The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living
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RubyRed427 wrote: »Don't think of next year, next month, next week, how about think "Just for today I will not drink." And if that's too big... "Just for this hour..."
I needed this today!!! Thank you!6 -
stephanne13 wrote: »Hahahaha.. I guess for all the images for my thumb to stutter on, this was a good one. It wouldn't let me erarse it for some reason. After all these years, I wish MFP could make their photo set up a little more friendly. Here are my stats from yesterday.. (and also, I'm considering the too right paint color, Vanillin) hahha
what app is this... I think I would like to use it, too
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Hi Everyone. Feeling sad about pandemic and social isolation still. I'm having the sister in law and bf over for dinner since we consider ourselves in the same germ pod. It will be BYOB which makes me feel like I am being cheap but honestly, I just don't want to be in a beer/wine store. I'm struggling enough as it is. I'm trying to look forward to having friends for dinner instead of worrying about the temptation. I just have to keep in mind all the reasons that I hate alcohol and play that tape in my head if I get tempted. Peace and have a good weekend.10
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Hi Everyone. Feeling sad about pandemic and social isolation still. I'm having the sister in law and bf over for dinner since we consider ourselves in the same germ pod. It will be BYOB which makes me feel like I am being cheap but honestly, I just don't want to be in a beer/wine store. I'm struggling enough as it is. I'm trying to look forward to having friends for dinner instead of worrying about the temptation. I just have to keep in mind all the reasons that I hate alcohol and play that tape in my head if I get tempted. Peace and have a good weekend.
Its def hard at times. Feeling low its hard not too. I just found out my daughter will only go to school 2 days a week. I think we all want to put it behind us...
Make yourself a nice fruity af sangria. It looks so pretty in the glass maybe your friends will want to try it and itll make you forget about whatever they're bringing. 💐 Hope its fun.
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Hi guys!!! I am so proud of all of us. The entire world is going thru crap right now and we are NOT letting alcohol be our crutch! WE ARE FREAKING AMAZING!!!!!
This past week has been the hardest yet. Today is my last day on my job. So, yes, instead of working I'm posting to MFP. I can say that staying sober has been my greatest accomplishment this week.
KEEP BEING AMAZING and remember @redruby427 's post - ONE DAY AT A TIME! Break it down more if you need to -- I did this week. I broke it down into what seemed to be minutes!
166 days sober!8 -
Amen! And also when tempted play that movie forward like Sliding Doors. How does it end if you don’t drink? How does it end if you do? Hang in there, everyone!
My juvie students are back in person Monday. Actually they’ve been locked up COVID -free. It’s we teachers who pose a threat if we’re not meticulous. Strange times indeed.6 -
stephanne13 wrote: »Hahahaha.. I guess for all the images for my thumb to stutter on, this was a good one. It wouldn't let me erarse it for some reason. After all these years, I wish MFP could make their photo set up a little more friendly. Here are my stats from yesterday.. (and also, I'm considering the too right paint color, Vanillin) hahha
what app is this... I think I would like to use it, too
Quit Drinking - Stay Sober app.
I really do like all the data. Counters do help for me, because I hate to see them go back to day 1. It's incredible seeing the amount of money saved & amount of drinks I haven't had.4 -
Dinner party update: Its 7:24 AM here and I jumped out of bed with a pep in my step My husband is snoring away after a terrible night's sleep...He was up at least twice looking at his phone as well as tossing and turning. Why? Because the company brought beer AND a bottle of whiskey. My sister in law had one beer with dinner and stopped (why can't I do that?) but the men drank beer and whiskey and were both quite loopy by the time the night was over. I politely requested that they take the rest of the alcohol home with them. No offense was taken, I just told them I was doing an AF challenge. I feel so good and relieved that I did not indulge. It is Saturday and I have things to do. I guess I will be doing them with my poor hungover husband but at least I feel good. Have a great weekend, Everyone! 8
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Good morning Friends! @JenT304 So good to hear you had a pleasant evening!
I find it hard to "sit" with my feelings sometimes which is one reason I drink. Yesterday, I was so anxious and craving so I went for two longs walks (gained 10000 steps from those two walks.) It helped. I didn't drink.
