Well, 14 days ago today was the last time I had a sip of any liquor. I have to say, I feel pretty good. I know the road ahead will be hard, but this is the longest i've gone without drinking since...I started drinking. I've even been in situations where before I normally would have gotten absolutely shitfaced (bars, parties), but explained to people i'm not going to be drinking, and have even been the DD a couple times, imagine that, lol!
It's sad in a way but it's a reality I might have to face, that there are just certain people, and even close friends that I might not be able to hang around very much anymore, for my own sobriety. Because I feel so much better after a couple weeks with no liquor, my mind and body at times try and trick me into thinking i'll be fine having just one or two beers when I go out, just don't get shitfaced. It's a slippery hill that i'm not sure I want to experiment with, i've already come this far...why start all over again? Not to mention the fact that it's great waking up with energy and motivation on the mind, instead of laying in bed all day or almost falling asleep at the wheel due to being hungover. The other day I think I accomplished more in one day than I have the past couple months combined! lol
I have been smoking a bit of pot to help me sleep at night, I just find it enjoyable for relaxing and staying inside watching a movie instead of going out. It might not be the best, but at this point it's definitely better than me drinking and i'm sure i'll quit it soon too. My bank account is definitely thanking me as well, it's strange to actually have money leftover in my bank instead of having 0 and having to use credit!
When i've been out the past couple weeks and been around drunk people and watching how goofy some of them can act, it makes me think about how ridiculous I must have acted at times. I wrote a list of pros and cons on a piece of paper regarding drinking, and it wasn't even a comparison (obviously). Another thing that hit home the other day when I explained to a close friend i'm trying to get off the sauce, he told me he's been thinking about it for awhile, about how much more enjoyable I can be when i'm not drinking. Almost an alter-ego sort of thing, which made me think considering how close of a friend he is.
Anyways, just a little update on me...things are going well, for now. Hopefully I can keep it up!
Good job on two weeks! Hit some meeting, get a sponsor, meet some new friends! It really is quite simple and just remind yourself about how great you, and your bank account feel right now! It does get better!
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
It is indeed amazing how much we can accomplish while sober. Good luck to you on your journey, and remember you don't have to do this alone! The doors of AA are always open to you.
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~Your Higher Power has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.
Congrats, keep going, meetings keep me sober and have brought me new fun sober friends, welcome my friend, look forward to hearing how things develop for you.(((Hugs)))
Well, 14 days ago today was the last time I had a sip of any liquor. . . .
I have been smoking a bit of pot to help me sleep at night, I just find it enjoyable for relaxing and staying inside watching a movie instead of going out. . .
Dear Paul:
I think that some of the others who posted replies to you may not have noticed the part of your post about "smoking a bit of pot." Countless of us have tried the "marijuana maintenance program", and in over 22 years in A.A., I have not seen a single one be successful.
Please give yourself a chance at true sobriety: go to some more meetings, get a sponsor, start working the Steps with that sponsor. If you do this, I promise that you will find the peace you are looking for, without a drink, hit, pill or fix. Really, what do you have to lose by giving it a real honest shot?
Well, 14 days ago today was the last time I had a sip of any liquor. . . .
I have been smoking a bit of pot to help me sleep at night, I just find it enjoyable for relaxing and staying inside watching a movie instead of going out. . .
Dear Paul:
I think that some of the others who posted replies to you may not have noticed the part of your post about "smoking a bit of pot." Countless of us have tried the "marijuana maintenance program", and in over 22 years in A.A., I have not seen a single one be successful.
Please give yourself a chance at true sobriety: go to some more meetings, get a sponsor, start working the Steps with that sponsor. If you do this, I promise that you will find the peace you are looking for, without a drink, hit, pill or fix. Really, what do you have to lose by giving it a real honest shot?
Love,
BGG
thanks BGG, I did miss that. Paul sooner or later, any kind of mood altering substance or event (other addictions: sex, gambling, overspending...) will lead us back to our "drug of choice". Been there and done that. What we can't see from our position "on the fence" is what life really feels like when we get sober. We do however get a glimpse of what it has done for other people in meetings. In the begining we only experience what it feels like to be "dry". I takes time to build a sober identity. It's worth working for and like all good things, we get out of it what we put into it. Make a commitment to your sobriety, put it first in your life, and follow the path that others took, and you will be rewarded with a wonderful life as expressed by "the promises"
The AA Promises
If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.
We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
Self-seeking will slip away.
Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not.
They are being fulfilled among us - sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.
Each day is a big accomplishment buddy, we all do it one day at a time, no more, no less. Keeping it in bite sized chunks like that does make it more bearable, don't ask us why, it just is. If you are still sober when you read this, it will be almost 3 weeks, if not.....costs you nothing to try again, never get discouraged. Look in the mirror some time and ask the guy you see what he wants to do...if he's really honest he will tell you. Best wishes!
Scott
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Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. ~Buddha
