Misc Sober Crew Recovery/Sobriety Support

[Joeyw88]

slowly i'm starting to see what you homies are talking about. i feel like i'm digging a hole and i have a ladder but if i go too deeply i am going to have to use my cell for godsakes

Honestly, I think it’s helpful to do a cost-benefit analysis. What positives comes with using drunks and alcohol, what negatives comes from them, and then what positives and negatives does sobriety bring. For me, it’s life or death at this point. I’ve danced with death (and swapped partners with the long arm of the law) for way too long.

I would say that if I could go back and implement interventions way earlier to save myself so much trouble, but I don’t know if I would. I’m hoping to use my story to help others as other’s stories help me. Doing sobriety/recovery alone is way more difficult than with social connection. The rat park experiment is a cool demonstration of this.

[NosyJossie]

Would hate to see this thread unstickied because OP selfishly drank.

[Krackerjacked]

Would hate to see this thread unstickied because OP selfishly drank.

Strong positivity dude.

[Joeyw88]

Would hate to see this thread unstickied because OP selfishly drank.

Lol, even if I did drink or relapse on drugs, it is still everyone’s thread. And also, that’s kind of the point of this thread; a place where we can share our recovery. Whether it’s going well or not so well.

[ScramFranklin]

Mods, can we keep this one stickied? There have been several in the past year that have been unsticked, and it's demotivating.

I drink too much. Went a week without alcohol up until Easer, then recently went two weeks without up until this past weekend.

Also want to quit porn and degen kink sites like fetlife.

feel like it has all fried my dopamine receptors and I can't get anything done in real life

[Joeyw88]

Mods, can we keep this one stickied? There have been several in the past year that have been unsticked, and it's demotivating.

I drink too much. Went a week without alcohol up until Easer, then recently went two weeks without up until this past weekend.

Also want to quit porn and degen kink sites like fetlife.

feel like it has all fried my dopamine receptors and I can't get anything done in real life

Hey nice to have you in the thread! Hopefully this stays up for a while. And you've been making good progress! You went from one week without it to two weeks, that's a 100%! Yeah I'm sure that all of that has had quite the impact on your dopamine receptors.

[DTRrex]

Touching base with y'all like I said.

Quick background - was never a big drinker and the picked up drinking as a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety escape (multiple deaths in the family and a ton of pressure put on me to be the care taker of everyone).

Been 5 years of heavy drinking that has gotten progressively worse. Fortunately I have been able to continue growing my career and kill it at work, but every area of my life has suffered. Especially my health.

I've gotten sober a few times... always felt amazing and it was something stupid like a wedding or work outing that I convinced myself a couple drinks will be fine and then I'm back to sobriety. You all know how that goes. Couple turns into 10 and the next day you're hungover and pick up the bottle to keep the dragon at bay... before you know it, you've been drinking everyday for a month again.
Before I got sober for 8 weeks in 2019, I had not gone a single DAY without a drink in 2 years.

Anyway....

So I'm tapering down and sticking to no drinking for a while (at least).

I've been doing anywhere from a half to a whole bottle each day for several months. Drank a full bottle of vodka sat night and that is now my starting point towards sobriety.

Sat - drank a whole bottle of vodka... 16.5 units (26 oz)
Sun - drank 10 units vodka (15 oz)
Mon (today) - drank 8 units vodka (12 oz)

I feel like I am in a good spot to jump down more drastically.

Tomorrow I am planning 5 units (1 bottle of wine) and then cutting down 1 unit each day after until at zero.

[DTRrex]

Keep your head up and keep pushing!

We can do this brahs and brahettes.

[Joeyw88]

Touching base with y'all like I said.

Quick background - was never a big drinker and the picked up drinking as a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety escape (multiple deaths in the family and a ton of pressure put on me to be the care taker of everyone).

Been 5 years of heavy drinking that has gotten progressively worse. Fortunately I have been able to continue growing my career and kill it at work, but every area of my life has suffered. Especially my health.

