Addiction And Sobriety.....

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
Thanks guys.


Congratulations. Just keep going a day at a time. Hopefully you've got the right people to support you going forward.

 

[Phishin]

I've been sober for 9+ years. Keep going to meetings. Studies show that going to 90 meetings in 90 days is one of the best ways to get a good start in sobriety. I HIGHLY encourage you to try to do 90 in 90.

I was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a DUI accident that result in another man's death. You have no idea what it's like to live with that kind of regret in your heart.

But if you go to AA, get a sponsor, read the Big Book, and develop a relationship with a High Power, you can make it.

I sponsor a lot of guys. A few have made it. You got to stay vigilant, and respect this disease. It's the only disease you can have that tries to convince you that you don't have it. It's cunning, baffling, and powerful.

Just stay sober one day at a time. Everyday I remember that my sobriety and my happiness is contingent upon the maintenance of my spiritual condition.

I wish you the best of luck. PM me if you want my number. I know a lot of sober blokes in Chicago.

 

[SeaJay]

The vast majority of people who imbibe alcohol can more or less take it or leave it and have no problem with going out for an evening with friends and limiting themselves to no more than 1-3 drinks at most.

Then there are the rest of us who see no point in having just 1-3 drinks on occasion. If we start with the first one we ain't gonna quit until we are well past the double digit mark, and do this just about every day of the year.

At some point we either realize that this can not go on and stop cold turkey never to have even single drink, or we keep on drinking our selves to the inevitable early death. I have fond memories of all of the great times me and my drinking buddies had over the years. But most all of them are gone having died well before their 60th birthday. Some were never even remotely close to hitting 60 years old.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
So I've been sober close to 30 days. I seemed to rub some people the wrong way here. I am the type who needs to abstain from alcohol. The drinking AND driving go hand in hand with me. Out of the hundreds of times I drove inebriated, I was caught twice. I've attended some AA meetings & feel at home. It's a place I'm not judged. I hope other in my situation will respond.


Well done, you've made the right choice. Keep it up - one day at a time....

 

[Kira]

Keep it up.
BEST FRIEND = almost 30 years sober. "Meeting goers make it" is one battle cry I've heard from AA members.

Also, don't 'compare' yourself to partyers around you, as in, "They're laughing and dancing and drinking so I want some too" kind of thing. Stay on course. Kira

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
So I've been sober close to 30 days. I seemed to rub some people the wrong way here. I am the type who needs to abstain from alcohol. The drinking AND driving go hand in hand with me. Out of the hundreds of times I drove inebriated, I was caught twice. I've attended some AA meetings & feel at home. It's a place I'm not judged. I hope other in my situation will respond.

Good work. I've put a few consecutive 24-hour periods together, and I remember it's tough at first -- but it does get better. If anybody here or in your real life is rubbed the wrong way by it, ignore him. Your health and safety have to come first, or you won't be any good to your loved ones.

 

[splinter]

Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
..I seemed to rub some people the wrong way here. I am the type who needs to abstain from alcohol..

Congratulations and +1!

I refuse to be a doormat for anyone or anything.

Lost 30 pounds, began 'cardio' walking, started to stand up straight and got my stuff together.
People began to call me "sir."

Serve as Sergeant-at-Arms, on the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Rotary and in our church.
People I know and love gave me a second chance. I've since earned their trust.
Do what you say you're going to do.

Said 'adios' to my drinking buddies to make new friends and discovered new pastimes.
I still have good days and bad days but I'm grateful for my life, friends and comfortable lifestyle.

3+ years clean and sober. One day at a time.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: SeaJay
The vast majority of people who imbibe alcohol can more or less take it or leave it and have no problem with going out for an evening with friends and limiting themselves to no more than 1-3 drinks at most.


We in the program refer to that vast majority as "Earth people."

Originally Posted By: SeaJay
Then there are the rest of us who see no point in having just 1-3 drinks on occasion. If we start with the first one we ain't gonna quit until we are well past the double digit mark, and do this just about every day of the year.


Yeah. "Hey, you gonna finish that? . . . Have another? Don' mind if I do!"

Originally Posted By: SeaJay
At some point we either realize that this can not go on and stop cold turkey never to have even single drink, or we keep on drinking our selves to the inevitable early death. I have fond memories of all of the great times me and my drinking buddies had over the years. But most all of them are gone having died well before their 60th birthday. Some were never even remotely close to hitting 60 years old.