Wishing all a good sober weekend! I am home alone this weekend which in the past would be a reason for a martini celebration but not this weekend.8 -
I use the Recovery Elevator App, which also tracks calories saved. I hadn't looked at it awhile so I was a bit surprised to see 516 days. Beer and Whiskey....yup, that was it. Sometimes I miss it, but then I remind myself of why I decided to quit altogether. If someone can tell me one good thing about alcohol....just one.... then maybe I'll change my mind. The cravings still come, especially after an exhausting day, but if you think about it from a one day at a time perspective, just know your witching hours (for me 5-7 before dinner) and put your armor on, walks, talks, dogs, whatever it is. Ruby....the more you sit with your own feelings without the booze, the more you'll embrace and even welcome them, at least that's what I find. Booze lightens things up for just a bit, but make no mistake, its ultimate destination is darkness. Hope everyone is staying safe, my youngest son just came through it and my oldest is waiting on test results. Both from being around people with no symptoms. Strange times indeed!9
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@no44s4me Thank you for your input! Congrats on 516 days! Amazing! One day at a time, that's for sure.
I love your comment about its ultimate destination is darkness. I hope your oldest doesn't have Covid. I'm so sorry your younger son did.
Right now, I am watching my cousin struggle with alcoholism, but he doesn't want to change. It is destroying his wife and I am worried sick. I did talk to a fellow AA friend and he said use this as a warning and an example of how we don't want to be in his shoes. He spent 8 hours yesterday drinking all around town; his wife tracked him down and found him on the floor of an upscale bar, and the bartender didn't know what to do with him. Ugh.
My cousin has not experienced any truly negative consequences (no DUI, Wife has not left him yet) I dont know when he will hit rock bottom. I do know that only I can and do choose to be sober. He must make that decision himself. It is devastating watching him plummet into the alcoholism abyss. I will pray for him.
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Slick came out today.... I was driving from home in North GA back to my daughters in Florida. My husband and I got in a HUGE fight -like he said "IDK if I will be here when you come back" and I responded with "I might not even come back." then we apologized knowing we didn't want to leave each other like this. Alcohol was a factor. He had been drinking since like 6 am - this was noon and he was toasted. So much for the cutting back.
I was in a $#!++y mood and driving alone sure wasn't helping. I was just north of Montgomery, AL and Slick started talking.... "you could go into Applebee's and just have one mojito. No one would ever know." I kept driving. Greenville AL - "Ruby Tuesday has a bar... just one - no one will know" I kept driving. Called my aunt for a distraction.
Boy! Tonight was rough! I am sitting in my bedroom at my daughters- sober! I didn't stop. It took everything in me not to stop. Bad thing is I WAS DRIVING!!! Bad enough to almost cave, but to cave while you have 250 miles more to drive.
I am so proud that I managed to not make a very poor choice. A couple weeks ago I said I felt like I had this thing under control. I realize now that I do not.
ONE MOMENT AT A TIME!!!!7 -
FFF we've all been there. I am redoing the Alcohol Experiment because you inspired me to do so. Even when you F up, remember that coming here and talking about your struggles helps other people. I would be in a gutter somewhere if it weren't for the support I get here and from AF websites.7
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Having just finished Kate Bee’s 6-week Sober School course I want to post one plug and then I will shut up about it. This group has been such a support for me since January 2018. And I hope will be for a long time. I feel like I have a group of non-judgmental and caring friends here. I just came to a point of such frustration! I know I posted here about my grand “project” I decided to embark on June 15. Well it lasted 6 days. My daily journal entries reflected how much I was struggling and then my utter frustration and despair about never being able to sustain sobriety. That despair led me to plop down the money for the course. Best investment I’ve ever made. My journal entries throughout reflect joy and excitement. It was a fun and totally engaging 6 weeks with Kate very personally present for us. I’m now on day 43 AF. I realize that’s not that much. But I truly have no desire ever to go back to drinking and am not finding myself struggling. Of course I know temptations will arise. But something in that course clicked in a big way for me like nothing has ever been able to. Just felt I should share that. I don’t intend to be a Sober School proselytizer! Just to report that this was a valuable resource for me and worth every penny. I probably saved money overall vs. drinking.8
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Congratulations on 43 days @donimfp that's fab👍🏼 I remember back in 2011 when I first tried to get sober I was SO excited when I hit 10 days 😳 I didn't start drinking until I was 32 and quickly became an everyday/all day drinker for 7 years straight, I'm sure I've told that story before but I am so glad I'm not that stupid beech anymore! Not to berate myself but I really should have reigned it in earlier, sounds like your course was just what you needed and that's fantastic, hot as heck here and my son totalled the car that had a/c(he's fine, car is not) so I'm driving in Vegas in 114 degree weather trying to deliver groceries haha, at least I'm not sweating alcohol out, God I remember those sweats😖 painful and itchy just gross! Waves to the gang and wishes for a happy AF day 💖7
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+ 1 makes 479
Congrats to all who are adding a sober day, whether it's the first or the eleventy fortieth.
