Becoming Sober (Page 10)

Wow.  I read the first few posts when this thread was first started back in February, but haven't looked at it since.  I just read through all the posts and I am amazed (not sure that is quite the right word, but that's ok).  While not an alcoholic, I went through a 12 step program for abuse that cleaned up my thinking enough so that I stopped 'needing' alcohol to deal with life.  I can relate to some of the feelings and stories expressed.

Can you be proud of people that you don't know?  I think you can.  I am so incredibly proud of all of you.  Those of you just getting sober, those of you who have been sober for a little while, those of you who have been sober for a long time.  In a world where we are losing the sense of community, here it is.  Thank you for sharing yourselves.

It's not really my business but you might want to think about telling him.  It could be help for both of you!!

I made it through another weekend without a drink, have a meeting tomorrow.  Things are looking up!!

Yes ... it's not how much we drank ... it's HOW we drank and HOW that made us feel about ourselves and life.

The A.A. book "Living Sober" is especially written for newcomers and I think you would find it helpful.

As far as evenings go, here are some totally random suggestions to consider.

1. Get a trainer, put your bike on it, and lightly spin (so that it won't interfere with other workouts, but will give you T.I.T.S. , or be like active recovery for workouts ... and self! Ha ha).
2. Get phone numbers of women at meetings, and then at those times in the evening, CALL THEM. You don't have to have anything to say.
3. Do something that keeps your hands busy--journal, crochet, draw, build Legos, practice card magic tricks, etc.
4. Hang out in a recovery chat room.
5. Hang out on BT and post to every single thread in Introduce Yourself. (I find anything that helps others has a direct effect on the quality of my sobriety).
6. Yoga and/or meditation.

^^^^Agreed 

Here is my story about sticking with sobriety and recovery.  Yes, there is a major adjustment period, but only because I lost my identity in the substance itself.  I was actually more boring while I drunk.  It's hard, because you want to keep your mind occupied with something, so you won't feel tempted or think about drinking.  You BECOME the alcohol. 

Find something that you like to do.  Something you used to love to do prior to drinking...drawing, reading, anything!  Pick it back up.  Spend some time trying new things...what is something that you would like to try but haven't yet?  Try that!  If you don't like it, try something else.  I literally watched the 50 movies everyone should see before they die.  1 a night!  Some weren't great, but it gave my husband and I something to talk about!  

Meetings aren't for everyone, and sometimes it might take a few sponsors to go through to find the right one, but you are a triathlete.  We don't quit.  You won't quit at this either, I believe in you, and you are amazing!  If I have to tell you everyday, I will!!!! 

Marti and Tyler! Awesome! You guys are making my heart grow (sort of like the Grinch's) by sharing your struggles and how you dealt with fears and anxieties. We all can relate. 

And Yanti and Eccomama (I hope I got that right) have an excellent point about staying busy and finding new (or old) activities to enjoy.

I heard this early in sobriety and I carry it with me always and practice it whenever I hear my 'little committee' in my brain giving me back talk and starting up their jibber jabber about my life  

"Move a Muscle, Change a Thought"

Yay you!!!

I'm so happy for you!!

This is fantastic!

This is fabulous. I had the same talk with my husband, even his family. The support I've had has been incredible.  You can do it.

I've found that once I admitted to myself I really had a problem, I really had the disease and had no control over it, that when I told my friends or even people in drinking situations that I don't drink anymore, they were nothing but supportive.  I've never had anyone look down at me for not drinking and admitting why I can't have a drink.

There is support everywhere, and when it finally clicked that A.A. works for me, I wasn't afraid anymore.  It is also a fantastic story of how A.A. started, and the 12 traditions are an awesome way to run things..

That's great!!!  So happy to hear you had an awesome weekend! 

what she said...

A sober life is anything but boring.  I'm living a much fuller life now.

Marti, if you are in the Denver area, give Jo at the Central Office a call. Tell her Don in St Louis told you to call, and that you are afraid your life will be boring.  Trust me, she'll plant you square in the middle of things. 

That's awesome!!

Getting ready to head to bed...another sober day in the books...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daGcpvxPbCo&ob=av2e

My Shadow Days are over...another song that I find amazing....for us all...

^^^^^ THIS is the guy who welcomed ME to BT and made me feel at home here!!!

{MELON PRESS} I utterly adore you.

And those of you who fear the sober life may be boring (believe me, I had that fear myself ... I thought I was going to wind up watching golf on TV, in an armchair knitting sweaters and drinking Diet Coke) ...

Should come visit me here in Bali.

WARNING: You may require other 12-Step programs and/or a sanitarium in order to recover from that.

Careful, might have to take you up on that.