The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living

Kiki9871 wrote: »

Day four today. I have been reading all your posts since Monday morning when I woke up once again after an evening of drinking, alone, in front of my family, a whole bottle of wine and then turning to Baileys for dessert. Ugh...I have got to stop this cycle of drinking most nights. I just have no power for moderation. I haven’t even really wanted a drink until tonight. I really enjoy lemonade with a splash (well, maybe a bit more than a splash😜) of sorbet vodka and thought about having one tonight...but just stuck with plain old lemonade- yeah me. I’m quite proud...I don’t remember the last time I wanted a drink and didn’t cave in. My plan right now, is to be AF until Halloween as hubby and I have a three day get away planned. I will re-evaluate when the time gets closer as to whether or not I will drink while away. I think it’s mostly a mindset for me as I don’t have trouble abstaining at work functions or at school functions- I just never drink at either even though almost everyone else is. Anyhow, hello to you all. I find each of you and your courage inspiring, your advice valuable- I’m learning so much.

So happy you posted. You are not alone. We are all in this together. Some of us cant moderate either. I once read about 10 percent of the drinking population have trouble with that. Anyway, hang in there. Arm yourself with videos, books and blogs. Have a substitute handy - I drink hot tea a lot. Alcohol is sugar so you’ll get cravings for it. Wishing you a smooth weekend. Xo

mbaker566 wrote: »

@RubyRed427 my husband took a few months but even with 5 years of sobriety, he had days where he wished he could be "normal"
i told him it's normal to have an allergy. some people have to avoid shellfish or peanuts. he just had to avoid alcohol. yes, they can't have somethings, but better to not have them than risk their life. imho

Good point about it being like an allergy. My best friend and I would drink the same amounts and I’d be throwing up and hungover and she would be only slightly hungover. Different body chemistry, I always assumed.

My sister who is 10 years sober said to me, “Julie, some families have violence, some have cancer, some have depression that runs in it... we have alcoholism in our family.” That’s just the way it is. She’s right- it could always be worse.

Tonight, I had a rootbeer and a cheeseburger as a treat. Maybe I’ll even make a fire and watch a movie or do report cards. Tonight my husband is going to our neighbors chili/beer/wine party and I’ll just hang out at home. I feel a little better tonight than I did a few days ago when I posted.

By the way, I value all of your honesty on this thread. I know that I wear my heart on my sleeve a lot and you’re all so kind and supportive. It also feels good to post during good times and bad. It’s cathartic.

I was watching a NOVA episode on opioid addiction; that’s a truly brutal addiction. But in general with addiction, our brains get dopamine surges due to alcohol, so that when we quit, our brain just isn’t used to the sudden stop. It always wants equilibrium, and that’s why we crave. Not sure if I’m saying that right, but that’s the gist.

@RubyRed427 Very interesting article on the hijacked brain as I'm listening to my pot-smoking neighbor cough up a lung as per usual several times a day & night. Our country very recently legalized pot & I heard a radio commentator refer to it as "The Great Canadian Experiment." The "experts" admittedly have NO idea the social impact this will have, but obviously the governmental income this will generate is apparently worth the risk!!!(????) No debate from me on this topic - it is what it is!! I used to smoke pot years ago & YES, I developed a dependence/addiction to it. In fact, I preferred pot to alcohol.

The article highlighted the genetic component of addiction & it makes total sense to me that 40% of those with at least one alcoholic parent will become alcoholic (that's a stat from another article I read) My father was an alcoholic & my mom certainly liked to drink her share, so no surprise that most of my siblings & I have had a struggle. The only one of us who was spared (?) had a significant enough brain injury from birth that she was spared a life of another sort of injury.

Yesterday, talking with a friend about some drama, was the first time I had a particularly strong craving to take the edge off. It took me by surprise cause it just arose within me...I'm unsure what the exact trigger was but I think it was some disappointment I was feeling & a sense of hopelessness about a particular situation we were discussing. It was the reality of the situation that I wanted to momentarily escape...just take the edge off!!! YetI knew that, "this too shall pass," AND it did!! SO glad that it did!!

What an awesome thread! I am AF for 1 year and 20 days. I was diagnosed with a tumor last year on October 1st, and swore to cut out alcohol and get my life and health back on track. I am vegetarian, slowly cutting out dairy.

6 weeks tomorrow, been some hard days! All in all I'm glad I'm doing it. I was the guy that sometimes drank 3 or 4 beers, but other times I have slept in the flower garden. It's just something I don't need in my life and I find a hard workout is just so much better for my mind and my soul.

Hi Guys. It’s been a while. My job in juvie is totally my calling. It’s a ministry. And I’m still not drinking. Love you all and especially Julie for starting this up in January. Got to sign off because I barely have time to brush my teeth but I wanted to say goodbye and thanks to all. Xoxoxoxo.

@JenT304 I hope your blood work comes back OK too!
I recall having to retake a test or two because of drinking the night before.

All the temptation everywhere with the holidays sure is tough.
I almost considered having a drink on Halloween. Instead, I keep reminding myself of all the negatives that come with drinking.. and there are waaay too many of those than positives. I'll stick with a piece of candy corn, and maybe an M&M.