, it is more healthy ways of enjoying life. I am grateful for that as the longer this goes on the more people I feel come into my life that are very respectful of my life choice and make me feel proud to be to doing it!
Awww thanks and yeah I went to a beach this summer and I was with my friends who were not drinking but of course you can’t control those around you and other people at the beach were drinking playing volleyball and partying, listening to load music. I wanted to join so bad that I wasn’t even focusing on my friends I was with I was obsessing over watching them have a good time and I knew at some point I had to leave or I will cave. So, I did. My friends understood and where supportive but it just sucks like sometimes I can be in social settings and not have a craving or sometimes I would get so overwhelmed with the craving I would just have to leave and I’d cry and cry and cry because it would be so hard. I’ve had such low moments of feeling so lonely but the low moments were also a time for me to shines with sobriety and be proud of myself that I had the strength to leave and not give in. I do feel I am stronger but I have my weak days and for some reason yesterday was one. Glad to say I made it to day 273. I will agree with you I literally bring my headphones EVERYWHERE. I am always tuned into something which I never used to be that way but I have found it really has helped me a lot!
Thanks for sharing and your words of encouragement
You rock 
