Today I am 30 days sober

[cate94]

Heading to my PHP (partial hospitalization program) in a short while. My wife will be reading her data letter to me, pretty much saying how my drinking impacted her. It’s a requirement of the program, and I’m a bit nervous. I’m not going to let that spoil my celebration

In the past 30 days I was at a funeral luncheon where booze was all around me. I was at a family reunion where booze was readily accessible. Guests in my house have had their cocktails and I drank my water, or Arnie Palmer’s. It felt a bit weird but I was proud of myself. I did not envy, and I did not drink.

Today I am thirty days sober.

[snowybirdie]

1. Keep on

Keeping on!

[cate94]

2. One day

At a time

[Duncanpup]

3. Hugs congratulations

[cate94]

51. Thank you!

[ms liberty]

4. Good work, keep it up!

[cate94]

52. Thank you!

[multigraincracker]

5. Feel free to use my excuse...

No thanks, I’m allergic to alcohol. I break out in hand cuffs. Cuts em right off.

[riverbendviewgal]

35. That is good.

[cate94]

53. Thanks!

good one!

[underpants]

6. Congratulations

[cate94]

54. Thank you!

[bucolic_frolic]

7. Keep putting one foot in front of another

you're on the right path!

[cate94]

55. Thank you!

[Lonestarblue]

8. Congratulations! You're doing great!

[cate94]

56. Thank you!

[no_hypocrisy]

9. And one day stronger than yesterday!!

Keep it going!

Proud of your dedication and determination.

[cate94]

57. Thank you!

[Paladin]

10. Outstanding. Keep up the good, important work. (nt)

[cate94]

58. Thank you!

[BigOleDummy]

11. Excellent

[cate94]

59. Thanks!

[Hope22]

12. My best to you.

Remember to breathe as you listen. It will be hard but not the hardest thing you’ve ever done. Love to you and yours. This is a new day!🙏🏼💗💗

[cate94]

60. Thank you!

[NoMoreRepugs]

13. Look deep inside - You know you can do it.

[cate94]

61. Thanks!

I think I can!

[2naSalit]

14. Well done...

I hope you can do it again! I think you will, the first 30 can be tough.

[cate94]

62. Thank you!

One day at a time!

[SharonAnn]

15. I've succeeded for 30 years. Best advice to me early on was "Have an exit plan".

Advice was that wherever i was going to be in a group where there was drinking going on, I should have an exit plan in case I felt needed to leave in order to stay sober. Have my own car if I was going somewhere for an event. Have a plan for how I could excuse myself from something in my own house. "I don't feel well" and go to my room or sneak out and go somewhere else.

It worked. Sometimes, just knowing I had an exit plan eased the temptation to drink.

[cate94]

63. Good advice!

[ChazInAz]

16. Thirty days!

That's a long time!
Just twenty-four hours at a time, each taken singly.
A word of advice from an Olephart who's been there: pay attention when your wife takes your inventory. You have to know that stuff at bone level. You can do this.

[cate94]

64. Thanks!

I was grateful both for the things she said and my groups reaction.

[AmBlue]

17. Congratulations

I likely know a lot of things your wife will say as I have walked in her shoes, with my ex-husband. If he had done what you are doing, we might still be married for more than 40 years by now.

I'm proud of you and happy for your future. Keep up the good work!

[cate94]

65. Thank you!

[Tetrachloride]

18. outstanding really

[cate94]

66. I am proud of myself!

[Niagara]

19. Congratulations, cate94!

You can do this, one day at a time.

[cate94]

67. Thanks!

[roxybear]

20. Congratulations and don't give up.

I know what you're going through. I quit 40 years ago and haven't had a drink since. However, it wasn't as easy as I might make it sound. It took me about 5 years to finally quit for good. During that time I was sober most of the time but there were times I had to try drinking again; it never turned out well. I'd drink alcoholically for a week to a month and then had to quit again because I made a fool of myself and/or was on the verge of losing my job. I put my wife and family through hell and I'm not proud of it. I finally realized that I can't drink safely and quit for good. I hope you're smarter than me and succeed on your first try. I was a slow learner. Even if things do get bad again don't get discouraged or give up hope. Even if the world looks like a dark place, you can make a good life for yourself and your family. I'd also ask your wife not to give up on you. My wife stood by me even though I screwed up and wasn't a nice person to live with; all I can say is that she's a saint. I, and I suspect she, would say the pain was worth it to come out at a good place in the end.

[cate94]

68. I won't give up!

I don’t think my wife would either if I slipped. I look at the pain the people in my group have suffered as a result of their relapses, and I hope to never go there.

[twodogsbarking]

21. Congrats. Guard your mental health. You have people to help. They may not say the right thing.

Let it slide. They care but can't fully understand.

[cate94]

69. Thanks!

The data letter went well. At least as well as I could expect.

[Chicagogrl1]

22. Congrats!!

Thats a great accomplishment. Keep it going!

[cate94]

70. Thanks!

[geardaddy]

23. Congratuulations!

That is great!

