Well DU, I'm checking in - Week 1 is over and I made it - drink free!!!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

It has, thus far, been easier than I thought. Everyone here, my friends, and my family have been great. I've just been keeping myself busy. I've been drawing, and running, reading. I am full of excitement and, every day new appreciation comes back into my daily life.

This is going to sound really corny but, have you ever been in love and everything seems so fresh, colors so vibrant and everything has an air of newly seen profundity? - well it's not QUITE like that but its close. Its on the order of a new love affair with myself.

I'm not talking about the "Operation Save the Kittens" kind of self love but more of a rediscovery of who I am.

So, for those interested, I promised to check in. Things are off to a great start. I spent Friday night with Mike Moore rather than Sam Adams!

As always, thank you beautiful DUers for your support and well wishes!

:hi:

[GOPisEvil]

1. One day at a time.

:hi:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

9. My present mantra is - I may be able to drink safely one day -

but it ain't today!

:)

Thanks GOPisEvil - you rock as always!
:yourock:

[SoDesuKa]

2. Good Thing You're Not An Alcoholic

As far as I know, an alcoholic can't go a whole week without drinking. It's good to know you're not one. Reward yourself!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

6. I will - a double espresso down at the coffeehouse this evening!!!

It is good to see I'm not physically addicted per se. But the work continues - my drinking self is still very much working its lies on me. I'll sort it all out.

[Richardo]

8. Alcoholism is not necessarily just a physical condition...

Self-awareness is the key, and ChavezSpeakstheTruth is on the right track.

We're pulling for you, C! Happy first week! :thumbsup:

One day at a time, as the wise GOPisEvil once said. ;)

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

10. Thanks Richardo - just because I didn't have any appreciable withdrawals

I'm not letting myself fool myself. In my experience - I knew I was lying to myself all that time - I'm just not taking it anymore! I'm worth way more than that!

Thanks Brother!

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

33. Don't kid yourself

I'm an alcoholic, and I haven't had a drink in 23 years...

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

38. I'm not kidding myself - I'm going day by day

When start rationalizing things I just say that - it doesn't mean that tommorow I'll drink - it means I won't drink today.

It works for me today!

[Kukesa]

51. Me, too, PNS.

I'm a recovering alcoholic and haven't had a drink for 23 years (as of June 23).

Hooray for US!

[Mistress Quickly]

3. Fantastic!

Good job!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

12. Thanks!

:thumbsup:

[bearfan454]

4. You are doing darn good.

Keep it up. You know you can do this.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

7. I do now - more than ever!

Thanks

:thumbsup:

[daveskilt]

5. nice one matey ...nt

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

14. YAR!!!

[sus]

11. good for you.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

13. Thanks Sus - I appreciate it!

:)

[zanana]

15. Congratulations!

Not to pressure you or anything, but have you given any thought to joining a secular sobriety group, like S.O.S.? It can be a real help to talk to people on the phone at 3:00am, if you have to.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

17. I am absolutely open to it - however, as of yet, I haven't needed to

I've been talking to folks here and my friends so much I've hardly even noticed that I haven't been drinking - other than the delightful lack of remorse ridden hangovers. Should an emergency arrive I'll be there!

Thanks Zanana - peace!!!

[Skittles]

16. WOOOOOOOOOOO CHAVEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OUTSTANDING. One day at a time, buddy. :thumbsup:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

18. Thanks Skittles - I'm workin' it!

Really throwing myself into practicing my drawing is making all the difference. I actively DON'T WANT to drink!

It would get in the way - how 'bout THAT???

Thanks for everything!

:)

[cheezus]

20. how would you feel about sharing some drawings with us?

got a scanner or digicam? we'd like to see your work, if it's not too personal.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

21. Hell no its not, I'd love to but I don't know how

Wouldn't they need to be on a website and linked?

[cheezus]

34. you could use an image host

I have my own website, so I've never used one, but I hear they're the way to go if you just want to put up some ebay pics or family snapshots. check out photobucket.com

I guess you just upload the image with your browswer, and then it tells you what the url to it will be (ie, ht tp://). To link it here you just type in the url as normal and the board puts the image link in for you.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

36. Cool- I'll look into it

I've been wanting to share for a while

Thanks Cheezus - look for it, I'll let'cha know!

