Daily addiction check in #1

Should you take those meds with food?

I usually eat dinner pretty late. It had been about an hour or an hour and a half since I had eaten... nothing unusual from any other night... I can call my gastro tomorrow, if it happens again tonight... I hate calling docs tho.

Day 1----again. I did make a commitment not to drink over the holidays. It's going to be hard, but I'm hoping with a lot of distractions I'll manage. I've been a problem drinker before becoming legal and that's when it escalated. I didn't figure out the root of my issue until I entered therapy and pandora's box opened revealing years of trauma, anxiety and all sorts of things.

Been a week since my last drink. And it was just two beers but it made my stomach really upset. Let's see how long I can go without one, especially through the holidays.

Good job Lady Shadow!

Day 2 commences. Going to be a long week for me. Hoping I can get through it and keep my promise.

Go for it annabelle_01!

I'm hoping everyone gets their sober wishes today! I know the struggle and how hard it is. But as someone who quit drinking and rebuilt, it is all worth it.

I literally stayed on recovery sites, attended online meetings etc.... no matter what you "believe" in there is a resource out there. The companionship was everything when I was dying inside. It felt so incredibly good not to feel alone. It was enough to get me through for a few days.

Stay strong and be good to yourselves.

One week! Having a rough day, family gathering, dad noticing scars...

Had 14 months sober as of Dec this year until last Saturday night. I had a few drinks at a big family annual party. Have not had any since then but I wanted to today. I thought about grabbing just one cold one and sneaking it on the way over to my Mom's. But I thought about what might actually happen which is some sort of chaos of wierdness. I can't get away with it. I never have just one. What if I got a dui? So I didn't. I got through it. But I'm sick of being an alcoholic. I'm so disappointed in myself and full of self-hatred and depressed.

zijax you are hating yourself but look also at how well you have done!

14 months is a very long time sober--well done!

And then you got through a massive temptation to drink again. You got through it!

Again--well done!



When you are upset with yourself--still be fair and balanced. Look at the whole picture.

You can start another long run sobriety--one day at a time.

You can do it!

Zijax, one of the best things I remember from an outpatient DBT for use disorders was "we aim for abstinence." But if we slip or use or relapse or however we define it ourselves, we "then move into harm reduction" meaning that we do everything possible to get back to abstinence as quickly as possibly with as little harm or damage as possible.

Slips happen. Relapse happens.

I have been attempting to stay sober for 11 years now. I have had various lengths of sobriety and many relapses. I keep reminding myself, that over those 11 years, I have been sober for more time than I have been using. For me, that is an accomplishment in itself.

I agree with chaos. slips happen, the important thing is to get back into abstinence as soon as possible.

I too have been fighting this stupid disease since 2005, and have relatively long periods of sobriety punctuated by relapses, but i've definitely been sober more than I've been drunk.

Tomorrow will be 7 months for me, which is the longest I've managed in a few years now. And it feels good.

Work on strategies to get through the cravings, and watch you sober time build up again.

splitimage

Bill, thanks I did get through it and I didn't drink last night either, thanks for the pep talk!

Child, I first got into recovery 15 years ago. I have been in and out but I am really proud of you for being sober more than being drunk through all your years. I'm going to keep trying to limit damage by not picking up again.

Split, I've had periods of sobriety followed by periods of drinking. I had 4, 2 and a half year stints, then two, 1 year periods then a couple of 6 and nine months. Then some periods of drinking, can't remember how long they were couple of years, a few months followed by hospital detox. I've never made it to three years. But all combined I've got over ten. Just can't get them without slips in between. Wonder why? Congrats on your 7 months!!!! One thing is nice to always be in the first year.

for all who want.

The other day was counting down the days to January (because want more SSI money to spend). I have some money still but trying to not spend any more this month so I have some left. Got Christmas gifts but still want to shop. Also got a gift card and money, already thinking what I should buy with them. I just feel so empty right now, I just want to feel something. I'm going to play the video games I got for Christmas, maybe enjoying them will help.

7 months sober for me, today.

Awesome splitimage!

Congratulations splitimage!

I'm reminded to put my priorities in order. At yesterday's get together I noticed my early 20-something nephew in law really throwing the Corona beer back. He also smelled of weed like usual.

At first, I actually envied his grasp on the bottle and the carefree way he tilted it up to drink. Then I realized I was romanticizing my demon! I snapped myself out of that thinking quickly by remembering where those actions would take me, have taken me so many times even in that very room we were in!

So back to priorities. I have to protect this sobriety I have. I have to. I reached a place of no return the last time I drank so I have no room for romanticizing that possibility. Those kinds of thoughts will waft in my memory bank and lie to me and I will think it's all ok. It's not. Alcohol is not my friend. It is my enemy and I have to remember that....daily.

Yay Splitimage!

The distraction worked yesterday and I managed not to spend any money. Spent $1.15 today, which I can afford, so can't complain.

Congrats Split. Notz, good work seeing through the svelte disguise of demon alcohol. I'm headed to my Dad's, heavy drinkers, all of them, been driving 10 hrs with my sons. Hopefully by the time we get there they will have finished cocktails and we can eat. Six days sober. Had 13 months previously, slipped.

The holidays can be tough. Good job on 6 days.

Had a slip on Tuesday and felt really bad Wednesday. Want to continue the cycle today but I am fighting not to. This is so tough. I just want to drown. Not a good day for me.

I'm sorry you're feeling vulnerable. For me, alcohol kicked my butt whether it was a good day or bad, sunny or overcast...I hope you haven't had that first drink yet, because we both know what happens then! Sending good vibes your way!

Day 10 sober for me. How are you doing Lady? Know exactly what that feels like, just try to make it today.