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The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living
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We have slip ups and that is why it’s so important we are able to share how we feel. I have also felt embarrassed over my mishaps; however, if I didn’t want to be better I would not continue to learn from those mistakes. I feel so much better AF and do have occasional wine, yet, I know one is typically never enough for me.
@yellowstone1983 I will totally support you and post here Friday and Saturday’s. 👍💃❤️
Proud of everyone’s achievements!8 -
I also toppled off the wagon immediately. I was on vacation and decided to have wine with dinner. The good news is that it was just that -- a little wine with dinner. I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected, but I didn't go crazy drinking either. I have decided that I like my life better without drinking and that is how I am going to live but if I do have a glass of wine on vacation I am not going to beat myself up. It is the habit of drinking that I do not like. I do not like wondering if I have wine at home -- or if there is enough. I don't like the feeling of dependence and I don't like getting drunk.9
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@lloydrt Sorry to hear about your friend
@Yellowstone1983 Yes, it may seem like the thread takes the weekend off, but I'm sure there are lots who check in but may not comment. I'm one of those, so please reach out if you need to even if it seems like no one is here. As for you falling off the wagon, it sounds like you've made a lot of progress overall. So, dust yourself off & hop back on and let it go....it's learning from the mistake that encourages growth.
@lagoscarrie It is truly liberating not to be chained to alcohol....I spent so much time thinking about it...as you said making sure there was enough...I spent far to much time thinking about drinking & thinking about wishing I could stop drinking...what a waste of time & energy!! There's still 2.5 months left of the challenge...it's not over till it's over
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@lorrainequiche59 Thank you for your encouraging words! I am very happy not drinking and will gladly join you in the rest of the challenge!5
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I've had a persistent headache for days and keep thinking that in the past I'd have a drink to take the edge off. But I've reminded myself I'd feel worse the next morning and so avoided giving in to these thoughts. On top of this, I had some extra stress tonight and struggled for a good while, thinking a glass of wine sure would ease my anxiety. I've talked myself out of it, but it is difficult sometimes. I know we all struggle, I think it's great that we have a place to share our experiences.10
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@lagoscarrie You said something that struck home: "I do not like wondering if I have wine at home -- or if there is enough."
Been there, done that, on so many occasions. I am lucky enough to be able to walk and do pretty much everything I want: groceries, bank, errands, etc. And because I walk, there is a second part to your question: "What do I really need, and what can wait, so I can carry the wine home? Do I really need this Tide as much as I want this beer?"7 -
@VeggieGirlforLife Hang in there! I used to have Sundays where I would start the morning with coffee and the newspaper and then segue into a bottle of red for the afternoon. I have been in the mood for that Red for almost a week now, for many of your same reasons. Sometimes I swear I get anxious about feeling anxious.9
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It's weird when the drinking urges hit.
I had a particularly grueling, 13 hour, work day yesterday on the banks of the Missouri River drilling borings to explore for a new bridge. The Nebraska flood waters were on the way and we had to get done yesterday as our job site would go underwater today sometime. Near the end of the day, I started in my old pattern of "Man - a bourbon will go down nice tonight."
My mistake was trying to keep up with the young guys - which I did - but I was exhausted and went to bed at 9 PM and was still AF. I am sore as hell this morning - but still on track
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I get irritated when I lose a long post too Yellowstone! I also sometimes get irritated when NOBODY has posted when I come on feeling sorta vulnerable, I understand people get busy but I just can't help but feel that way and yes I'm guilty of it too,sometimes I read but don't post,I need to change that,remember I always say ANY day without alcohol is a win! Even if someone who joined the 3 month challenge has 'slipped' at the end of 3 months there will still be progress so instead of 90 drinking days a person may have 5,10,or even 30 drinkin days,hell its still better than 90!! Big hugs to all and Happy St.Patrick's day,took my g-son to breakfast at Denny's,this kid ordered spagetti,
ah kids 7 -
It's weird when the drinking urges hit.
I had a particularly grueling, 13 hour, work day yesterday on the banks of the Missouri River drilling borings to explore for a new bridge. The Nebraska flood waters were on the way and we had to get done yesterday as our job site would go underwater today sometime. Near the end of the day, I started in my old pattern of "Man - a bourbon will go down nice tonight."
