The Sober Squad- Alcohol Free Living
Replies
-
@lorrainequiche59 Totally inspiring! I am so happy for you! Way to go!5
-
@FeelinFooFoo Yeah! That is so great to say I don't drink! 45 days and counting!
@lorrainequiche59 I know you have suffered great heartache and heartbreak. I'm so proud of you for carrying on without alcohol as a crutch.4 -
@FeelinFooFoo I can't wait to say that to my Dr. when I see her in January. Good for you! I hear that drs always take what you say about how much we drink, and double it in their minds. Well double none is still none!6
-
mainelylisa wrote: »@donimfp I understand about not putting yourself out there, but I challenge you on the wayyyy too early--you've done fabulously and you still are. Now is all we have and you're rocking it (as are many on this thread--woot!)
Got to my cabin today and there is beer and wine everywhere. (But so is there at home.) Wanted a drink. If I weren't taking a break (who knows how long--maybe forever), I would have had one immediately. I know in my head no good would come of it. Brain cell killer and thigh fat maker. :-)
Brought my NA beer. PBR NA. Don't laugh. I think I like it better than Heineken AF.
I think the whole first world country is full of anxiety because of our "advancements." Lucky for me, one of the advantages that comes with age is not giving so many *kittens* which greatly reduces anxiety. (Of course when I'm drinking, that's a different story.) I've had sleep issues ever since menopause and finally turned to medical edibles for relief. Work well. No hangover. Deep sleep. Delivery faster than a pizza. BTW, @FeelinFooFoo I had bizarre dreams last night where I had to keep remembering I'm not drinking. I heard the tiny over-the-counter blue pills (which I had been taking) are not good for the brain. Of course, I usually washed them down with Chard. Also not good for the brain.
I will have to try the PBR NA then. I have been buying Heineken OO but the shelf was empty where it used to be. Then, I noticed a few more craft NA beers. It's impressive that we have more choices than O'Douls these days.
3 -
I'm almost 2 weeks into my already planned Turkey to Santa alcohol break, and while I wanted to drink really badly yesterday to escape a really bad mood, I didn't. Today was a 180 degree feeling. Happy, silly. I wogged (walk/jog) in 28 degrees! And even did some weights-ish after dinner. Had I given in last night--even to 2 glasses of wine, I would have felt like poop and probably drank again to try to relieve it. And not exercised. And eaten junk. And then it's so difficult to escape. It's like being on a rotor ride at full spin and trying to unstick yourself from the wall.
My favorite slogan of all times is Nike's "Just Do It." I absolutely believe we have to push through "not feeling like it" until eventually (hopefully) we do. In the case of alcohol, it's more like "Just Do NOT Do It." And hopefully eventually, we don't feel like drinking. As much, anyway.
So inspired by so many here! And @RubyRed427 don't shoot the messenger if you have to spit out the PBR! I usually put a lime in it. And plug my nose (jk!)
Oh, and @FeelinFooFoo Being that you don't like sweet drinks, can't remember if you've tried Ginger Beer? That and Kombucha are my fav go-to NA non-sweet drinks.5 -
My gratitude journal was delivered yesterday. Today I journaled morning and evening. I felt like I needed a double dose!! Can’t hurt, right?7
-
@RubyRed427 I like Beck’s Blue. It’s a lot like the Heineken. And if anyone is a Guinness stout fan (I am), Bravus Brewing Co. makes an AF version that tastes very close to my palate.
Foo Foo asked for a review of the Ritual Zero tequila. Not bad at all but really peppery. Reminiscent of a jalapeño margarita. I’ve been mixing it with pomegranate, orange, and lime juice all together. The AF whiskey is not doing it for me at all.4 -
Now I want a jalapeno margarita, lol. I'll settle for throwing a jalapeno in my smoothie for now. It's fun to confuse my mouth.
I read an article by someone sober for 2 years that mentioned an NA beer he really likes from a company called Gruvi (clever, eh?). I'm going to try ordering some. I do also like Athletic Brewing company's IPA's which I think I can get a the liquor store here.6 -
Took my neighbor who is down on her luck to dinner tonight. I have told her that I cannot drink with her. I picked her up and she smelled of booze. She said she had two little tiny drinks before getting in my car. *I know that means about two inches worth each in a glass, because that's what I used to say.
At dinner, she ordered two Long Island iced teas. And then started to cry and repeat herself. It did keep me sober. Once I've gotten past the three month mark, the resolve gets stronger.
She said she was one month sober until today her birthday. I told her I understand... I told her I did not mind that she was drinking. I told her it does not agree with me and I can't teach hungover. She didn't pressure me which was good.
So, it was a decent night for me. I was happy with my own decision not to drink.12 -
p.s. This neighbor spent two year in prison because of repeated DUI. She has a low class felony (not sure what that means). but it ruined her life in many ways. She lost her nursing license forever. This is her first birthday celebrated out of prison in three years.
My eyes were wide open as she spoke. This could be me!!! I would lose my teaching license and my home....
She may be homeless in March, because she is being evicted. But she truly does have a good heart.
She asked me if she could live with me in March and I just flat out said no.
*My therapist told me to stop collecting stray cats. I have to draw some boundaries with people.12 -
@RubyRed427 -- we were all just one wrong move from ruin. By luck and the grace of God we are all still here to tell our stories. I remember driving home way too drunk on more than a few occasions bc if I got a DUI, we wouldn't lose the house. My husband would lose his job if he had a DUI. At least we could reason that much, but totally overlooked the fact that we could have killed someone or ourselves.
