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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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I don't drink alcohol,smoke weed or anything else. Don't do any medicins stronger than Ibuprophrin and prilosec. When i get sick though I get really sick. Sometimes when you simply can not breath or sleep i do need some real medicine.
The way I handel this is I buy the small bottle of Nyquil and I follow the directions and take exactly the recomended dose once before bed. I do Not buy a 2nd bottle. Obviously not everyone can do this but so far it has not been a problem for me.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Not. you kidding I can't even make 2 days worth of food and save any of it for tomorrow. I do have decent willpower when i set a goal though. If I am sick as a dog and need the medicine I tell myself that if I follow the directions exactly and use the little plastic cup thingy that it's going to be ok and for me it is. Is there a temptation to buy annother bottle and keep it going for just a few more nights? hell yes. So far i have been OK knowing that one bottle of Nyquil a year is not going to send me off the wagon.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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It's fck'd up to fck with people in this thread.
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Capt.
climber
some eastside hovel
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^^ +100. Absolutely unbelievable.
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Bushman
Social climber
Elk Grove, California
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Another simple rhyme here and I'm not trying to make light humor or to be insulting, but I believe the life and death situation of so many millions trying to remain sober and survive alcoholism requires some levity to temper all the seriousness. At least the seriousness of my recovery has required large doses of it, but then, that's just me.
The Sound of One Ass Flappin'
There's that time of my life
Thought I had it all down
I kept foolin' myself
While wearin' a frown
I was way down inside
Where I once kept my crown
But this day was done
When the chips were all down
There once was 'this' lad
Who with intricate plan
Would control his whole life
Were it not for the 'man'
Least that's what I thought
Trading chance for some sand
Feeling empty and undone
With delusions so grand
Then the wife and kids left
As my sanity darted
And some the clarity set
Like the Red Seas that parted
I had finally lost hope
To find reason within
And a life without drink
Or a place to begin
And a voice from within
And some well equipped friends
Pointed me to a path
Where a world without ends
So less dire and grim
Than the place I was in
Yet the alter of self
Was to sacrifice from within
That fun luvin guy
Who I thought was my bro
Who would lead by the nose
This child who would go
Was my selfish-est self
That I ever did know
He the life of the party
Cared not for me no
And this intricate self
Compartmentalized
Was never that crazy just
Substance compromised
All my defects and shortcomings
Denied to my sight
Would nerr hold me hostage
When held up to the light
Confused yet by self
And deluded by fun
To cop to my selfishness
Has had me on the run
Though denied by the truth
And the light of the sun
It remains a most ardent
Insidious gun
It would sabotage all
Given half of a chance
But is countered by selflessness
Well in advance
I'd trade alcoholic sickness
For the duel of the self
In leu of sure death
On a liquor store shelf
It's a delicate dance
But a bet that I'll take
With returns high and low
There's so much more at stake
There's the family I love
There's my want and my need
Being true to myself
Remains paramount indeed
So demanding control
And directing the show
In all aspects of life
As if I should know
Beyond all expectation
In reality won't happen
And rings hollow as the sound
Of one ass that's flappin
-bushman
12/06/2015
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nita
Social climber
chica de chico, I don't claim to be a daisy.
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*
This thread is such an inspiration to read & see peoples stories, struggles, thoughts and successes..
Miss C . Schwarma ... it is sad and unfortunate to see your comments...Everybody is very thoughtful and respectful on this thread.... can you please delete your above posts.
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Jebus, yeah thats great! But to who knows what depths you've seen?
Your a masater of your domain, and ln today's world that means green.
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Delhi Dog
climber
Good Question...
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^^ Paging CMac.
Get that a-hole swarma out of here.
She/he/it is nothing but a POS and I don't throw those letters around very often.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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A little more than 3 years in and things are very good. I can't say sobriety is the easiest thing I've done, and I've been a hair away from complete disaster a time or two. Maybe whatever is closest to my best side, or a higher power, or whatever you would call it saved me those times. I am thankful for the clarity those moments gave me, whatever the source.
More often than not, I am as happy as I have ever been. I smile for no good reason, and welcome the challenges of life. And that's all you can really ask for. I wish you all the best on your own paths.
I wanna be like you. I'm going to give it a shot. Cheers, Jebus!!!
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Stevee B
Trad climber
Oakland, CA
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Dec 21, 2015 - 05:45pm PT
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Much love to my sober fellows as we head into the holidays. A most challenging of times for sure. Thought I'd share some of my tools I use around the holidays -
1 - when dinners / evenings get socially awkward and uncomfortable, I do the dishes. This seems simple or silly but this is my single most effective tool.
2 - have lots of favorite non-alky bevvys on hand - La Croix, ginger ale, and my favorite coffees.
3 - When staying with family, have my own wheels and when possible / necessary, my own lodging.
4 - Get out for a meeting on Christmas Day (afternoon) or early on Christmas Eve. Smile and let people know I'm visiting from out of town and how much I appreciate being in a meeting.
5 - Get some exercise Christmas morning, usually going for a run.
Being around family can be among the toughest. Best of luck to everyone and Happy Holidays.
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tradmanclimbs
Ice climber
Pomfert VT
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Dec 21, 2015 - 06:23pm PT
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Egg nog is actually just as good without the booze. gives you a nice sugar buzz.... Love the cans of seltzer.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, CA
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Dec 21, 2015 - 08:46pm PT
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Love the cans of seltzer.
They have some good flavored ones too. Carbonated water and a hint of natural fruit flavoring of some kind (dragon fruit, peach, mango, strawberry, etc...), and no sugar.
Today is day#11 for me. Doing pretty well, just got back from my second AA meeting. Good bunch of people, I like the group.
