@danam56 thanks Dana. Grateful that you were able to stay clear of the slip. I do know how close the close calls can get and undo all the work we have put in. I have not attempted to get close to anyone since I’ve been sober and can imagine the anxiety. Think it is a great idea to have a conversation. It is terrifying and exciting to be doing life things sober. Wishing you well my friend – sounds like he will be receptive to you and supportive. @jennyh aaah – I didn’t even think of enjoying all the lovely flavors at Thanksgiving totally sober I am sorry about the pain today – did you get the surgery scheduled? I do hope the pain and indigestion don’t last long @Brian1965uk Happy Birthday Brian! Looking forward to celebrating your 1 year milestone shortly @timetochange grateful that your dad can go home. So lovely that you are able to be there for your parents at this time. I do hope you are able to get some rest for yourself soon too. @mermaid2000 Welcome back Molly. I am sorry for the slip up. I do know that moderation or even just 1 drink or 1 smoke will never be enough for me so I have to stay away completely. Super proud that you are able to get back to your day 1. Great job on stocking up on your AF drinks and taking it ODAAT. We are here with you @residentevil So sorry for the your loss. Big hugs and loads of comfort to you, your wife and your family. Congrats on staying sober through this and being able to be present for those around you. Keep winning each day! @cp25 WOOT WOOT!!! Super thrilled for you – yeah to your 30 day milestone. Keep going forward my friend and staying strong
Checking in on Tuesday morning - so happy to be awake and grateful that the coffee is doing its job. i am looking forward to my doc’s appt today. hoping to get some insight. Grateful to still be in a positive mental space. Positivity will forever help me out of any ailment / situation
Hoping everyone has a wonderful addiction free day! Sending you all so much love
Day 21 no alcohol. Day 2 not using my car horn . I had a major meeting yesterday that would normally of had me worried amd stressed beyond all belief. Using the tools I have I was able to handle it much better. There was an issue this morning that I normally would have become defensive about and which would have lead to a giant argument. I chose instead to step back and address it in a way that did not escalate the situation. Who is this person im becoming? I like him whoever he is.
Im on the board of directors for our local chamber so I’m hosting a self-defense class for the members tonight. After there will be socializing and “adult” beverages. Not even concerned there will beva temptation to partake. Not going to mess up this awesome thing I gave going.
a huge congrats on the car horn timer as well - i know how intense i was at the beginning of my sobriety and driving in a big city can really push some buttons.
Love this!!! keep the amazing positive attitude flowing
I’m neither here nor there today. (Where am I then?… what a stupid phrase that is.)
Feel like I’m figuring out who I am again ya know? At one point during a low just before last summer, I was drinking like fuuuuuuck. 6 pints before walking home from work, stopping off for a few more, bottle of Jack on the way home (save a bit for the morning of course) and I just totally lost my way and forgot who I am. I put up a massive front and for a while it worked… seemingly. I was meeting new friends, going to live music, having a load of seedy one nighters and generally wasting away. Nothing was really meaningful, it was just a stepping stone to get through the day. None of whom I talk to now; not a person I feel I want to know anymore… I really was a prick.
I’ve had a day of housework, music and ‘radio-silence’ (I call it that when I don’t get messages/phone calls) and have been thinking about the goals I’ve set myself for the next year which are perfectly achievable and I thought to myself “maybe I need more”… that is such an alcoholic way of thinking isn’t it? Can never be quite content. Soon as I realised I was thinking that way again, I was able to pull myself back to reality rather than get lost in a daydream of grandeur and unrealistic expectations of myself… so that was new!
I’m also thinking about all the things I can’t change today and really trying to be serene over them. Some of them will take time, I guess. Which is a really shit deal considering we’re ephemeral.
Oh that is wonderful, thank you for sharing. I am definitely trying to cut down on saturated fats, be more plant based in general, but have probably let that slip since committing to sobriety (and the gym).
The consultant wants to do the surgery but won’t book it in until I am cleared by a gastro surgeon (that appointment is a couple of weeks). I am so lucky to be able to have this privately so it probably won’t be long.
What enzymes did you take? So pleased you can eat what you want now, and are presumably free of pain
8 days today I feel pretty terrible it is also hard living in a house with alcohol in it. I live at my dads right now I will be moved out soon into my tiny home but I’m stuck here in the meantime.
Great work with 8 days. Are you able to place the alcohol out of sight? If not, I fill my area with la Croix and other drinks for me so that I can ignore the rest of em.
We are here with you… the urges do get easier. Hand tight to your sobriety
That’s progress and growth in my world. To reach out instead of isolate, to become our own cheer leader instead of worst critic.
Also, I came to learn that it’s okay to be emotional and proud in these moments.
My therapist recently told me that humans are the only being who can’t release their emotions naturally. A zebra in the wild, if chased by a lion, that escapes, shakes vigorously for some time afterwards. This movement allows the animal to release those chemicals and then continue living life like that moment never happened. This is so it can be prepared for the next time something like that happens.
I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to stop with marijuana it’s become my medicine like so many others. alcohol has so many negatives but with mj it’s hard to look at it in a bad light because it feels helpful to me. The problem is the addiction aspect of it though. And I kind of feel like a fraud to claim sobriety when I still partake in it. That’s why I stick to “alcohol free” as much as possible. It’s kind of like that whole “harm reduction” thing too that also makes me feel like it’s okay. Idk…
But that is amazing you are so strong. Congratulations 🫶🏻
Wow that is fascinating if only humans had that ability. I’m diagnosed with depression along with a few other things and I have a really hard time crying sometimes (for myself but for others I do easily) almost as if I’m just too numb, and then I get sober and I can actually cry. So I don’t think depression was the only problem…it’s such a healthy release that I need more of.
I am sorry about the pain today – did you get the surgery scheduled? I do hope the pain and indigestion don’t last long 
. I had a major meeting yesterday that would normally of had me worried amd stressed beyond all belief. Using the tools I have I was able to handle it much better. There was an issue this morning that I normally would have become defensive about and which would have lead to a giant argument. I chose instead to step back and address it in a way that did not escalate the situation. Who is this person im becoming? 
I like him whoever he is.
it is also hard living in a house with alcohol in it. I live at my dads right now I will be moved out soon into my tiny home but I’m stuck here in the meantime.
thank you. This was my first stop when I felt myself feeling temptation.
if only humans had that ability. I’m diagnosed with depression along with a few other things and I have a really hard time crying sometimes (for myself but for others I do easily) almost as if I’m just too numb, and then I get sober and I can actually cry. So I don’t think depression was the only problem…it’s such a healthy release that I need more of.