When I quit I wasn't up to the getting-blotto-every-day level, not yet. And I never drove drunk -- I knew when I was too impaired to operate a car. But I probably would have gotten there eventually.

Applause to everyone who's realized the change he has to make, and has made it.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
turtle, no chronic alcoholic do not get hangovers. They do go through withdrawal. I was up to a 12 pack a day & a half pint of vodka. I worked every day in a "high risk" job.

Oh, I got hangovers, all right. I referred to them as "the feeling that a moose is having a baby in your head."

 

[cjcride]

Good. Keep doing the right thing.

 

[Leo99]

Good luck to you! By the grace of God I can enjoy alcohol but still, sometimes over do it.

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: Rick in PA
But, not everybody's judging you. As my sister told me long ago (with an attendant Boynton cartoon) "Don't let the turkeys get you down".


This is a good quote.

Congrats on the sobriety qwerty!

 

[ET16]

If you are at all inclined, religion, or a religious community could be a help to you. There are many church communities around the country that are very supportive with these things. My church hosts AA meetings, for example.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Originally Posted By: qwerty1234
turtle, no chronic alcoholic do not get hangovers. They do go through withdrawal. I was up to a 12 pack a day & a half pint of vodka. I worked every day in a "high risk" job.


I used to work with high voltage linemen that would do that kind of drinking and function perfectly.

When I was a kid I had my turbo Buick hitting the fuel cutoff on i25 right thru downtown Denver. Its not like you're the only one who's ever done this. People on bitog are very judgmental.



What's your point... it's "OK" to drive or fly drunk? In the "recovery" trade, your comments are called "enabling".

 

[splinter]

Originally Posted By: turtlevette
..I used to work with high voltage linemen that would do that kind of drinking and function perfectly..

Stupid is as stupid does. Not calling you stupid, Mr. 'Vette.

I'm a tradesman with my own business.
I fire anyone working under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs on my job sites immediately
then have them escorted off the property by sworn and armed LEOs.

I've seen living idiots become dead construction workers from doing stupid things.
I've pushed electricians away from hot wires with a ~2x4x10 when they got some juice (not booze) running through 'em.

Where was the shop steward to report the drunken idiot lineman? Not my problem but that's [censored] up.
Life is short enough without tempting fate.

 

[Mr Nice]

I drink zero alcohol.

Alcohol, drugs and smoking will poison your body. Its also a waste of money. Any person showing up to work under the influence of drugs or alcohol must be fired on the spot.

 

[Al]

Congrats!!!!
I would suggest you find a hobby that you really enjoy...and make it your passion.

For me its working out at the gym. I am 69 years old and I can out-do 99% of people my age (at least). I am an avid shooter and read constantly.

I know you can't do all of that. ..I am retired..But without these things I might go down the wrong path.

The good thing about the gym (for you) would be that it does the exact opposite that drinking does to your body. You also get a "high" from the workouts.

But a sincere congrats to you!!

 

[Smokescreen]

Originally Posted By: splinter
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
..I used to work with high voltage linemen that would do that kind of drinking and function perfectly..

Stupid is as stupid does. Not calling you stupid, Mr. 'Vette.

I'm a tradesman with my own business.
I fire anyone working under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs on my job sites immediately
then have them escorted off the property by sworn and armed LEOs.

I've seen living idiots become dead construction workers from doing stupid things.
I've pushed electricians away from hot wires with a ~2x4x10 when they got some juice (not booze) running through 'em.

Where was the shop steward to report the drunken idiot lineman? Not my problem but that's [censored] up.
Life is short enough without tempting fate.


I in good conscience could not work with or know of someone who is impaired while working in an industry where lives could be lost or even someone getting hurt. Its annoying enough in a normal setting. It is simply irresponsible and dangerous. Furthermore how could anyone in their right mind put their lives in the hands of someone who is impaired?

100% agree Mr Nice.


Best of wishes to staying sober !

 

[Nate1979]

For the sake of the lives of the other drivers on the road I hope you are successful.

 

[qwerty1234]

I guess I drank daily for 15+ years. I could count on my hand the number of days I didn't drink. I'm sure my neighbors will be happy I'm not parking on their lawn anymore.