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Alcoholism, Addiction and Recovery

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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    For me it's easier to mentally tick it as, my last drink/hospital visit was a Saturday night/Sunday morning so if I can make it to that each week I feel like I'm crossing a finish line each time lmao

    There are days I've walked up to the door of the liquor store and then had to convince myself to turn around but we're holding strong

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    MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNA Rochester, MNRegistered User regular
    For me it's easier to mentally tick it as, my last drink/hospital visit was a Saturday night/Sunday morning so if I can make it to that each week I feel like I'm crossing a finish line each time lmao

    There are days I've walked up to the door of the liquor store and then had to convince myself to turn around but we're holding strong

    That's real strength, keep it up.

    I am in the business of saving lives.
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    DepressperadoDepressperado I just wanted to see you laughing in the pizza rainRegistered User regular
    I was at a small party last night and was talking to this girl about music. she went out to the porch to smoke a cig and I went with because she asked me to.

    She offered me a one, and it was kinda foggy and lit by streetlights and it smelled like wet forest, it was the perfect time for a contemplative cigarette, but I was like "nah, I quit."

    I stopped doing heroin and I still had an incredibly difficult time like, psychically wrestling my desire for a nice relaxing smoke back into the dark under-the-stairs where I keep it.

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    MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNA Rochester, MNRegistered User regular
    I was at a small party last night and was talking to this girl about music. she went out to the porch to smoke a cig and I went with because she asked me to.

    She offered me a one, and it was kinda foggy and lit by streetlights and it smelled like wet forest, it was the perfect time for a contemplative cigarette, but I was like "nah, I quit."

    I stopped doing heroin and I still had an incredibly difficult time like, psychically wrestling my desire for a nice relaxing smoke back into the dark under-the-stairs where I keep it.

    The environmental factor and triggers aren't to be ignored. After playing with the kids outside all day then grilling for dinner...skipping those beers on the deck on a nice summer day? Closest I've ever come to relapsing.

    My birthday is in two days. I don't like making a deal about it, but I usually have a bourbon and cigar and this is going to be the first time skipping that ritual in like a decade.

    I am in the business of saving lives.
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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    You got this! Good on both you guys

    Also I'm 7 weeks sober 🤠

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    Bloods EndBloods End Blade of Tyshalle Punch dimensionRegistered User regular
    I was at a small party last night and was talking to this girl about music. she went out to the porch to smoke a cig and I went with because she asked me to.

    She offered me a one, and it was kinda foggy and lit by streetlights and it smelled like wet forest, it was the perfect time for a contemplative cigarette, but I was like "nah, I quit."

    I stopped doing heroin and I still had an incredibly difficult time like, psychically wrestling my desire for a nice relaxing smoke back into the dark under-the-stairs where I keep it.

    Cigarettes are one of the hardest addictions to quit, of all of them. I've helped people get off everything under the sun, but cigarettes and bad relationships are the ones that cause the most trouble. Also weird, they are very hard to get addicted to if you start after 25.

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    MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNA Rochester, MNRegistered User regular
    Both my parents were heavy smokers. Well, still are. I always thought it was disgusting so never even considered it.

    Then, while very drunk in college, I tried one while walking from one bar to the next. I still remember the exact moment. It was as if my whole brain stem was lit up like a Christmas tree.

    Never had one again. But I save myself four cigars a year now.

    I am in the business of saving lives.
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    DarmakDarmak RAGE vympyvvhyc vyctyvyRegistered User regular
    Used to smoke cigarettes towards the end of highschool. Finally quit for good shortly after I met my wife. It was easy, but also hard? Like, I ran out one night and was like, "I'll go get some later" and it's been nearly 16 years and I still haven't gotten around to getting some. But replacing the habit of having one after meals, or while driving, or playing games, was super difficult and I wanted one so badly. I did take up pipe smoking for a bit, but I quit before I could get addicted because of my heart surgery. Didn't smoke my pipe much anyways, but I think it would have been a matter of time. I DID get addicted to cigars a few years back though, and those were a real pain in the ass to quit. I'd get drunk and stumble down the street and buy some whenever I felt the urge (which was every time I got drunk, which was all the time). Even though the cigars, pipe, and cigarettes are all tobacco products, they were all different in terms how hard they were to quit. While it's all just nicotine addiction, it feels like I quit three distinct things.

