Dare to Stay sober
2,118 members Daring to Stay sober have tracked a total of 17,582 times
Alcoholism can affect your health and your relationships. By cutting alcohol from your life or drinking in moderation, you can keep your heart and liver healthy.
Member Comments
I was laid off last Friday. Alcohol was not my first thought, or my second, but it was there. However, the thought of having to save money for the long run was stronger.
I am happy to say, 53 days and still counting.
congrats, u r doing awesome. very smart and strong of you to think about the $. Please share the details of all of the benefits you have earned
I had someone tell me the other day they don't trust people who don't drink. They didn't know at the time that I don't drink. They said it was a red flag.
I want to tell those people to fu@k off! Who do you think you are? What is your problem?
I then replyed to that person that in fact I don't drink...but I used to if that helps...I'm an alcoholic. They shut right up and didn't know what to say. They then started asking questions, like why. How do you answer that without looking like a complete asshole? I'm not about to tell anyone that my entire family are alcoholics, and my sister was in rehab three times, and my aunt died from a drunk driver.
It makes me think....what have I ever said in the past to unintentially offend someone?
I think people like that don't deserve any explanation. None of their business. Your closest friends will care and support you, but other than that, it's your business.
I also think people like that are not looking at their own problems. Your not drinking makes them uncomfortable. That's a red flag to me!
It's not your problem at all -- it's theirs.
--Deb
Recognize the ignorance, move on, and enjoy your day. My response if asked why I don't drink is "I feel better when I don't". Hard to argue with and it usually ends there.
I am stopping drinking alcohol from tomm.. i.e. 25 th Feb I dont want to be dependent on alcohol...
Resisted thoughts/urges to get something to drink after my day turned out so much better than I expected this morning. Wish the thoughts weren't even there but they are. Reminded myself of how good I will feel tomorrow morning by not indulging tonight.
I had many Day Ones before I finally wanted to be sober more than I wanted to drink. After awhile being sober is so great the temptations are easier to overcome.
I woke up with such a terrible headache I thought I had a hangover...even though I still have the headache I know it's just from sleeping wrong. I started to beat myself up about the drinking before I was totally awake...those old self-destructive habits are always still there, ready to take over when they can.
Just checked my sobriety calendar and I'm at 588 days ... if I can do it YOU can do it!
I do the same thing (hating myself for being so weak). Earlier in January I had gone almost 3 weeks and then like an idiot I thought I could just have "one or two" Ya'll know how that is! Anyway, I'm going to keep at it.
Focus on "day one" and forget about "yet again". Yet again is looking back in the past, punishing yourself, and that cannot be changed. One day is all we have. Make that day the best you can.
A mentor of mine, 32 years sober, says "you're ready when you're ready". No amount of self will, help from others, inspirational reading etc., will matter until YOU decide you're ready.
It is my experience that pain precedes the addiction. We numb out by self medicating to ease the pain. Once sober, seek to become aware of the pain. That's where the hard work begins. And that's where we need others to help us. If you're sober and not supported by others; be it AA, church support group, therapy etc., you most likely will relapse.
I have a great video for you to take a look at. Bring up YouTube and enter this in the search: Gabor Mate: Drugs, Set and Setting (2011 International Drug Policy Reform Conference). This short video will put things in context for you. I also recommend Dr. Mate's book. It is a helpful resource.
Be kind to yourself. We all paid a big price for the pain that we have carried throughout our life. Get sober, address the pain, and live the rest of your life sane and happy!
So close to giving in to 'it's mardi gras, i'll have one last night...' but resisted. No reason to wait until tomorrow...
Stone sober 15 days. feel awesome mental clarity and energy never been better. always been 2-3 beer kind of guy. then fall in an out of getting drunk on the weekends. I would be completely fine with never turning back. glad to participate in this post!
stone sober and loving it for 14 days...most i have ever done is over a year.At 51 want to start thinking like Chris Matthews did when he quit..cant accomplish all i want if i drink
My friend got arrested for his forth DUI...he is in jail now....again. It's very selfish of people to drink and drive...thing about somebody other than yourself for once. Think about the people you could hurt or kill...think about your family and the hurt it may cause them if you hurt yourself or someone else.
I am sober for 2 years 4 months and never been happier. No regret, no guilt, no wondering what I said or did the night before. I can dance on tables and know exactly what I'm doing and be proud. I am just as crazy stone sober as I was drunk. That's the best discovery. I am still a damn good time sober. Knowing I can always drive people home safely is a gift from god.
Amen, Suzyq...life without alcohol just continues to get better. I also find that I have so much more fun now and can be as crazy as I want.
I was watching The View and they asked an actress how she found a way to play being a drunk to an art..she said that most people that are drinking don't act like the "typical" ...they're always trying to act like they aren't drunk. That hit me like a ton of bricks...how many times was I loaded and trying to pretend that I wasn't, or how much alcohol I could drink and still "act sober". What insanity!
I carry a DUI on my record as well. I am so grateful that I didn't injure myself or anyone else when I crashed my car!!! I could never and would never get behind the wheel drunk again. Unfortunately, I witnessed 2 people get their second DUI while going through my 9 month alcohol program. Some people never learn!! The worst part was that they both tried to hide and deny that they got a second. It's very sad! Say a prayer for your friend - he is clearly in deep denial of his alcohol addiction.
This is exactly what I need to read on a Friday. Always my worst day of temptation...end of week...I deserve it...fun with friends. I've been away from alcohol long enough to realize everything you said is true. It's just separating from the temptation that gets tricky. I just love knowing I'm clear, and not stupid, and remember everything. It is the only way to live. - Deb
Nice to see your post Suzyq. Two years and 4 months..awesome!
I've heard that a DUI is that first legal sign of addiction. I got a DUI in 1999 that stayed on my driving record for ten years. Most potential employers check driving records at a minimum these days. In this competitive job market, I would not want to be sitting with a DUI on the books.
Love your comment about being stone sober and crazy fun. Sounds like you've found the magic of lving in the present.
thats awesome about your sobriety time...agree totally that im just as crazy without it. also agree to drink and drive is selfish and delusional...like the commercial says "eventually we are going to find you"
thats awesome about your sobriety time...agree totally that im just as crazy without it. also agree to drink and drive is selfish and delusional...like the commercial says "eventually we are going to find you"
It is 7 days without any alcohol and I feel great. It makes me feel like drinking is a waste because I feel better now than when I would drink.
I emailed my doctor today about outpatient rehab. I can't afford inpatient and can't miss the time from work, but something has GOT to change. I am so sick of this never-ending battle. I just want to be healthy again! I have not been sober for more than a month in the last 5 years. :(
I recommend going directly to your local hospital, if they have a Chemical Dependency Unit. Or, find a women only rehab facility. Apologies if behind "anonymous" and the dark picture with the hair twizzle, you are not a woman. These places offer scholarships, full or partial that will cover all or some of your stay. I paid cash when I went because I did not have insurance. Hoag Hospital reduced their fee by 50% because I was paying cash upfront.
I was on a plane two weeks ago, sitting next to a woman who was traveling from Atlanta to Orange County California. She was headed to New Directions for Women in Costa Mesa. She is on a 90 day rehab scholarship. Her only cost was the airfare.
By fkabba on February 26, 2012 at 09:12 PM
2 months, 3 days