9 days AF

Recovery
#1

Posting a lot because I need something to take my mind off the urges*

Tonight I did something scary, I told my aunt (who I’m living with) that I didn’t want to drink tonight. She didn’t offer, but we were going to the neighbors pool and they are wine lovers. I didn’t explain why, and she didn’t ask, but said I just needed to “put it out there” and she didn’t question me, she just said “ok that’s fine.” She probably didn’t think anything of it, but me SAYING it out loud to someone else is huge. I don’t like breaking promises or letting people down, which is why I haven’t liked speaking on my efforts for sobriety in the past. If I failed, then at least no one knows I failed. But that has not served me. In my mind, it’s ok to disappoint myself, but not others (yes, I know this is another topic to work on) but for now, I’m going to use it to my benefit. See if that helps with consistency.

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#2

Post away. You really should try and get around others who understand what you’re going through. Helps. Also, maybe come clean with that aunt. It’s a start. This site can be a good fill in with recovery. Getting plugged into a recovery program is the rock to land on. Can’t do recovery half measures. Either you’re in or you’re not. Good luck.

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#3

This helped me understand where I was going wrong. The things we think contribute to what we speak out loud. I believe this will help because I definitely noticed that power with all the bad habit’s being replaced with good just by speaking on it and then taking action. I just didn’t do it so much the past two weeks with my recovery and my thoughts took action when a drink came out of n where. If you’re having spurs of thirst, reach out to someone who works their recovery and speak on this issue. Do Not Ignore It!!!

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#4

Ur doing great!!

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#5

So proud of you!!!!!

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#6

Nice work and Ema and post as much as you want. Whatever it takes!

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#7

You should try AA.

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#8

Exactly what posting is for!

I totally get that feeling - it allowed me to keep stagnant.

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#9

I want you to know that putting your recovery before others is not letting them down. If anyone makes you feel that way, they aren't worth it.

Kudos to you for putting standing firm and to your aunt who didn't ask "why"? That's important.

Keep up the great work.

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#10

Create and post as much as possible, this is a positive thing.

Definitely make a stand and share your feelings here! It is a choice everyone has and your whole family loves you. I know it’s scary to shine light in a place when you know it’s not something that others aren’t willing to give up but keep it up!

You got this!

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#11

Heck yeah. It's definitely a positive lifestyle change, and sharing it with others gives them an opportunity to see that everything fun and joyful in life is actually better sober and present.

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#12

Well Emma there's nothing wrong with being a "people pleaser" as long as you have everything prioritized correctly. Pleasing the best you is always going to be person number one. And, now that you're sober, you can start pleasing the right people cuz let's be honest pleasing a bunch of folks who aren't necessarily doing the wrong thing but ain't doing nothing to positively affect anyone else's life those are probably not the people we should be focused on. When we talk about being the change, what's that going to change

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#13

Do you think your Aunt would be supportive of your decision to stop drinking if you told her that is your plan?

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#14

Progress not perfection.

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#15

Thankfully, I do have an alcohol free support system. I’ve mentioned to her wanting to not drink as much, but that was before I decided to fully give sobriety a go again. I’ll mention it if it comes up again thankfully she’s not a huge drinker. I just struggle with admitting my problem people who don’t understand addiction.

#16

Yes, for sure. She wouldn’t understand the addiction aspect though, so I’d probably leave that out.

#17

I just recently moved to a new state, and do not have a car so that is a bit difficult at the moment. I also have hesitancy, because where I am from they were all religion based and that is not something that I am looking for.

#18

Why don't you think she would understand the addiction part?

#19

It’s not religious based. It’s a spiritual program. Believe me, I had an intellectual objection to the idea of God. Lucky for me AA doesn’t require me to believe in anything specific.

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#20

I agree with your story if you don’t go running around tell her you’re alcoholic if you relapse and it’s not so embarrassing because some people say that AA doesn’t work.. Ron the other hand years ago I got it in my head that if nobody knows then I can allow myself to have at least one drink…

1 Like