There’s always shit things that happen in life it how to respond to the situation is what counts, say to yourself today is going to be a good day and definitely nothing will happen to make me relapse over
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As I was driving home, I caught myself beginning to rarionalize stopping at the store for a “juice box”. I then decided to go through a list of the very good reasons I have made up to justify these stops on the way home. Here are the greatest hits:
- I am stressed.
- I just want to relax.
- Rough day…I earned it.
- It’s Friday–no school to worry about tomorrow.
- I’m sad (mad, depressed, tired, worried, celebrating…you get the idea)
- I deserve to unwind.
- The bottle is pretty.
- I like the label.
- It’s a holiday.
- No drinking at XYZ event.
Talk about STUPID and ridiculous rationalizations.
So, today, I decided to celebrate Day 8 with McDs fries instead. I also realized, my students are picking up on this new sense of calm and focus (they were used to crabby, hungover teacher–more on this shame later on this journey) and the entire mood has shifted in a much more positive direction.
I never drank on the job, but have worked through the consequences of my choices far too many times.
Thank you for sharing this space and path with me!
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Nice to meet you. Welcome.
That list is spot on. I’m over 10 months sober. I was pretty much able to check off most of the items on the list. Numbers 1 and 5 are the toughest for me. But I won’t break.
Hang in there. Best thing I did.
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Fortunately you caught it in time!
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Congrats on your sobriety time And I appreciate the post. I can relate to this in the past finding any excuse or reservation to go back to drinking or drugs. There was always some thing but at the end of the day I was just trying to change the way I feel. Now it’s about learning to be OK with whatever I feel. If it’s bad it’ll pass. If it’s good I hang onto it. We just have to take things one day at a time. We learn new coping strategies for stress. We learn to be OK with happiness. Even if I have a bad day these days which isn’t that often at least my morning won’t be miserable like it used to be. Those horrible hangovers or withdrawals. I accept the fact that I’m an alcoholic and a drug addict and I will never successfully be able to go back to my old ways. The sober life is so much more better I almost can’t express it with words. The only way is forward. Thanks for reaching out tonight. You definitely helped me stay sober one more day.
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I think this is tremendous. Congratulations on 8 days. Those fries are the best!
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Congratulations on you 8 days! The first week is usually the hardest, so you’re doing great. I can relate to your post and remember using every single one of those excuses at some point over the years. It’s great that you’re starting to recognise how silly our ‘reasons’ to drink can get.
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Wow your post really hit home with the excuses to use
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Good morning Day 11! This is long…Fresh coffee in hand, grand girlie snoozing in, and I am struggling already this morning.
Since my decision to stop drinking for good, I have been having very lucid, specific, and graphic dreams. Prior, my dreams were erratic, disconnected, and extremely weird.
I recognize that politiics and issues connected to political basis are a strong trigger for me. So, on my first sober morning, I removed all SM that was innundated with posts related to politics. Having grown up in a highly politically active family, paying attention to what political leaders were doing was ingrained in my routine. I was following my parents example. Work, home, fix dinner, clean up, and watch the evening news with a drink in hand and bottle ready.
This had become more self-destructive in recent years. So, my decision to stick to local news and watch the streaming version for weather and traffic has helped. Except I am now having very detailed and terrifying nightmares that last for hours. I can’t wake myself up and this morning, I am gripping my coffee cup like it’s a granade to chuck at an enemy and shaking all over.
Is this normal? Thanks for the encouragement and support! 
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I would say that the sober vivid dreams are extremely normal. Especially now that your body can actually sleep.
In my personal experience, my dreams have mostly become less terrifying or intense as the months go on.
I do get the random nightmare from time to time, but I’m also not as emotionally fragile as I was when I first quit drinking.
I think it’s a great idea that you’re more mindful of the content you absorb in these early days of your sobriety. I know it helped me to stay away from anything too intense, depressing or triggering.
Your beautiful sober mind probably has some things to process and I imagine your dreams will be funky while it’s healing.
You could even use this thread here to tell us about some of them if that might help. 
Congratulations on day 11!
This is exciting and I’m so happy for you 
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Thank you! I think. A dream journal may be quite helpful.
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10 days has been my record sober streak fot the last 7 years. I am determined to make it to 11 and beyond. Today, my daughter, SIL, abd most wonderful granddaughter are coming over for the day to visit and enjoy a family dinner. Our first in far too many years.
Thankful fot this space and those who fill it.
Have a wonderful day!
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That is fantastic. Congratulations on your double digits 
Hope you enjoy your family gathering today. Keep stacking up the sober days!
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Huge congratulations on 10 days sober! Sounds like u havr a lovely day planned 
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Congratulations on 10 days. You CAN do this and celebrate day 11 with us here.
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Nice! Congrats on double digits! 
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Good to hear about the double digits!! 
Keep going!
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yes! You got this! You can make it to bed tonight without a drink. Enjoy your granddaughter tonight
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I did it! Hosted family dinner, sipped seltzer water and didn’t even feel a niggle of temptation when my guest asked for a ride to the store. I took them, wandered a bit, stood in front of the wine rack and said, " Are you all set? " and we left. I made it thru the dubious day 10. I had one close call when my daughter handed me her glass and offered a sip. I politelty declined and the day just went on. I feel lightened. I hope everyone here peace and blessings.
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Well-done! It would have been so easy just to take a small sip… But you didn’t. You showed determination, grit and respect to yourself and your family to continue on that decision you’ve made to not drink.
Well done again!
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