My observations as a teetotaler--6 months today

[gassy]

So. I'm not fishing for any congratulations here--just thought I'd post a bit of my progress and observations. My cravings for alcohol are completely gone. I don't think about it every waking moment as in the past. I have to be aware of my "triggers". The coping mechanisms I have in place now are working quite effectively. Lost with the drink was an overwhelming amount of anxiety and future worry. Everyday stressors and problems still exist, but they seem almost irrelevant now. I deal with them head on the best I can and if it doesn't work out, something else will. Lost are the days of cloudy thinking, missing hours, and memories forgotten. Relationships have improved greatly and I'm actually using my brain and hands again, creating like I used to. I realize 6 months isn't really long at all but I'm encouraged with where I am. One of the guys in my group doesn't take it one day at a time, he takes it by the hour. Whatever works. Enough from me...have a good weekend everybody!
Christian.

[masraum]

Outstanding!! Congrats, may this new path be long and fruitful.

[9dreizig]

Christian, that's great!!! just curious are you doing this yourself or are you doing the AA thing?

[Evans, Marv]

Sometimes there are just things you can't do. I bet life is a lot more refreshing for you now. Congrats.

[gassy]

I go to a weekly meeting at the place where I did my 6 week IOP--they are hammering me about going to AA but I can't get in to it. I'm going to try some different locations this week.

[mossguy]

Christian - Look up Rational Recovery in your area. That can be a very useful and workable alternative to AA.

Best,

Tom

[red-beard]

Great to hear!

My ex-wife had (probably still does) an alcohol problem. She couldn't take the AA religion part and her Alcohol counselor didn't give her any help, except to say she should join AA. Too bad, her drinking was the primary factor that split us up.

Her sister did AA and did extremely well. All of her family drank way way too much.

[Rikao4]

I see you

Rika

[scottmandue]

Congratulation Christian!

I'm still on and off the drinking but I feel much better when I'm not drinking.

+1 on checking out different AA meetings, some are pretty churchy however there are some meetings where they kick around the word "higher power" and don't get much into the religion thing.

Best of luck!

[TerryH]

Congrats, Christian. My older brother could have written your post. I'm grateful everyday that he quit. Although I miss drinking with him, would miss a hell of a lot more if he hadn't stopped.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

One day at a time my friend. Best to you.

[Heel n Toe]

You said you weren't fishing for congratulations, so I'm not posting any.

Yukyukyukyukyuk.

It's great to hear you say all those positive things... you are seeing, feeling, and living the results of making a 180 in your life and moving in the other direction without that weight holding you back.

You mentioned you are creating again. Whatever that is, I'm sure it will be ever more fulfilling and fun and will be one place where you will experience more and more the realization of just how huge this change is and how positive it is.

Kudos. Thumbs up.

Okay, I know it's... but I just had to.

[crustychief]

Congratulations, hang in there. My wife goes to meetings three times a week, she is coming up on two years sober. Me on the other hand? ahem.

[sand_man]

Congrats to you, sir!

BTW, I've got just over a month behind me...not a drop. Not that one is better than the other, but I considered myself to be more of a social drinker...party animal. I'm not on a mission to give it up for good, just trying to reel myself back in and do things differently for a while. Change my habits and learn the art of control. Once the first week(end) was behind me, it actually wasn't/isn't that hard. I no longer feel the need to go crazy when we're together with friends. It's actually kind of nice to watch others make fools of themselves instead of being "that guy"!

Let me toast your sobriety with my glass of Vernors...

[jhynesrockmtn]

Congrats, hang in there and don't get overconfident. I grew up in a household with both parents being alcoholics. My Mom quit first, Dad finally when I was about 17. Many relapses prior to the proverbial hitting bottom after totalling two cars, many rehab stints and my mother finally throwing him out. I plucked him out of the ER the last time.

He was close to 30 years sober when he died and AA was the main factor in his recovery. He was very religous though and bought into the higher power part. Maybe look for a group not based out of a church. He transitioned over the years from being a mentee (word?) to a mentor and a leader in his group. I was moved at his funeral to see many people I had never met show up that he had helped in their recovery over the years. It gave me a whole new perspective on him as a man. He was humble about his recovery and helped others in a very quiet way.

[HardDrive]

Congratulations. Its a tough fight.

[pwd72s]

Gassy? You lose weight? I've been dry since early may...dropped some pounds since I dropped those "empty calories"...still last night was tough...my birthday. A night I'd usually "celebrate".

[nostatic]

I found the higher power thing works fine - just imagine the ocean, nature, etc. That all falls under the model imho.

During some of my battles I've been in the "5 minutes at a time" camp. Like you said, whatever works and whatever you need.

[targa911S]

Congrats! 6 months down, the rest of your life to go. It will get easier as time passes. But be careful the demon will come to you some day and whisper in your ear that you can be a "social" drinker. Don't listen, go to meetings, and stay sober. Don't go 1st step to doorstep like so many others have done. Don't "entitle" yourself that is the beginning of self enablement. If you need me PM me..anytime. Use your sobriety as your higher power.

[Rick V]

Dude, good show. I told you you could do it. I second the not needing the AA thing. It is all down hill from here. Every once in a while, on rare occasions I get the urge, but it passes quickly, and I feel very proud of myself for not giving in. Like I told ya before, I am here if you wanna talk. I passed my 5 year mark back in July. It rolls on fast when you arn't thinking about it.