Alcoholism Support Thread - Down the hatch

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Frostnipped Todger said:
Camping is great because you've removed the option of "just going to the store", but I just went on my first sober camp (not my first ever, but definitely for a long while) and was actually anxious about not having the option. I got through it, and I would do it again tomorrow, but it's something to be aware of.
Maybe I'm lucky (or it's normal and I just haven't heard about it ), but I have no desire to drink any more, but I was still a bit edgy about being alone in the bush.
All the best though! It's totally worth it to wake up in nature with a clear head and a glad heart.
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I live in a part of Burgerland that's within a few hours' drive of several campgrounds, and I try to make it a point to get out about 3-4 times a year for a weekend because they're great for recharging your mental and spiritual batteries. If you go to any that have hiking trails, take advantage of those as well, just be sure to bring enough water and don't do more than you're capable of completing comfortably.
 
I've got the fun and exciting life of living alone, directly across the road from the local pub with too much disposable income. It's sunday. My liver has started to say "nope" but I'm bored and lonely as hell. I've just gone through another 2-week stint of being sober and drinking nothing but earl grey and camomile tea, but the booze calls. Jamieson was on special when I did the grocery shopping, and this morning's coffees will be very Irish. I'll be fucked up and blasting music by 10am, comatose by midday, and stumbling across the road at ~3pm to sink 8 pints of the black stuff and grab a slab of beer, distributing bear-hugs and sharing laughs with all the other local gronks along the way. I'll drink 2 beers out of that slab of before passing out on the outdoor couch and waking up 4 hours before having to be at work

Staying sober is a kick in the dick when everyone around you is a functioning alcoholic as well. Every social occasion involves booze, and there's something wrong with you when you're the odd cunt drinking lemonade or coke. I feel what you guys are saying about camping because I camp for work, but it's a real struggle to replace the habit with something else that feels the same after a long day, if you get my drift. I tried smoking heroic quantities of weed and got into weird herbal teas for a while but it would leave me feeling even worse and less functional the next day, or make me eat like a madman and start getting fat. I've taken every drug under the sun at one point or another, and alcohol just works. Booze fuels me and I can't imaging life without it, but I need to be less of a spastic cunt and enjoy it in moderation

Sorry to rant. I'll stick around and try to offer support where I can
 
Got my l year chip at a meeting last night. One year ago I'd never believe you if you told me I'd be spending a Saturday night not getting drunk, let alone at an AA meeting.
 
I go a month or so, I get these intrusive thoughts, well I deserve a little sip, then it turns into three days, I end up calling my dad slurs at 3am because I end up angry. It fucking sucks brothers, I'm trying to change because I've lost everyone from burned bridges. I used to be such a merry drunk, it used to make me happy. Now I have AA on my phone and I'm trying to walk to it twice a week but I get discouraged because I can't keep it straight. I can't make any friends in my group, it just doesn't seem to connect, Proverbs 23:20 keeps me up at night. Please be strong and also pray for me. He didn't die for this and just because I know he'll forgive me doesn't make it right.
 
Mushroom King said:
I go a month or so, I get these intrusive thoughts, well I deserve a little sip, then it turns into three days, I end up calling my dad slurs at 3am because I end up angry. It fucking sucks brothers, I'm trying to change because I've lost everyone from burned bridges. I used to be such a merry drunk, it used to make me happy. Now I have AA on my phone and I'm trying to walk to it twice a week but I get discouraged because I can't keep it straight. I can't make any friends in my group, it just doesn't seem to connect, Proverbs 23:20 keeps me up at night. Please be strong and also pray for me. He didn't die for this and just because I know he'll forgive me doesn't make it right.
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Go to AA when you're sober and doing good. It helps keep you on the straight and narrow.
 
Mushroom King said:
Then it turns into three days, I end up calling my dad slurs at 3am because I end up angry ... I can't make any friends in my group
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God I've done this to my mum, dad, sister, best mates and even the local post office manager at some point. And the shame of it was enough to at least make me severely cut back instead of quitting. Being remorseful and showing that you're genuinely sorry can go a long way, and time heals all wounds if you're willing to explain yourself and do a bit of a deep dive with them in person (over a few drinks lol, the irony of it). I'm on pretty good terms with everyone except that fucking Postie who'll end up in a shallow grave in the bush one day

I've begun making new friends in a very rural isolated area by going to events in nearby towns (that are still normally held at pubs or other places that serve alcohol) but require driving there. There's an old lawn bowls club which has just started up again which is a hilarious mix of old farts and young families rolling balls around while throwing a barbecue, a darts competition with old motorcycle gang members, a Bitch & Stitch group knitting session that's surprisingly fun and productive. Jazz and Folk festivals and things. Guess what I'm saying is that if you can't make friends in your own group, there's nothing wrong with finding other groups. It's not Us or Them with adult friendships, and maybe meeting new folks and improving your happiness and well-being and learning new skills with other people might make you more appealing to people in your own group, and you might all get along better. Who knows

A better verse would be nice, but “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – Romans 12:18
 
Mushroom King said:
I go a month or so, I get these intrusive thoughts, well I deserve a little sip, then it turns into three days, I end up calling my dad slurs at 3am because I end up angry. It fucking sucks brothers, I'm trying to change because I've lost everyone from burned bridges. I used to be such a merry drunk, it used to make me happy. Now I have AA on my phone and I'm trying to walk to it twice a week but I get discouraged because I can't keep it straight. I can't make any friends in my group, it just doesn't seem to connect, Proverbs 23:20 keeps me up at night. Please be strong and also pray for me. He didn't die for this and just because I know he'll forgive me doesn't make it right.
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The lapses suck man. Not in the moment, but definitely thereafter you remember them a while. If it makes you feel better I once had an after-work sitdown with a genuinely lovely german co-worker who was about to return to the motherland. He liked me enough he bought a decent bottle of jaegermeister and sat down with me and the room-mates for a whole evening to share. I proceeded to get blat drunk, and descend into seemingly sensible discussions on the topic of the second world war and how maybe we should warm up for another round. Poor lad. I haven't heard from him ever since he returned to the motherland, can't imagine why.

I've done decent lengths on absolute sobriety, but it requires a shiftly mind-set change that either works strongly, or doesn't work at all. If you can get yourself into the simple 'I am someone who doesn't drink' line of thinking, you can persist it without challenges posing a threat. But if you can't get your mind onto that track, and you're on something more negotiable, it's gonna be a battle for every single challenge that arises. That's a harder track.
 
Honestly, I've found that my relationship has been what's made sobriety easier for me. This girl really makes me happy. I make her way happier sober, or more accurately, I don't do shitty things to her. I wanna marry this girl, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be a better person because that's what she deserves.

It's been a fun consequence that every other part of my life is getting better as well.
 
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