The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living

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  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,378 Member
    JenT304 wrote: »
    If you need further assurance of what alcohol does to us, read this. Some of the comments are heartbreaking. I post this not to scare people (though it scared me) but to help us keep our resolve.

    https://www.ashwoodrecovery.com/blog/liver-repair-physically-heal-alcohol-abuse/

    Yes, Jen, the comments break my heart. So young some of them are. To have a lifelong illness because of alcohol seems so pointless. What I mean is it is so ridiculous that the alcohol industry and our society give a big thumbs up to drinking. I know of a few people who have died of pure alcoholism.

    My cousin’s wife was hospitalized because her liver and organs were failing. And when she was released, got into the car, she screamed at her husband because he didn’t bring a bottle of vodka for her. She died soon thereafter. Alcoholism is a disease. It is an illness. But it is treatable. I got hope from the one comment from a person who said she couldn’t go one hour without drinking but now is sober.

    I have deep empathy for anyone struggling. It’s a terrible way to live being addicted and feeling lost. Xo
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,378 Member
    lloydrt wrote: »
    another thing about having fun with out drinking happened Halloween nite. We went to a get together and I don't drink, but.......the crowd does. Cool , no problems, 90% are moderate drinkers. 2 drinks for them is sufficient, and these people have no problems. But.............2 women there get very aggressive after they start drinking. I kind of was apprehensive about going, the one is volunteering as a judge for the elections. We have a very close race for Congress and when this one starts to drink heavily, she then gets on her soap box and dictates what everyone in the room should think and who we have to vote for..........I have a tendency to leave the area, politics and a party with all kinds of people can be a powder keg. We left early, didn't want to listen to an intoxicated person go and on about one party that she loathes...............so, what I what I was getting to, is its no fun to be around intoxicated people who get abrasive and rude....then they seem to forget what they said , and how rude they were..............another plus not to drink for me..............just wanted to pass this on. Ruby, also, I don't count anymore for the most. I do remember I had some wine the day I was around family, lol, but it was just a glass or so.............family is another story...............best wishes to each of you all, we will make it..

    Ouch! I know some aggressive drunks. I also would cry and scream at my husband at times when I was drunk. And then the next morning, sheepishly , ask for forgiveness. I was so embarrassed at some of my behavior.

    He would say “why cant you just stop at one drink. “ And I would tell him I have no idea why I cant stop. Now, I know why. That’s how my brain is wired.

    Thanks for sharing your story. You made me chuckle when you said “family is another story.”.
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,378 Member
    @JenT304 I loved the video you posted about having fun without alcohol. Thanks! I inspires me to keep going.
  • Keto4happiness
    Keto4happiness Posts: 8 Member
    Hello all. I love this thread. I decided about a month ago to stop drinking completely. I have a few reasons for this. One, I have a big conviction on it(this is just for me personally). For me it is not conducive to my personal walk as a Christian since I overindulge when I have drank and in my opinion it completely ruins my testimony. Drinking also leads to eating my feelings so to speak, so I totally sabotage my healthy lifestyle. I have come to the realization that I am an alcoholic, and like most a very high functioning one. I used to get,and still do , agitated and uneasy when I don't deal with the mental part of addiction which is dealing with anger, bitterness, and resentment this stems from expectations on people and trying to be in control all the time I am also a recovering codependent and have done alanon and worked the 12 steps to completion but that is always a work in progress and know I have some serious step work to do. Two, I do keto and well alcohol and keto just don't mix lol. I look forward to connecting with others on here in staying sober and encouraging each other.
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,378 Member
    chainsbroken0307 wrote: »
    Hello all. I love this thread. I decided about a month ago to stop drinking completely. I have a few reasons for this. One, I have a big conviction on it(this is just for me personally). For me it is not conducive to my personal walk as a Christian since I overindulge when I have drank and in my opinion it completely ruins my testimony. Drinking also leads to eating my feelings so to speak, so I totally sabotage my healthy lifestyle. I have come to the realization that I am an alcoholic, and like most a very high functioning one. I used to get,and still do , agitated and uneasy when I don't deal with the mental part of addiction which is dealing with anger, bitterness, and resentment this stems from expectations on people and trying to be in control all the time I am also a recovering codependent and have done alanon and worked the 12 steps to completion but that is always a work in progress and know I have some serious step work to do. Two, I do keto and well alcohol and keto just don't mix lol. I look forward to connecting with others on here in staying sober and encouraging each other.

