The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living

alexmose

Hi! I don’t drink bc I like eating my calories haha. Anyone else??

I enjoy an occasional glass of wine (MAYBE once a month). Otherwise I save it for special occasions like weddings (not even birthdays....ok maybe my own?). Just doing my best to gain some muscle and I know alcohol isn’t the ticket.

I stopped social drinking a few months ago and I’m going strong!

alexmose

RubyRed427 wrote: »

lorrainequiche59 wrote: »

GOOD MORN: I received an email from Kate at The Sober School this morn entitled "How to Stay Sober At A Wedding. Of course it can be applied to bbqs and all the other seasonal events...it's worth a read if anyone is anticipating the summer season of temptations to drink. One line that I want to share is this, "Culturally, we are so trained (I say brainwashed actually) to associate booze with celebration, we tend to forget we can have one without the other." She then goes on to list some ways we can have fun without booze, but also how we can have booze without having fun.

Hopefully, everyone has another AF day and perhaps some fun along the way I LOVE sun!!! which I am sitting in at this moment

I remember going to a wedding reception last summer when I was newly sober and found myself jealous of everyone else. But the next morning I was so happy that I woke up so refreshed and knew some woke up with serious hangovers.

Ugh that was me last weekend!! I quickly got over it bc I don’t drink that often anymore tho. Self forgiveness.

donimfp

Good morning. I've been quiet for a while, too. May 31 was my last day of school (stressful year teaching English in juvenile lock-up), and I was SO looking forward to my first relaxing week "in the free." However, for some unknown reason, one of my feet/ankles became bizarrely swollen on the last day of school, so then I had medical junk to deal with for the next week.

The interesting thing regarding the alcohol issue was this: My mind immediately went to: "OK, I finally stop drinking and then a health issue arises." Then, when the Dr. said we needed to do blood work to see what was up, I thought, "Oh, I'm sure my kidneys and liver are a mess because of my previous drinking . . . but I stopped that over 60 days ago so no fair." THEN, the "d. dimer" (or however you spell it) test came back as positive for a possible blood clot (By now, I've got my whole funeral planned). So I went for an ultrasound and it came back normal--no clot. THEN, my doctor told me my kidney and liver functions and blood sugar all looked great. I feel sure that would not have been the case 2 months ago (72 days, but who's counting). So she prescribed a diuretic and the foot is now just about back to normal. We still don't know what caused it, but I suspect a very violent chair massage from a lady they brought in for us for teacher appreciation week. She dug into my kidney really hard. But who knows?:

Anyway, the takeaway for me was that I realized how much I've had my head in the sand because of drinking, just "knowing" that I was probably damaging my health but not really wanting to know. I really let myself be in denial for a long time because of drinking, and I was afraid that denial was catching up with me in a terrible way. I am so relieved to have the clean blood work, and even more determined not to undermine my health now that I feel I've dodged a bullet.

I have a big special occasion coming up in early July, and I really liked what Kate at The Sober School said, that going into it with a "maybe" attitude almost certainly will end up a "yes." Instead, I'm working on defining myself as a non-drinker. Period. Not taking a break for a while. Just a plain ol' non-drinker. To my fellow teachers, I say enjoy the summer. It sure goes fast, doesn't it?

lorrainequiche59

@donimfp I hope your foot issue is resolved and how wonderful that your tests came back normal and your liver, kidney & blood sugar are at healthy levels. What a relief!!!! I'd be exactly like you on hearing a health scare, planning my funeral LOL..."plain ol' non-drinker" Yup!! THIS inspires me...thank you

aroze0928

Inspired here as well. Congratulations on those good test results @donimfp
I actually wont be dreading my physical coming up like I normally do at least not as much.
I was feeling sorry for myself yesterday. Was really wanting a beer or 2 or 3. But a thought ran thru that someone oh here said. I didnt come this far to only come this far.
You really are a helpful group thank you.

SunnyDays930

Hi everyone. My long ago best friend is flying in from FL for a 3 day visit. She is a non drinker and thus there will be no temptation. It is such a relief that I won't even have to worry about it. We are going to try some new restaurants and like someone just said, will be eating instead of drinking our calories. Wishing you all a happy healthy week!

whitpauly

Morning friends, shortly after I posted on Friday I chose to drink,,alot then drank again on Saturday,ruined my anniversary weekend cuz I chose to be selfish! Ugh and here it is Monday and I still feel hungover,dumb,I just want to be in a place where I'm not thinking of drinking or not drinking constantly,I'm very annoyed with myself but at least I ain't drinking today,have a great day all

aroze0928

@whitpauly seriously don't beat yourself up. You have a lot of days under your belt. I'm feeling the nagging too. Im watching my husband drink beers on the patio and it doesn't make it any easier. This weather and the barbeques, the pools open. I feel like theres a magnetic force between me and the fridge. Feel better.

kevinrfletcher

Hey crew! Haven't checked in in a while. Today is 3 months (93 days) alcohol free... Have had a few tough days, been considering trying to moderately drink again, until I get reminded hownitnhas turned out EVERY FREAKING TIME I TRIED IT! Keeps me on track. We know it doesn't work. Why play at it? Also, I've got some solid friends that check on me daily, and it really helps. Get someone who gets real with you...
Have lost 25 pounds since stopping drinking. Workouts are going insanely well... have started our own HomeWOD Facebook page, and have a few family and friends on it with me. Kind of miss running a gym, but just ain't got that kind of time.
Stay strong!

lorrainequiche59

@whitpauly @alexmose said it best, "self forgiveness" AND to quote, @aroze0928

aroze0928 wrote: »

@whitpauly seriously don't beat yourself up. You have a lot of days under your belt. Feel better.