[cate94]

71. Thank you!

[AllaN01Bear]

24. bravo

[cate94]

72. Thanks!

[WmChris]

25. Congratulations

I'm always glad to welcome another travler trudging the road to happy destiny. Stick around and the promises on pages 83-84 of the Big Book of AA will materialize, as they have manifested in my life.

[cate94]

73. Thank you!

My sponsor said we’d read that together on Saturday. Great minds

[niyad]

26. Congratulations.

[cate94]

74. Thank you!

[c-rational]

27. Congratulations.

[cate94]

75. Thank you!

[fierywoman]

28. Bravo!

[cate94]

76. Thanks!

[rzemanfl]

29. 13,911 here.

They keep adding up. Congratulations.

[cate94]

77. Wow!

Thanks!

[flying_wahini]

30. Congratulations!

It’s hard work but gets easier as you go.

[cate94]

78. Thanks!

[pazzyanne]

31. Congratulations!

You should be proud of you! Keep on keeping on! We are all in your corner rooting for you!

[cate94]

79. Thanks!

[LoisB]

32. Congratulations! I am very happy for you.

[cate94]

102. Thank you!

[Chainfire]

33. I will add my congratulations!

Been there, done that, and have the tee shirt. It gets easier with time and there will come a point in your life when you no longer think about it. Your life is going to take a turn for the better.

[cate94]

103. Thanks!

I’m looking forward to the time I no longer think about it.

[ramen]

34. Nice work. That is a very hard period for most people, congratulations. nt

[cate94]

104. Thanks!

[riverbendviewgal]

36. That is awesome 👌

[cate94]

105. Thanks!

[onecaliberal]

37. Outstanding! Proud of you.

[cate94]

106. Thank you!

[catrose]

38. Congratulations!

And instead of walking away, your wife is participating in both your recovery and the family’s recovery. Good sign.

[cate94]

107. Thanks!

I feel very fortunate!

[SpankMe]

39. A tough, tough road, I know

Keep it up. It can - and will - be done. (Sobriety, that is.)

My best wishes to your for continuing recovery!

[cate94]

108. It is

Thank you!

[Bristlecone]

40. Congrats. 30 days is a long time. Keep it up!

[cate94]

109. Thank you!

[vlyons]

41. Super congratulations!

You are well on you way to that day, when the little voice in your head stops saying, "I need a drink." No, you don't NEED it. I used to drink way too much, and had about a dozen grand mal seizures. When I stopped drinking, the seizures also stopped. I can now drink a beer or glass of wine occasionally, as in 1 per 3 or 4 months.

I am amazed at how much alcohol permeates our culture. Watching TV or movies, count how many times someone comes in the door and heads straight for the bar for liquor. Like 3 or 4 fingers of liquor. Eventually alcohol will not interest you at all. You are perfectly capable of dealing with all the obstacles, disappointments, and upsets that come your way.

[cate94]

110. Thank you!

I doubt I could do just 1 every now and then.

You are so right about our culture. Booze is everywhere. It’s just no longer in my glass.

[soldierant]

42. Congranulations, sugar.

[cate94]

111. Thanks!

[Deep State Witch]

43. One Day At A Time

Keep going - one day at a time!

[cate94]

112. Thank you!

[BlueIdaho]

44. Good Start!

There are going to be a whole string of “sober firsts” First time in a restaurant sober, first time you get sick sober, first time you go on vacation sober… after a while all those things will begin to feel normal. As my friends say - “Easy Does It But Do It.”

Find yourself a community of like minded individuals - there’s plenty of folks that can help you. You don’t and probably can’t do this on your own. Remember that you need to hear from the people you love and that love you. Alcoholism affects the whole family.

Finally… No Matter What, Just Don’t Drink.

We are rooting for you! ❤️

[cate94]

113. Thanks!

I agree wholeheartedly.

[BlueIdaho]

146. There is a whole wonderful sober world

Waiting out there for you. One day you’ll realize there are plenty of folks that just don’t drink - not because they are alcoholics but because the just don’t want to. Then you may look around and realize you’ve been stuck in some kind of self imposed prison.

With any luck you’ll discover a whole world of opportunities, new experiences, and serenity.

One day at a time.

[cate94]

147. Sounds lovely

I hope you’re right!

[zanana1]

45. That's outstanding!

Thirty days is quite an accomplishment. (I know how humbling that "data letter" can be). It's also freeing in a way, too. Walk tall and carry on!

[cate94]

114. Thanks!

I’m pretty proud of myself. And the data letter was very loving. It had some hard truths, but the message was so supportive.

[moniss]

46. Congratulations and best wishes going forward!!

[cate94]

115. Thanks!

[rurallib]

47. Isn't it great to be in charge of your life?

You don't want to lose that feeling.

I quit somewhere @ 30 years ago and never missed it a bit.

[cate94]

116. Yes it is!

[ratchiweenie]

48. Good on you. It can be difficult being around people drinking when you are staying sober but you are

doing yourself a HUGE favor. When people try to press alcohol on my husband and me, we just tell them "We drank our share" and we're tired of it now.