I've gotten sober a few times... always felt amazing and it was something stupid like a wedding or work outing that I convinced myself a couple drinks will be fine and then I'm back to sobriety. You all know how that goes. Couple turns into 10 and the next day you're hungover and pick up the bottle to keep the dragon at bay... before you know it, you've been drinking everyday for a month again.
Before I got sober for 8 weeks in 2019, I had not gone a single DAY without a drink in 2 years.

Anyway....

So I'm tapering down and sticking to no drinking for a while (at least).

I've been doing anywhere from a half to a whole bottle each day for several months. Drank a full bottle of vodka sat night and that is now my starting point towards sobriety.

Sat - drank a whole bottle of vodka... 16.5 units (26 oz)
Sun - drank 10 units vodka (15 oz)
Mon (today) - drank 8 units vodka (12 oz)

I feel like I am in a good spot to jump down more drastically.

Tomorrow I am planning 5 units (1 bottle of wine) and then cutting down 1 unit each day after until at zero.

Thanks for posting! As cheesy as it sounds, nice accountability! That’s something I’ve been trying to work on as well as integrity and honesty seeing as three of those went out the window in my addiction.

It’s frustrating isn’t it? You start having good things happen to you in recovery and can’t imagine going back. But then the amnesia kicks in and you forget why you wanted to stop in the first place. “Well maybe one drink….” and next thing you know you are admitted to the hospital three months later from alcohol poisoning. Obviously that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but not completely far fetched. I had to quit my DOC (nitrous and well pretty much everything else too) because it was killing me and obliterating my nervous system. I had abused so much nitrous oxide that I could not walk for a few weeks and slowly progressed to being able to stand up as long as I hoisted myself up and held on to something, like a counter. I’m extremely fortunate that I’ve returned 99% back to normal, as that does not happen frequently.

I’m glad you’re in this thread! And yes, we are all gonna make it one way or another. It sounds like you have a solid plan in mind!

[DTRrex]

It’s frustrating isn’t it? You start having good things happen to you in recovery and can’t imagine going back. But then the amnesia kicks in and you forget why you wanted to stop in the first place. “Well maybe one drink….”

100%. Couldn't have said it better.

From my studies I refer to that as the "alcohol voice" or "AV". It detects the smallest level of weakness and waning of will power to take advantage and start rationalizing advocacy for a drink. It's pretty freaking wild.

Glad you're on the road and making continuous progress.

[Joeyw88]

100%. Couldn't have said it better.

From my studies I refer to that as the "alcohol voice" or "AV". It detects the smallest level of weakness and waning of will power to take advantage and start rationalizing advocacy for a drink. It's pretty freaking wild.

Glad you're on the road and making continuous progress.

Yeah addiction ****ing sucks lol. And thank you! It has been slow, but progress for sure!

[NosyJossie]

Cutting down doesn't work. You'll just itch for more.

Quit cold turkey, suffer the withdrawals and come out a better man.

If you're scared of DT just go to rehab.

[Joeyw88]

Cutting down doesn't work. You'll just itch for more.

Quit cold turkey, suffer the withdrawals and come out a better man.

If you're scared of DT just go to rehab.

I personally could never taper/cut down successfully for the reason you stated. But others have had success with it!



And good morning beautiful people. I hope everyone got some good rest and are on their way to having a good day!

[Krackerjacked]

And good morning beautiful people. I hope everyone got some good rest and are on their way to having a good day!

You as well dude!
We’ve got this chit.

[redraider86]

Would hate to see this thread unstickied because OP selfishly drank.

Nah, shaming isn't how we do this. People need to know they can keep coming back no matter what.

Mods, can we keep this one stickied? There have been several in the past year that have been unsticked, and it's demotivating.

Absolutely.

Touching base with y'all like I said.

Quick background - was never a big drinker and the picked up drinking as a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety escape (multiple deaths in the family and a ton of pressure put on me to be the care taker of everyone).