Hugs, hugs & more hugs to you @whitpauly from moi

@FeelinFooFoo Thanks for checking in with us. I've wondered how you're doing. Please continue checking in while you are "working on it"

@kevinrfletcher Always good to hear from you.

@JenT304 Have a blast with your friend...best friends are the best LOL

VeggieGirlforLife

@kevinrfletcher you are doing awesome, stay the course! I sometimes think about trying to moderate, but just don't want to break this AF streak because I don't know if I can get back to it... "Why play at it," indeed! I'm going to remember that phrase of yours!

@FeelinFooFoo I sympathize with you. I went back to what I thought was moderation after my first 30 days AF and I soon was drinking way more than I intended. This second time around, my 30 day experiment AF has continued to 160 days so far. I really don't plan to stay AF forever, but I need to do this for a long time just to show myself that I can. Also hoping alcohol will hold less and less appeal the longer I go. If you feel like you want to try again, you can always commit to another 30 day experiment. It's all up to you. I've met a lot of people here who have been back and forth with decisions to go AF or not, so you are definitely not alone in this.

JAnanda51

Hi All....I am new here and starting to live AF. Yesterday was day #2. I am very aware of my triggers. Binged a few days ago and kinda freaked myself out. Taking things one day at a time.

lorrainequiche59

JAnanda51 wrote: »

Hi All....I am new here and starting to live AF. Yesterday was day #2. I am very aware of my triggers. Binged a few days ago and kinda freaked myself out. Taking things one day at a time.

Welcome! Very helpful to know your triggers and have a plan or two on how to cope without alcohol in those situations. You will find lots of support & acceptance that will help you on your AF journey. You can do this!!

RubyRed427

@whitpauly @FeelinFooFoo Ditto! Yesterday, I decided to drink and there was no stopping. I bought some watermelon vodka for friends (that’s what I told myself) and ended up drinking 1/4 of the bottle. And would have kept right on going if I didn’t pour it all down the sink!!! It was $35 wasted but I saved myself a lot of pain and suffering today. I had no off switch, just kept pouring a little more and then a little more in club soda.

I certainly know I have an addiction. But I need bad days to remind myself not to ruin a good thing. Nothing good came of that vodka ; I was alone in my new apartment feeling lonely. It was raining all day. And I had a vodka pity party. Thankfully after I came to my senses last night I drank so much tea, I think I diluted the ill effects. The other realization was I was barely buzzed, just kept topping my soda off with a little more vodka. Truthfully, it would have been better if I had a good reason like happy hour with friends. But drinking alone is the pits. Anyway, just had to let you know. It feels good to have a safe place on this thread to admit when I struggle.

mumandme1670

I stopped drinking on the 9th December. I tried many different books based on giving up alcohol (got to love book samples) before one clicked with me. I read the book over a course of a week, the day I finished was the day I stopped. So now it’s been 6 months, I’ve sampled my husbands larger, wine, spirts and each time that have been yuck. When we go out I ask for AF lager or I have a drink mixed with soda water.

When you tell people you don’t drink you get weird looks or the “ I never knew you had a problem” but you can drink on birthday and special events. And then there are the friends that justify their drinking to you. The saying of “ I know when to stop”

I’m happy not drinking, happy waking up every morning knowing I can drive as no alcohol in me, the knowing what I said and did the previous night.

Wishing each and everyone of you all the best on your AF journey.

no44s4me

I want just thank you guys for getting this post started. I've been reading for awhile but my typing sucks so I haven't added to the discussion. But I feel compelled to tell everyone that you are truly not alone in your struggles, but at least you recognize that alcohol just doesn't work for you anymore. It certainly doesn't for me. I'm still trying to figure out how I went from a guy who enjoyed a few beers now and then to, by anyone's defintition, a heavy and binge drinker. 87 days so far, and I don't see myself going back. If you're a podcast person, check out Recovery Elevator. Lastly, be kind to yourself...it's a process. Hope everyone has a great day!

whitpauly

Morning friends, RubyRed it just sucks and I feel like the 4 months AF I just had gotten to went down the drain! I got super drunk yet kept going and going,day 4 AF today and I still feel hungover! Totally messed up my sleep pattern,ugh,why do I stop then start again? I had just felt worn down from a long workweek and wanted that carefree feeling and I did for about an hour then I was just like blackout drunk,I'm so weird, wishes for a happy AF day today for us all

razorcut

Hey everyone! Hope all are hanging in. I’ve been out of the loop of late. The bad news: have had some significant & ongoing social struggles/issues over the last few weeks. Luckily, I have a tight circle of 2-3 friends that I now use as a sounding board. The good news: still substance & AF....today is day #252. I’m also still hitting the gym hard. Have gotten into the dreaded morning routine. I’m there M-F at 5:15a 😳

LyndaBSS

I'm so proud of and happy for all of you in your alcohol free journeys. I've never been a drinker. Just didn't like the taste and what it did to my cognitive functions.

I will never understand your pain and frustration but hope you'll accept my support.

donimfp

@whitpauly, you are not weird at all! I’ll bet almost everyone on this thread can relate. I know I can. Maybe summer is an especially hard time. I’m finding it much harder to stay the course these days. I have an anniversary and another huge event coming up and am not feeling very confident.