My mistake was trying to keep up with the young guys - which I did - but I was exhausted and went to bed at 9 PM and was still AF. I am sore as hell this morning - but still on track
Can totally relate to that.....the next morning is best when you can pat yourself on the back for staying AF9 -
As for the 3-month challenge and people who may have slipped:
Just like they say its 5pm somewhere, we can say: there is a new 3-month period somewhere....meaning thereby, you can either restart the 3-month from the day of lapse (does not have to be calendar months), or you can minimize the setback and stick with the original challenge.
Maybe we should change the name of the challenge to 90-day challenge.11 -
Thank you @SweatsOnSunday. My Sundays used to include a little Irish whiskey in my coffee in the mornings and I too, enjoyed that bottle of red midday. Getting ready for the work week increases my anxiety and I have a lot going on right now, so I hear you about having anxiety about anxiety! Did I mention anxiety?!
I'm going for a walk... 10 -
Happy sober St. Patrick’s Day ! I am not drinking today. My friends and I have a lovely hotel room downtown. And we woke early and they started off doing shots, etc. We went to House of Blues then. While at HOB, I just wasnt feeling it, and I went back to the room to relax. I had lunch with them but still didnt drink. And now, they are bar hopping and I’m cozy in a lovely hotel room watching a movie. It’s a great feeling.
The other thing I want to say that it’s heartbreaking to me to see so many drunk people on this holiday. People stumbling down the street. The bars are so packed and they stink. Since I’ve been on my AF journey, I am less tolerant of this scene; but, I am empathetic to anyone who is going to be so hungover tomorrow. So, I decided I am going to break this tradition of getting a hotel room next year. I’m just not the same person as I used to be. And this is so not fun today.17 -
I better fess up. AF still, but have been so tempted today. Got ya. Yikes. At least I am still my joking self. Brother has a bad heart and given 2 years apparently. Going to see him. Also is very sick mentally and I couldn't even start to tell you what this will be like at this visit. My sister may join us. Brother now wants to come back with me after I visit for a week or two.. I don't want to drive in the winter so taking public transportation. I am exhausted already which I know wears down my defenses. Work has been a beach, too.... My sister is coming to see me at the end of April. Maybe he can come back then. I have to leave myself some outs. I will share the following... How to do this, I don't know. He gets up later than me and he doesn't want me to walk around the neighborhood by myself. I can't bring much food in.I know what I am bringing for breakfast and it will be premade. I will eat my stuff in the spare room. I may have to come out with a change of clothes on. My gosh. It must be soooo hard for him. I can't imagine it. We will have to eat all meals out he says. I don't eat out much as I don't find it too healthy. Someone, if inclined, please pray. I can't run the water too loudly as he lives upstairs and have to walk softly. I am trying to get him set up with some aides etc. without making him feel like his independence has gone down the tubes. This doesn't even start to cover the roughest material that I will be listening to. I will be crushed someday if he passes before I do. I CAN'T DRINK. I CAN'T GO BACK TO THE WAY I WAS OR MY GRAVE WILL BE THERE FOR ME QUICKER. I saw an episode of HEARTLAND for anyone who knows the series. Wow the alcoholic in the program went back to drinking. It was very sad to see his struggle with sneaking the bottle. People knew of his struggle more than he realized. It was so awful to see myself as I was before through this man. How timely that I watched this today. It is almost 14 months AF.11
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RubyRed427 wrote: »Happy sober St. Patrick’s Day ! I am not drinking today. My friends and I have a lovely hotel room downtown. And we woke early and they started off doing shots, etc. We went to House of Blues then. While at HOB, I just wasnt feeling it, and I went back to the room to relax. I had lunch with them but still didnt drink. And now, they are bar hopping and I’m cozy in a lovely hotel room watching a movie. It’s a great feeling.
The other thing I want to say that it’s heartbreaking to me to see so many drunk people on this holiday. People stumbling down the street. The bars are so packed and they stink. Since I’ve been on my AF journey, I am less tolerant of this scene; but, I am empathetic to anyone who is going to be so hungover tomorrow. So, I decided I am going to break this tradition of getting a hotel room next year. I’m just not the same person as I used to be. And this is so not fun today.
Yes, it just gets to not be the same anymore. Good for you!5 -
I'm on day 34 of no alcohol. With it being St. Patrick's Day today and celebrations last night was the first time to really struggle with it but made it through.11
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@crmnmobley Good luck with your journey to wedding day!!
@RubyRed427 You rock! Way to go with those excellent choices!
There have been many messages and it's hard to respond to everything I want to, but I appreciate everyone's words. You all help me with the daily grind.
