The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living
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dlbohl1991 wrote: »Hi everybody friend of bill w in Northern Iowa checking in!
Hi Friend of Bill W in Northern Iowa...WELCOME
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Hello to all my Sober Squad friends...I'm hoping everyone is on vacation and having a wonderful time and that is why the thread is SO quiet once again. I realize that everyone who reads doesn't necessarily comment, but what would be lovely is if those who read could once in awhile just say, "Hi" to let us know you're there.
Anyhoo, all is well in my part of the "hood" and what I have been wondering lately is about the 3 month challenge started by @NormInv . If you are somewhere out there lurking @NormInv , please remind me when that started...I was thinking May? which would mean it is completed or almost completed. I know I could go back a million & one pages, but I won't...so if anyone can remember please remind moi.
I truly hope that everyone is well.5 -
@lorrainequiche59 I'm still here.. struggled a bit, but still working on it. I believe norm's challenge started March 1.. definitely in March though.. Hope everyone is well!5
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Hello to all. I am one of those that read the posts daily, but seldom comments. Have been AF for about 9 months. All is good in my world.6
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Thanks, Quiche for reminding us that have been quiet, that our voices matter here and we need to check in every once in a while out loud. I wonder if people that are still drinking feel like they can't comment. PLEASE DO. No one is here to judge anyone else. That is not and never has been what this thread is about. We are here to support each other regardless of where you are in your relationship with alcohol.4
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Welcome, @mobuckl !4
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Checking in. I have failed on my sobriety journey. I think the thing is I can do my life, I don't black out, I don't have real issues but I know it is holding me back. to deal with work stress and loneliness I drink. I wish I would stop.Maybe I will try the alcoholic experiment again. It worked well before for 2 months but obviously did not work long term for me.6
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I'm not staying the course. I am drinking here and there. I just don't know if I want sobriety bad enough to just quit totally. I want it both ways. A Sober life and an occasional drink - don't we all? I need to give myself a break though and not be too hard on myself. Right now, I am going through a mild depression. For the last few months, I have been working hard setting up my apartment, buying things, that the activity was masking the loneliness and fear that is starting to creep into my mind. Next month, the divorce will be finalized. Next week, My family is going on their annual vacation without me of course, and I know next week I will be crying lots of tears; I do not regret my decision to divorce but it is getting harder to be happy as the days pass and not easier.
I just turned 50 and although I am grateful to be healthy and alive, I think this was a hard birthday for me. I have had so many life changes these last few months, my brain is starting to suffer. So, that's where I am. Mostly not drinking but sometime having a few glasses of wine to numb my brain. I know it's not a good way to live but for now, I am just going to do the best that I can, one day at a time. I am writing all this not for sympathy but just to check in and let you know how I'm doing. This thread can only help and work if we participate and keep it going. Because it truly is a lifeline for many of us, and I would hate to see it fade away due to inactivity.12 -
I just got off of probation after 5 years so now that the heat is off alcohol has been on the fore front more often but I’m still keeping my daily reprieve going6
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Welcome @mobuckl. Glad to know you're out there
@RubyRed427 My heart goes out to you cause I know your path is not easy and as you shared after all the activity and once life begins to settle down, the feelings are surfacing. Although you don't regret divorcing it IS a loss and there is a grieving process just like any other loss. I could remind you of all the reasons alcohol is not the answer, but you know all the reasons it isn't the answer. I understand the craving to numb the loneliness and pain too. We all have our own path and process. My hope for you is that you will find peace within your process. I'm still trying to work out my food issue so I don't feel like I can offer any wisdom for anyone else's "whatever" issue. Just please know I care and hope you find your way.4 -
Yellowstone1983 wrote: »@lorrainequiche59 I'm still here.. struggled a bit, but still working on it. I believe norm's challenge started March 1.. definitely in March though.. Hope everyone is well!
Thank you...I was just curious about Norm's challenge...so I suppose it's old news now LOL Anyway, glad you're still working on it. 2 -
trishfit2014 wrote: »Checking in. I have failed on my sobriety journey. I think the thing is I can do my life, I don't black out, I don't have real issues but I know it is holding me back. to deal with work stress and loneliness I drink. I wish I would stop.Maybe I will try the alcoholic experiment again. It worked well before for 2 months but obviously did not work long term for me.
Thank you for checking in. Perhaps it isn't that you've "failed" at your sobriety journey, but whatever you are going through right now is part of that journey. Obviously, you have felt at some point that alcohol is a problem for you on some level or you wouldn't be on this thread. So the fact that you recognize that alcohol is "holding you back" may be the beginning of your journey, but you haven't quite figured out if you want to give it up completely just yet. And the fact that you "wish you could stop" and that you're considering the alcohol experiment once more indicates that you're not ready to give up trying. At some point you will make a decision one way or the other, but for now perhaps you could think of it as being in the process of making that decision.
