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Post by Sam on Jul 2, 2016 21:15:26 GMT -5
Hey TuTu, I am doing well and sober thank you for asking, my lovely wife of 29 years and I (just celebrated) are now officially senior citizens (ouch!). I am taking her on yet another cruise to Mexico in two months, our beloved destination. We are comfortable in our lives and we are looking on retiring and buying an RV to roam the country, the two kids are all grown up and working. Life is good tutu, if I can only quiet my mind! All the best, Sam  |
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Post by quitat54 on Jul 2, 2016 22:23:49 GMT -5
Hi Everyone
All of you guys have been an inspiration to me. I think that people do not post here as much because there are not many new quitters. In early stages one needs so much support, acceptance and reassurance. What helped me tremendously was reading old threads and seeing... these guys went thorough what I am going through. Different coping skills that help to get through the cravings which are many in early stages. As the one puts the sober time, the confidence grows, but one has to be always vigilant. It happened to me after joining this forum and staying sober for 3 months, which for me was a great accomplishment at that time. And then I had a slip and 4 day binge. I learned some tricks along the way and went back at it "staying sober". I also learned during those 3 months that I enjoyed being sober. Next month will be 1 year for me. I don't think much about drinking. I imagine that this is the reason that I visit this site less frequently. Also, as Brett pointed out, the discussion is not what it used to be here. I like coming back here though. It is with this group that I found understanding and support. Like many of you I have not attended AA and found all the support and strength here. I remain vigilant. I avoid the traps. I don't tempt faith. I feel strong but am an alcoholic. I know for certain that I cannot be a moderate drinker- it is not in my DNA. So for me to take a drink is to revert back to what I was - self destructing hopeless individual. So I have to be vigilant - always. Not paranoid, anxious, but vigilant. I have been smoke free for over 6 years, I don't miss it, I hate it. But for some reason I smoke a cigarette, I strongly believe that I would start smoking again. I think of alcohol that way. I found ways to relax and amuse myself that don't involve alcohol. I can experience anger, sadness, and celebrate holidays without the need to drink. So there is less need to escape, escape to a bottle. I will continue to visit this forum and hopefully we will grow in numbers.
J
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Post by angelina1512 on Jul 3, 2016 4:36:14 GMT -5
Hey Sam,
how exciting a cruise. Hubby and I went on a cruise, was awesome had the best time. Although when we got back to port he ended up in hospital but it was still a very relaxing cruise. I was drinking back then tried to put alcohol in our luggage to take on board but that didn't work, got caught so they put it away and give it back to you at the end of the cruise.
you said you can't slow your mind down. Can you explain that a bit more. Maybe you need to write it down into a story, novel type thing. Or cut back on the coffee lol.
i would be interested in knowing more. It's so nice to visit the site and see people posting.
Tutu
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Post by yvan on Jul 3, 2016 6:57:05 GMT -5
Hi everyone.
It's been a while. I still check the forum from time to time, and what a surprise. Good to see some familiar names and to know everybody is doing well. Kim and Beth, you are doing well too because never giving up is the next step to freedom. The worst is to give up because things get worse, never better.
I am very well. 2 1/2 years sober, life is good. I am busy working or enjoying my time off. It's summer, I spend most of my time outdoors, no stress otherwise the usual little things in life, like for everyone.
I don't know anymore what is to live like a drunk zombie. I don't spend my time anymore in drinking and trying fixing the mess. I enjoy everyday and every moment with all my heart. Sobriety brought slowly a new life into my life, I changed to a stronger and a better person and altogether, the difference between before and after is just amazing and will always be as long as I will never forget that one drink would bring me back to what I was. When you have accepted you're an alcoholic, there is no other option than not drinking, ever, no matter what.
It took me so many years to get it, but I got it. I drank to feel good, to escape or just to be drunk, I don't know which one comes first, but I was going to die if I didn't stop. When you realise alcohol has never made you happy, never did anything good to your life and is taking you slowly to the grave, it's time to stop the insanity and move on. We used to say here there is a light at the end of tunnel, there is a light, it shines everyday, I know it will never go out unless I want to.
I am very happy for you Brett and for all of you. I hope all the others are well too and happy with their lives.
Yes it's a pity the forum is empty. When I joined in, it became part of my life, I needed it everyday not to feel alone. We helped eachother, we laughed, we cried, we argued, we struggled but we shared, we supported eachother, all in our own way. We learnt together to stay strong and to become free from our addiction. It was my family I could talk to because only you, all of you understood me. The forumily was unique, no one could force me to stop drinking, but it brought me the strength, the support and the love I needed to start living a sober life.
The forum gave me the greatest gift I could receive, it gave me back my freedom.
I will try to post more often if we start making the forum alive again.
Hugs to all.
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Post by angelina1512 on Jul 3, 2016 7:06:24 GMT -5
Hello Yvan, i was was just thinking about you and then you popped up lol. I'm so glad things are going well for you. Yes the forum helped many of us to become sober and stay sober. in Australia we are having what we call a " dry July" it's when everyone is suppose to give up drinking for July. You can support someone who is doing it. It raises money and goes to charity. Maybe be for the month of July we can support a few who are struggling and have our own DRY JULY. it might be a start for someone who is trying to stop. I think there is no just one for us ever again. I know that. I know the same with smoking, no just one. so let's do a DRY JULY. good to see you Yvan. How are the cows?  ? tutu |
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