    So nice to hear from you! Looking forward to hearing more about your journey. Xo
  • whitpauly
    whitpauly Posts: 1,483 Member
    Happy Sober Saturday to all! <3
  • Keto4happiness
    Keto4happiness Posts: 8 Member
    @lorrainequiche59 I have not read those but am always willing to be open to it. I know what I need to do, just need to do it lol. Step work is key and it has been probably two years since I have done it. I am thankful for alanon. It and my sponsor who is amazing and would never "cosign my bs" allowed me to grow, change, and accept people for who they are. However, when one stops doing what works, then one will revert back to old behaviors. So for me, I went back to trying to fix people and drinking right along with them. Also I turn to food and then feel like crud and it is just a vicious cycle that repeats. So I eat when hungry and track what I eat. I don't go out with the acquaintances anymore because I just don't want to be around the bar scene. I am focused on my relationship with Jesus and developing friendships with those I meet at church. As soon as I am done with this semester, I will be attending celebrate recovery.
  • joha5603
    joha5603 Posts: 102 Member
    Hi all. I had an interesting and gorgeous day! I hiked a local peak, over 1,700 ft in elevation gain in about 2.5 miles (and back down), and kinda kicked my hiking partner's butt! Not that it's a race, of course, but I was surprised that this new friend, a more experienced great hiker, had so much trouble. I think laying off the booze has given me strength and energy is unexpected ways. Also, at the top my friend heated up some of his special coffee and I had a sip... holy cow! It had Irish cream in it. Thankfully, it didn't effect me, but I certainly didn't have any more. Thankfully my drinking issue isn't like a severe chemical dependency like I've seen in other folks, but ... phew. I was glad to have spent a gorgeous day, one I got to have I think b/c I've kicked my booze-y habits, and I find it ironic that I had to confront it and at the peak of a mountain, no less!
  • ElC_76
    ElC_76 Posts: 3,054 Member
    fishgutzy wrote: »
    ElC_76 wrote: »

    Thanku for sharing your experience with us. However I am struggling with that idea, not having fun without alcohol. Also seeing others drinking and enjoying themselves is a trigger for me.

    It takes time for new habits to be comfortable and feel like one's natural state. There maybe moments when one must take it one minute at a time.
    "Friends" that have issues with alcohol may also try to sabotage because they don't don't want to deal with it.
    We can only control our own choices.

    Swimming is a better drug than alcohol ever was for me. None of the nasty side effects. Ha!

    Just one minute, one hour, one day at a time.

    That's great!!,

    personally I have had issues, so know all abt the consequences but have learnt its not the best for me.
    I have backed it off dramatically. Ive gone from having it everyday to still struggling with triggers. I have to do a lot of talking myself out and substituting it.
    I live with drinkers that, as u say, 'don't want to deal with it'. So Im really loving the support and ideas from these alcohol threads.

    First hand advice is awesome, thanku again much appreciated !!.. :smiley:
  • ElC_76
    ElC_76 Posts: 3,054 Member
    joha5603 wrote: »
    Hi all. I had an interesting and gorgeous day! I hiked a local peak, over 1,700 ft in elevation gain in about 2.5 miles (and back down), and kinda kicked my hiking partner's butt! Not that it's a race, of course, but I was surprised that this new friend, a more experienced great hiker, had so much trouble. I think laying off the booze has given me strength and energy is unexpected ways. Also, at the top my friend heated up some of his special coffee and I had a sip... holy cow! It had Irish cream in it. Thankfully, it didn't effect me, but I certainly didn't have any more. Thankfully my drinking issue isn't like a severe chemical dependency like I've seen in other folks, but ... phew. I was glad to have spent a gorgeous day, one I got to have I think b/c I've kicked my booze-y habits, and I find it ironic that I had to confront it and at the peak of a mountain, no less!