Building a fence in the heat and the dust makes me want a beer at the end of the day. Iced tea is just as good.4 -
@donimfp that is truly inspiring! So glad her course worked for you! I do read her blogs and watch her videos a lot. She is a wonderful resource. I am redoing the Alcohol Experiment. I am on day 6. But it is weird how so much no longer clicks with me but in a good way. For example today's lesson is "how to tell your friends you aren't drinking" . OMG at 56 years old I couldn't care less what other people think, but I could see that might be an issue at 25 or 30. Anyway I am enjoying the structure and keeping a daily journal on line. It is very helpful.5
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@donimfp Congrats!! I love hearing the insightful things you learned. I love hearing from different perspectives about the thing we have in common- sobriety. I look forward to hearing where you go next- what's next on your journey. It seems like 6 weeks went fast- probably not for you. But I am impressed Kate was a participant and not just collecting the money.
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Congratulations on 43 days @donimfp that's fab👍🏼 I remember back in 2011 when I first tried to get sober I was SO excited when I hit 10 days 😳 I didn't start drinking until I was 32 and quickly became an everyday/all day drinker for 7 years straight, I'm sure I've told that story before but I am so glad I'm not that stupid beech anymore! Not to berate myself but I really should have reigned it in earlier, sounds like your course was just what you needed and that's fantastic, hot as heck here and my son totalled the car that had a/c(he's fine, car is not) so I'm driving in Vegas in 114 degree weather trying to deliver groceries haha, at least I'm not sweating alcohol out, God I remember those sweats😖 painful and itchy just gross! Waves to the gang and wishes for a happy AF day 💖
It does seem 10 days makes such a different in everything- body, mind and spirit. The anxiety lessens and the body is so relieved not to process ethanol.
You've been doing so well!! I love hearing from you.2 -
FeelinFooFoo wrote: »Reading over all the posts, so inspiring ! 😊
Well. I messed up. I knew that social occasions were gona be my Achilles heel. I drank (heavily) on Friday evening. And I had 1 beer today (which I plan to be the last) drank today as there was 1 beer left over and I have spent the past few days beating myself up for drinking again. So I'v not been feeling so good. But I'm done beating myself up time to get back on the wagon.
No worries! I know it can be disappointing at first but we sure do learn and grow from those hard times.4 -
Thanks, y'all for the good thoughts! One thing that has been a revelation to me: grapefruit juice with tonic and a little sparkling water with a bit of lime. Finally something satisfies my need for the bitterness and "heft" of alcohol. It is such a treat to come home from work to one of those each day. Vodka would add nothing to it except a pounding heart at 3 a.m.5
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@donimfp I watched see YouTube video being circulated when covid frost started and the guy said to take zinc and drink tonic water cuz of the quinine in it, I had never had tonic before so I was shocked at how much it tasted "boozy" to me so that with grapefruit juice mist really pack a punch! Glad you found a good alternative 🤗 6:32 am in Vegas another 24,hope everyone has a great AF day🌷3
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Instead of the cheap grocery store brand seltzer I indulged in a couple of $2.00 bottles of Perrier. Oh I felt fancy! I threw a couple frozen berries in there and had myself a party. I'm on day 8 of the alcohol experiment and I'm feeling very positive and happy that I am redoing this. Apparently I need the structure and lessons. My skin looks MUCH better and I am very happy and feel like mood is much more stable. Also watching the news much less is making a world of difference.4
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Good for you, @JenT304! I keep Perrier and San Pellegrino in business. I just ordered--as a reward for reaching Day 50 this coming Monday--a bottle of "High Rhode" "euphoric" from Kin Euphorics. These things were highly recommended by a person in the Sober School discussion threads. It's not cheap, which is why I'm getting it as a splurge/reward, but I'll let y'all know what I think. Basically, these are non-alcoholic drinks (which they call "euphorics") intended to be enjoyed just as alcoholic drinks are--happy hour, relaxation times, etc. It may be just Goop-type hype. But I'm going to give the High Rhode a try because it sounds like it's got the bitter, earthy quality I look(ed) for in alcoholic drinks. Their marketing is aimed at having it in bars as a fancy AF substitute.4
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I am back at work; teachers are preparing for hybrid model of school. Half the class comes on Monday and Tues. and Wednesday is deep cleaning day; Thursday and Friday the other half of the class comes. It is very stressful to think about and plan. The administration stinks!! They promise the moon to the parents and tell us teachers to figure out how to do everything they promise. Grrrr.
