The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living

Beka3695

The above post resonated with me. Especially this:

I cringe at the hours upon hours I spent sitting at a bar with other bar flies instead of exercising, reading, spending time with the family.

I feel like I missed years of my children’s childhood. They will reference something and I have no recollection at all. Then I wonder - was it the alcohol or the useless husband that didn’t pull his weight forcing 90% of everything on me.... I’m not sure and at this point I will stop dwelling. I cannot change the past and can only improve my future.

TODAY IS MY 100th <-1>DAY SOBER!!!

Beka3695

mainelylisa

Congratulations, @Beka3695 ! What an accomplishment! Is that an app, or did you create that image? Very cool. And time wasted drinking really resonates with me too, though I'm still weirdly drawn to the idea of sitting at a bar in the near dark observing people and maybe finding someone super interesting to chat with. But I could still do that with a tonic & lime, and actually remember it. AND not be embarassed to meet up again.

Beka3695

@mainelylisa it is a really old app called “Days Since”. It is a countdown type app. I’ve used it for years to count down to big events and more recently since events. Btw - 470 days since I’ve colored my hair 😂😂😂

mainelylisa

I REALLY wanted to drink yesterday--started about 3p. Had I not had a streak going (and a partner who would have noticed because I woulda drank drank), it would have happened and I would feel like crap all today. I did divert it to M&M's and caramels, but much less damage. And it really did pass after about 1/2 hour. It was related to just feeling blah about everything. I need to find my blah-go-to. Maybe online poker for real money, muhahahaha. Today's a new day.

@FeelinFooFoo I hope your ritual is nice and nasty, lol. I don't think he had read that book, but my son had a last hurrah one weekend and he's not had a drop in over a year. AND he rarely misses it (we talk a lot about this subject--he was quite the drinker before).

donimfp

@FeelinFooFoo, a friend of mine who is a psychiatrist told me his patients who have most successfully kicked smoking or alcohol have used Alan Carr’s books. So wishing you the best.

I loved being back with my juvie students last week and this Monday and Tuesday but got a call last night that one of the guards who has been in my classroom (distancing with masks) tested positive. So now I’m in self-quarantine for 2 weeks. So tired of this. Wine is sounding good but I know it would only add anxiety. Still. Praying to stay strong. 2020 will be a year none of us forgets.

whitpauly

donimfp wrote: »

@FeelinFooFoo, a friend of mine who is a psychiatrist told me his patients who have most successfully kicked smoking or alcohol have used Alan Carr’s books. So wishing you the best.

I loved being back with my juvie students last week and this Monday and Tuesday but got a call last night that one of the guards who has been in my classroom (distancing with masks) tested positive. So now I’m in self-quarantine for 2 weeks. So tired of this. Wine is sounding good but I know it would only add anxiety. Still. Praying to stay strong. 2020 will be a year none of us forgets.

I'm sorry ☹️ that really sucks! Just hope you're healthy,I seen on the news that cases are rising,I'm over it!😤

aroze0928

@FeelinFooFoo thats pretty amazing the one drink thing. You hated it and done. Interesting stuff. To classify as an alcoholic or are we just non drinkers now. Idk Ive always just chosen to tell new people that I dont drink. Thats just way easier. Sounds like a good book thanks for sharing.

SunnyDays930

@FeelinFooFoo Very insightful. I agree; labeling yourself as "in recovery" forever is not helpful. I do not feel I am "in recovery" from my smoking addiction I quit years ago. Not only do I not count the days, I don't even remember the year that I quit. Annie Grace's book also stresses this way of thinking; you are glad to be over the drinking, not craving it. You see alcohol as poison and you are happy not to have it. I can't honestly say I am totally over the craving, that may take a while, but I continue to read these posts, Craig Beck videos etc., to reinforce it. I'm having a rare night alone with my dogs (my hubby is off taking care of his Dad) and I am enjoying my sparkling water and the quiet.

Beka3695

Life events:

As of last night I am officially 100% an empty nester. It was so sad seeing my daughter drive away with all her stuff in the back of a truck.

I almost drank... but I didn’t.

RubyRed427

It's Sober Saturday! I am relieved that Friday night I stayed sober and got so much done- hung lots of artwork in my new house. Can you imagine how crooked they would be if I was drinking ?

I have an appointment at noon with a personal trainer (consultation). I hope it turns out well!
I had a productive discussion with my therapist yesterday; I am enjoying the Telehealth aspect and not having to drive to a building to talk. I told him about two times I caved and drank in the last two months and he said that is nothing to dwell on. Look how many times you didn't cave and you didn't buy the wine at the grocery store. I love his positivity!

I agree with the above posters; Although I like the term recovery in general, because it suits me right now. I am recovering from my "disease". But I do see a time where I will just consider myself a "non-drinker" and no longer in recovery. Good points you all made!

RubyRed427

FeelinFooFoo wrote: »

RubyRed427 wrote: »

It's Sober Saturday! I am relieved that Friday night I stayed sober and got so much done- hung lots of artwork in my new house. Can you imagine how crooked they would be if I was drinking ?

I have an appointment at noon with a personal trainer (consultation). I hope it turns out well!
I had a productive discussion with my therapist yesterday; I am enjoying the Telehealth aspect and not having to drive to a building to talk. I told him about two times I caved and drank in the last two months and he said that is nothing to dwell on. Look how many times you didn't cave and you didn't buy the wine at the grocery store. I love his positivity!

I agree with the above posters; Although I like the term recovery in general, because it suits me right now. I am recovering from my "disease". But I do see a time where I will just consider myself a "non-drinker" and no longer in recovery. Good points you all made!

