Checking in with 15 days. In London for a Bring Me the Horizon concert. My first concert without booze! Wish me luck❤️
21 Likes
Checking in on day 180.
Still feeling crap mentally but I am trying to keep checking in here rather than disappearing and isolating further. This site really does give me strength in my recovery.
It is not just about stopping drinking, my recovery is me facing this mental bullshit head on. I’m not strong enough today to do that, but I can take steps like logging in here and taking strength from this awesome community.
I hope everyone has a good day/evening.
17 Likes
Awe, thank you for this response, Pavlov’s Dog 
This moved me so much It really is nice to read the words of others and think that you could’ve written it yourself. No matter our experiences, we are all very much alike at our core, and sticking together really does seem to do the trick.
I feel you on the shame part. I joined in 2019, after being sober 7 days without a clue where to go from there. Everything changed for the better when I started practicing the advice I was given. Then covid came, and I felt strong, until I didn’t and relapsed just shy of 5 months. I stuck around a bit, constantly trying to get back where I was, but couldn’t hardly get past a week. So I retreated into myself, left here, and gave up. 3 years later this switch flipped and I’m sober again. For some reason tho, I had this idea that I didn’t want to come back here until I was where I left off. Idk why. Like I wanted to prove I could do it before coming back and failing again 
So I returned when I had 5 months. I know I was welcome the entire time, even while I was out, but that feeling of failure, a dog with it’s tail between it’s legs, was too great.
I send strength to Cali with you. Use whatever excuse you need to get thru, but if I’m being honest, I’ve found honesty is best. You say they’re your best friends so I’m sure they’d support you. I understand many are not ready to admit this to others, but I have no shame in what I am. I’ve accepted it and gladly share my story with others. Especially the pushers bc those are the people I see myself in, and maybe it’s something they need to hear. Share my bad experiences and maybe something will resonate with them and get them thinking 
Who knows!
In the end temptation will always be there. Avoiding it is smart, but there will come a time when it’s right in your face and you must be able to resist. That’s been a big part of my recovery. Saying no to myself in every situation. I’m the only person in the world who could talk me into drinking, so learning this was key and now it’s second nature. Congrats on 10 days! Keep coming back 
11 Likes
25 days free of alcohol
19 days free of THC
Feeling better health-wise. Woke up with a lot of self pity so I meditated on that specifically in addition to my other recovery activities. Nice Sunday, went for a walk in the sunshine and got some new books, always fun 
I’m so glad to be sober. I have absolutely no desire for any substance, which is different from my previous sobriety attempts. Happy to be here and to know I’m not alone!
@SoberWalker love that happiness chemicals chart!
@JazzyS thank you friend 
@zzz cool videos 
@MrFantastik congrats on 50 days 
17 Likes
Thank you Laura, my best friends are rough around the edges. One is a Nephew and the other is a family friend of 40 years. They would understand the truth, but they lack emotional maturity, and rather making them dealing with their “he doesn’t want to drink with me” childish “all about them” reality, it might be better to make it a medical reason, which is also a “truth”, since I have had all sorts of bad physical warning signs, and avoid the “he isn’t man enough to drink” or etc…
Of course your reaction to that should be “get better friends”, but I have had terrible luck in that department. So keeping the two good guy friends, who can be depended on, and who will go off-roading with me, and camp and such, albeit functioning on lower level emotions, is better than being alone all the time. I’m an outdoorsy person in a country of people who just sit inside their sheetrock walls experiences, happily enjoying being fed a constant supply of crap TV shows. Both of these friends have been married a long time and neither one of them ever say “I love you” to their wives…Ya, troglodytes.
Anyway, I know you are right, and that is how I played it the first time I got on the wagon and stayed sober 7 years straight. I never really explained it to anyone as to “why”, I just said “I don’t drink”. Maybe I’ll do that this time too, but right now this is all new to me (that was 15 years ago) and I haven’t weathered into my new found sobriety commitment completely, still fragile,… so it comforts me to consider the best way to handle the “friends” situation considering our M.O. is to drink our asses off and smoke weed too, literally morning till lights out.
Your advice is spot on and keep it coming. It is better to get advice I might not take than to need advice and not have it been given.
My depression is abating. It lasted about 50 days. I’m finally getting my shit together with home projects again. So thanks to you and all here for being there giving support and the push I need to face life sober. Day 11 and not looking back.
8 Likes
still day 321
What rare occurrence, a second check-in from me! Happy, sober and content all snuggled up in bed. Storm Isha raging outside my window. Anyone else feeling the wrath of Isha tonight?