There is a teacher on my team who is high maintenance; I keep saying to myself be patient with her instead of being frustrated. She did tell me each day this past week, she has gotten home, drank wine and went to bed. I told her you gotta go for a walk or something instead. But you know what? I can only help me. I am white knuckling it lately; driving to a wine store and then turning around before I go in.
One more comment: tomorrow I am holding an intervention with me and my cousin. He doesn't know it yet. I asked him if he wants to hike tomorrow. Last weekend, he was the one whose wife had to pick him off the upscale bar floor (he peed himself even) and drag him home. He is out of control with his drinking. Wife is desperate and asked me to talk to him. So, IF we ended up hiking,I have to delicately talk to him about "our" drinking issues. I also cannot let on that I know how much he is drinking, because his wife has been telling me privately. What a mess!
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@donimfp Let us know how you like the High Rhode. I am bored with Perrier.1
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@RubyRed427, I"ll definitely post a "review" after I try the High Rhode. It sounds intriguing. I've gotten into a routine of having grapefruit juice, diet tonic, Perrier and lime (all together) as my "decompress after work" drink. Then Yogi tea and Perrier/Pellegrino toward bed time. I still feel the need to be drinking something, and I don't care for sweet things. So the tonic has provided some of the bitterness I want.
I feel for you and other teachers right now. I'm back at school in juvie, but we have such an easy situation compared to you guys in regular school. Our kids have been locked up since before the pandemic hit, so they are pretty safe unless one of us or one of the guards is stupid when off campus. We are all wearing masks, distancing, sanitizing desks and chairs and pencils (since they can't bring them in and out and have to share them) between each class. I really don't know how you guys in public schools are managing. My brother-in-law is a superintendent in Ohio, and he has spent his whole spring and summer fielding concerns from parents and teachers. At least I know he's an administrator who really cares about his teachers as well as the students and parents. But it's so hard to know what to do! I wish you the very best, Ruby! Dealing with incompetent or uncaring administrators is the worst.
Also, good luck with your cousin. If I remember correctly, he became your neighbor when you got your new house (?). Just keep playing that movie forward during all this stress, which sounds like what you do when you don't enter the wine store. We know it always ends badly when we give in, but sometimes it's so easy to do just that. xoxo4 -
Keep plugging away at it Foo, it'll click in. I had decided this last time that if I couldn't do it myself, then I was going to seek professional help. No shame in that game. Truth is though I didn't do it myself. I thank God every morning I wake up for his gift of sobriety. I don't post that much but I've been a MFP user for a few years and stumbled on this forum while perusing the Community. This forum helped me realize that the wolf takes many victims not just me. Ruby and Jen are my guardian sisters for just putting it out there and keeping this forum going and Whit is my hero....sober AND Vegas? I also found Annie Grace and Recovery Elevator good resources. Sobriety is a gift, but I don't bs myself.....the wolf is and will always be there...especially on Friday nights. Smack him in the nose with a newspaper though and he'll slink away. Same with Slick... sounds like Biff in Back to the Future....a punch in the mouth is probably what he needs too. Peace and prayers.8
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