Yeah I think it's got to be what works & resonates for you, personally. I don't have an issue with the term recovery I just liked the term rediscovery more 😊 it suited me better. I like hearing how everyone handles and deals with this in thier own ways. Its such a good learning experience on our own journeys to hear all the different paths and techniques towards recovery.

I like the way your therapist advised to focus more on the times you did not cave, instead of the occasions you did. I will have to remember this myself if I cave again. Which I really hope I don't. But as you have said a few times on here, alcohol is sneaky. It's a sneaky little bugger !!

I love the term rediscovery!! I will use that as well. We are all on the same quest just taking different paths.
At the personal trainer, I told him how I don't drink. I quit two months ago. I was proud to tell him that. Little did he know how much working quitting is but how worth it! I set up three sessions with him per week; it will be yet another motivator NOT to drink the day before. It's too much money to waste being hungover and not giving it my best each time.

RubyRed427

@FeelinFooFoo This is a lovely tribute to your Dad! And it is a good awakening period for you to think about how brave and strong he was for being AF for two years.

Miguel Ruiz (The Four Agreements) says life is like a play. If you want a different performance, then change the actors and props. We want a different life, so we are booting off the stage the cunning alcohol player and rewriting our script. We are on the right track.

RubyRed427

Good Sober Monday Morning friends! As the days progress, I think less of alcohol. Driving to the trainer yesterday, I thought maybe I should get a small can of wine on the way home. After the trainer, it never crossed my mind. The cravings come and go, but my "muscle memory" is getting stronger and wanting to feel good and fresh. That feeling is overpowering the cravings.

It's been two months today since Good Friday ( I think). And that was my last binge. I had a bottle and a half of wine and knew I would keep going. I had two hiccups along the way but tons of successful moments.

Have a great day!

Beka3695

FeelinFooFoo wrote: »

Another day of rediscovery in....dam. coffee tastes good club ! ☕

Had a dream about beer last night 😆😆 it was actually rather disturbing as in the dream I said, to hell with it, and was opening the beer to drink it. The RELIEF to know it was a dream haha. The human mind is a funny thing. My work colleague who used to work as a hair dresser has offered to trim my hair on Monday when she is in !! Just a little bit excited. It's anyone's guess when salons are opening back up in Scotland. Not any time soon by the looks of it.

Welcome to the dreamin’drinkin’ club. 🤣

RubyRed427

I have had several dreams about being in and owning a huge mansion with tons of rooms. One dream interpretation says it represents a feeling of emptiness. I disagree... I am feeling so full of hope and calm lately from being sober. Another interpretation says I may be feeling luckier and better these days. I think the second interpretation is right 😘😃🙏❤️

RubyRed427

FeelinFooFoo wrote: »

Beka3695 wrote: »

FeelinFooFoo wrote: »

Another day of rediscovery in....dam. coffee tastes good club ! ☕

Had a dream about beer last night 😆😆 it was actually rather disturbing as in the dream I said, to hell with it, and was opening the beer to drink it. The RELIEF to know it was a dream haha. The human mind is a funny thing. My work colleague who used to work as a hair dresser has offered to trim my hair on Monday when she is in !! Just a little bit excited. It's anyone's guess when salons are opening back up in Scotland. Not any time soon by the looks of it.

Welcome to the dreamin’drinkin’ club. 🤣

I think that was my first alcohol dream.....ever!! It seems quite a common thing when you give it up. Or are in the process of giving up. Hmm. I don't want another 1 😆

Ahhh the alcohol dreams .. I have had those 🤗

donimfp

So I’ve been toying with alcohol when the quarantine just gets too much. Trying to think of some worthwhile project. Already did two killer jigsaw puzzles. Clean out closets? Sure, but they’re not bad. Rearrange furniture? Meh.

Then Saturday it came about that I watched 2 episodes of last season’s Queer Eye. Both were makeovers of very nice men who just were not caring for themselves or being kind enough to themselves.

That night I realized I have at least until August 1 (probably longer) to work on The [My Name Here] Project. So I planned that project Sunday (detailed, on paper) to start yesterday. My project will last from June 15 - August 1. I have all kinds of exciting facets of it (kinda like they do on QE). But one thing I realized was that none of it will work if I’m drinking. It just won’t. Yesterday and today I woke up so happy I’m not drinking (rather than resentful) because I have so many exciting things to work on during the day. Things like journaling, meditating, manicure. Tomorrow I’m planning to start swimming in our beautiful river early mornings before the non-mask-wearing crowds descend (Texas!). I told myself if I get to the end of 46 days and don’t like the results of this project I can go back to my floundering around and even drinking. I believe I won’t want that as long as I’ve faithfully loved myself enough to carry out Project Me.

I probably sound crazy. But I’m hopeful. So much better than obsessing over the news.

aroze0928

@FeelinFooFoo you had me in hysterics with that one. I cant stop laughing. Free booze. I dont think he means any harm either. People that dobt have the alcohol issue can't relate whatsoever so hes making conversation. Still funny tho. Its the same with anxiety. I have that and people that dont cant understand it for the life of them!

RubyRed427

Recently in a state in the midwest, the legislature passed some NEW laws about alcohol.
1) To-go cups allowed. Up to two mixed drinks can be purchased to go.
2) Bars can be open til 4:00 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays (used to be 2 a.m.)
3) With a certain license, you can sell liquor 24 hours a day (used to be limited hours)

These laws were passed to help businesses hurt by cover quarantine, so I get that.
But it also made me think of the drinkers who cannot stop (Like me) and will not stop drinking til the wee hours of the morning. And now we can also buy alcohol 24 hours a day. I am not a Puritan at all, and I realize other states probably have similar laws. But I couldn't help but feel that we are going backwards; this is a dangerous move for alcoholics and those with addictions. I'm just rambling..... I just don't think it's helpful to people to extend the hours you can drink and make a whole lot of bad decisions....