Sober Discussion (Ongoing)
Replies
-
Hi Carole and Lowtech,
We’re in Europe on vacation and drinking every day but not overdoing it. So that’s a plus. Xoxo
4 -
Hi everyone, So I've been on again and off again but now I'm back to NO alcohol. I'm going to try to do the "Solstice-to-Solstice" alcohol-free and see how it goes. From Friday, June 20th to Sunday, December 21st.
Have a great weekend!
💗 Carole
3 -
AF since 6/20: 002 days
Have a pleasant Sunday!
💖 Carole
2 -
Safe travels and enjoy, @RubyRed427 !🌹
3 -
I've been really floundering everyone! I woke up a few days ago with two dark and painful bruises on my face (one close to my eye) and a BIG bruise near my waist - no idea how it happened, indicating a blackout. Not only that, the smoke alarm was on the floor in the hallway with the battery door open. Then I found a really burnt pan on top of the stove. I could have burned the apartment down! I've been steadily regaining more weight as well. (Time to right this ship!)
Time for a fresh reset! Today I had my annual physical and told my doctor all about it. She is going to follow up with me on August 7th. My blood pressure was really high (I "binged" last night as well); so she wants me to start monitoring it daily and to keep records.
Today I reset the count on my "Sober Time" app to midnight, June 26, 2025. I'm really worried and I know I have to stop completely because I am incapable of moderation. If I can't get it back down, I might have to go on meds. I'd like to avoid that if at all possible. In the past, my BP always stabilized within a few days following a binge, but there is a chance of doing permanent damage; so I've got to stop NOW!
06/26/25: New Day 001 (complete as of midnight tonight).
This is actually a good date to choose because it is also "Forgiveness Day" (I forgive myself) and International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a.k.a. World Drug Day. (To me, alcohol is very much a drug, and I have been abusing it for too many years - since about age 40!) There is another observance, "Global Forgiveness Day", that is observed on July 7th.) That will be Day 12 for me.
I look forward to reading your posts, if/whenever you return. I know total abstention isn't for everyone; however, in my case if I don't quit 100%, this will likely kill me.
I will try my best to focus on the positive. Today I feel pretty lousy, but I know that tomorrow will be better.
❤️Carole
2 -
Hi Carole,
I read your post and want to give you a big hug. That is very scary what happened to you. I'm so sorry you went through all that. But thankfully the apartment was ok. I know you're bruised and suffering emotionally, but I'm confident you can get back on track. Binging is so common in addiction. You are not alone at all in this.
"Forgiveness Day" is the perfect day to start fresh. Surround yourself with positive motivation, like reading success stories on the web, maybe buy a quit lit book or get one from the library, make this your project: getting healthy. I'm so happy you give yourself grace, however, when things go sideways. You are so honest and it's really helping others. I know it.
3 -
Hi Carole, I was sorry to read your post but relieved to hear that you are in one piece even though you are bruised. I’m glad that you have a plan of action. Tomorrow will be better.
My wife and I are at a big music festival so there is a lot of booze and other “stuff”. We are pacing ourselves as there is a lot to do but it’s going well so far.
Anyway, do know that people are rooting for you!
Take care
Chris
3 -
Hi Carole, that is totally scary and I am relieved you are well. It was good you came clean to your Dr. So many people are dishonest with their Dr. out of shame and that is ridiculous. They are there to help you not judge you. I second everything Ruby Red says. It was well put.
I haven't been binging at all because the semaglutide has taken away my desire for wine. I may have a vodka drink but not go overboard. It truly is a miracle drug and I wish it were more affordable. It even made me stop biting my nails. Go figure.
4 -
Hello! To all my special friends who are with me on this road to recovery, welcome back! Blessings to all of you and thank you so much for all of your kind and encouraging words! 've not slipped up again so far and it's a good thing because look at THIS:
That's not the highest it's ever been a couple of days after a binge either. I've seen 220's over 110's with a heart rate above 120! It always has gone back down after a few days without alcohol, but there's a chance that perhaps the next time it won't! This is life-threatening, as are any "blackouts". Must...STOP! {💯%}
I was honest with my doctor and she is helping me. She prescribed naltrexone. We'll see how that goes, but so far:
06/28/25: Day 003
(complete as of midnight tonight)✨@RubyRed427 @LowTechForever @SunnyDays930✨
Have a great weekend!
💞 Carole
2 -
Whoa! Guess I'm very lucky:
AI Overview
A diastolic blood pressure reading over 130 mmHg is considered very high and indicates a hypertensive crisis, a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention. While Stage 1 hypertension begins with a diastolic pressure of 80-89 mmHg, a reading of 130 mmHg or higher in the diastolic number is a critical concern, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, or vision loss. What to do if your diastolic blood pressure is over 130 mmHg:Seek emergency medical care immediately:If your diastolic blood pressure is 130 mmHg or higher and you experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, headache, or vision loss, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room without delay.Understand the significance:A hypertensive crisis is a severe elevation in blood pressure that can rapidly damage vital organs and requires urgent intervention to prevent serious complications like stroke or heart damage.Consult a doctor for any high readings:Even if you don't have immediate severe symptoms, consistently elevated diastolic blood pressure, even if below the hypertensive crisis threshold, warrants consultation with a healthcare provider to discuss potential causes and management strategies.
2 -
I really "dodged a bullet", it seems - and many times. More proof I need to cut it out:
A blood pressure reading of 180/120 mm Hg or higher is considered stroke level and requires immediate medical attention. This is classified as a hypertensive crisis and is a medical emergency. High blood pressure, in general, is a significant risk factor for stroke, with readings above 130/80 mm Hg increasing the risk.
