[splitimage]

I was talking with my addictions Dr. this am and the subject of just not drinking for today came up. I'd known this was a problem for me before but it really hit me today of how foreign the concept of anything for just one day is to me. I've always been a big time planner (mostly of escapes) and it's really throwing me to see how difficult it is to just deal with the nows. Just some new insight I guess.

The other plus is they're going to let me stay in the treatment program longer which is really good because it is helping me, despite my last relapse Now at day 14 and counting.

--splitimage

congratulations upon reaching day 14~~it is hard to try to stay in the "now" when you're using to planning ahead.....but in this case, it's best......good luck and keep me updated. xoxox pat

[Raynaadi]

Congrats on 14 days!

Staying in today only works for me when I keep it simple. Obviously there's things I must plan for, like rent being due, or having a doctor's appointment in 2 weeks, or wanting to go back to school someday, or get married someday. We can't stop thinking about the future, because we have to make our future.

Staying in today in regards to drinking and using though is pretty simple. I won't drink today. Ok. That's said. I'll drink tomorrow. In the beginning, I would say I'll just drink tomorrow. And if I kept saying that, tomorrow would never come, and it hasn't come.

There was a sign at a bar that I used to frequent years ago. I got SOOO excited. It said, "Free beer tomorrow." My friends started laughing saying, "Even tomorrow, that sign is still gonna say tomorrow."

So I guess my point is, we will always think about the future, future plans, future dreams, future hopes, etc. But when it comes to the drink, if we think about the future in terms of never drinking again, it becomes too overwhelming. Its much easier to stay sober for one day and then let those days accumulate, then it is stay sober for the rest of our lives.

You're doing fabulous hun. Keep posting those questions. You're doin the deal. And thank you for letting me share my experience, strength and hope. This helps keep me sober.

Love ya,
Rayna