The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living
Replies
-
Hi everyone. Its day 1 of no drinking for me. Its about time I came to terms with the fact that alcohol, besides providing some temporary escape from life, hasn't really had any positive affect on my life. I still have a lot that scares me about this (dealing with my feelings, insomnia, etc.) but I think its time I let this thing go and start something new. Anyways, thanks for the group.9
-
I weathered the procedure. All looked good. I don't need to go back for 7 years. yay!5
-
Welcome @ryfit626! You will find support here.4
-
Hi everyone. Its day 1 of no drinking for me. Its about time I came to terms with the fact that alcohol, besides providing some temporary escape from life, hasn't really had any positive affect on my life. I still have a lot that scares me about this (dealing with my feelings, insomnia, etc.) but I think its time I let this thing go and start something new. Anyways, thanks for the group.
Welcome! In the beginning , I was bare knuckling it! Just hanging in there through cravings and habits. Cooking was hard to do because I drank wine during cooking. After work was hard to deal with , because I stopped for happy hours. BUT it is doable. And that's why people say just take one day at a time. Don't worry about tomorrow. Just stay sober today.
You may experience sugar cravings because you're used to the dopamine kick from alcohol, so maybe hard candy nearby could help.
For some of us, alcohol use has become troublesome and not worth the consequences.
Check out this thread's earlier book recommendations and youtube videos. You'll learn a lot and it is motivating to know you are not alone!4 -
I second RubyRed about the sugar cravings. I keep lollipops on hand for that.4
-
Hi all, just checking out this page again and recognizing a few folks that I originally met on the Less Alcohol thread. I currently am on a 67-day AF streak with a new goal to be AF through the Lenten season. I may be lurking here from time to time until I feel I can really feel worthy of the sober squad distinction!10
-
From an article I read about Chrissy Hynde, of the Pretenders. I love this.
At 60 she gave up smoking, drinking and taking drugs. "Alcohol is the real demonic one," she says. "It's so insidious because it's everywhere and it's the gateway to more debauched drugs." She got sober in pretty much the same way she gave up smoking - by reading Alan Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking and then "you bite the bullet for a week". She had contemplated giving up for years. "You wake up and you're disgusted, and you throw it all away, and you say never again, and then you repeat it. And then there's the self-loathing. Now I'm not recovering, I'm fully recovered. I never think about it." Instead, she has cultivated other preoccupations - she paints most days and does yoga each morning, wherever she is, pushing back the furniture in hotels and dressing rooms to run through her routine. "I stand on my head," she says, "and I'm good to go."
Now I'm not recovering, I'm fully recovered.
6 -
Not that I am fully recovered. I know that will take some time. But I love that she feels that way. I DO feel that way about cigarettes but that has been years.5
-
Hi all, just checking out this page again and recognizing a few folks that I originally met on the Less Alcohol thread. I currently am on a 67-day AF streak with a new goal to be AF through the Lenten season. I may be lurking here from time to time until I feel I can really feel worthy of the sober squad distinction!
HI Tesha, I read the less alcohol thread everyday. IT's motivational for me, too. Welcome here! Bravo on your 67 AF streak. I'm sure the benefits are outweighing the short moments of reprieve alcohol brings.5 -
From an article I read about Chrissy Hynde, of the Pretenders. I love this.
At 60 she gave up smoking, drinking and taking drugs. "Alcohol is the real demonic one," she says. "It's so insidious because it's everywhere and it's the gateway to more debauched drugs." She got sober in pretty much the same way she gave up smoking - by reading Alan Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking and then "you bite the bullet for a week". She had contemplated giving up for years. "You wake up and you're disgusted, and you throw it all away, and you say never again, and then you repeat it. And then there's the self-loathing. Now I'm not recovering, I'm fully recovered. I never think about it." Instead, she has cultivated other preoccupations - she paints most days and does yoga each morning, wherever she is, pushing back the furniture in hotels and dressing rooms to run through her routine. "I stand on my head," she says, "and I'm good to go."
Now I'm not recovering, I'm fully recovered.
That is awesome to read about Chrissy. It is never too late. She probably extended her life many years by quitting all of the carcinogens.
Did you read about the football player who died? Besides harmful concussions from the NFL, he was heavily impacted by alcohol addiction, his family says. Quite sad.2 -
@RubyRed427 I did not read that yet but I will. It is tragic.2
-
Hi, all. Send some good thoughts our way (Texas). It has been a hell of a week. I'm returning home today after 4 nights with a relative. Still sober. That's the good news.4
-
Up_n_Running wrote: »
Welcome to our group! Good to have you on board. It can feel scary at first, but it only gets easier the longer you stay the course.