3 -
Today is my Day 004. I will report again at the end of the day.
Have a pleasant and peaceful Sunday everyone!
💞 Carole
3 -
Yay Carole! I am going to be AF until my vacation in 2 weeks and then see what happens. I no longer drink wine but still like vodka so that will be next to go.
3 -
Hi everyone,
@SunnyDays930, thanks so much for checking in! Vacation in 2 weeks, that's great! Something to look forward to!
I still haven't had any alcohol beginning June 26th.
Have a nice night,
🩷Carole
06/30/25: Day 005
(complete as of midnight tonight.)4 -
Yesterday at a restaurant, the bartender asked me, "do you want a 5 oz or a 9 oz wine?" In the past it's an automatic "9 oz" but this time I said, "5 oz please". I am sort of wine averse now so I didn't want a large one, plus I wanted to see what 5 oz actually looks like. So, it is way smaller than what I would have poured at home. Anyway, I only had 1 which I consider a huge win. The semaglutide really helps curb my desire which is important to me as the weight loss it is helping with.
3 -
Way to handle moderation, @SunnyDays930! Sticking to just ONE, and a small one at that!
Sad to report that I already broke my latest resolve: Last night I had two, Long Island Iced Tea cocktails and then met a couple of friends and had three, 16 oz. "Castle Island Keeper IPA" draft beers! (Not a true "binge" for me but definitely in excess of what I should have had.) I am so grateful that I didn't leave the second restaurant until after the liquor store across the street had closed; otherwise, I might have bought a bottle of "something" and that would have really tipped me into "blackout binge" territory!
Although I intend to be extra careful today and tomorrow (if I drink alcohol at all), I plan to restart yet again on July 4th; so I can finally declare my independence from alcohol!
I did make my five-day milestone though; so there's that. I really look foward to completing my one-year milestone next July 4th!🎇
I will still report here to let you know how tonight and tomorrow night go. Must…be…CAREFUL!
Have a nice evening,
❤️Carole4 -
I am so tired of thinking about alcohol. Great intentions in the morning are blown if we go out for lunch. It's such an obsession and it feels so good with that wine in my hand. We are going on vacation with my daughter this week. I cannot disappoint her by drinking. She worries about me and that's not fair to her. So, I am going to do my best not to drink. I am so sick of feeling and looking poorly. My husband is of no help. I will take it one minute at a time. I already decided not to even buy wine when I go shopping, and I am telling myself not to buy any alcohol for our hotel room. When Sunny days and I were on a trip together last October, we didn't drink. And we looked amazing! Day 1 begins today. I just want to look fresh and feel well.
Sorry, Carole, that you drank again but I'm happy you had several days in a row AF! So that's a big plus.
2 -
Hi everyone,
@RubyRed427, I can relate to almost everything you posted, except for the husband part, since I am alone. I still say we can do this and I will never give up!
Happy 4th of July! (My fresh Day One!) Since it's Independence Day, I have chosen this date to declare my independence from ALCOHOL (as of 6am this morning)! This is a great day to pick as a Soberversary date!🩷🇺🇲🕊
I'm going to do my utmost best to make this stick - I have to!
I will report the following day for each completed day; so tomorrow I post for today's successful independence from drinking alcohol as Day 001.
Have a wonderful weekend!
💗Carole
2 -
Hi everyone,
Resuming count:
07/04/25: 001 day AF
Have a great day!
💞Carole
4 -
I have not been AF but it is not excessive, I am sure due to the semaglutide. So it is not really willpower or mind set change; I simply do not want so much. I am afraid of what will happen if I stop taking it but we will jump off that bridge when we come to it. I have enough through September right now.
3 -
Good morning everyone,
07/05/25: 002 days AF
@SunnyDays930, it's great that you have the ability to limit your alcoholic beverage consumption whatever the reason. Unfortunately, after {ahem} "extensive testing in the field", I am forced to admit that I do not. It's a LOT more difficult for me to cut drinking down than to cut it out completely. Abstinence or Binge. That's my choice. Moderation? Doesn't work in my case! Oh well...
My doctor prescribed Naltrexone 50mg, once per day for alcohol cravings. (I had been taking 25mg most days. Instead of taking 50mg at once.) I'm cutting them in half and taking one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We'll see how that goes. I've also started to take a low-dose, CBD gummy close to bedtime, but that's more for the plantar fasciitis heel pain that is gradually improving. I don't really ever "crave" alcohol - it's more like socialization that I'm craving. Sitting in a bar is just "fake socialization"; so I need to find a better outlet - a better venue for that.
Have a peaceful Sunday,
💗Carole
4 -
Hi everyone, Boy, am I beat! But...I didn't stop anywhere on the way home and I did not have any alcohol! (I did "entertain the notion"; however, I to abstain!)
07/06/25: 003 days AF (Count started on 7/04/25.)
My walk home was about 37 minutes and I was carrying 19.2 lbs. in my backpack and a shoulder bag (groceries)! Tough on my sore heel!
Have a nice night,
💗Carole
4 -
Well done Carole @Walela617, that’s an impressive step count! Good on you for resisting temptation too.
3 -
I have been traveling down south with family. It's been successful so far in the AF department. Limited drinks because I don't want my daughter to be worried that her Mom is drinking. It's like having my very own sober coach.
Nice work, Carole. Resisting temptation will build "muscle memory."
3
