Why are you willing to try "Sober October"?

Walela617

Oops! I posted under "Announcements" instead of "Discussion", DUH! I will copy/paste here so people can participate! {Sorry about that - I'm me at this still!}

OK, HERE we go:

everyone, I've decided to try "Sober October" due to {ahem} "extensive testing in the field" leading me to the conclusion that drinking alcohol has been THE major roadblock to my wellness goals. My skin reacts very badly, I'm depressed, I get insomnia, I lose hope, I feel overwhelmed by life, my productivity is negatively impacted and my weight loss is thwarted. Though not a "chronic drinker", I have tended to "binge" weekly, which is very dangerous. Whenever I decline a drink, I'm often asked, "Ohhh, do you have a drinking problem?" To which I reply, "Oh, nooo...I have a STOPPING problem!" (In other words, since there's no "OFF" button, I can never have that first drink.) That's just the way it is and I accept that now. We're all different and everyone has their weaknesses. ("...and knowing that is half the battle." - 'GI Joe'!) 😉

I actually stopped the night of 9/25; so I will have had my first five days alcohol-FREE before my official "STOP" date of October 1st.

I invite anyone who's interested in trying at least 31 days 100% FREE of ALL alcohol beverage consumption to join me! I will record my starting weight and scale stats on October 1st and final challenge weight and stats on October 31st.

Please note: Weighing in is NOT a requirement for this challenge. You just need to check in day-to-day how you did for the current day and for the month so far. ("Catch-up" logs are fine and occasional lapses do not disqualify you in any way, since this is mainly a support group.)

Very best wishes to all!

💗 Carole

RubyRed427

Hi! Count me in!
I have a stopping problem too!
I am now just telling myself just for today I won't drink. It can be overwhelming to know I really can't drink for the rest of my life.

RubyRed427

Here's my why?
I have a compulsion towards alcohol. It's what I think about often. When I can I have a drink?
Maybe I should cook something so I can have some wine? I can't drink until after yoga. In my mind, I'm always planning when I can finally drink. And if I can't drink, I get in a bad mood.

So, I am going to just not drink, not even one glass. One glass is never enough.
I'm on an elevator that keeps going down and down when I drink.

I feel guilt and shame after I drink.
I wake up at night lamenting why did I drink so much?
I scheme and make rules about drinking.
If no one is home, I think "Now I can drink without someone seeing."
I lie about how much I drank. "I think it was just two glasses", but it was a whole bottle.
I wake up thinking, "Oh God, I hope I don't feel horrible today at work."

It's exhausting to be addicted.
It's better for me to just not have a drop.

middleagegirl

I'm in. I have no off switch and it's not good. Plus, alcohol is a huge inflammatory. We live in an area where wine is everywhere.
All of our activities revolve around wineries on the weekends. It's hard to avoid it but I am going to try really hard.

SunnyDays930

I have tried moderation for years. I kept hoping that it would work. I recently watched a Sober Powered YouTube about why moderation doesn't work. Honestly, she was telling my story. It just hit me right there. I cannot drink like a normal person and I never will be able to do that again. You can't turn a pickle back into a cucumber. Ever. It is actually a relief not trying to think about how to do it anymore. I had to release it. Day 7 AF.

MegHom

Thank you for starting! Need to set a better example & live up to kids fitness. Hope to get healthier all around through out the month & posting daily is a help.

SurferGirl1982

SunnyDays930 wrote: »

I have tried moderation for years. I kept hoping that it would work. I recently watched a Sober Powered YouTube about why moderation doesn't work. Honestly, she was telling my story. It just hit me right there. I cannot drink like a normal person and I never will be able to do that again. You can't turn a pickle back into a cucumber. Ever. It is actually a relief not trying to think about how to do it anymore. I had to release it. Day 7 AF.

I went to YouTube and typed in Sober Powered. It seems to be a women with many videos. It's hard for me to watch long videos (I have some vision problems and I guess I'm just a bit antsy). Do you remember what one in particular that really motivated you? I'm not good at moderation either.

Congratulations on 7 days AF!

SunnyDays930

@SurferGirl1982 Some of them are only 3 minutes long. When you click on them it will tell you how long it will be. I liked the one on brain fog and also one on why we can't drink in moderation. She has several on that topic.

The bottom line is you have to 100% commit and it is non negotiable. If I even leave a crack open like "I will TRY to moderate, I will fail. That's a hard truth for me.

SunnyDays930

I called a younger friend yesterday that I have not talked to in quite a while, for her birthday. She used to lament that her mother (in her 60's) drank too much. When I asked how she was, she told me she now has liver cancer. I absolutely took this as a sign to stay resolute in my sobriety. Day 11 AF.

SurferGirl1982

Thanks @SunnyDays930 I will look into the videos. I hope they can help me too! Sorry to hear about your friends mother.

Walela617

I've read that drinking excessively can increase your risk for developing cancers. Another good reason to quit!

Congratulations to everyone who's hanging in there! Looks like I have duplicate discussions for some reason; so I will try to check in on both.

Have a great week! 💗

Walela617

Ahhhh..."SAFE at Home Base"!

10/08: 004 days AF

Have a nice evening everyone!

Walela617

I think the rest of the group now knows that we are posting to the other sober board; so I will only post here when someone else does.
💞

Walela617

Hello, @ilanakla,@genterprise,@RubyRed427,@shpuniarsky,@xbowhunter,@middleagegirl,@chicbuc,@888Angie888,@globalhiker,@SunnyDays930,@dstobbie8870,@MegHom,@SparkSpringtime69,@renae149,@dawntripp1,@surfergirl182, @Bemybestby60

I am unable to find out most recent thread! I tried to delete the inactive one, and now I can't find the current one! I'm not sure what I did wrong; I was eager to read everyone's posts and then pfffft! Missing!

I'll keep looking, but I'm dreading that they may have deleted the wrong one!

I will check back soon.

Enjoy your day
💗 Carole

SunnyDays930

I'm here!

Walela617

Hi! I'm not sure what happened and I feel terrible about it because I didn't have a chance to catch up on all the posts and there were so many valuable entries!

Walela617

Today is my new Day ONE: I gave in and drank alcohol yesterday - CRAP! (I did manage 7 days though. I just need to learn how to shut out that nagging voice and ignore this destructive impulse!

Staying home today; so:

Safe at Home Base!

001 day AF

Walela617

To everyone who reads this,

I'm afraid to delete this thread because I'm afraid they might get rid of the wrong one; however, since it has been inactive I will clear it from my bookmarks so I have less to monitor.

Please feel free to drop in on the "Sober Discussion (Ongoing)" board. All are welcome to visit and share.

Best to all!
💗Carole