That's great you get your benefits. congratulations x I totally understand what your saying about thinking of having a drink to celebrate. Thats what i always think. There is always an excuse to have a drink. But I think it's more of a celebration not to drink and be proud that you haven't. I need to reach that point. I'm going through a bad time st the moment but need to find another way of getting rid of my stress rather than hitting the bottle as it mske me feel do much worse.I'm determined now to do it x
yes, I have always believed alcohol to be a drug.
But, N/A meetings around here and AA meetings around here always say in the begining..."keep your discussion limited to way drugs have affected your life"...AA..."keep your discussion limited to the way alcohol has affected your life".
Now N/A has some statement that makes you feel more comfortable about talking about alcohol....this particular meeting. They say "this group believes that alcohol is also considered a drug, as well as caffiene and nicotine, feel free to discuss you problems regarding your drug of choice and please limit your sharing to 5 minutes so that everyone that wants to share can share"
I feel more comfortable at this particular N/A meeting because of their openess. In other N/A meetings you can talk about alcohol but you get this "elephant" in the room feeling that you are taking up the time of someone who is addicted to a street or prescription medication.
"you might get a scare when you have strong emotions in general".
This was very profound to me...and I have been thinking about this statement ever since you posted it.
This statement is SO true. The other day when I got the letter that relieved alot of my anxiety...I was like a rat in a cage...running from corner to corner...not knowing what to do with the "happiness" and "relief"...and drinking popped in and out of my head.
The sensation I had was "fear" and I kept asking myself WHY...?
This is GOOD.
I am and always have been on medications for mental illness...but I don't think there is any pill that can help me.
Now I am thinking about Dr Phils statement..."You can't change what you don't acknowlege."
Thank you for helping me acknowlege the fact that I get overwhelmed with both postive and negative emotions. I actually know I get MORE overwhelmed than the average person who has reactions to these situations...so now I can try and address that the next time it happens..because I now acknowlegde this due to your comment...Thank you.
Can I suggest something to do when happy - dance. And sing!
WOW...good idea...
I am doing those word search puzzles and coloring.
Thank you h1954.
If you want to get rid of your stress by sending me a PM to get it all out..go for it!
Yes, no drinking is a BETTER celebration...I know from having 8 years sober that the thoughts and craving die off if I just stay away from the alcohol for a long period of time.
Hey hun - also smile broadly for no reason. When you smile, within 10 seconds you release feel good chemicals into the body that change your mood. It is said to do it before a difficult telephone conversation or at an appointment you are going to and nervous.
On the smile issue - I have just also read that a 30 min fast walk along with a smile on your face, is as powerful as an antidepressant.
I have been doing this since knocking down my booze and it without a doubt lifts your mood. Just looks strange when you are on your own lol.
The dancing and singing is a defo - but sing with a HUGE smile.
Hugs hun
G.
G.