I am ok, but having trouble sleeping. I really should be still asleep as it’s only 4am here, but I struggle with similar situations to yours I think. My husband drank too much tonight and is laying next to me snoring soooo loudly 
. I was feeling angry so instead of smacking him on the head I thought I would check in here 
(not that I would really smack him… But the urge is there:crazy_face:)
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Good morning. I bought this cool cup as my Freedom Cup - for my booze free beverages! It’s a little reminder and morivator to stay on the right path.
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I wish we had a spare room!! My days not too bad today. I might try to get another hour or two sleep in if I can get back to sleep. I feel better knowing I’m not alone. My frustration and anger have passed. Thanks Miranda. I hope you can catch a nap or at least have a super sleep tonight💜
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Gorgeous!!! I love that so much💙
What is the brand? I wonder if I can get one here?
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Nice to hear that you feel better now.
At what time does your gym open? 
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Day 10, no online casinos! This is where I got to last time before I relapsed. I feel way better this time though. Looking forward to going on vacation on Friday. Already had a great breakfast and did some shopping for my trip. All in all I feel great. Staying positive and ready to read back over my journal if I get any urges.
Looking forward to a month as that’s usually when the hold loosens significantly, I think there is some scientific reason for that in relation to brain chemical balancing and what not, but for now just one day at a time.
I’ve set some monthly goals and landmarks along the way to try and reward myself for sticking with it. Stuff that I would usually just impulse buy to make myself feel better is now part of a reward system, something I have never really bothered with before. It will be interesting to see how it goes and what effect it has on staying focused!
Keeping the train firmly on the tracks.
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Hey all, checking in on day 759. I hope everybody has a good one!
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It’s open 24 hours and thank you! 
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All the best for your colonoscopy!
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Interesting, I don’t think that we have those here in Germany.
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Good morning all. Been feeling pretty down and unbalanced lately, but then I volunteered some time at habitat for the first time in a few months. It’s really amazing how positive a lil bit of volunteering can be.
As with things such as church or fitness; volunteering is something that during and afterwards I’m like “why am I not doing this all the time, i feel so much better?!?” But then I let life interfere enough to where weeks and months go by before I do it again. I’ve already scheduled another shift on the 26th and talking to my wife she expressed that she’d come to the jobsite probably by Sept when the kids go back to school!
Been pretty depressed lately and overwhelmingly like a life failure, but this helped me more than I expected.
Seriously if there’s this missing piece pulling at you in your life, then try volunteering ANYWHERE and it’ll help you in more ways than you can imagine. It’s so good it’s almost not altruistic lol.
Anywho, Have a good, sober day yall.
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@Lorelai Although I know it is not as simple as this, and u already know, but ur dad would not want you hurting yourself. The best way to honor him is to look after what he made and loved, you.
@SadMemeQueen That sounds terrible. I hope it gets better soon. 
@Girlinterrupted Nice to see you are doing well.
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Good morning all! It has been a while since I’ve checked in. I’m glad to be here and be sober for the last 8 months and more.
I’m learning that being sober is more than not drinking. My emotional energy and ability to really feel what is going on around me is definitely enhanced in sobriety. And with a lot of excercise and decent sleep I’m able to reduce the anxiety response a lot better than in the past. I am able to stay calm and gentle, even in provoking situations. I did not know this could be a part of sobriety and I’m intrigued to see how it impacts my life and my relationships.
I recently made it through the various triggers of a family reunion in a family with a lot of unresolved issues. Maybe all families are like this, but I’m pretty sure we have some extra special details. Some of us are recovering addicts, some are recovering child abuse victims, and some of us are skipping along in levels of denial that are really quite spectacular. Add on a suicide experience, multiple divorces, blended families, long distances and local relationships and by golly we are just a barrel of fun!
I’m so glad to say that not only did I have a nice visit with various nieces and nephews, but that my siblings and I are in accord that we are caring for each other and seeking whatever level of peace we can find. We will stop the cycle in our generation as best we can.
In other news, the hubby is also sober and committed and we are finding new levels of care between us. His sobriety in the family reunion allowed him to be supportive to me and eliminated some angst for me in how he would be. And for that I’m grateful.
We will be hosting his family for a short visit later this week. So the work continues in these experiences and I’m looking forward to learning more as we go.
We are both reading about addiction and learning how Buddhist teachings have helped addicts. Right now I’m reading a book by Josh Korda. I think I am barely ready to get to that level as I’m gaining confidence in my sobriety. I’m always happiest when I am learning and trying new things, so times are good for me right now.
Last week my son got in a serious car accident. Fortunately the safety features in his car protected him and he was smart enough to be wearing his seatbelt. It was a scary day, no doubt, but he is ok and will be getting another car. It was one of those moments that no parent wants to have to consider… the what if? But it did not go that way so focusing on the solutions to transportation is a refreshing problem to face considering it all. My son is 32 years old, and has come a long long way from being a very challenging teen. Our relationship is great, and considering the family background I briefly addressed above, I’m super proud of where we are. He is my example that the cycle of abuse and dysfunction is ending in my generation. I’m grateful that he is ok after that terrible day.
Summer is floating by here in my part of the world. I’m off work from my teaching job and am enjoying this chance to practice retirement. I bike or swim or hike everyday and eat good food and get good sleep. I write curriculum and read a lot too. I will be ready when school starts. I’ve been in public education for 35 years. I will probably keep going in some form until I don’t want to. That’s a pretty great place to be.
Every day I’m grateful to have found the support and resources to be on my sobriety journey. Over 30 years of alcohol abuse and its abuse of me has ended and I’m committed to taking good care of myself this way. I check in to this community every day, even if I don’t write. And while I am not involved in AA these days, I definitely see the benefit of the supportive community that is here. So thank you for sharing and keep up the good effort everyone. We can help each other and find our way to peace and maybe even happiness.
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Day 295 checking in 
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- Somehow still sober.
How I should feel: 
How I actually feel: 😮💨 
If only there was a way to take your brain out for a short while to give it a warm bath and a lil kiss. I’m tired of being sad.
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Hi Kat here checking in Day 38 from substitute drug relapse (benadryl and alcohol).
Feeling great today, at work for second shift since being off on sick leave for depression/relapse. Loving it, put in for some more shifts 6am-2pm only.
@SadMemeQueen I am so sorry to hear of your experience coming off Cymbalta (duloxetine), I am now on the max dose of it (120 mg) and it is working very well at this dose. However, I believe like all antidepressants it will eventually ‘poop out’ as the 90mg dose did. I am a little concerned cause of your experience, though in the past I have had no problems switching antidepressants (vs stopping abruptly, 0/5 Not Recommended).
Next stop for me is a switch probably to another SNRI though not Venlafaxine (Effexor) because I dislike it’s short half life/withdrawals/brain zaps.
Thinking of you and hope you can feel better soon.
Kat
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That’s very cool, I love it! 
Omg!!! I love this idea and I love your cup!!! Like really love it! Dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. The change in mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life.
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Hey everyone hope you all are having good days. I’m doing ok today, feeling grateful and hopeful. Excited as well, I have a eval on Friday and I’m hoping the doctor can get my ADHD some help it really is paralyzing some days, but I love myself and life and can’t wait to see my girls this Saturday. Much love
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