I also struggled this weekend. Things are getting back to normal since my husband's heart attack exactly one month ago. It came out of nowhere and he's only 55 years old. (Yep...I think that's too young!) It was a no-brainer for me in the beginning to stay alert and ready. I'm thankful he's recovering so well and I'm starting to breathe...but that stupid "gnawing" started happening this weekend. I was invited out to a happy hour and to a Bunko game last night. The hostess actually uninvited me when I told her I wasn't drinking. Her exact words, "You're not going to be any fun if you're not drinking." - Wow, that felt good. NOT! I started questioning myself and wondering if I'm a bore. That's a bit embarrassing to admit...but who knows? It could be true. lol
Which brings me to today. Today I am grateful that I didn't wake up with a hangover. Today I'm happy that my face has lost it's red tint and puffiness. Today I am grateful that I didn't have to pull out my industrial size bottle of Visine numerous times to keep my eyelids from sticking to my eyeballs! Today I am grateful that I didn't have any marks from the pillow squishing my face. Those pesky marks used to stay on my face all day due to extreme dehydration. Today I am grateful that I remembered what I did last night...and I didn't cringe. Today I am grateful that I didn't have to hide any evidence of how much I REALLY drank. Today I am grateful that I will sleep just fine and be ready to work in the morning. And today...I am grateful for you. All of you. 11 -
@Ed_Zilla Congrats! Well-done, you!
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I hope everyone had a good weekend. All these posts continue to encourage and inspire me. @salleewins I'm sending a hug and some prayers. And I totally agree with Norm; even if you screwed up the 90 day challenge you can just jump right back in. I'm sure we will be adding members/thread readers today as I imagine quite a few people are waking up swearing off alcohol today....always after New Years and St. Pat's day. Whether you choose to follow silently or wish to comment, welcome to our thread.7
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VeggieGirlforLife wrote: »I've had a persistent headache for days and keep thinking that in the past I'd have a drink to take the edge off.
Drink more water and see if the headache goes away. Also, I keep a supply of Goody powders handy. Hope it helps. Sorry you're hurting. I tried to respond to this yesterday, then hit "done" instead of "save". You wouldn't believe how many responses I've lost doing that little maneuver.
I'm trying to post, but that damned "Done" button is just SOOOO attractive to my thumb...I get irritated when I lose a long post too Yellowstone! I also sometimes get irritated when NOBODY has posted when I come on feeling sorta vulnerable, I understand people get busy but I just can't help but feel that way and yes I'm guilty of it too,sometimes I read but don't post,I need to change that,remember I always say ANY day without alcohol is a win!
Good job resisting the urge! The call of bourbon is stronger than the call of the cookie jar... which sings it's own sweet siren song. Keep it up man! It's all worth it!It's weird when the drinking urges hit.
Day 8 ~ Made it all the way through the weekend. Stayed busy with family and friends, hosted a shooting competition at my place, celebrated my father's 83rd birthday, all without a beer or a bourbon. Been a good week!
AND I ALMOST HIT THAT FREAKING "DONE" BUTTON AGAIN!!! Man that would have sucked...
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Hi all, @salleewins,big((hugs)) that's sad news about your brother and I'm glad you realize that you need to be fully present for him, @MountainLaurel787 55 is young! Sounds like he's doing pretty good now though,that's a blessing,Monday here and even though I didn't drink all weekend I feel like it,groggy as heck I just don't "do" Mondays well,hope we all have a fab AF day 7
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Just checking in to keep myself accountable. 631 days...15
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You are all incredibly strong human beings! I know that my drinking has become a relied on crutch. So I'll start right here and this will be my day 1.15
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Happysoul0317 wrote: »You are all incredibly strong human beings! I know that my drinking has become a relied on crutch. So I'll start right here and this will be my day 1.
Congrats on Day 1... have a back up. Like some new tea, sparkling water, fav sweet treat...
When you cut back on drinking, you may crave sugar since alcohol is sugar. Let us know how it goes!8 -
@salleewins You are going through such rough times emotionally. I’m sorry to hear about your brother’s health. Wishing you strength to make it through these hard times. Lean on your friends, do nice things for yourself, and realize you can only do so much to help another in need. Keep a balance if you can. You are dealing with a lot as well being everyone’s support. 8
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What a great group we have. Everyone is doing great. Nice to see so many comments supporting each other 10
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Nice Group. I'm on day 275 myself. I'm a regular of r/stopdrinking, which is also a nice group.
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Suppport to everyone! Doing well here.
I did have my one day of drinking wine and not happy of how I felt. Here is to sticking the healthy course for me!7
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