[cate94]

118. Thanks!

I’m lucky to be around very supportive people. Hopefully no one will push the issue.

[RainCaster]

49. Good for you!

You have done the toughest part already. I general, each day will be easier than the day before, though the changes are subtle.

[cate94]

119. Thanks!

I hope you’re right!

[joanbarnes]

50. carry on

[cate94]

120. Will do.

[GeoWilliam750]

80. Now sir, one more each day

[cate94]

121. One day at a time.

[Permanut]

81. 29 years sober here..

A grateful member of AA.

There's no way to sugar coat this challenge. It was extremely difficult, and took four tries to get here.

There is also no way to describe how much better my life is.

Congratulations on a great achievement!

[cate94]

122. Thanks!

No sugar coating needed. I see the number of relapses in my group. Trying to keep in mind, I don’t want to go through this again. It won’t be any easier if there is a next time.

[Mr.Bill]

82. Congratulations!

I quit smoking 20 years ago, and 32 years ago I quit all drugs except marijuana, which I rarely use anymore, cigarettes and alcohol. I've been toying with the idea of quitting drinking. I recently quit for a week, and I had no physical symptoms at all, so maybe I can do this. It inspires me when I see others do it.

[cate94]

123. Thanks!

I had quit everything but alcohol. I had to go to detox for alcohol. If you can do it on your own that is wonderful!

[byronius]

83. Congrats.

[cate94]

124. Thanks!

[orangecrush]

84. One day at a time

[cate94]

125. Yup!

[Goddessartist]

85. Hooray! So happy for you! Keep going....one day at a time my fellow recoverer.

[cate94]

126. Thank you so much!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

86. Congratulations

[cate94]

127. Thanks!

[COL Mustard]

87. Congratulations!!!

And best wishes for many more days!

[cate94]

129. Thank you!

[MacKasey]

88. Doing one day at a time! Good job !

[cate94]

130. Thanks!

[Trueblue Texan]

89. Congratulations.

Stay true to your convictions. You deserve it.

[cate94]

131. Thank you!

Will do.

[LearnedHand]

90. 20 years ago I sat where you are now

Trying and failing to imagine what it would be like to not drink for 20 years. One secret, I found out, was to not quit for 20 years, only for the next 5 minutes. Keep quitting every 5 minutes, and string those drink-free minutes together. That necklace gets long pretty fast. It gets easier. I am so proud of you.

[ailsagirl]

93. I should congratulate you, too

[cate94]

132. Congratulations!

And thank you!

[keithbvadu2]

91. Congrats! Keep counting.

[cate94]

133. Thanks!

[ailsagirl]

92. Congratulations!!

[cate94]

134. Thank you!

[ailsagirl]

149. So happy for you!!!

😁😻😎😃😄😆

[crickets]

94. Congratulations and good for you, cate94!

[cate94]

135. Thank you!

[sprinkleeninow]

95. You are strong. You are determined. You are loved. 🩷

[cate94]

136. Thanks!

[diva77]

96. Congrats to you!!! A couple of my fave non-alc. beverages are

1/2 pineapple juice + 1/2 soda water

1/2 cranberry juice + 1/2 soda water

[cate94]

137. Thanks!

[DFW]

97. The longest journey starts with a single step.

I was spared by an unusual genetic oddity. Otherwise, who knows if I might have landed in the same boat?

[cate94]

138. Very true

You’re lucky.

[DFW]

145. I was born with a strong aversion

I gag when I taste a wide variety of things. One is avocados. Another is alcohol. Whether beer, wine, hard stuff, or even ice cream with a few drops of Grand Marnier, I get repulsed. It was that way when I was five, and it's still that way now.The closest I can come is cod in garlic and white wine sauce, and only if the alcohol has completely burned off. But the chance of me downing even an eyedropper of an alcoholic beverage without getting ill is exactly zero. Neither my siblings nor my children have this, so I must be some kind of genetic freak. But since I never had a craving for it, I never missed it, either.

[cate94]

148. That sounds pretty lucky

I was born with a predisposed to alcoholism. I ignored the warnings. Not terribly smart, so here I am.

[Rhiannon12866]

98. Congratulations, you deserve to feel very proud of yourself.

I know very well how tough it is in the beginning, wishing you a successful journey - One Day at a Time.

[cate94]

139. Thank you!

[The_REAL_Ecumenist]

99. BRAVO & CONGRATULATIONS!! Keep up the good work!

[cate94]

140. Thank you!

[Maraya1969]

100. Congratulations! And keep up the good work.

I wish for you all the very best in your sober journey.

[cate94]

141. Thank you!

[dvan]

101. Yes!

[cate94]

143. Thanks!

[mgardener]

117. What an accomplishment

Congratulations.

[cate94]

142. Thank you!

[lillypaddle]

128. Woohoo!!!

Good on you, cate94. It's tough, but I know you are going to keep on. Takes all kinds of courage and strength, and it sounds like you have all of that.

[cate94]

144. Thank you!

[bif]

150. Good on ya!

[cate94]

151. Thanks!