SOBRIETY

[IUTSM]

Proud of you g.  You’ve got what it takes to make it out the other side.

Today is 1 year for me.  Fucking crazy lol.  From 16-36 I never would considered that a possibility.  Full steam ahead.

Hell ya, player! 1 year is wicked. You calculate how much $ you haven’t spent yet?

@Velcro Wallet

1% is a biker gang/MC thing, outlaws, HA, etc. pretty lame but maybe the dude has some cool mechanical knowledge or stories about exploits that could help lass time

[Coastal Fever]

Any cost savings were immediately spent elsewhere so I’m broker than when I started tbh.   No complaints here though.

[NoComply180]

Thanks @Sleazy and others for the support and encouragement on the job front! Means a lot.


Always stoked when I see this thread get bumped back up.

Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[Huell Howser]

@Coastal Fever congrats mane!



and hats off to everyone else keepin it goin

[Ankle_Lift]

.

Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

[Coastal Fever]

Good job man.  Those are actually the biggest victories.  The moments where it makes so much sense, and is so tempting to have a drink, but talking yourself out of it.  Huge W.

[Easy Slider]

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Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

This is a huge achievement dude. But pulled pork pineapple pizza? Come on dude that‘s an abomination :-)

[Ticallion Stallion]

I was the worst drunk/druggy. Always getting into stupid shit. My former best got into some serious shit and ended up in prison 25/life. I was literally supposed to be there with him when it happened but decided not to go kick it.

But that didn’t stop me from continuing on my trajectory. Ended up leaving Cali to start anew in ATX but I did the same shit. Not until I met my future wife did I start changing and then I got married and had my son.

At this point I was only drinking but not for long, the guilt of leaving my wife to watch a newborn by herself because I was hungover pushed me to make the best decision of my life. Got back on the board and haven’t missed a moment with my son since that day! 493 days sober🤟

[Sleazy]

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Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

way to go man. actually that's about as big as they get victory wise. for me there was the temptation for a while in restaurant which got replaced by boredom and now i can go out to a restaurant and it feels normal. took like 8 months though. temptation for me was probably at around 4-5 month mark though.

how did the morning after go for you? i bet it was epic

[Ankle_Lift]

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Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

[close]

way to go man. actually that's about as big as they get victory wise. for me there was the temptation for a while in restaurant which got replaced by boredom and now i can go out to a restaurant and it feels normal. took like 8 months though. temptation for me was probably at around 4-5 month mark though.

how did the morning after go for you? i bet it was epic

The morning after I felt great, besides all the salt I ate the night before.

It was good because I had a side job to do to make some extra cash, and I didn't wake up all shitty and stuffed up from the beer and hops. Felt great!

[IUTSM]

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Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

[close]

way to go man. actually that's about as big as they get victory wise. for me there was the temptation for a while in restaurant which got replaced by boredom and now i can go out to a restaurant and it feels normal. took like 8 months though. temptation for me was probably at around 4-5 month mark though.

how did the morning after go for you? i bet it was epic

[close]

The morning after I felt great, besides all the salt I ate the night before.

It was good because I had a side job to do to make some extra cash, and I didn't wake up all shitty and stuffed up from the beer and hops. Felt great!

I almost forgot about feeling stuffed up in the sinuses after drinking. Shit was awful, as was the constant neck pain from passing out in weird positions and being dehydrated.

[Abyss1]

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Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

I noticed the financial literacy increase with sobriety as well and usually end up treating myself (more on the food end than anything)

Not sure if it counts but I usually cook with my beer for my deep oil fried fish and chicken recipes...I dont drink any of it. I read the alcohol is completely burned off in the oil but others say it does not, I taste it but there is no buzzes from eating meals cooked with them...thoughts from the pals on cooking with alcohol.

[JoseCansnake0]

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Bought myself a gaming PC as a “happy 100 days without booze” gift, coming in soon. What’s crazy is it cost me about 6 weeks of typical drinking costs. Fuck did drinking add up.

[close]

Noice!! Might as well enjoy the extra money and buy something you want.
I cringe when I think of all the money I've spent on booze, since I was like, 17.

I've been three months last weekend no booze.
The sugar cravings are subsiding, and I have lost some weight, 5lbs. My wife says I look slimmer, so that gave my ego a boost!

It is lame to say this, but I am proud of myself as well.