Been 5 years of heavy drinking that has gotten progressively worse. Fortunately I have been able to continue growing my career and kill it at work, but every area of my life has suffered. Especially my health.

I've gotten sober a few times... always felt amazing and it was something stupid like a wedding or work outing that I convinced myself a couple drinks will be fine and then I'm back to sobriety. You all know how that goes. Couple turns into 10 and the next day you're hungover and pick up the bottle to keep the dragon at bay... before you know it, you've been drinking everyday for a month again.
Before I got sober for 8 weeks in 2019, I had not gone a single DAY without a drink in 2 years.

Anyway....

So I'm tapering down and sticking to no drinking for a while (at least).

I've been doing anywhere from a half to a whole bottle each day for several months. Drank a full bottle of vodka sat night and that is now my starting point towards sobriety.

Sat - drank a whole bottle of vodka... 16.5 units (26 oz)
Sun - drank 10 units vodka (15 oz)
Mon (today) - drank 8 units vodka (12 oz)

I feel like I am in a good spot to jump down more drastically.

Tomorrow I am planning 5 units (1 bottle of wine) and then cutting down 1 unit each day after until at zero.

Hey, welcome! You sound like you've got a good plan here. You have social support? What's your plan for when you're itching?

[FrankCostanza]

Nah, shaming isn't how we do this. People need to know they can keep coming back no matter what.


Absolutely.


Hey, welcome! You sound like you've got a good plan here. You have social support? What's your plan for when you're itching?

did you used to drink?


its been 6 months exactly today.

[redraider86]

did you used to drink?

its been 6 months exactly today.

If you'd hand it to me, I'd do it

[yabrahbob]

In
Still drink but not everyday like i used to (legit from waking up to going to sleep) been drinking once or twice a month since 2/14
not much but I am proud.

[Joeyw88]

In
Still drink but not everyday like i used to (legit from waking up to going to sleep) been drinking once or twice a month since 2/14
not much but I am proud.

Hey good to have you in here. I know there's many that disagree with harm reduction and I honestly can't do anything but complete Sobriety, but if you can bring your usage to a non-problematic amount then more power to you. In my recovery coach training, we were taught that if someone says they are in recovery, then they are. Recovery can look differently from person to person.

[Joeyw88]

How has everyone's day been? Any successes and/or challenges?

[ScramFranklin]

How has everyone's day been? Any successes and/or challenges?

well felt like crap all day and got nothing done at work since I drank sat and sun this weekend... but tonight is 48 hours sober again.

I'll feel better in a day or two! Made it one week, then two weeks... gonna try and beat the 14 days now.

[Joeyw88]

well felt like crap all day and got nothing done at work since I drank sat and sun this weekend... but tonight is 48 hours sober again.

I'll feel better in a day or two! Made it one week, then two weeks... gonna try and beat the 14 days now.

Nice 48 hours again will definitely be a success! And yeah I'm sure as the days go by, you'll gradually feel better and better.

I had another good day of IOP and spent a few hours volunteering at my local recovery cafe. Had a few girlies comment on how I look like I lift weights, sit that's encouraging to be getting back some of my physique. Getting a good workout in right now. Might create a recovery / inhalant support group on twitter this evening after I shower and eat.

[Motiviert]

48 hours is huge.

[DTRrex]

Hey, welcome! You sound like you've got a good plan here. You have social support? What's your plan for when you're itching?

Thanks! Seeing an alcoholic/substance abuse counselor and have a close cousin going through similar and we lean on each other here and there.

As bad as it may sound, my support group is me...maning up and taking accountability. I let the anger and disappointment fuel me. It's worked before, but just the same it didn't last. But every time I get sober I learn more about myself.

I'm not quite at the point of full rehab + AA, but I know people in the system and have set things up so if it comes to that this time around, I'm ready for the plunge.

[DTRrex]

Sat - drank a whole bottle of vodka... 16.5 units (26 oz)
Sun - drank 10 units vodka (15 oz)
Mon (today) - drank 8 units vodka (12 oz)

Tue - drank 8 units or 12 oz vodka

Today sucked.

