LESS Alcohol ~ May 2025 ~ One Day at A Time

@Michieb125 Your post is SO spot on! Please do share the information that you find.

I'm probably the poster child for this discussion. I mostly drove for my jobs. I was an electric meter reader in two states and six counties. I delivered medical supplies in a very large area in SoCal. I was a courier driver here in So. Oregon and I've even delivered pizzas (hey, you got to do what you got to do!).

But, now, I can't drive 13 miles into town. I do live in a rural county, but in town we do have a Safeway, Fred Meyer, Costco, Lowes, Home Depot, Staples, etc. and a few decent restaurants. The reason I can't drive is because of anxiety. And, it is definitely related to alcohol.

I know that I can get over it. Because my last job wasn't a great job. But I took it because I'm also afraid of interviews. It was a job most people wouldn't take. I was a floater at a transfer site (garbage). My first assignment was in a small town about 35 miles away. My first day, I got on the freeway. It happened to be foggy. I panicked. But the next exit was miles away. I wanted to call and quit. But I told myself that I couldn't. I had to go over a couple of mountain passes, but I made it. At the end of the day, I actually felt good. I felt good to be working and complete a full day. Driving home was much easier. The next morning, when I got on the freeway, I felt a little anxious. But, not so bad. After that, it was complete smooth sailing. I had overcome my fear.

So, my next goal is to drive 13 miles into town. I don't even have to go on the freeway. I figure I'll just have someone with me, just in case, I need someone to take over. Anyways, I very much tired of the anxiety (which is self-inflicted).

Keep on posting!

@Walktostaysane First off, I'm sorry to hear about your sister. I don't bring it up, but I think that's where I'm heading also. I think if I quit soon I will be OK. I don't know what my husband and cat would do if I weren't around.

I haven't gone years without drinking. But, I have gone several months. It really does feel good. I'm beginning to think that I may never feel normal again. Do you think if I stop drinking that I will feel better? I'm starting to wonder. Today, I feel so depressed (and I'm not one to suffer from depression). I think it's the alcohol.

I hope I can feel well again. Thanks!

I tried to change my username because I wanted to get away from this all. But, all it did was change my username in my previous posts.

I've become too dependent on this thread. When I open it up in the morning, I always look forward to reading everyone's posts. But, today, there wasn't even one post. I think this thread is about done too.

I've requested some off my more prior posts to be deleted. I was starting to sound like a "Negative Nancy". That's not helpful for anyone. I think I do have some control over my emotions and feelings. And, I am working on feeling happy again. And, of course, quitting drinking is the first step.

Anyways, I miss some of you that haven't been posting lately. I realize @Womona that you haven't been feeling well. I hope you get feeling better soon. And, @chicbuc I hope you're doing OK. You have always been a wonderful contributor to this group.

Take care all and in despite of trying to conceal my identity…well it didn't work 🤔

@globalhiker That's awesome that you were able to go on vacation and stay AF. At this time, I don't plan on moving anywhere. I haven't been feeling very well physically lately. You've been AF for so long now that you probably don't remember. I've been through this before, but I'm beginning to think that I'll never feel normal again. I sure hope I do!

@RubyRed427 That's nice to know that someone is out there. I was starting to feel like I was all alone. It does make sense though that people would post less when the weather is nice. It really does help when you're working full-time. I didn't drink as much either for the same reason. I would have a couple of drinks after work. But, that was it.

I really need to quit drinking…NOW! I am basically nonfunctional. In fact, I'm probably going to reschedule my cat's vet appointment to next week. I just don't think I could make it.

I have reread some of my posts from months past and it seems like I usually start feeling better pretty quickly. I sure hope it happens that way again. If I can get past this, I hope I never drink again.

@NonnieDoiron I feel for you. Your life seems too hectic. You're definitely working too much. I don't know if wine is the best solution to calm you down though. It's been a long time since this has happened to me, but my sleep schedule is so messed up. I nap during the day and then I'm up at all hours of the night…last night was 1:30 am. And, I haven't been eating like I usually do. Who want's a chia seed, walnut, blueberry smoothie when they're drinking whiskey? It's crazy!

Have a nice day everyone!

OK…I rescheduled my cat's vet appointment for next Wednesday, the 21st. So I have nine days to pull myself up by my bootstraps and get myself into shape. I'm just not sure how I'm going to do it 🤔

My husband is getting a little tired of buying booze for me. But, at the same time, he knows that cold-turkey isn't always the best idea.

I hate to admit it, but I'm not capable of driving one mile to the store right now. We live in such a small town that we don't have the services like most of you do. I have Roseburg listed as where I live. And, a lot of those services are available there. But we live about 13 miles out.

One day, I did see a car go down the street that had a placard on the door that said, "Doordash". So I downloaded the app. But the only business listed was Tractor Supply. I don't think they have what I'm looking for 😕

I also downloaded the Uber app. I couldn't believe my eyes…there was about five businesses listed, including the liquor store. But, the next time that I logged on, there was nothing. I guess it just depends if there's a driver or not. Oh well, I guess we're starting to move up in the world!

I would still like to move back to town. But, we really can't afford it right now. Some of you may know that we had a flood and our paid-for car went swimming. So we had to buy a new car. It's not completely new. It's a 2023 Toyota RAV4 with only 13,000 miles on it. We really like it. But, now, we have car payments. Not too bad though. I guess if I give up my only two vices (drinking and gambling), we'll be better off. But, come on…don't take my gambling away!