I hope you continue to check in.2 -
dlbohl1991 wrote: »I just got off of probation after 5 years so now that the heat is off alcohol has been on the fore front more often but I’m still keeping my daily reprieve going
It can be a daily struggle but worth the effort and one day it could be less & less of a struggle if that's what you want it to be. Hoping the best for you.3 -
lorrainequiche59 wrote: »Hello to all my Sober Squad friends...I'm hoping everyone is on vacation and having a wonderful time and that is why the thread is SO quiet once again. I realize that everyone who reads doesn't necessarily comment, but what would be lovely is if those who read could once in awhile just say, "Hi" to let us know you're there.
Anyhoo, all is well in my part of the "hood" and what I have been wondering lately is about the 3 month challenge started by @NormInv . If you are somewhere out there lurking @NormInv , please remind me when that started...I was thinking May? which would mean it is completed or almost completed. I know I could go back a million & one pages, but I won't...so if anyone can remember please remind moi.
I truly hope that everyone is well.
ahhh the 3 month challenge! i think i lost track of it but i am sure all of you did great on it 2 -
I am checking out for a few days. I don't want anyone to worry about my silence cause y'all know that is usually not an issue for moi. BUT my heart is really hurting right now and I need to process some grief. My brother died today from a heart attack.It's really hard to believe!!!!!! that he is gone. He was such a good man, a good husband, father & especially good grandpa. He was with 3 of his grandchildren swimming & as he got out of the water he was having trouble breathing...paramedics were called but they couldn't revive him. I just got home from his place.
As I was driving home I thought of alcohol and how to me it is an enemy...I need friends and family right now...if I turned to alcohol it would be like turning to my enemy for comfort. There will be lots of alcohol in the next few days among my Fam, but I am fighting the fine fight...besides there's not enough wine in the world to numb this out!
Please take care
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Oh @lorrainquiche59 I am so sorry. Please take care and I hope you find peace getting through with this difficult time. I'm glad you know that one or two or three wines isn't enough so why bother.
Check in when you can. 💓2 -
@lorrainequiche59 I am sure I speak for the entire family here that you have our deepest condolences. I will be praying for you and sending love and light your way. You are such an important part of our "squad" and we all wish you comfort in your time of sorrow. *HUGS*
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@lorrainequiche59 my deepest sympathies to you. I’m so sorry.1
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@lorrainequiche59 I am so very sorry for your loss!2
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I’m sorry to hear that I’ll be praying for you and yours2
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@lorrainequiche59 I’m so sorry for your loss, my deepest sympathies to you. (((HUGS)))2
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Thank you for all the love from my Sober Squad Fam It is SO tough to believe still. The pain comes in waves...it seems to be like that for everyone of us. One of my Fam expressed it best, "It's like we're waiting for him to walk around the corner"
There was a huge temptation to drink yesterday and as I was sitting there among the cigarette smoke and those who were drinking and buzzing from other substances, I thought, "I wish I could have a cigarette, a joint and a bottle of wine" I "want" to do none of those things, but I'd like to kill the pain for a sec, to numb it away for a moment. BUT none of those things will fix ANY thing...it will only prolong my grief and add more pain to my grief.
This may be a long blurb cause I'm just needing to write right now...One of my protections was sharing with my now deceased Brother Gord (my fave) that I had stopped drinking and he asked me if something had happened to "make me" give it up and I said, "No, I just got sick of myself" and became too dependent and wanted to stop before I couldn't, before it wasn't my choice and he said, "Good for you" so I think I made him proud of me cause I definitely think he knew I had a problem....but he never actually thought of it like that...if that makes any sense. He liked his drink too, but I cannot remember ever seeing him loaded just buzzed, but I know that it took the edge off of his emotional pain cause we were raised in the same home and he didn't like to talk about the past...so I know he medicated it away on some level.
I have more Fam arriving at Gord's today and will be meeting them there and being tempted one more time. I am very thankful that I have been open about my problem with some in my Fam because they have shared it with others in my Fam so I've had several commenting on my sober status and asking me how long and why etc so it's opening up some dialogue that I hope will help them one day to address their own issue and it will protect me from giving in...HOW can I give in ?? They would TOTALLY understand if I did and there would be absolutely NO judgement from any of them, but I do believe on some level some of them would be disappointed but at the same time happy to see me get some relief like they are getting some relief...in fact I think it will get harder temptation-wise in the next few days because right now most are too numb from the grief to need numbness from alcohol, but once the reality really begins to sink in that Gord is not going to walk around the corner anymore, that's when the REAL drinking will kick in. But my plan of action is to take my leave if it becomes too difficult...one the other hand, I will likely see some behaviors that will reinforce my gratitude for being sober.
I didn't think I'd be back on the thread for at least a week, but this is my support...how can I stay away!! So I thank you all for putting up with my blurbs and letting me wear my on my sleeve and I hope you guys realize how much I actually care for you all even though I've never met any of you personally...we share a common struggle and desire to be sober or none of us would be here.
I also have a firm hope in how the Bible describes the future here on Earth when I WILL see my brother Gord walk around that corner, young again, healthy again with a second chance at the Real Life, when "the enemy death" will never ever take our loved ones again...the life that the Bible describes...Life in this current system is NOT that life...too much pain...this is not God's will...this was never his purpose grow old, get sick and die but he will fix it through his heavenly Kingdom (or government) that most of us have likely prayed for at some point in our life..."no more sickness, pain or death...the former things will pass away" For any Bible readers that is a blurb from Revelation 21:3,4...and THAT folks is the end of my preaching...I just want to share that because I truly believe this!!
