EvolutionHealth.care

Home
Main Forum
Managing Drinking
Introduce Yourself
21 Days Sober

Advanced Search Form

21 Days Sober

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 315

For those that can manage just by coming here, they are stronger then I am. For me I have to use every tool I can find to stay sober each day. Fear is my greatest tool, fear of what is was like. Booze took my to the brink of no return.

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 421

Isn't it interesting that we continue to drink it at times even though we hate it so much? And we continue to think we can manage it when we have not done so in the past? If booze was a bad meal and we got food poisoning we'd not go back to the place that we had the meal---ever. I keep trying on the hangover and replaying that morning after in my head. That's working for me at this point. And I get it that I need to come to this online meeting place every day or so and remind myself where I could go if I let my guard down.

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1562

The conclusion? Alcohol simply cannot be a part of my life anymore. It will get better. Right?

Unfortunately for some, the un-manageability strikes when we let the gaurd down. The in-sanity returns and the drink seems a good remedy. So in AA we work the 12 steps and be of maximum use to others. While we work with others we stay grounded. Sobriety is a by-product of working the 12 steps but we got to keep working at it.

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 5

I had a very hard day today. Sunday, which should be a relaxing, spiritual experience. But I felt pretty awful. I had been feeling pretty good most of the week, but today was foggy and overcast. In my head.

I even considered drinking. Why not? I feel like crap anyway, right? And how good it would feel going down my throat.

No. No.

I didn't. I did a three mile hike, read the second half of a novel I have been enjoying, and thought about my life and future.

The conclusion? Alcohol simply cannot be a part of my life anymore. It will get better. Right?

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 5

Dear Ashley,

Thank you for the response and the nice compliments.

I actually think I have been too easy on myself as I relapsed in the past. "Oh, I'm only human. I've been good. A few drinks won't kill me". I am easy on myself in the beginning.

Later, when I am going through physical and emotional withdrawal, you're darned right I am hard on myself. Because I am going through this AGAIN, and I *knew* better. I have to be harder than ever on myself at this point. Tough love.

Hard is a good word. Every time I quit, the withdrawal is harder. It would be easy---so horribly easy---to go buy a twelve-pack or a bottle, and all of my troubles would be forgotten. For a brief time. It's hard, sometimes, to say no. Sometimes I feel like I will never drink again, and it will be a cinch. Other times I am extremely tempted to have a few drinks "just this once" again. To listen to that lying voice inside me.

Everything worth doing is difficult and discipline is hard. And we have to be hard on ourselves to reach our goals.

That's my take on it, anyway.

All that said, I am pleased with my progress this time. My self-confidence is building with each day.

~Mark

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11216

Wow, amazing work!

It sounds like you are putting a ton of work and thought into this. All of your past quit attempts have obviously given you much wisdom. But, try not to be so hard on yourself. Relapse can be a part of the quit process, especially when encountering huge life stressors like you have. The point is that you are still trying, you are still working on it. That takes a lot of courage and strength. So give yourself credit where credit is due. I get the sense that you are very hard on yourself and I am wondering how this is impacting your drinking?

Celebrate your success. You deserve it. It is not easy to stay sober for 3 months and you did it!!!

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1562

hors controle

If you could relate to what you heard on those audio links, you may want to listen to the segments on Bill Story. You will see how a young war veteran rises up the corporate ladder, but his drinking progresses and see the downward spiral from his peak. And also you will see how he stages a recovery from a hopeless state of mind and body.

http://www.xa-speakers.org/speakers/aa/duos-and-combos/joe_and_charlie/08bills_story1.mp3

http://www.xa-speakers.org/speakers/aa/duos-and-combos/joe_and_charlie/10bills_story2.mp3

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11

You are truly gutsy to battle this; I wish you strength and a sense of hopefulness as you find your way to sobriety and stay there. Twenty one days is amazing.

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 5

My resolve is strong, and I am doing as well as can be expected, but I would pay money for a good, long night's sleep. I fall asleep with little problem, but staying that way is the hard part. I went to bed around 10 AM and was wide awake at two o'clock and I've been up ever since. This makes for a long day at work. As if they were not trying enough these past few weeks.

I am not a coffee fanatic like many alcoholics are. In fact, I never touch the stuff. I do like my morning tea, but I don't have any past four or five in the afternoon. Usually it's way earlier than that.

I hope that I regain normal sleeping patterns soon. I do not wish to do this with artificial sleeping aids.

9 years ago 0 +0 / -0 557

Thank you Foxman, Have listened to the first part and recognize myself as the insane... :-) Will listen to the rest tomorrow. Have a nice evening!

Reading this thread:

today's top discussions:

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved

21 Days Sober