[supernova]

19. Yay!!! Glad you are drawing

That's a good way to focus your energy.

I'm so happy for you!!!!! Keep up the good work CStT. :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

22. Thanks Supernova - you're so damn supportive!

Much love to you!

:loveya:

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

23. Good news!

Go for it. Keep going.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

25. So far I have an energizer bunny thing going

my physical health is improving rapidly!

Thanks WJMS!!!

[rhino47]

24. Kick !

:kick:
Way to go!! I`m pulling for you.
Stay busy stay focused and stay drink free.
Best of luck ,
Sincerely Lindy
aka da rhino
:yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

26. Thanks Lindy - I appreciate the support!

Sincerely!

:hi:

[mac56]

27. You rock, sir.

Mad props and a shout-out to you. Only the beginning.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

28. Thanks my friend

for real!

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

29. I know you said you are prepared to go to a group

in case of an emergency, but might I respectfully suggest, as a recovering addict myself, that the group thing is also useful before an emergency?

I just wanted to throw that out there. Good job on one week. One day at a time!!!!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

31. I'm not closed to anything, my friend, and I value your input

I'm just doing well right now and am so busy I just haven't.

We'll see how it goes.

Thanks!

[Bunny]

30. Congratulations!

I'd do this :toast:, but it seems inappropriate under the circumstances. Keep up the good work!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

32. You know - that's my favorite smilie

I was afraid I was never going to use it again but

here's a rootbeer toast right back to you

:toast:

mmmm rootbeer! :beer:

[JohnLocke]

35. Congratulations!

Keep it up, Chavez! :beer:*

* That's soda. ;)

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

37. Thanks My Man!!!

Rootbeer toast all 'round!!!

:beer:

[Nikia]

39. I'm happy for you

I'm glad that you are feeling the positive aspects of being sober. Keep up the excitement. Remember that life is better for you without alcohol.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

40. Thanks for checking in Nikia - and I agree

I have so many good things going on right now - it would only get in the way!

Life is too short to waste it!

- Peace

[Brewman_Jax]

41. Congrats!

Sounds like you're on your way to life as you want it. :thumbsup:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

44. CStheT abides!

Thanks!

[devinsgram]

42. Congratulations

You did it. Keep it up!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

45. Will do!

:thumbsup:

[ronabop]

43. Congies!

Week one was hardest for me.... withdrawals (for alcoholics) can be hard (never dealt with it myself, but it sounds brutal), I just had to deal with diet issues....then comes the pink cloud time (which you are discovering), then there was a 15-17 day craving for me, and a 26-29 day yearning for me... after that it wasn't about my body, but my mind.

Social support, and peer feedback, seem to be the strongest factors in success, so keep checking in. If you need support, ask! Find folks, AA, MM, RR, SMART, whatever, and keep them around. They are much greater predictors of success than a solo program, or whatever you're doing...

Anyways, from a complete stranger who fought an alcohol dragon, to another engaged in combat, power on!

-Bop

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

46. Thanks!

[underpants]

47. Good for you-one day at a time now

I haven't responded to one of your threads before, no reason really I have read them. My brother, as you may know, has been sober for 6 months now. He hit rock bottom of a bottom few see. With support and love of family and working the AA system he has not had one drink. It is still up to him (and you) and the answer to yourself always has to be NO.

Best of luck and way to go.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

49. Thanks UP !

I appreciate the encouragement!

[Ellen Forradalom]

48. Keep up the good work!

And remember, no matter whatever may be wrong, drinking can only make it worse!

I gave up drinking because it's incompatible with my medication. I too am feeling fine!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

50. Excellent!

Glad to have company in this clarity!

:)

[Kukesa]

52. Great news, but . . .

I'm a recovering alcoholic. Have you considered going to A.A.? It really works, CStT, it really does.

Hang in there. I know what you're going through.

[BigBigBear]

53. Good luck Chavez

Pulling for ya.

[democratreformed]

54. Congratulations!!!

Sounds like you are doing great.