    Also, I don't know the day but I'm about 7 months sober. Feels pretty nice.

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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    I am white knuckle gripping my sobriety today because my lord god is testing me

    He gives his toughest battles to his most addicted soliders or something idk I'm pissed as fuck

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    DepressperadoDepressperado I just wanted to see you laughing in the pizza rainRegistered User regular
    edited July 2022
    you can do it!

    do angry squats and push ups!

    scowl and roar with the effort!

    edit: also don't worry buddy, this too shall pass, I guess?

    Depressperado on
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    MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNA Rochester, MNRegistered User regular
    I am white knuckle gripping my sobriety today because my lord god is testing me

    He gives his toughest battles to his most addicted soliders or something idk I'm pissed as fuck

    What do you have available that isn't going to wreck your sobriety to relieve stress? Exercise? Music?

    Find it. Whatever is testing you today will pass. You've just got to make it to tomorrow.

    I am in the business of saving lives.
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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    I'm stuck at work for another 2 hours and surprise, that's whats fucking me over today

    I'll make it but I started dissociating pretty heavy at one point today to get through some bullshit. I'm listening to music and trying to think about things in a different way but I'm just having a real bitch of a day where nothing seems to be going right. I'll make it.

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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    I bought booze last night but managed to not drink it which is some kinda bizarre power move

    I think buying it made me feel really stupid so that I guess worked out

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    MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNA Rochester, MNRegistered User regular
    edited July 2022
    I bought booze last night but managed to not drink it which is some kinda bizarre power move

    I think buying it made me feel really stupid so that I guess worked out

    Good. You know you can return it without a problem if it's unopened. I used to work at a liquor store, happens all the time and we are more than happy to take it back.

    MegaMan001 on
    I am in the business of saving lives.
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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    Well I've been off the wagon for most of the month, lost my job not long ago which accelerated things for me and last night I pissed off my partner by not telling her I was drinking while on the phone with her.

    This post is me trying to right the ship, I'm extremely hungover and sick and just disappointed. I don't wanna sit here and wallow in this feeling anymore, I'm tired of feeling powerless while actively doing the thing that makes me feel that way. I'm sitting on the edge of my bed trying not to vomit as I type.

    Anyways I'm done feeling sorry for myself and making excuses. I just wanna be better, I wanna do better for the people I care about. I don't wanna just keep going in circles. Today is Tuesday July 26 and it's the last day I'm gonna feel this way. I've said it before and meant it before but I really don't wanna do this anymore.

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    Magic PinkMagic Pink Tur-Boner-Fed Registered User regular
    keep at it; you've been dumped on seriously, it's no shame going back to a comfort zone as long as you realize you need to leave it behind eventually

    especially when it's killing you

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    3cl1ps33cl1ps3 I will build a labyrinth to house the cheese Registered User regular
    It's important, as humans, to give ourselves permission to fail. It's okay to fail. It's just also important, once you realize you've failed, to pick yourself back up and try again. You got this shit homes.

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    Munkus BeaverMunkus Beaver You don't have to attend every argument you are invited to. Philosophy: Stoicism. Politics: Democratic SocialistRegistered User, ClubPA regular
    Progress, not perfection. Keep making progress towards sobriety.

    Humor can be dissected as a frog can, but dies in the process.
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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    Back at it again with 1 week sober. Gotta rebuild my streak but we're working on it.

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    PaladinPaladin Registered User regular
    What's done is done, but it looks like you've given yourself a nice record to beat. You've done what is hard; you can do what is harder.

    Marty: The future, it's where you're going?
    Doc: That's right, twenty five years into the future. I've always dreamed on seeing the future, looking beyond my years, seeing the progress of mankind. I'll also be able to see who wins the next twenty-five world series.
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    ZonugalZonugal (He/Him) The Holiday Armadillo I'm Santa's representative for all the southern states. And Mexico!Registered User regular
    Hey hey, today finally arrived, I have been sober for 1,000 days straight.

    I am celebrating with some bottled soda and a rewatching of The Legend of the Drunken Master.

    Ross-Geller-Prime-Sig-A.jpg
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    OghulkOghulk Tinychat Janitor TinychatRegistered User regular
    Zonugal wrote: »
    Hey hey, today finally arrived, I have been sober for 1,000 days straight.

