Red Mosquito
Formerly RLB the Scrapple Boy
It’s crazy how co-opted our institutions have become by the industries they are supposed to be regulating. However, businesses are people too so they can donate, they just can’t go to jail.
Dry January 2025 (The Sober Thread)
- Thread starter Cassinonorth
- Start date
frug
Well-Known Member
This is my biggest motivation, too. Having a kid does keep me from doing stupid things like blacking out or sitting around day drinking. But I still end up drinking more than I like. The biggest difficulty for me is that since I just moved to NJ in summer 2022 I am still making friends and developing social circles, and it feels like EVERYONE I meet and get along with is a drinker.
the schwartz
Well-Known Member
I used to occasionally meet someone who said they didn't drink and my first thought was, for whatever reason, "do not trust this person" or something less specific but a feeling or thought that they were in some way flawed, boring, or otherwise not worthy of my respect.
Now that person is me. Karma I guess.
I think AA is wonderful. It was highly helpful for me to have meetings to go and listen, sometimes talk, and feel the support of these people. But I never did the work, never had a sponsor, never did steps, eventually stopped going and still haven't had a drink in 6.5 years now. So while AA as a program maybe wasn't for me, I don't know if I would be where I am today without it. Also a tremendous comfort/strength knowing that there will be a group waiting for my if I ever want or need it.
No real point to my story, I guess just there is no wrong path to sobriety and it doesn't really matter if one meets the criteria for alcoholic... I always related more to the concept of "problem drinker" myself; once I heard that something kind of clicked in me.
Indirectly related: For a fascinating and really well written read about alcohol and creative minds pick up a copy of A Trip To Echo Spring by Olivia Lang.
The Trip to Echo Spring: On Writers and Drinking
https://a.co/d/faRzxrF
"Cheers!"
Aaron
Now that person is me. Karma I guess.
I think AA is wonderful. It was highly helpful for me to have meetings to go and listen, sometimes talk, and feel the support of these people. But I never did the work, never had a sponsor, never did steps, eventually stopped going and still haven't had a drink in 6.5 years now. So while AA as a program maybe wasn't for me, I don't know if I would be where I am today without it. Also a tremendous comfort/strength knowing that there will be a group waiting for my if I ever want or need it.
No real point to my story, I guess just there is no wrong path to sobriety and it doesn't really matter if one meets the criteria for alcoholic... I always related more to the concept of "problem drinker" myself; once I heard that something kind of clicked in me.
Indirectly related: For a fascinating and really well written read about alcohol and creative minds pick up a copy of A Trip To Echo Spring by Olivia Lang.
The Trip to Echo Spring: On Writers and Drinking
https://a.co/d/faRzxrF
"Cheers!"
Aaron
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qclabrat
Well-Known Member
For me was caring for an elderly parent. There was a time I was going into Manhattan once a month randomly in the middle of night to be with my dad. Was asleep and still a little buzzed when I got the call and had to drive in at 3am. Didn't quit right away but after a while was paranoid if I got the call while I was downing a bottle of rum. I'll be dry for a year in February.
Red Mosquito
Formerly RLB the Scrapple Boy
Yep pretty eye-opening to see how much socializing and drinking go hand-in-hand, which I never really notice until I'm not partaking. But once you accept the idea of hanging out without drinking it seems easier. I'm only speaking from dry stints of 30-45 days but I've managed to do it.
In previous years, I would get the shakes around day 4. Didn't happen this year.
Had a craving for a glass of wine with dinner on Friday.
I miss the event of stopping for a beverage, but not sitting around downing one.
Maybe learn to stop and not have alc?
It is telling how this shouldn't be such a crazy statement.
My watch marked my first 24 hours with a resting hr below 60 (the watch is a little high, but useful for trend) -
It had been above 65. When in shape, it is around 52 - same watch, I've had it for years.
Enjoying waking up without the fog or pain related to the one more, or convincing myself while drinking that I am not impaired, have another.
It has been a spiral for me in years past.
I make the commitment to stop for Jan (prior to dry Jan, it was just diet time,) good habits last for a month, then slowly revert.
The fall hasn't gone as deep as when i was younger, but the pattern is there.