I now PREFER a sober life. 4 months ago ? I never thought I would be saying that. I had lots of raw emotion to deal with. It was hard. But I found that being sober, gave me a space to unpack and process baggage and ultimately begin the healing process that I so needed. All I had been doing up until that point ? Was drowning my emotions with wine. They were still there. So through sobriery and healing, I no longer need / want to drink.
Good luck on your journey! 🧡RubyRed427 wrote: »
Welcome! In the beginning , I was bare knuckling it! Just hanging in there through cravings and habits. Cooking was hard to do because I drank wine during cooking. After work was hard to deal with , because I stopped for happy hours. BUT it is doable. And that's why people say just take one day at a time. Don't worry about tomorrow. Just stay sober today.
You may experience sugar cravings because you're used to the dopamine kick from alcohol, so maybe hard candy nearby could help.
For some of us, alcohol use has become troublesome and not worth the consequences.
Check out this thread's earlier book recommendations and youtube videos. You'll learn a lot and it is motivating to know you are not alone!
I just wanted to say thanks for the warm welcome!
4 -
@Up_n_Running Once lockdown is over, could he perhaps live with someone else? Or is that not possible? It is hard for me to hear how he tries to sabotage all your hard work and self improvement efforts. We know that comes from a place of insecurity on his own part. You have overcome tremendous obstacles to maintain your sobriety. I know I speak for all of us when I tell you how PROUD we are of you!
5 -
@Up_n_Running First let me offer my deepest condolences for the loss of your parents at such a young age, for all of you. What an enormous responsibility to take on, as well as dealing with your own grief. No wonder you drank. Who wouldn't? It seems to be that yes, you have "done your duty" as far as being responsible for him. Now he is a young man and can begin to be less dependent on you. Of course, he will always be family; you aren't going to cut him loose completely, but he does need to learn to find his own path.3
-
@Up_n_Running You are in a tough spot. You do care for him and you probably also have extra empathy for him since you both lost your parents. You are a beautiful person to have taken him in. He is a typical young person, takes advantage of "caregivers". Plus I am sure you pay for things like food, bills for him. Does he work? Hope he contributes sometime because that will build character.
Maybe videotape him when he is saying things to you and show him the next day. He may not remember.
I see him in me. That drinking obsessions is strong at any age.
My daughter just texted me that she vomited for the first time ever from drinking ; I feel so sorry for her and so worried; I hope she doesn't have my disease. Time will tell.
I'm scrapbook this weekend; last night my friend said "Ruby, I brought the pear vodka and cranberry..... Oh wait ,you don't drink anymore, do you?" I said "No.... but that sure does sound good. Enjoy!"
3 -
When you mentioned @Up_n_Running that he has the thirst.
I call that the obsession.
When I drink one night, the obsession continues the next day, I think about when my next drink will be. What will it be? Where will I go to happy hour? Just compulsive alcohol thinking thoughts.
For me, it's a compulsion that can never be quelled.
That's why some of us are just better of living a sober life. The compulsion lifts a bit and after some traction, you. are better able to analyze if you want to go down that drunken road again. I sure don't.3 -
One last comment, my sponsor's daughter was in high school when she approached her mom and said she is going to go to AA. My sponsor said she had no idea at all that her daughter was drinking.
So, this young girl took herself to AA in high school. What a wise person. It took me decades to quit.2 -
I also am reflecting on what you said about putting in the time to stay sober and your brother is just carefree drinking.
I felt that a lot of times. I was jealous of my friends drinking their vodkas and long island iced teas and there I was drinking club soda. But then I remind myself not to worry about them, just do you.
Clearly that's hard to do when your brother lives with you.2 -
I remember the time I poured my out heart to my husband; I told him I know I have a drinking problem. I even wrote him a long letter apologizing for all that I have done drunk, etc.
We were out to dinner and I was embarrassed to finally say I am an alcoholic......
Then, the waiter came and my husband said "I'll order a glass of red wine." (for himself)
UGH! That was not the support I was looking for!!!3
Categories
- 1.5M All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 385.6K Introduce Yourself
- 42.4K Getting Started
- 258K Health and Weight Loss
- 174.7K Food and Nutrition
- 47.1K Recipes
- 231.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 288 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.3K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.3K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 151.9K Motivation and Support
- 7.3K Challenges
- 1.2K Debate Club
- 96K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 1.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 20 News and Announcements
- 447 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 1.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions