Checking in, starting Day 38. Going to make today count! Wishing everyone a marvelous sober 1st, 2nd, or 7777th (7 is my favorite number 
)
Take care and Happy Wed/Thursday!
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Day 
: Iāve been sober for 2 whole weeks! My worst days are in the past. For sure 100%. The thought of drinking again is scary.
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Good morning. Thank you to everyone! I couldnāt wait to share with you all my struggles last week, but more importantly how I overcame, and didnāt find it necessary to pick up a drink or a drug. My eyes welling up with tears as I text that. Tears of joy! I have 11 days today!!! IN A ROW!!! CHECK ME OUT!!! (LOL) I Went into cardiac arrest last Sunday. I had no Idea, I just couldnāt catch my breath. They kept me, did Xrays, cat scans, EKG, and MRI. Turns out my heart was functioning at 13%. They gave me a defibrillator and Discharged me after a week. I get home Friday night. Saturday was uneventful, went to bed at midnight, woke up at 5:30 am and I couldnāt Speak or move my right arm, hand, and the right side of my face was drooping. I got to the ER and just as I suspected, I had a full blown stroke!! WTF?? I was so scared! So many emotionsā¦ unless youāve had or seen one, itās a helluva thing to have the words in your mind, and not be able to articulate them. By the grace of my higher power, who I affectionately call God saw fit to spare my life yet again, and 2 days later it was as if nothing ever happened to me. You canāt tell me God isnāt real! I am evidence of his power. Step 1hitter!!! I AM POWERLESS OVER MY ADDICTION! The only thing I have power over is the way I respond to the things I have no control over!! Damn!!! Its actually a relief that I donāt have to even try to fix all the things Iāve destroyed as a result of my addiction. I had blood clots on my brain which is why I had the stroke. The nurses were astonished at my quick recovery. The occupational therapist saidā¦ when God fixes something you canāt tell it was ever broken!! Thank you all for letting me share. Iām an alcoholic/ addict and my name is JD.
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Day 200
I think Im finally making another breakthrough.
I started reading the book āQuietā And my friend of 10 years pointed out that he thinks I have Social Anxiety Disorder. Its a hard pill to swallow but he is right. Its been such a part of me that I have never known anything different.
All my life I have pursued extroverted careers where I have had to be an āentertainerā or a business woman constantly selling myself. Maybe thats why my addictions got so bad, I was constantly seeking relief from my anxiety or just trying to come out of my shell and be someone I wasnāt. I mean a few drinks and I could talk a mile a minute without thinking ā¦ just blurt out whatever came to my mind.
What sets my heart on fire is nature and writing. I could be in total isolation finding new bird species like Charles Darwin and I would be happy, or writing poems like Emily Dickenson. (Never to be read until after I die.) LOL. But I am finding that there is a place in the world for an introvert like me. I just need to find it.
I think thats why I havenāt tried finding a job yet is because my last job left such a bad taste in my mouth. It really broke my confidence.
Anyway, just some morning thoughts. 
Have a great day everyone!!
@Rockstar24777 Missing your check ins! Hope youāre doing okay! 
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I am so happy you are here with us today. You have so much to be sober for!!
Sarah, I relate so much! While Iāve always known I was more toward the introvert side of the spectrum (and it is a spectrum), Susan Cainās book Quiet help me to name how I was feeling and to begin to own that aspect of myself. It helped me to learn how to take better care of myself, since I still valued my roles as a teacher/trainer/facilitator in front of groups of people, but needed to work in the recharge time. Iām so glad youāre having this moment to learn more about yourself!
P.S. Huge felicidades on your 200 days, lady! I love watching your journey and following along behind you 
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Thank you!
Yes, its a relief, really. Knowing that we are introverts in an extroverts world and there is a place for us in the world and that we are needed.
I grew up with an extremely extroverted mother and older sister so Ive always felt like something was wrong with me. Gah I cant believe its taken me 33 years to figure this one out.
Im only a quarter way though with the book so still lots more to learn!!
Thanks! I love watching your journey too!! 
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Hello everyone, and good morning!
Quick check in, 1 month and 7 days alcohol free today. Felt like a bit of a milestone.
The sun is shining here, but of course that means itās -25 
Canāt win in Canada, Iāll have a cozy day inside off work today. Wishing everyone a wonderful Wednesday!
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@Pdebsā¦great job on 200 days. My therapist recommended that book for me. To some I appear to be an extrovertā¦but I think I tend to chatter to fill the space of my own discomfort. In a business setting Iām OK talking, which I have to do somewhat frequently. It is the social situations that really throw me for a loop. That is what got me drinking, Iām pretty sure. No, Iām a hundred percent sure that was my problem. As you saidā¦it is OK to be you and an introvert. I hope the book is a good read for you. 
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Hey all, checking in on day 241. Hope everyone has a great one! See you around TS.
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A while back I listened to this podcast and learned a lot of very interesting info about coffee/caffeine. Now I try not to drink any after about 3pm. Try being the key word.
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Checking in as day 38 draws to a close. 38 suddenly feels like a reasonably substantial number. I remember looking at people with 38 days when I was on day one, and it seemed a million miles away.
Feel like Iāve been off work for about a month because the days all start early, finish quite late, and I can remember most of the stuff in between. Unbelievable. If I had known that sober holidays were this good, Iād have been doing them for years.
Didnāt think about (drinking) alcohol once today. 
Have a great sober day, wherever you are.
Goodnight. 
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Itās another milestone madness day!
@marcusmaximus2000 congrats on 400! amazing stuff!
@Clarity look at you go, lovely! congrats on 200. And I love love love Susan Cainās Quiet. And I love sharing this journey with you. 
@Nordique 8 months give or take is no small feat either, yāknowā¦ just sayingā¦!
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Congratulations on your 400 days 
Marc been waiting for ya 
I told @Dan531we going to need a bigger bus.
Move over again Stella @CapriciousCapricorn
We got room on half the bus for you too Sarah
@Clarity
Congratulations on your 200 days. Your rocking it kid
Itās a great day to be sober!
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I love this post. Itās one to bookmark for those āwobbly daysā! 
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This made me chortle. I, too, like my coffee loud.
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Ahhhh, nature and writing! My two favourite things. And quiet.
In honour of your 200 days - this is from one of my fave writers, Mary Oliver, to you.
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Way to go mate, AF is the best way! Keep on keeping on ODAAT! 
Blessings and sobriety!
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Congratulations on your 33 no 34 days now. That is great country up there. My wife and I took our last vacation up there before we had children. Loved it. Being from Texas we also wanted rain. It only rained once. Lovely place.
Good for you.
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Amen to that! Mighty glad youāre fine. Youāve been given a second chance, grab it hard with both hands and never let go, no matter what. Everything is better in sobriety.
Blessings and sobriety!
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