@Ofmiceandroach I have to admit I’m a tiny bit jealous now. The Sheffield concert was sold out and I didn’t get a ticket 
I’ve seen them live before and it was just sooo good!
@Deeh Welcome to the family 
First day is an awesome milestone! Glad to have you here with us.
Love and strength 
14 Likes
My kids keep me busy at weekends. My Daughter in particular has a busy social life and as her driver I get called into action quite a bit. She was going to the cinema this afternoon to meet her friends and is was dropping and picking up. Not a problem as I didn’t drink on Friday night… “Wait Dusty, today is Sunday” I know but if I drank on Friday I wouldn’t be able to drive on Sunday…
If I picked up a few beers after work on Friday I would most likely have been sneaking around most of Saturday scoring a few beers here and there to keep me going to Saturday night when I would have drank deep. Sunday morning, same deal then all day sunday and into the evening.
So a few beers Friday would have cost me the entire weekend. That’s what happens when I let the beast take over. I’m not driving, the beast is.
Good night all. Here’s to another 24 
18 Likes
129
18 Likes
425 chilling watching 
evil dead rise
Got to have another endoscopy 
hate them
Happy sober Sunday everyone
19 Likes
Checking in on day 954. I went ice skating with the kids today. My old-ass bones will be sore tomorrow. Hope everyone had a great weekend.
23 Likes
Checking in day 20. I am going on an amazing excursion tomorrow. The excursion has an open bar. I will ask for an alcohol free tropical drink. I really wish they would give non alcohol drinkers a break on the price. I am sharing this here because when I relapsed last month, it was during a very special dinner that included a welcome cocktail as well as wine throughout dinner. I wanted to get my $'s worth and also didn’t want to feel left out and so I started drinking, breaking over a year of sobriety. I then drank for a month before quitting again. I will not let that happen again. I will not drink tomorrow and use “it’s included and I paid for it” excuse. Silly mind games, I am on to you!
21 Likes
1689
I told my addiction and Recovery story yesterday to a group of 9 patients/fellows at the detox I’ve been working as a nurse for the past 20 months. Now I work there officially as an experience expert too and this is part of my job now. Really intense but great stuff to be able to share some of my journey. To give back some of what was given to me.
I learned it all here. This place, all the folks here gave me a voice. I could never have done this alone and I’m forever deeply in all your debt. Have as good a day as you can all. Sober and clean. Much love.
Storm Isha is upon us now but I think I’ll commute just ahead of the thick of it. Will keep you posted @HolySquid. Pic is from outside my work yesterday morning, last day of snow and ice for the foreseeable future. X
30 Likes
@Forgive_Yourself thanks friend. In sorry that you are feeling this way. Were you able to get some rest and food? Did that make you feel any better? Here if you need to talk. 
I hope that you are able to see how much you are working on yourself now and can find a way to forgive your past self. We can’t change our pasta but with our actions today we can mend our wounds and move forward.
@Dolse71 nicely done Paul. One more month in the bag 
you are doing great my friend
@Mischa84 I’m sorry that you are feeling so ill love. Totally understandable that you are short nerved and angry as you are unwell and having to deal with 3 toddler boys. Sending you quick healing and strength. Much love Mischa 
@MrFantastik 50 days is awesome Marty! 
@tryingthisagain welcome to the community friends. An incredible job of getting back on track and having 16 days is amazing . That addict mind and it’s tricks of moderation can be so convincing. Now you know for sure that moderation is not for you. We got your back here …will support you through this journey. Hope to see you around and looking forward to sharing in your milestones
@Pavlovs_Dog congratulations on your double digits 
thank you for the shout out… grateful that you are here with us stacking on these beautiful days
So grateful for this. 339 days girl …could be the milestone malady sinking in. You are kicking ass each day- keep going strong Great job on dealing with the bar drunk.
@soberwalker love the private onsie party…hope you had a blast!! Congratulations on your triple digits friend… great work on staying away from social media
@jimz congratulations on your 3 weeks Jim. Keep on this healthy journey
@Noshame addiction is gross and slimy…so grateful that you did not give in. Grateful that you can see it for what it is and keep working on your recovery . Super proud of you friend
18 Likes
Thank you @JazzyS 
And you thank you for being here with a lovely compassion word for everyone. Much appreciated!
5 Likes
51 days in the bank
Gym this morning for some good rounds. Chilled with the kids at home, washed the car then headed back to the gym for my daughter’s classes.