    I am celebrating with some bottled soda and a rewatching of The Legend of the Drunken Master.

    Fuck yeah dude!

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    Magic PinkMagic Pink Tur-Boner-Fed Registered User regular
    how's everybody doing?

    i'm finishing off a bottle of wine after stealing my bf's 99cent gin bottles 2 days ago because everything seems dark an crumbling

    but two weeks vacation comin up

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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    edited November 2022
    I'm gonna be honest, I've been off the wagon for a while, but things are slowly looking up. I don't drink everyday or even every week anymore, usually once a month slipup here and there. My new job is a lot better than my last in that I don't hate myself while I'm there so that's a big weight off my shoulders. Idk I've hit a point where I want to better myself in several ways and just in general take care of myself after years of not giving a shit what I put into my body be that food, booze, drugs or otherwise.

    I think I'll make it my new years resolution to quit both booze and energy drinks and actually try to stick to it. My longest sobriety streak was 3 years and I managed to kick red bull for about three months, maybe quitting both cold turkey in the new year will help myself turn a corner. But I'm optimistic.

    Local H Jay on
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    ZonugalZonugal (He/Him) The Holiday Armadillo I'm Santa's representative for all the southern states. And Mexico!Registered User regular
    edited November 2022
    Magic Pink wrote: »
    how's everybody doing?

    In three weeks I will be four years sober.

    Probably gonna treat myself with some eggnog.

    Zonugal on
    Ross-Geller-Prime-Sig-A.jpg
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    Magic PinkMagic Pink Tur-Boner-Fed Registered User regular
    edited November 2022
    I'm gonna be honest, I've been off the wagon for a while, but things are slowly looking up. I don't drink everyday or even every week anymore, usually once a month slipup here and there. My new job is a lot better than my last in that I don't hate myself while I'm there so that's a big weight off my shoulders. Idk I've hit a point where I want to better myself in several ways and just in general take care of myself after years of not giving a shit what I put into my body be that food, booze, drugs or otherwise.

    I think I'll make it my new years resolution to quit both booze and energy drinks and actually try to stick to it. My longest sobriety streak was 3 years and I managed to kick red bull for about three months, maybe quitting both cold turkey in the new year will help myself turn a corner. But I'm optimistic.

    woo hoo!

    maybe try the no booze and sugar free energy drinks? i just worry that trying to drop all of it at once would be mega hard

    Magic Pink on
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    DepressperadoDepressperado I just wanted to see you laughing in the pizza rainRegistered User regular
    today is the anniversary of the death of a friend of mine. she ODed. this, in and of itself, isn't... uncommon for me, but hers really fucked me up.
    we were intimate. I mean, physically, yeah, but that's nothing. it's mostly we just really grokked each other. we knew each other deep down.

    I went to her funeral and her mom screamed at me. I let her dad punch me.
    I understood. I loved her and I could have tried to make her better, or us both better, but it's so much easier to just be a junkie. making that choice makes me a son of a bitch.

    sorry to bum the thread out. I'm uh... several years sober, so there's that! I dunno why, but I've never felt the need to like, keep track.

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    Magic PinkMagic Pink Tur-Boner-Fed Registered User regular
    today is the anniversary of the death of a friend of mine. she ODed. this, in and of itself, isn't... uncommon for me, but hers really fucked me up.
    we were intimate. I mean, physically, yeah, but that's nothing. it's mostly we just really grokked each other. we knew each other deep down.

    I went to her funeral and her mom screamed at me. I let her dad punch me.
    I understood. I loved her and I could have tried to make her better, or us both better, but it's so much easier to just be a junkie. making that choice makes me a son of a bitch.

    sorry to bum the thread out. I'm uh... several years sober, so there's that! I dunno why, but I've never felt the need to like, keep track.

    damn bro

    that's some dark backstory but good on ya

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    DepressperadoDepressperado I just wanted to see you laughing in the pizza rainRegistered User regular
    Magic Pink wrote: »
    today is the anniversary of the death of a friend of mine. she ODed. this, in and of itself, isn't... uncommon for me, but hers really fucked me up.
    we were intimate. I mean, physically, yeah, but that's nothing. it's mostly we just really grokked each other. we knew each other deep down.