Last night wife, me, and my daughter went to the local microbrewery for supper. They have a bbq pulled pork pineapple pizza that is super good that my wife likes a lot. We don't eat out much anymore because restaurant eating is so fucking expensive now, but she had a absolutely terrible week at work that emotionally destroyed here but eventually turned out ok, so it was kind of like a bitter sweet celebration the week.

I was so, so tempted to order a beer. (One won't hurt, right?!)
My head was literally vibrating inside with the thought of having a beer. It was consuming me all supper.
But... I didn't. I fought the temptation, and mainly though was how shitty and bloated it would end up feeling washing down the pizza with some beer, and also not being able to stop at one.

It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. I'll take it.

[close]

I noticed the financial literacy increase with sobriety as well and usually end up treating myself (more on the food end than anything)

Not sure if it counts but I usually cook with my beer for my deep oil fried fish and chicken recipes...I dont drink any of it. I read the alcohol is completely burned off in the oil but others say it does not, I taste it but there is no buzzes from eating meals cooked with them...thoughts from the pals on cooking with alcohol.

I don't let a proper beer batter, or red/white wine pan deglaze stop me from my sobriety.

[LUGR]

Yeah, that stuff burns off and definitely adds a dpleoth of richness to the flavor of cooking.

My mom cooks like crazy with wine. She used to use that as a way to sneak drinks when she was supposed to have quit. She did a 60 day inpatient rehab a few years ago and I don’t think she has had a drink since. She still cooks with wine like crazy so kinda worry about it occasionally. Ugggh that was such a difficult time dealing with her alcoholism. I stopped and my dad around the same time as she was in the inpatient treatment. Shit just caused so many problems for everyone it wasn’t worth it anymore. My bro still drinks everyday though unfortunately. Called him the other night on a Tuesday and was just thinking “dang dude, you sound wasted”.

[hmmoookay]

Yeah, that stuff burns off and definitely adds a dpleoth of richness to the flavor of cooking.

My mom cooks like crazy with wine. She used to use that as a way to sneak drinks when she was supposed to have quit. She did a 60 day inpatient rehab a few years ago and I don’t think she has had a drink since. She still cooks with wine like crazy so kinda worry about it occasionally. Ugggh that was such a difficult time dealing with her alcoholism. I stopped and my dad around the same time as she was in the inpatient treatment. Shit just caused so many problems for everyone it wasn’t worth it anymore. My bro still drinks everyday though unfortunately. Called him the other night on a Tuesday and was just thinking “dang dude, you sound wasted”.

I was never one to cook with booze, just drink it alongside cooking, but I agree I wouldn't let it stop me from enjoying some good beer batter fried fish these days. I did toss a whole pint of some kind of icecream last summer though because it was a tiramisu flavor and as soon as I took a spoonful I could taste whatever coffee liquor they used. Like it was real on the nose. Not fun, mostly bummed I wasted $7. Better that than it triggering me back off the wagon.

____

I've had drinking dreams two nights in a row this week and it's really kind of fucked me up in the morning. I've had them in the past, but two nights in a row is kinda weird. It's usually the same scenario most times too; sneaking drinks or trying to hide my drinking (doing a piss poor job at that), just like I did in real life. The exception being in the dreams when my bottle gets discovered or someone recognizes I'm drinking they're really accepting of it, almost excited? It's really weird. I've been having a rough time at work and spend a lot of free time lately applying for new jobs so maybe my subconscious is recognizing I'm seeking approval or something idk.

I have absolutely no desire to drink, I just want to make that clear. But, I do want to point out these things on the off chance someone else is going through something similar. It can definitely be a strange thing to assess when you wake up.

[ralf_]

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I've had drinking dreams two nights in a row this week and it's really kind of fucked me up in the morning.

had one last night, fucked me up good. in my dream my girlfriend was like: come on, shouldnt you let alcohol back in your life? have a cold beer after a stressful day??
i was trying to explain to her that that does not work for me,
but it was like in the first saw movie: i had already drunk the beer before realizing it

[NoComply180]

RE: cooking with booze, most of it cooks off, and I know myself well enough to know what is/isn’t a problem or tempting for me.

 My problem with booze is the effects it has, so as long as I’m not on a path to getting those effects, I’m not stressing it. I like a couple dashes of bitters in soda water or tonic water, bitters has alcohol in it but I’d need to chug 5 bottles of it to match my alcohol intake on a normal weeknight when I was drinking.

