February Free

[Nursie]

February Free

I'm here too! Day 25 today and will be totally AF for February! Yeah!

[Unwasted]

February Free

Thanks for the support everyone. Ann, your quick response was helpful to me last night, and then to see everyone here this morning.....it's amazing how much it helps! And, as you all might imagine, I'm relieved that I didn't drink. But, I have to constantly read here to remind myself of what a dead end road alcohol is.......my alkie brain really wanted to have its way with me last night! I am day 80 today, and so glad I didn't squander that for a quick "perceived" fix.

R4L, when I read your story, it makes me ashamed that I was on the brink of drinking with the minor upset I had yesterday. What you went through is understandable as a trigger - what I went through didn't even rate. So, thank you for your story because it's lends perspective. I'm so sorry you're experiencing that........so painful I know. But, you have 90 days today and that is fantastic news! Please keep us posted and feel free to vent any time about the husband situation. We can at least be a sounding board. Are you thinking of leaving? Do you have kids? Sorry I don't remember your story.

SL, congrats for weathering a bar situation. I don't know how you and Ann do it. I haven't put myself to that test. But, it sounds like you really overcame a doozie with people commenting, etc. That takes real character to withstand teasing about it. Wonderful.........I know we're all going to be glad we've done this if we can just give it enough time. I want to be able to say I've been sober for a year!

Alison, you are a kind soul for working at the animal shelter. I wish I had that kind of ability........I love animals but it would make me suicidal to see them in distress. I'm so glad there are people like you. I just give money............I've learned my limitations.

Bird, I understand your wanting to try being AF without using another drug. However, I did read that people who use Antabuse for a year have a 50% success rate at staying sober afterword. I know that K9's doctor wants her to stay on it a while. So, if you really struggle, you might want to get a doc's opinion. I guess it's kind of like using nicotine patches and gum to stop smoking (which I did). Anyway, good luck with whichever route you take.

Wine Wrangler, I'm amazed that you can actually work in the wine industry and not drink. Now, that's strength! But I think you were saying a lot of your co-workers have also given it up because they've seen the devestation it brings. Kudos to you!

Better Life, it sounds like you may have hit your "bottom" and are ready to stop drinking. Day 7 is great - hope you can keep it going. We are here for you.

Nursie, so glad you're still with us too. You're coming up on the BIG 30! How is your brother, by the way?

Ann, thanks again for posting last night.

Nora, Audrey, Bell, Life Change, RC, Hyper, K9, Fennel, Mama, Tom, Sundaisies, 3DN, Nelz, Today, Sun GG, and everyone else joining in an AF Feb, hope you are all staving off the evil AL!

Peace and strength to us all :lilheart:

[RingingCedars]

February Free

Quick check in. Haven't really read back but wanted to say UW-do not dis yourself with shame. You rocked it with such strength recently and inspired many. If we did not have weak moments we would not be human. You pulled it together and made a sound choice. Bravo!!
Day something or other here. lol

[Unwasted]

February Free

Thanks RC. Well, ashamed was kind of a strong word, but you know what I mean.....it's that feeling that I have such a great life with no big problems yet I can be tempted by alcohol with something that was pretty insignificant. I think it's just the nature of the alcohol beast.........it doesn't care if the problem is big or small.......it justs want you to drink! Good going on staying AF. This is huge for you, isn't it? By far your longest stint? Anyway, good going!

[RingingCedars]

February Free

Actually UW, I decided not to drink around 2007 til 2001 due to marriage difficulties. The difficulties actually got worse and I left. Then alienation of three children and my alcohol problems went from an occasional over indulgence to fairly regular consumption to increasing binges. I not only needed to address my alcohol abuse but the underlying reasons for wanting to escape. I finally realized I cannot change those circumstances(sadly, maybe never) but I can move on from it and stop causing myself further self inflicted damages. So, once I got over the initial psychological dependence the next step would be(if possible and it is really unpredictable)to drink on occasions with friends and not the abuse I had come to experience. I hope that makes sense. Now, the smokes, that getting control of, I feel very very proud of as that addiction is likened to cocaine addiction. Still a work in progress and one day a time here. Thanks for your support UW!

[RingingCedars]

February Free

R4L--UW's post got me curious about yours, so I had to come back. My heart goes out to you, but you are so right, that we will never fully deal with our pain and take positive action to move forward when we are numbing it with alcohol. I've finally coming out of that modus operandi myself and it feels so empowering. I may not be fully empowered yet but feeling that way is a great start! Stay strong and personally I would kick the guys ass to the curb. Cheating on you all this time knowing you were struggling is weak and he does not deserve you. If you really love him, make him eat dirt first.:H

[NoraC]

February Free

Hello Feb Free! I am on DAY 2. Whoohoo. Sounds like everyond is doing great. Happy to hear it. Unwasted - great job on saying NO to the beast.
Just wanted to sneak on here from work to say good morning. I'll catch you all later. :h

[RingingCedars]

February Free

Good for you Nora!:l
I want to see you back here reporting the same thing tomorrow young lady.

[Unwasted]

February Free

R4L, there's a little celebration on the General Thread for you!

[Nursie]

February Free

Hi All!
I feel the love in this thread, good stuff in here!
UW, my bro- idk, he didn't show up for a couple of functions that he promised to. Doesn't say whether he's drinking or not :/. I think he is trying.
Work makes me want to drink more than anything else, so I can relate. Well, that and my mother. And traffic. And arguments. Oh and the holidays, my birthday, superbowl, restaurants, the World Series, cooking, weddings, AA meetings, spring break, driving home from work, funerals, flat tires, Suze Orman, and....oh you get the picture. But work is definitely up there. Lol

Every time I say no I feel stronger. But I have to alway say no regardless of how strong I feel.

[NoraC]

February Free

Evening all....really glad that I started taking the antabuse. My will power is nil at the moment but using that pill as an aid is going to get me thru this. I might be kicking & screaming but I am going to do this. :H I am focusing on February. I can move onto March then but right now - February is an AF month.
Be sure to quote that line to me if I start to waver. :H
Have a great night everyone!!

[sunshine_gg]

February Free

Awesome Nora!

I still have my Antabuse sitting on my desk... just in case

[scottish lass]

February Free

Evening all - nice to see so many joining in! We can do this!!
R4L - hang in there and decide to live for your life. It took me a long time to realise I needed to give up on my marriage and live life for me. I moved out just a year ago and started to make good choices, well I made a good choice by moving out, and then kept going. It has not been easy at all, but it is better than staying thats for sure. Please let me know if I can lend you any support. I do know that some for the hard times were a lot harder when I was drunk, I deal so much better when I have been sober. Take good care!
Hi to everyone else, it is so good to see everyone here..Nursie - you are so right, each time we move an experience from the "can I do this?" list to the "heck, yes I can do that!" we get so much stronger!

[canadian gal]

February Free

Hi Febbers!

This is the first time I've posted on this thread, but am coming over from the Jammers thread. Day 36 for me today. Tomorrow I will go back to Beijing, thank gawd! My holiday has been nice, but I've felt kind of out of it everyday...very foggy in my head. I think it's cause I have been sleeping too much and would really like to get back to my normal routine everyday.

Nice to see everyone here...all the Jammers and all the new people joining this thread. Have a great one all!

[Unwasted]

February Free

Nursie, it's so true that there is always a reason to drink. Maddening, isn't it?! Well, I hope your brother gets it figured out......the struggle is very individual, but then the same as others' all at the same time......but one thing is for sure.......alcohol really doesn't help solve anything. As has been said so often, the problems are always still there and then we're just dealing with them feeling hungover or exhausted or worse!

CG, so glad you're going to get back to normal which will help your chances for continued success. I know I need my routine and when I get out of it I feel much more at risk for drinking.

Nora, just wondering, is the Antabuse something you can just take on and off? You know, like take one or two pills and then stop? Have never been real clear on how that all works but it sounds like a really good "insurance policy."

SL, Sun, RC, glad to see you're all doing well. SL, I really am impressed with how you and R4L are handling your difficult home situations without alcohol. So happy for you both that you can see past the short-term and keep your sobriety going. RC, sounds like you've had something similar - sounds like you're learning to handle it without AL!

Best to everyone.............:lilheart: