just stay sober today

[soberfrank]

it really is that simple

[rod44]

Hi soberfrank,
It is indeed as simple as that….or is it?
Please understand this is my experience and we all go through different experiences when we get sober. I have the greatest respect and admiration for any one who has the courage to face there addiction.

Towards the end of my drinking each time I drank witch was a few times a day every day I had one goal, one end result in mind, I was chasing happiness in the form of enjoyment, the enjoyment I got when I first started drinking, the buzz so to speak. I was chasing a dream that I now know was not possible to achieve, instead of reaching my goal I got into deep deep  despair, as my dream was shattered and getting further and further away the deeper I went. I would start out with a few drinks and things would be ok, have a few more and I would get depressed. I would have a fitful sleep and the cycle would start again It was a viscous circle and even though I tried to stop I could not. I did not know day from night, morning from evening. I started each cycle thinking ok this time it is going to work. It never did.
Eventually I hit the rock bottom…. I could not drink anymore with out getting physically sick, tried every kinda drink with the same result. That was when the snakes came out from under the bed, there were skeletons behind every door I tried to open, I was in the horrors and rattling, unable to function, unable to hold a glass in my hand …. And so begun the DT’S again, hell on earth.  
I found AA.
Yes stay away from drink was what people who had been sober in AA for years told me when I quit a few years ago.
Stay away from one drink and you will be ok, drink one drink and those that follow  will not matter, it that first drink that dose the damage is what they told me.
No problem I thought.
What about when things go wrong, what then I asked?
Learn to recognise the warning signs, anxiety, anger, stress, depression, resentments and loneliness. Get good rest, get a routine in your life. Avoid where possible the situations that will trigger any of these emotions. Ask for help, don’t hang around hoping and praying for a miracle when you have a problem, get help and deal with problems as they arise.
However this is all trivial if you take that first drink, so yes it’s that simple but I would also add don’t try to do this on your own, get help, ask for help, look for help, it wont come to you so you must find it.
Well done, keep it up.  
rod44

[MGM155]

Hi Frank,

Just wanted to say what good advice that is.  I've been going through some difficult times the past two weeks and even though I have been drinking very little for the past weeks... a few glasses of wine a week compared to a fifth of vodka a day, as one thing after another happens in the family, I understand these hard times are merely excuses for me to want to tie one on.  I know I can't do that, and this simple advice helped me.  I even got up early to get to Wal-Mart before the crowds arrive in order to get some wine.  

Thank you.