My ex husband, also an alcoholic (go figure), hit rock bottom then dug a little deeper. That was what it took for him to rebuild and be a functional person again. He is still a drinker, but not the person I divorced. He has a felony, lost a business, we lost our house when we divorced, he was also addicted to opioids... He had a motorcycle accident that resulted in a DUI where he broke 27 bones and was in ICU for 3 weeks. I could go on.
I am very proud of you for telling her no!!! NO. That is a complete sentence that requires no explanation.8 -
Oh yeah, Ruby. That would be a very dangerous boundary to let slip. I can’t imagine much worse than inviting a down-on-her-luck problem drinker into your intimate space! But of course your heart goes out to her. I’m sure your kindness and willingness to listen meant a lot to her.
Journaling has been a huge part of my sobriety journey since July. The other night while writing I had a serious epiphany regarding my relationship with my mother (the Jane Fonda one for you old-timers who may recall). The writing itself plus the sobriety allowed me to put pieces together with a clarity I’d never had. I realized I have always avoided and escaped some hard truths by drinking when or after things got awkward in our relationship. The act of writing things out with a clear, sober head helped me see some things I’d never understood before. I think the combo of journaling and being willing to look at rather than drown the truth is very valuable. Not fun sometimes but worthwhile. Of course it’s also a good way to see the progress of the sobriety journey, the weight loss journey, or whatever journey you happen to be on.6 -
@Beka3695 Thank you! I love when you said No is a complete sentence.
Yes by sheer Grace or luck or both we have not gotten a DUI.
It's sad that there was a lower place than rock bottom for your ex. But I get it. It is a sad tale in so many ways. And he brought you down with him in a way (losing house and husband). But you persevered and want more for yourself. I think many of us on this thread are on a personal journey to improve ourselves whatever it takes. I am so blessed to be on this journey with you and the others.4 -
@donimfp Yes, I do remember your mom (Jane Fonda). I'm so happy journaling is a huge part of your journey. Who knows you may have a book in you with your job and your life experiences all combined....
3 -
@RubyRed427 I used to have a next door neighbor that got a DUI while a causing a car accident that really messed up her knee. She moved, not too far, but it was better not having her next door. We just enabled each other all the time. We moved farther, 2.5 years ago now. She still calls me, usually drunk, every once in a while.
I know you are such a kind hearted person and you probably feel sorry for your neighbor but you are absolutely doing the right thing by NOT letting her live with you. No good would come of that for sure.6 -
2 years in september for me
i substitute with reeds, *kitten*’n bull, and bundabergs ginger beer
i’m also very judgmental now about people who drink, and it doesn’t bother me cause it keeps me off the sauce4 -
going on day 3 af, taking all of your advice and taking it one day at a time and focusing on the little victories.
7 -
@mtngrl3 We are here for you. We have heard it all. There is nothing so bad that you cannot overcome. We are a judgment free community.
3 -
if it helps, start telling your storygoing on day 3 af, taking all of your advice and taking it one day at a time and focusing on the little victories.
here are some highlights of mine:
- i started drinking around 12 years old
- when i was in jr high we had a jungle juice party at the local park and early the next morning i woke up in a puddle of my own vomit. i was on my side, so i didn’t die that night
- about 12 years ago i passed out in my brother-in-law’s driveway when it was -20 outside. he came and found me, so i didn’t die that night either
plenty more, maybe later
9 -
@wiigelec Glad you didn't die and that you found us.
I can relate to your experience. I also had an early start to my drinking career...I had my first drink at my sisters wedding at 13. I was one of her bridesmaids and remember sitting on the bathroom counter at her reception, drunk, bawling my eyes out about something or other, and from there began my slow & predictable decline into serious alcohol issues. Once, when at 16 years old, I was with friends at the roller skating rink, but rather than skate with them I went into the bush with a bunch of guys to drink...I ended up drinking the better part of a 26oz bottle of whiskey straight up and remember being carried out of the bush by one of my male friends and spending the night in someone's tent with him as he tried to put the moves on me and then hitch-hiking home with my "friend" in the early morning hours thankful that I hadn't been raped. I had all kinds of scary things happen to me when I was under the influence...stupid drunken choices that I was ashamed of and that shame actually fueled further drinking....ugh!! When I think back to those kind of episodes now, it is evidence of a very troubled girl, young woman and adult woman. It was a huge symptom of an underlying problem. I had no idea back then, but when we know better, we do better and so educating ourselves and getting to the root of the real problem is key...drinking is only a symptom of something else...it is an indicator that we have some internal issues that need to be addressed. WOW, I didn't plan on sharing all that!! Sharing is what helps me to process my issues, and I find this space safe to do that....Like @JenT304 said, "we are a judgement-free community."
@RubyRed427 ~ you have a very compassionate heart & I can see why the "stray cats" are drawn to you, that is why it is SO important to draw the line in the sand as you said, boundaries are key & I'm glad you were able to draw that boundary with your neighbor. It is really difficult to watch a train wreck in motion knowing there is nothing you can do to stop it, BUT there is nothing you can do to stop it! Your example speaks volumes and is one of the most valuable things you can provide for another.
Thought for the day, "It doesn't matter how slowly you go as long as you don't give up." ~Confucius~
Happy, healthy AF weekend to all of us 7
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 392.9K Introduce Yourself
- 43.7K Getting Started
- 260.1K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.8K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 415 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.9K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.6K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.5K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions