Thanks. I did what any self-respecting addict would do, and turned my phone off so the doctor couldn’t call! I’m still waiting for the full report, and booked a 2nd opinion. And for God’s sake, not drinking poison should help!
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Sometimes I’ve wondered why the likes of yourself, Menno, and all the other long term sober peeps check in here diligently every day. I mean , with multiple thousands of sober days behind you, why do you not just bin this place off and crack on with your sobriety… Connection is one reason I know, accountability is another, but having experienced a few feels over the past few days. I think it’s good to remember and remind ourselves and others that we can never EVER get complacent.
You’re an inspiration, dude. One of many here. So thanks, I and many other newbs and relative newbs are super grateful.
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Checking in on day 1088. We got back from our holiday yesterday. I feel very relaxed and grateful for the rest, good food (and having a break from deciding what to cook and eat every bloody night of the week 
), time with my daughter, good weather and sea swimming 
Also grateful that I only had one off day ME wise and i could stick to all the things that are helping keep my symptoms under control. I’m currently sat cuddled up with the cats and dog and feeling vety content. Back to work tomorrow but I’m refreshed and not stressing about whether it will be stressful or not.
@Tragicfarinelli congratulations on the job 
I know all the hard work and stress it has taken to get there. Really happy for you 
@RR160416 and @TS66 congratulations on 1 year awesome work!!!
@RaggedTrouseredPhil enjoy your vacation, looks fun!
@Amelie and @Madds good to see you right back here with us 
@Jules000 congratulations on 5 months
@Mtrav0040 congratulations on 600 days
Sending love and strength to all 
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This first time sobriety stuck for me was in 2002. I was sober for 9 years eleven months.
I talked myself into thinking I could drink successfully so I tried. It took ten years to find my way back.
There were many attempts to quit again during those ten years.
There has been times where I felt so comfortable in sobriety that I believed I would never drink again.
Yet I got stuck in alcoholic misery for a decade.
A little effort everyday to fight off the first drink is a small price to pay to be able to live again.
I don’t want to go back.
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Day 3 Checking in
Difficult day today. I feel disheartened in my personal life even as I start to exercise the sober muscles and focus on getting better.
The disconnect between myself and my partner is as wide as ever. We are essentially living parallel lives. I have my addiction to thank for that.
Just had a long argument that ended with me walking away. It was a choice that was better than letting my emotions getting the better of me and saying something I will regret.
I have to take the positives where I can. I am clean today, no thoughts of PMO and I have done things towards my mental health and sobriett. My three things towards my sobriety are:
- Going Swimming - great for my general wellbeing
- Gardening this evening - Enjoying our outdoor space with a mercifully fresh breeze.
- Reading through the forum today, especially the mental health thread. Really powerful words by some very wise people.
I end the day clean of PMO. I will see what tomorrow brings and try to make the best of it.
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This Naked Mind was the game changer for me after trying SO many times to moderate or quit drinking @Jesile! I hope it works as well for you. Day 838 AF
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SWEET! This makes me so happy. 
@Amelie I am grateful that the slip did not go into a longer full blown relapse. I am so very sorry to hear about your medica news. I get the F-it thoughts - so very grateful that you did not allow them to consume you. Drinking will only make things worse as I’m sure you already know. Sending you love and hugs and oodles of healing vibes. You are not alone friend - reach out to your support irl. We are all here for you - feel free to PM me if you need to talk
My thoughts too. Yeah this year fees way worse than what we have dealt with in the past. It just makes me feel so sad to think about how everyone is dealing with the wildfire effects closer to the fires. Wishing safety and health for all.
@Madds Double digits 
Great to see you already strengthening those sober muscles and making plans for how to handle alone time in the future. 
Hope you enjoy your weekend getaway
@Jules000 Well done Julia – 5 months is amazing. Be proud of yourself and all your efforts. Glad you are treating yourself. 
Oh I love that! And - no you didn’t - you have a long infinite road ahead Keep up the amazing work - hope you enjoy your vacation
YES - this right here is the reasoning for me. I don’t ever want to forget what it was like for me before sobriety stuck. All the failed attempts and the false promises that “tomorrow” I would begin. I also read so many peoples ups and downs and see how they handle them through sobriety which gives me strength to face my own bumps in life / health
@Butterflymoonwoman Hoping you are able to adjust the meds to help you with the fatigue. Fatigue really is another level of tired that I didn’t know could exist. I am sorry that you are having to push through this. Hoping you can get some rest and also feel rested soon 
Checking in on Friday evening
1304 days free of alcohol and weed
1719 days free of cigarettes
I am grateful that I was able to get to the pool this morning. Surprised myself with a long swim. I got a lot of work completed which I am happy about as my head has been on the verge of exploding all day.