12 oz vodka from last night left me sh!tty after my recent bender.

I couldn't fall asleep until like 5 am, had to get up at 8 am for work, and felt like crap all day. Queasy, tired, anxious, no appetite, etc.

Ended up fasting all day because no appetite. It's wild. Legit thought I was coming down with a virus or something. Should have known better.

Instead of my planned bottle of wine, I couldn't stomach wine. Had Coke Zero with vodka. All it took was a couple drinks and I was revived. Spent all day feeling half dead and a couple vodka cokes had me feeling new again. Pathetic.

Anyway, didn't cut down more like planned, but I did hold steady. So good news is that I didn't slip... just held steady.

Tomorrow I will plan on a bottle of wine. Getting over that 4-6 drink hump is the real.challenge in my experience. Once you weather that and drop lower it's so much easier.

Will keep updating as promised.

Stay strong!

[Joeyw88]

Good morning everyone, I hope everyone's day is starting off strong!

[Krackerjacked]

Good morning everyone, I hope everyone's day is starting off strong!

You as well bro!
Keep at it y’all. You’ve got this.

[zknarc]

My drinking started to get out of control during the lockdowns. Couldn't see my gf for months, bored af and how has become a habit. I've been drinking a bottle of wine most days for 6 months now. It is odd because I've never been a massive boozer and even during years I was very depressed I quit drinking entirely without missing it.

Working from home contributes because no one sees me hungover af. I cringe at the amount of money I've spent over the last 2 years. I look like a wreck right now because it messes up my sleep.

When I've managed to stay off it for a couple of days I feel better and then think "I feel pretty good, you know what would be even better right now? Some booze" and the cycle repeats.

[DTRrex]

My drinking started to get out of control during the lockdowns. Couldn't see my gf for months, bored af and how has become a habit. I've been drinking a bottle of wine most days for 6 months now. It is odd because I've never been a massive boozer and even during years I was very depressed I quit drinking entirely without missing it.

Working from home contributes because no one sees me hungover af. I cringe at the amount of money I've spent over the last 2 years. I look like a wreck right now because it messes up my sleep.

When I've managed to stay off it for a couple of days I feel better and then think "I feel pretty good, you know what would be even better right now? Some booze" and the cycle repeats.

I feel you on that WFH stuff.

When you can just roll out of bed looking and feeling like crap and you know that no one will notice....

And when you're super run down you can grab a nap for 30 min mid day.

1 bottle of wine is about 5 unit drinks per day. That's not that bad at all. You probably don't even need to taper and can just go cold turkey. Or, if you want an easier transition just do half a bottle a day for a couple days. If you need to, clear the house of any alcohol and buy 1 bottle at a time. Come home and dump out half the bottle down the sink so you won't be tempted to over consume. Do the same the next day. It seems wasteful, but the $15 of wine going down the sink is nothing compared to what you'll save being sober.

[ScramFranklin]

Tue - drank 8 units or 12 oz vodka

Today sucked.

12 oz vodka from last night left me sh!tty after my recent bender.

I couldn't fall asleep until like 5 am, had to get up at 8 am for work, and felt like crap all day. Queasy, tired, anxious, no appetite, etc.

Ended up fasting all day because no appetite. It's wild. Legit thought I was coming down with a virus or something. Should have known better.

Instead of my planned bottle of wine, I couldn't stomach wine. Had Coke Zero with vodka. All it took was a couple drinks and I was revived. Spent all day feeling half dead and a couple vodka cokes had me feeling new again. Pathetic.

Anyway, didn't cut down more like planned, but I did hold steady. So good news is that I didn't slip... just held steady.

Tomorrow I will plan on a bottle of wine. Getting over that 4-6 drink hump is the real.challenge in my experience. Once you weather that and drop lower it's so much easier.

Will keep updating as promised.

Stay strong!

Have you considered naltrexone to trick your brain into not craving/liking alcohol?