To each their own though!

[Frank and Fred]

Four months since my last beer. Wasn't planning on quitting forever but not really interested in cracking one any time soon.

[IUTSM]

Four months since my last beer. Wasn't planning on quitting forever but not really interested in cracking one any time soon.

Nice! When i quit, i had only planned on drying out for a month. Its cool to aee where it goes!

[Sleazy]

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Four months since my last beer. Wasn't planning on quitting forever but not really interested in cracking one any time soon.

[close]

Nice! When i quit, i had only planned on drying out for a month. Its cool to aee where it goes!

i started with a dry 30. if you sleep track it becomes really tricky going back if you like the way you feel after stopping drinking. the numbers don't lie unfortunately.

[fs1/2cab]

Two weeks ago I went to a nice restaurant with my girl. Afterwards we walked around and explored the neighborhood (that's always my excuse to look for spots and she understands the desire). We stopped to buy some tobacco and ice cream for me. Then she was like, hey what about a drink? Aight, I will get one beer. I drank it but as soon as it touched my lips, something didn't felt right. It felt wrong for some reason, I emptied it anyway. After that I had the desire to get another drink but I didn't. It was a weird situation for me but she understood. Haven't drank since then and I think I am fine without any booze for a good while now. But coffee on the other hand.. it is out of control and I wanna reduce it but that shit is so difficult.

But congrats on 4 months without any beer @Frank and Fred and mad respect to all the other pals who hold it down.

[Sleazy]

nice one @fs1/2cab!

[Ankle_Lift]

Aight, I will get one beer. I drank it but as soon as it touched my lips, something didn't felt right. It felt wrong for some reason, I emptied it anyway. After that I had the desire to get another drink but I didn't. It was a weird situation for me

I know thatexact feeling you're talking about. It's not really guilt, but it's almost like self-disappointed feeling, but brain is racing with thoughts of booze. It's like the same feeling when you let someone down, except it's yourself, so it feels weird.

I'm at four months next weekend, Frank and Fred. Keep going bro.
 

[ALPHA MALE]

So what made you guys choose alcohol? What made you not choose drugs instead? I'm sober from drugs and I kinda view alcoholics as bums, do you view drug addicts as the bums instead? I'm curious 🧐

[Enrico Pallazzo]

Having a pretty gnarly one right now. My dad died of a heart attack last Sunday, and I’ve been back home going through all his shit, figuring out the will, and planning the memorial since Thursday. He was a functioning alcoholic, and while the drinking might not be killed him it certainly didn’t help his health.

Being back here with all his old friends coming by has been rough, just watching them all get fucked up “in his honor”. So many bottles of wine and champagne getting opened while I’m cataloguing his things, cleaning out the garage, etc.

I’m 14 months sober and stopped drinking pretty gradually and never had an issue with “turning it off”/the act of quitting, so this hasn’t been triggering to me from an off the wagon perspective, but just rough to see so much self soothing with alcohol (and some flashbacks to similar days/nights being the only sober person as a kid, thankful my wife is here now).

Apologies for being a downer, just had to do some internet journaling somewhere.

[Sleazy]

Having a pretty gnarly one right now. My dad died of a heart attack last Sunday, and I’ve been back home going through all his shit, figuring out the will, and planning the memorial since Thursday. He was a functioning alcoholic, and while the drinking might not be killed him it certainly didn’t help his health.

Being back here with all his old friends coming by has been rough, just watching them all get fucked up “in his honor”. So many bottles of wine and champagne getting opened while I’m cataloguing his things, cleaning out the garage, etc.

I’m 14 months sober and stopped drinking pretty gradually and never had an issue with “turning it off”/the act of quitting, so this hasn’t been triggering to me from an off the wagon perspective, but just rough to see so much self soothing with alcohol (and some flashbacks to similar days/nights being the only sober person as a kid, thankful my wife is here now).

Apologies for being a downer, just had to do some internet journaling somewhere.

@Enrico Pallazzo so sorry for your loss and thanks so much for sharing.

[fs1/2cab]

Having a pretty gnarly one right now. My dad died of a heart attack last Sunday, and I’ve been back home going through all his shit, figuring out the will, and planning the memorial since Thursday. He was a functioning alcoholic, and while the drinking might not be killed him it certainly didn’t help his health.

Being back here with all his old friends coming by has been rough, just watching them all get fucked up “in his honor”. So many bottles of wine and champagne getting opened while I’m cataloguing his things, cleaning out the garage, etc.

I’m 14 months sober and stopped drinking pretty gradually and never had an issue with “turning it off”/the act of quitting, so this hasn’t been triggering to me from an off the wagon perspective, but just rough to see so much self soothing with alcohol (and some flashbacks to similar days/nights being the only sober person as a kid, thankful my wife is here now).

Apologies for being a downer, just had to do some internet journaling somewhere.

Condolences to you mate, sending you a virtual hug.
It ain't easy being around drinking people, but so rad that your wife is with you. Stay strong out there.

No apologies necessary, we are all here for each other.

[Frank and Fred]

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Having a pretty gnarly one right now. My dad died of a heart attack last Sunday, and I’ve been back home going through all his shit, figuring out the will, and planning the memorial since Thursday. He was a functioning alcoholic, and while the drinking might not be killed him it certainly didn’t help his health.

Being back here with all his old friends coming by has been rough, just watching them all get fucked up “in his honor”. So many bottles of wine and champagne getting opened while I’m cataloguing his things, cleaning out the garage, etc.

I’m 14 months sober and stopped drinking pretty gradually and never had an issue with “turning it off”/the act of quitting, so this hasn’t been triggering to me from an off the wagon perspective, but just rough to see so much self soothing with alcohol (and some flashbacks to similar days/nights being the only sober person as a kid, thankful my wife is here now).

Apologies for being a downer, just had to do some internet journaling somewhere.

[close]

@Enrico Pallazzo so sorry for your loss and thanks so much for sharing.

Harsh one. I went through a similar thing when my dad died last September. I missed him by one day, travelling halfway across the world. When I got home, I was greeted by a household that stunk like a brewery and all my family hammered. I nearly turned 180 and walked back out. At the wake my nephew told me his plan was to drink a gallon of beer in my dad's honor as my dad had once told him he could drink a gallon and still function fine... Welsh funerals eh...

My Condolences @Enrico Pallazzo

[Enrico Pallazzo]

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Having a pretty gnarly one right now. My dad died of a heart attack last Sunday, and I’ve been back home going through all his shit, figuring out the will, and planning the memorial since Thursday. He was a functioning alcoholic, and while the drinking might not be killed him it certainly didn’t help his health.

Being back here with all his old friends coming by has been rough, just watching them all get fucked up “in his honor”. So many bottles of wine and champagne getting opened while I’m cataloguing his things, cleaning out the garage, etc.

I’m 14 months sober and stopped drinking pretty gradually and never had an issue with “turning it off”/the act of quitting, so this hasn’t been triggering to me from an off the wagon perspective, but just rough to see so much self soothing with alcohol (and some flashbacks to similar days/nights being the only sober person as a kid, thankful my wife is here now).

Apologies for being a downer, just had to do some internet journaling somewhere.

[close]

@Enrico Pallazzo so sorry for your loss and thanks so much for sharing.

[close]

Harsh one. I went through a similar thing when my dad died last September. I missed him by one day, travelling halfway across the world. When I got home, I was greeted by a household that stunk like a brewery and all my family hammered. I nearly turned 180 and walked back out. At the wake my nephew told me his plan was to drink a gallon of beer in my dad's honor as my dad had once told him he could drink a gallon and still function fine... Welsh funerals eh...

My Condolences @Enrico Pallazzo

Appreciate it guys, thanks very much. We had a weird relationship (due to the alcohol, go figure), so processing this all has been interesting, to say the least.

To circle it back to general sobriety, I am encouraged by the increasing acceptance of sobriety and non alcoholic beers and cocktails, particularly with younger people. Hopeful for a future where you can make as many close friends as my dad did but without having to sit at the bar all day for decades on end.

[Sleazy]

my dad is in his mid 74 and currently visiting me and the family from australia. we only see him every 2 year or so and he's planning to stop traveling at 80. it's a strange place to be knowing that someone who's such a huge part of my life is getting to the end of his.

i hit a 10 month milestone today and wanted to share an update. i had noticed this morning that i'm not feeling the intense boredom that i was feeling after dinner anymore. it's switched to where i just feel relaxed and look forward to sitting on the couch, resting and watching tv. it was kind of a long road to get there for me but figured i'd share for others getting started.