The smoke is still thick here and many vendors did not set up for the Art Fair today. Feel sorry for the ones that stayed open. Man these conditions are rough.
I am going to see my cousins tomorrow. We both need moral support so it will be nice to connect.
Wishing everyone a wonderful addiction free day - sending you all so much love
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78 and 3
maintaining focus
work was pretty stressful
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Hello my TS friends. Just checking in after reading today’s posts. I love how my program of recovery tells me that I should be free of judgement. I should not take other people’s inventory. I should temper my expectations of others. I should be completely honest with myself and others. Grrrrrrrrrr then I’m told that quitting drinking is just the “ante” to the game of recovery. I’ve come to realize that if AA were a college class …. I am happy with a C average. Quitting booze has not made me a perfect person but I’m so much better than I was. “ Progress, not perfection “ I love the check in because it’s kind of a Step 10 for me. I hope everyone struggling finds some peace. Stay sober, safe and hopeful!!
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Day 18.
Woke up at 3.01am. took FB to Potty. Gave him a carrot and a treat.
Went straight back to sleep to wake up with no alarm at the perfect Time of 7.01am !!! So happy 
I count that as a sleep straight Through the night coz technically Only was up for 4 minutes with FB potty lol 
I did it, finally a night when I went to sleep at the perfect time , between 8pm and 10pm, and woke up at 7am with no alarm.
So glad to be sober
I’m playing tourist today, out n about at the peninsula @Seb at Mornington Seb. I forget how pretty it is here.
I’m pretty much avoiding being home to avoid doing laundry lol
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2597
I had a good busy Friday off. The visit to the dental hygienist was very positive. The periodontal pockets have gotten a lot less deep. Made her really genuinely happy and got me a bit emotional 
Self care. Self love even. A work of love.
Writing class was good, after that I made and had some really nice food for and with my old friends. Had a good talk too, even though I noticed some patterns in our relationships that would need addressing and adjusting were I to be more in contact with them again. I’ve changed and the status quo from the past isn’t acceptable or satisfactory anymore. Will see.
Later at night I got bad news about another old friend who is in really dire straits. Deep in addiction and criminality. Would like to help him but don’t know how. Can’t even reach him by phone or social media at the moment. A common friend called me last night. Maybe together we can come up with something. But it might be impossible to help. It’s sad.
Anyway. My new workweek starts here. Going to make today as good a day as I possibly can. Sober and clean. Hope you will all join me in that. Much love from my hood.
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Whatever the medical issue is, sending you lots of care. And I’m really glad you’re still here. 
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Day 1
Early morning. OK. It’s D-Day. A 7-hour drive, and I’m setting off with my backpack through the mountains, leaving behind alcohol, technology, even my watch. Well, we can’t change the world, so I’ll need my ID and my bank card, but otherwise it’ll be 100% nature and simple human interactions.
The weather forecast for this week looks good.
I have faith in my experience and my equipment. I hope my two books will be good.
The real challenge of quitting alcohol begins with this project: moving forward at my own pace.
I’ll be back in a week, and I will enjoy reading your stories.
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Bestest of wishes for your journey that you’re going to be on! It sounds rejuvenating and healing in these days and times. Wishes that you will experience everything you’re hoping to and more.
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Good luck with no alcohol
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Beautiful part of Melbourne. We’re heading into Grazelands for tea then gunna wander around town and enjoy this beautiful day.
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Day 80!
And its a magnificent day indeed.
I got the job, pick up my contract sometime this week!
My wife has the week coming off too, so a few things to sort out round the house will be good. A bit of time together before I go back to full time work!
In the words of the legendary ICE CUBE
Today is good day!
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You f#&kin ripper. Congrats mate
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Congrats on the job man… and on the sobriety!
I rewatched “straight outta Compton” on a flight recently… I love that film
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Checking in on day 149.
I’ve been out with friends twice in two nights and both times to a pub with garden by the river or by the sea. Good for the soul to spend time with people after living fairly hermit-like for my first few months sober. Connection is so necessary for human flourishing but I couldn’t risk these things until I felt more secure in my sobriety. I drove both times which is a helpful limiting factor. One time I got asked why I wasn’t drinking a couple of times and just said “I don’t any more” and that was it. I’m glad that is becoming slightly more normalised in the U.K.
Today? Up at 6 and heading to a spin class after coffee outside in the sunshine. Life can be beautiful, friends. I’m so glad we get to make the most of it sober
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