    It's good to experience the extra strength from not having alcohol. I found that too.. I hope u are able to continue.. :wink:
  • ElC_76
    ElC_76 Posts: 3,054 Member
    JenT304 wrote: »
    @EIC_76 I totally get it. I have felt the same way. For years. Like @RubyRed427 says, these habits are ingrained. You think, "how can I possibly have fun without it??" It helped me to envision alcohol as a bad boyfriend. Yes, he is fun and sexy for a while, but eventually the bad outweighs the good and you don't want to put up with him anymore.
    Maybe this video will help. I have also ordered the book, "The unexpected Joy of being Sober." It has a lot of positive feedback and I am looking forward to reading it. Good luck. We are here for you.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCvdq4RVZPk

    Thanks Jen same/ same.. great to know I'm not the only one :blush:
  • salleewins
    salleewins Posts: 2,308 Member
    I love that video @RubyRed427. He cracks me up on something we know to be serious. It is hard to tell here, but I love to joke around a lot. I could see telling my story in a funny way someday. I have been asked to speak when I had just a few days sober and I passed. So my day is coming. I hate public speaking, but I can be good at it. I have been planning what to say for awhile. He does it well. Ha ha, lol.
  • lorrainequiche59
    lorrainequiche59 Posts: 900 Member
    @Thistimeisit Welcome!! I'm sorry for your loss <3

    Here's to taking your life back <3 You CAN do this! @RubyRed427 made some great suggestions. I especially like when she suggests treating alcohol education like a college course. Absorb yourself in learning about alcohol's negative effect on our brains & bodies & the positive effects of detoxing & cleansing ourselves from the poisonous nature of alcohol. Once you have a couple of weeks of sobriety, you'll be feeling so much better & will continue to going forward.

    @RubyRed427 Thank you for sharing Craig Ferguson's experience. I love how he shared that he doesn't have a drinking problem, he has a thinking problem!! He's one of my fave comics...I so love his raw honesty. And great sign! Yes, sobriety has a way of revealing our true friendships. What a blessing!

    Hope everyone has a great week ahead!
  • RubyRed427
    RubyRed427 Posts: 4,378 Member
    @salleewins and @lorrainequiche59 Love hearing from you. Craig Ferguson is great! I also like how he said if you had kidney problems you would have to go to dialysis. If we have a drinking problem, we have to do something to help that.
    Yes, it is a thinking problem!

    Wishing you both and all our new and old friends a strong, positive week. With this time change, today has been a long day. When you quit drinking, you have so much more time to do things in a typical day- love it!
  • salleewins
    salleewins Posts: 2,308 Member
    Thistimeisit wrote: »
    Hello all.... today I have decided I need to get my life in order and healthy. A very beautiful soul, who was roughly my age of 52 died unexpectedly of a blood clot. Someone I, and many, considered very giving, loving and just a wonderful person. I cannot make sense of it at times. I guess sometimes it takes tragedy to wake you up?? I have been very cruel to this body God has given me. I drink alcohol daily, eat unhealthy and do not "move". I weigh around 350 pounds (how I got there is beyond me). It has been years since I did things I enjoy, as simple as crotchet and craft. But today, I take my life back. I am not ready to die! I have children still in school. I have not been a very good role model to them, and that needs to change!! I joined MFP and strapped in a Fit Bit today. I'm just trying to find the support to help me through this. Thank you and God Bless.

    I am very sorry about your loss. I am happy to hear about your resolve to change. With the way you sound, I believe you will make the changes that you need. p.s. I love crocheting and just bought some yarn today on sale to make a summer tank as I want to go sleeveless once these pounds are FINALLY off. Darn yarn was still pricey, but hey with what I spent on alcohol before, I should care less......It is a nice cotton blend. A pretty, purple-blue and white.
  • whitpauly
    whitpauly Posts: 1,483 Member
    Happy AF Monday all! <3
  • joha5603
    joha5603 Posts: 102 Member
    @whitpauly ... happy AF Monday to you too! This day feels fabulous so far. :)
  • ElC_76
    ElC_76 Posts: 3,054 Member
    mbaker566 wrote: »
    Morning all

    for those of you on the 12 step path, youtube has lots of open speaker meetings and workshops. i follow the odomtology channel.
    i love it
    if you feel affected by someone elses drinking or if you want to know the other side of the coin they have shares from friend and family too.

    i am mostly AF because i don't like not feeling like me. my husband drank, he said, because he didn't want to feel like himself. to feel like himself was unbearable. much of his recovery was working on him being ok with himself. my own journey was the same. that i was not defined by my relationship with others.

    Wow, your overcoming what could be a powerful influence. Well done!!

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