One week or so left in the school holidays until they’re back for a new year.
One more day off for me then back for dayshift
@Happy_Trails shoot down the lure of that “free drink” i your mind by adding up all the $ that you’d spend funding a relaspse.
Thanks @Catmama23 and @JazzyS
19 Likes
@IamSophie I’m sorry for all that you are dealing with health wise. Hoping you feel relief and comfort soon. Sending healing vibes your way. Congratulations on your gambling free time
@SolarEclipse 3 weeks is fantastic keep this amazing momentum going strong
@Trixie1 3 weeks vape free. 4+ months alcohol free… keep kicking addictions ass
@ForrestKump how are you doing John ? 217 days is amazing work friend. I find when I need motivation or support or even a nudge to let me know I’m on the right path with my sobriety - I come here and read through the threads. Reading other people’s journeys - the highs and lows really give me the courage to keep going for the next 24. I hope it can do the same for you
@Deeh welcome Diana to our community. You are doing amazingly well with day 1. A lot of great support and advice here…take some time to read around. I look forward to sharing in your journey
@Ofmiceandroach hope you had a wonderful time at the concert Emma.
@Dilettante hwy Kiki…congrats on your 6 months babe…I’m sorry that you are struggling… grateful that you are present here… isolation can be so daunting. Here for you friend
@Dustysprungfield so grateful that you did not pick up on Friday and were able to enjoy your weekend and be there for your kids today. It’s these days that make our journey worth it.
@Bones_80 good to see you Ian. Sorry about the endoscopy? How are you doing otherwise? Hoping the pain has subsided.
@Happy_Trails silly games indeed. Grateful that you can see through the ba. I totally agree that non alcoholic drinks should be cheaper…not sure why everyone pushes alcohol so freely. You stand your ground…have a great time and protect your sobriety. We are right here with you.
Checking in on was supposed to be Sunday evening but now is early Monday morning 
396 days free of alcohol and weed (13 months)
811 days free of cigarettes
Had a decent enough day. Got to get some quality family time in. Chatted with a childhood friend.
Having Internet issues for most of today so TS wasn’t available as much… grateful that I am able to check in with all my friends before calling it a night.
Wishing everyone a wonderful addiction free day/ evening. Sending you all so much love
25 Likes
*Day 1951 
Slept bad, couldn’t get a sleep so it was a short night. Busy day ahead, better said: busy week ahead. But I’ll manage! In this case the “trick” one day at a time is helpful again.
So keeping myself in today, the present!
Not drifting away in worrying about the rest of my week
So today? Work.
Seems doable isn’t it? Just work
Have a great new week TS people!
Let’s smash it!
26 Likes
340
Could not fall asleep last night. I think I got 3, maybe 4 hours 
At least I didn’t have anything to do besides pick up my daughter after dinner. I stopped at Walmart on my way, and bc of the Bills game, there was no one there. Just me and like 20 bored employees 
It was eerie, but kinda peaceful. Like grocery shopping at 3am. The drive was great. No traffic and clear streets. Got stuck in my exes driveway 
He had to push me out. Nice. Over all a great day. Go Bills!!! Oh wait…we lost 
Happy Monday 
22 Likes
@SoberWalker Thanks for sharing the chart. Very helpful to get out of my brain.
@Just_Laura Wishing you better sleep next night. 
@Happy_Trails Rooting for the sane part of your mind to persevere over sneaky addiction talk. Have a nice excursion.
61 no binge, no sugar
17 UPFs
17 dairy
New week, new Monday. Isha made for a loud night and some strange dreams including one relapse related. That was intense. Was glad to wake up and have not had the first bite.
Looking forward to coding pretty classes, the last class at school this semester will be about Video sensing. I’m curious what the kids will come up with.
Other then that: a walk/run workout, yoga, and whatever the day will bring.
Peace and freedom to you all 
19 Likes
Day 827 AF
Sup, gang.
It was a busy week with work. Nonstop. I had a couple of drinking dreams. A dream where I was inside of a video game. Aliens and shit. Tripped me out a bit. I think these antidepressants
are fucking with me again. Anyways, my son turned 11 years old on Friday. We had a small cake for him and took him out to eat. I don’t have the cash to throw him a party right now. Gonna wait for my tax refund.
Went to my niece’s quinceñera last night. It was chill. Well, it’s back to the grind tomorrow.
I hope everyone’s doing well. Stay strong, fam. We’re in this together.
Goodnite!
25 Likes