I'm going to try another group too, just to see what's around. The other group was suggested by Dr. Sprock.
I feel kind of guilty in some ways because I feel so good and things are going remarkably well. I don't know if it's because I'm so fed up with booze it was 'easier' to leave it behind, or if it just easier in the beginning before you lose sight of what alcohol did to your life and you now think you're 'above it', and have the power to control it.
Probably both, but being aware of them is helpful, being wary of them.
EDIT: I remembered why I spent so much of my life dedicated to the practice of climbing. I hope this feeling can stick with me in the future and that I can stay clean long enough to continue to enjoy our wonderful way of life.....
Whether you're climbing or not, just don't let the substance ruin you. That's usually what it does. It devours the real you, enslaves you.
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Gilroy
Social climber
Bolderado
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Dec 21, 2015 - 09:36pm PT
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Bluey, sometimes when you are ready, it is easy. Take what you get and safeguard against the trials. The counsel of like-minded good friends and real-life counselors of the professional sort are so helpful that it's hard to exaggerate.
And blessings on the dude that started this thread and place of strength and solace. I come here often to draw sustenance of the most human kind.
Peacelovedove.
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Stevee B
Trad climber
Oakland, CA
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Dec 22, 2015 - 10:48am PT
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Today is day#11 for me. Doing pretty well, just got back from my second AA meeting. Good bunch of people, I like the group.
I'm going to try another group too, just to see what's around. The other group was suggested by Dr. Sprock.
For me the first couple of weeks usually felt good, healthy, hopeful. It was around week 3-4 that I would start to feel restless, irritable, edgy, looking for something to smooth the rough edges off. Just something to keep an eye out for. My last alcohol relapse was after 30 days or so of sobriety, traveling to Ohio to celebrate with cousins and aunts and uncles I didn't know super well.
Kudos to trying other groups. Finding "my people" was critical, makes it all so much easier.
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Bushman
Social climber
Elk Grove, California
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Dec 22, 2015 - 11:09am PT
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Holidays still are difficult for me. My self centeredness rears it's ugly head around the first of December each year and I struggle to stifle negative self dialogue. My wife and family love the holidays but I feel curmudgeonly at the thought of them, only I always end up enjoying the parties and get togethers with family and friends once they are started.
When Mr recluse bushman is called upon to think of others and is expected to not act like an a-hole about it, it is way harder for me than not thinking about a drink. Still, it gets a little easier each year. Normal people probably don't feel this way. If I focus on the fact that I have a family that wants to celebrate and actually wants me there that always makes it way easier. Sometimes I can be so ungrateful. That being said,
I wish a safe and happy holiday to everyone here,
Merry Christmas everybody!
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Karen
Trad climber
Casper, Wyoming
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Dec 22, 2015 - 11:52am PT
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What's up with some people who just insist you drink with them? They also feel every meal must have wine.
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Bushman
Social climber
Elk Grove, California
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Dec 22, 2015 - 11:57am PT
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As long as they supply the mineral water, club soda, or sparkling cider (alcohol free of course) I'm OK with it.
Still, it requires some tolerance on our part.
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Stevee B
Trad climber
Oakland, CA
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Dec 22, 2015 - 12:19pm PT
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What's up with some people who just insist you drink with them? They also feel every meal must have wine. My hat is off to them. Wish I could.
If I could drink normally, I'd do it a lot - like everyday, some days probably twice ;-)
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661climber
climber
Central valley
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Dec 22, 2015 - 02:32pm PT
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6 1/4 years clean. A hell of a battle at first.
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Happiegrrrl2
Trad climber
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Dec 24, 2015 - 08:46am PT
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What's up with some people who just insist you drink with them? They also feel every meal must have wine.
Could be anything. Obviously, they aren't considering not drinking is about all I would need to know on my own.
It's up to me, to stay sober. My first sober Christmas, I was telling my then therapist that I was nervous to go home for the holidays. Up until then, I ALWAYS went home. When she said "You don't have to go, you know." it was like an insight I never would have gotten on my own. The solution seemed so simple!
Unfortunately, it hurt my family greatly when I didn't come. It did not occur to me to be anything other than honest and so when I called to make my announcement, I explained that "I am afraid I will drink. There is a lot of drinking going on whenever we get together, and I can't risk it."
That was interpreted as something like "I think you all are a bunch of lushes and I'm too good for you now."
Over the years I have thought about "repairing" the damage that was done over that one incident. It had a domino effect and my family now doesn't realize that I simply cannot afford to come back for these events. I try to take part in the family via the various FB stuff they post about, but it is always overshadowed by "Will you be able to come for..." and then silence when I explain why not. Now - I HAVE come back twice in the last few years, on my way out west or back, and it is almost as if I am not there anyway. Mostly the conversation is "I wish you would come back more," but they are all off to work, doing family stuff and in the end most of the time I have been there I was left to my own to sit at home or take walks. So it is difficult.
That was a tangent.... but here I am on 12/24 and well, I have looked up a few AA meetings for today and tomorrow and that is going to be part of my holiday. I had better - feeling pangs of aloneness, and that is something that usually does not affect me in the least.
What I was originally trying to convey before my sidetrack was that - I am better off not trying to figure out others, but to focus on how it affects ME. If I cannot be around drinkers, then I might need to say so, or find a soft lie to avoid if, if that makes things less difficult. I can't, really, ask others to not drink in my presence. (Hahah - I just had an imagined image of doing just that at a family event and seeing everyone sitting around in a living room doing those things like the rolling of the thumbs with hands clasped, looking around at the ceiling as if there is going to be cue cards for conversation up there...)
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