----------------
When @mattybfat says commitment to something bigger. it is just that: commitment.
Saying you are going to do something is very powerful - not being told what to do, rather independently committing to doing it.
I've been there when Matt gets a call from someone in the group,
They know he is there. They know he will listen. They know he will understand.
Some people can say it to themselves. In their mind, make the commitment. Rationalize it to overcome the mental addiction part.
plenty of reasons to use: family, school, work, health - alc preventing from reaching a goal.
Where the motivation originates from, a nasty bottom like jail, or sitting at a kid's soccer game with your head banging, is different for everyone.
know thyself ?
so simple, yet so hard.
Had a craving for a glass of wine with dinner on Friday.
I miss the event of stopping for a beverage, but not sitting around downing one.
Maybe learn to stop and not have alc?
It is telling how this shouldn't be such a crazy statement.
My watch marked my first 24 hours with a resting hr below 60 (the watch is a little high, but useful for trend) -
It had been above 65. When in shape, it is around 52 - same watch, I've had it for years.
Enjoying waking up without the fog or pain related to the one more, or convincing myself while drinking that I am not impaired, have another.
It has been a spiral for me in years past.
I make the commitment to stop for Jan (prior to dry Jan, it was just diet time,) good habits last for a month, then slowly revert.
The fall hasn't gone as deep as when i was younger, but the pattern is there.
----------------
When @mattybfat says commitment to something bigger. it is just that: commitment.
Saying you are going to do something is very powerful - not being told what to do, rather independently committing to doing it.
I've been there when Matt gets a call from someone in the group,
They know he is there. They know he will listen. They know he will understand.
Some people can say it to themselves. In their mind, make the commitment. Rationalize it to overcome the mental addiction part.
plenty of reasons to use: family, school, work, health - alc preventing from reaching a goal.
Where the motivation originates from, a nasty bottom like jail, or sitting at a kid's soccer game with your head banging, is different for everyone.
know thyself ?
so simple, yet so hard.
JDurk
Well-Known Member
Seeing the same with resting HR and joint pain. Airport beers on NYE, been Dry and no sugar since.
Sat with my son in the lower bowl at the Knicks-Magic game last night.
Had a Snapple. Didn't even think about having anything else.
Figured the money i'm saving this month was well spent on an experience.
See if you can pick-out Spike Lee!
Had a Snapple. Didn't even think about having anything else.
Figured the money i'm saving
See if you can pick-out Spike Lee!
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This is the App you want if your ever interested in checking out or in 😊
www.aa.org
Meeting Guide | Alcoholics Anonymous
Meeting Guide is a free-of-charge meeting finder app.
sundaydoug
Well-Known Member
I enjoy reading about anyone stepping away from alcohol. I was never a big drinker by volume, but it was a regular habit for me. Every weekend have a few heavy IPAs at home just hanging out, post-ride, etc. and once in a while during the week. Thankfully it was never a physical addiction, it was just something I did.
Then in January of 2023 I found out I was likely getting divorced. And I remember thinking that there was enough metaphorical poison in my life at that point I didn't need to add actual poison on top of it. So I decided to stop and see how I felt. After that first weekend of no drinking I noticed a huge difference, and I didn't have a drink for probably 6 months after that. Two years later I still have not had a drink by myself, only on very special occasions with friends. And it's usually a light beer, and I stop after one.
I didn't realize how much it made me feel like garbage until I didn't have it in my system any more. Should have given it up sooner. Don't miss it one bit.
Kudos to all of you in this thread. Keep it going!
Then in January of 2023 I found out I was likely getting divorced. And I remember thinking that there was enough metaphorical poison in my life at that point I didn't need to add actual poison on top of it. So I decided to stop and see how I felt. After that first weekend of no drinking I noticed a huge difference, and I didn't have a drink for probably 6 months after that. Two years later I still have not had a drink by myself, only on very special occasions with friends. And it's usually a light beer, and I stop after one.
I didn't realize how much it made me feel like garbage until I didn't have it in my system any more. Should have given it up sooner. Don't miss it one bit.
Kudos to all of you in this thread. Keep it going!
Jealous! Now I know how West Coast Phish fans feel. BS is avoiding Northeast 😔
Quick update.
