Life, and its ups and downs

I’ve been down this road a couple times dealing with alcohol. It really messes with me. I’ll get my act together, thibgs will be going well, then i’d start drinking again. Most recently, moved back to Brooklyn, where I feel most comfortable. Got a good job, a nice apartment, seeing old friends, and slipping back into old habits. I started missing work, got sad, drank. Ended up in the psyc ward at the worst hospital for “observation”. Missed more work.

Being down this road, and having 6 months sober before the move under my belt, i’m taking it on by myself.

Now, I’ve tried AA. 30 in 30, all that stuff. It’s not for me. So I’m at 4 days today, feeling good all day, productive (still had my job, thankfully). It’s my first day off since I made the decision, so I stayed busy, and did some reflecting and walking, cooking, etc. Only to get an email from our building management that upon our lease being up end of May, I am the only roommate who wants to stay on the lease. I don’t know if that means I’ll be forced out to find something else with all the added expenses of moving or if I’ll have to repopulate the other rooms on my own, or if they’ll find a new group of strangers for me to live with.

Stress! And tonight is the 12 anniversary of the bar around the corner where allll my friends hang out, and it is taking every ounce of my being to not go over there and party to get my mind off of everything. I don’t think I’d be able to go there and not drink alcohol. I’m trying to be tough, but this is really hard.

Not sure if I’m looking for advice because i feel like i’ve heard it all, or if i’m just venting. But that’s my TedTalk.

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Hi Stephen​:blush:. Maybe Brooklyn isn’t where you’re meant to be. Since you just moved back there and you slipped back into your old habits, maybe your lease being up at the end of May and none of your roommates want to stay, is a sign for you to start new somewhere else. I know you know this but if you go to the bar and drink to take your mind off everything, that will only be temporary and could potentially make things worse. Be strong and don’t drink. Go to a meeting instead. I will shut up now since you don’t know if you want advice and I gave you some lol I hope you have a sober night :blue_heart:

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So proud of you for posting here, even with that big temptation right around the corner!

I have a hard time with relapsing too. I make the mistake of focusing on the instant pleasure of the drink and forget how horrible I will be physically and emotionally for days after giving into temptation.

Remembering that I will feel so much better and have no shame if I stay sober is helpful!

I also did not vibe with AA. I heard there is an alternative called SMART Recovery that I am going to check out soon. They do have online meetings.

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You make some good points, but Brooklyn is where my heart is. Moving is expensive, especially to… where? I’m a cook with a pretty good job here in a commercial kitchen. I also don’t own a car, so there’s another expense. And all my work contacts are here.

I did have a sober night and just got more done around the apartment- I’m confident I’ll be able to stay here, and I just love it. Just helps to get things out, thanks for responding. There’s actually a lot of sober people I know here that I just kind of lost touch with, but I got through today and am ready for tomorrow! Thanks again!

You got this!!!

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Stephen, I hated AA for decades. Finally I gave it a solid year. All in! Especially the 12 steps and service. I was amazed at how my life changed for the better. I made the best friends I’ve ever had and 17 years later I’m still sober and grateful. Even though I rarely attend meetings anymore.
I’m here if you have any questions.