    I went to her funeral and her mom screamed at me. I let her dad punch me.
    I understood. I loved her and I could have tried to make her better, or us both better, but it's so much easier to just be a junkie. making that choice makes me a son of a bitch.

    sorry to bum the thread out. I'm uh... several years sober, so there's that! I dunno why, but I've never felt the need to like, keep track.

    damn bro

    that's some dark backstory but good on ya

    bHAJ3LM.gif

    in addition to being traumatic, it's definitely one of those "keep until I can drop the fuckin' bomb during a conversation" things.

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    DepressperadoDepressperado I just wanted to see you laughing in the pizza rainRegistered User regular
    so I moved to a new house and I was setting up my bookshelf and while I was placing Dune, one of the bookmarks fell out and it was a like, 5+year old suboxone packet.

    there is a whole sub in here.

    this is either a gift from past me, a trick from past me, or a trap from past me.

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    JokermanJokerman Everything EverywhereRegistered User regular
    so I moved to a new house and I was setting up my bookshelf and while I was placing Dune, one of the bookmarks fell out and it was a like, 5+year old suboxone packet.

    there is a whole sub in here.

    this is either a gift from past me, a trick from past me, or a trap from past me.

    I dont know exactly where you are in your journey with addiction but you are one of my favorite people here... but if that suboxone is 5 years old it's totally expired now and all the active ingredients are gone.

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    DepressperadoDepressperado I just wanted to see you laughing in the pizza rainRegistered User regular
    yeah I thought it might have gone off, I'm just gonna toss it.

    like, if it worked, it'd make me all nauseous and I'd finish it and be like "hmm I need more drugs" so it's better this way.

    this feels like a moment.

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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    Alright, it's time. Time to start trying again. Things haven't been great specifically with my sobriety but once again I made some mistakes while drunk that have helped me turn a corner and try to set myself straight again. Its been a long time since I posted because I was ashamed of how I've slipped up the last few months. But now I think I'm turning a corner and feel confident I can squash this thing, atleast for now. I've been talking about my problems more openly with friends and basically I have a few people who are aware of the situation and have agreed to help me so I can contact them when I feel like drinking.

    Shit has been hard the last year but I like my job, love my girlfriend, and want to be proud of who I am so I can be better for my friends and family instead of wallowing in self pity and doubt

    To be honest a big factor is health problems and I finally have insurance after a... Decade of not. So I can hopefully try to get some therapy and get myself some actual help instead of just floundering. It's tough and I'm not proud of constantly slipping up but, we back on the grind I think and I wanna hold myself accountable for this stuff

    Wish me luck

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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    1 week sober, neat

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    3cl1ps33cl1ps3 I will build a labyrinth to house the cheese Registered User regular
    Hell yeah brother

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    DarmakDarmak RAGE vympyvvhyc vyctyvyRegistered User regular
    Just realized I've been sober for about a year and two months now! I feel pretty fortunate that everyone in my life has been so supportive, it would have been so much harder otherwise

    JtgVX0H.png
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    JarsJars Registered User regular
    I forgot I've been out for over 2 years now. going strong, no sanctions or violations or anything

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    Local H JayLocal H Jay Registered User regular
    2 weeks sober! That being said I'm going through weed like it's my job but I'd say it's better than being blacked out every night

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    Magic PinkMagic Pink Tur-Boner-Fed Registered User regular
    2 weeks sober! That being said I'm going through weed like it's my job but I'd say it's better than being blacked out every night

    me too hi 5

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    PinfeldorfPinfeldorf Yeah ZestRegistered User regular
    I'm getting concerned that I might be reliant on THC to get a restful night's sleep. Days where I take my edibles, I fall asleep faster and sleep better. Days where I don't it can take me hours to fall asleep and I don't feel rested when I wake up. I don't like the idea that I'm relying on a chemical to obtain a normal night's sleep, even though I know said chemical isn't harmful or habit-forming. I'm more worried about the ramifications of not having access to it in the future and my sleep issues turning into A Real Problem.
    And just to head it off at the pass, my sleep issues are basically that I have a non-24-hour circadian rhythm. If I could, I would have an effectively 30 hour day, where I would sleep for 10 hours and be awake for 20. I have tried every home remedy under the sun to try to fix it, and when weed became legal here in 2020 I tried that and it worked immediately.

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