3 more days and I'll have my 1 month chip (again)!! I had 48 days before my relapse. I'm doing so good this time around though, I know I can stick with it. Haven't had a thought of drinking in the last 28 days, I've been feeling really really good. Maybe I'm on a pink cloud, I dunno. I figured out that I had a spiritual experience, and since then I've been doing so good. And I feel so good about my 28 days that I just don't want to do anything to screw it up, I think that keeps me from even thinking about drinking. I know the thought will come up again, and I know all I have to do when it comes up is use the tools that have been given to me. When I relapsed I was just too impulsive, I didn't stop to think, I didn't use any of my tools, I didn't call anyone. I know now what all I did wrong, and all I can do is try to do the right thing when it comes up again.
My counselor is making me think about things to do to fight depression too, now while I'm feeling so good, because the depression is likely to come again. Basically what I've come up with are things from my spiritual tool kit my sponsor made me list out. Pray, call somebody, read the big book (or in the case of depression I can read the self-help book my counselor told me to get), also more positive thinking, and making myself get up and do things even when I don't feel like it. I've been trying to stay busy since I've started feeling so good, and I think doing things around the house and doing my hobbies has really helped keep the depression away. Also the positive thinking, I have a whole new outlook on life, I have hope, I feel good about myself, I try to keep myself positive to keep away the depression.
I'm taking it one day at a time, that's all I can do. I'm not worrying about when that thought of drinking will come, or when the depression will hit again. I'm just enjoying each day as it comes.
You must be feeling really good right now with almost one month of sobriety. Well done.
I relapsed after three months because I didn't think about all that I had learned. But, I did learn from the experience and it made me stronger and more determined.
When I first stopped drinking I decided to really keep myself busy. Like you, I kept myself occupied with lots of housework and a million and one other jobs that I had been putting off for so long. I also took up walking which I found to be spiritually very helpful. I rediscovered my love of cooking and I baked endless cakes for friends, neighbours and for a charity event that I hosted.
I bought myself the Big Book, Daily Reflections and Living Sober and read them as often as I wanted/needed. And, of course, the Internet is a great source of info and wonderful resources.
It sounds as if you are doing everything right and your attitude is great. Keep on going.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