So while I am heart broken right now, I have a real hope that will help me cope...that is what I need to crave rather than ethanol. The time when all this crap that we experience in this system will be a distant memory...
Thank you for listening...I WILL be back
BIG HUGS to all my Sober Squad Peeps
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@lorrainequiche59 You are so loving and strong. And it's ok to be weak too and cry hard. I am so relieved you didn't turn to alcohol. I'm very proud of you. I am happy you wrote your piece to give you some outlet. We are here for you, hugs, prayers and love.3
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https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcoholism-treatment/anxiety
While doing research this week, I stumbled upon the link between people who have anxiety and are alcoholics. About 60% person of people with anxiety will become alcoholics. I remember taking my daughter to her psychiatrist because she was having panic attacks and severe anxiety; the doctor asked her is there anyone in your family who has anxiety? She replied, "Yes my mom does.". I looked at her shocked, because I never thought I did. But obviously she thinks I do, so it is possible that I have anxiety and never saw the writing on the wall.
It also has me thinking that maybe I do have anxiety. I reflect back to my life and see now that alcohol could have been a coping skill dealing with anxiety.
Last night, I went to an AA meeting. It was the best decision. I would equate a meeting with fellow alcoholics to be like this.... You know when you are so thirsty and parched, and you get a cold glass of water and chug it down. You are so happy you drank the water and instantly feel better? Well that's how I felt going and leaving the meeting. Ahhhhh there was a calmness in my heart. I will probably go to another meeting today as well. As many meetings as I feel like going to. It may not be for everyone, but alcoholism is such an isolating disease and sometimes being with other people who are going through the exact same thing as you is comforting.7 -
Good morning friends! It's a brand new day!! I 'm feeling great! Day 3 and just for today I will not drink.
Probably some of you are thinking "Ruby is always starting over- day 1 forever...." But guess what? I will never give up on me and I will never give up on you!!!
Let us know how you're doing- good or bad.
"Begin with Yes" is a great facebook page to like.
Here are the recent quotes:
Be gentle with yourself- you are doing the best you can.
Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn't know until you lived through it.
Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
Hugs and kisses, my friends!
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@lorrainequiche59 I am thinking of you so much. Sending you love and hugs.4
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GOOD Morning to Everyone SO far the drinking has been kept to a minimum while I've been at my brother's. I am glad to see that actually. Yesterday, wasn't as huge of a tempter as I anticipated, but I volunteered to be Designated Driver for some of my Fam that arrived from the city for the day...the one thing about being sober is that I can engage in conversation and be present...so I appreciate that benefit...my healing process has more clarity...and I feel more connected to my family this round...The Celebration of my Bro's life won't be for a couple of weeks yet...they are awaiting word from the venue that they're hoping to use...we have family coming from afar so it will be helpful for them to be able to solidify travel plans...
SO thankful to be AF
PS - I forgot to hit post for the above blurb before I abandoned my laptop, leaving it outside on my patio area (thank goodness it didn't rain) as my friend treated me to lunch...we met at the restaurant and as she got out of her car she had a beautiful bouquet of flowers in a vase for moi....THEN after lunch we donned our bathing beauty bods and went floating in our inflatables on a lake for hours this aft....I REALLY needed this afternoon 5 -
RubyRed427 wrote: »@lorrainequiche59 You are so loving and strong. And it's ok to be weak too and cry hard. I am so relieved you didn't turn to alcohol. I'm very proud of you. I am happy you wrote your piece to give you some outlet. We are here for you, hugs, prayers and love.
Hey I am certainly weak at present and I've been bawling my face off ... on & off for days now...I am a huge proponent of tears...I prefer to think of it as poison leaking out of my eyes, because if we hold it all in and put on a brave front that poison will rot us from the inside out...Thank you for allowing me to be weak and to bare my heart 5 -
@lorrainequiche59 I was so sorry to read your post and learn about what you've been going through. Sending you my prayers! And so very proud of you for not giving in to the temptation of alcohol at what must the hardest time ever to not numb yourself. I am inspired by you.
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I haven't checked in for awhile and I apologize, but sometimes it makes things easier for me to distance myself from all of the talk about alcohol. I don't mean that disrespectfully at all to anyone who needs to talk it out, but most days I don't even think about alcohol and when I check in here, I start thinking about it some again. But I was one of those who needed to talk it out a lot at the beginning, so I do want to lend support to all those struggling.
I do notice drinking on TV shows and even in books I read and I always think to myself, I am so glad that isn't me anymore. I don't miss hangovers or that general feeling of ugh after drinking. I met some people today at a restaurant for someone's birthday and everyone ordered alcohol except me and I was just happy about it instead of feeling left out. I knew I'd have plenty of energy for an afternoon workout and I would enjoy the rest of my day off instead of feeling tired or rundown from the alcohol. That's motivation for me to stay AF.
I am 201 days AF today and I love it! 10
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