Feeling good! Waking-up is so much nicer. Sleep is better, even with the uncomfortable bits.
Mentioned the food trigger, it was Italian food and I had a red wine craving.
I worked (officiated shotput for 3 hours) on Wednesday afternoon. Got home and had a craving for a beer.
Psychology is one of my interests - behavioral, motivations, abnormal, etc. Took a bunch of it in kolledge.
Years of getting home from work and popping open something?
Classical conditioning like Pavlov?
Or more operant conditioning ala Skinner (you've heard of Skinner too i'd suspect, his box is much more real than Schrodinger's)
I got a bit of that 5:00 somewhere habit loop too (yes, it is a thing) which diminishes when dry.
Feel like this must be a major struggle for many.
So strange to fight these internal battles.
Know thy enemy - Sun Tzu.
Keep it up everyone -
Feeling good! Waking-up is so much nicer. Sleep is better, even with the uncomfortable bits.
Mentioned the food trigger, it was Italian food and I had a red wine craving.
I worked (officiated shotput for 3 hours) on Wednesday afternoon. Got home and had a craving for a beer.
Psychology is one of my interests - behavioral, motivations, abnormal, etc. Took a bunch of it in kolledge.
Years of getting home from work and popping open something?
Classical conditioning like Pavlov?
Or more operant conditioning ala Skinner (you've heard of Skinner too i'd suspect, his box is much more real than Schrodinger's)
I got a bit of that 5:00 somewhere habit loop too (yes, it is a thing) which diminishes when dry.
Feel like this must be a major struggle for many.
So strange to fight these internal battles.
Know thy enemy - Sun Tzu.
Keep it up everyone -
RideOnTime
Active Member
Billy Strings is like 8 years sober! Enjoy the show- he is awesome!
10 days in, and it's honestly much easier than I expected. I feel like a dick saying that, because I know for many people, it is not even remotely easy. I thought I'd be one of them after drinking pretty much every day for a long time. I've been funemployed for seven months, and it's become way too easy to just crack a beer at 2pm when every day is Saturday. I thought it would be hard to break this habit, but I just drink a seltzer instead. That Lagunitas hop water is pretty awesome, but I mostly have been going with Spindrift.
We went to Famished Frog in Morristown last night to watch the Penn State game, and I had my first ever NA beers. The Sam Adams hazy one, and two Athletic IPA's. They were surprisingly good, and I just felt like I was out drinking beers with my friends. I can see why this would be a very slippery slope depending on your situation. I don't really see myself sitting around the house drinking them, though I did just pick up a few from Wegmens.
I feel amazing, and my sleep has been great. To be honest, my sleep is probably average at best, but since it used to be terrible, it feels amazing.
Oh, I guess I should have said this previously, but "In."
Zaskar
Well-Known Member
He's California Sober as they say...
sundaydoug
Well-Known Member
Same here. I've had a few NA beers and was surprised at how good they were.
RideOnTime
Active Member
Haha that's sober in my book!
krink
Eddie Munster
Day 13 for me. Started a bit early cause I worked over New Years. Today will be the first test. Work meeting tonight at a great restaurant with a lot of drinkers. Already called yesterday and they dont have NA beer. Going with the seltzer with lime, do love a good G&T though. Admitting it here makes it sound so stupid that I would be self-pressured for an Alc drink cause others are.
Resting HR down 8 pbm from 2 weeks ago. hydration or drying out? time will tell.
Sleep unchanged. I could sleep through the zombie apocylapse.
Down 3 lbs with no change in diet.
Resting HR down 8 pbm from 2 weeks ago. hydration or drying out? time will tell.
Sleep unchanged. I could sleep through the zombie apocylapse.
Down 3 lbs with no change in diet.
qclabrat
Well-Known Member
I just started working again back in December, after being unemployed for two years, and went to a company holiday party with open bar in Metuchen. Everyone had a drink in hand and they didn't have NA options. Thought about holding a beer for show, instead just ordered a club soda with lime. Didn't bother me at all, though I've been told I'm more "fun" when drinking, I'm not going back. The sleeping late and hangovers are the things don't miss, though oddly I haven't lost any weight.