This weekend was good

[WorkInProgress28]

Very grateful to have this support group, a supportive gf and be alcohol free 4 days now. Alcohol has been a HUGE factor in why my mental health has been so bad lately…so I’ve decided to take a long, indefinite break from it. Today, I was cleaning out a backpack I have and I found a full beer. I had a split second where I wanted to drink it but decided against it and poured it out in the sink. A constant thing in my life has been self sabotaging when change happens and I’m trying to break from that same, dark repetitive cycle of drinking to try and numb the pain only to have the alcohol make the depression & anxiety that much worse later on. If anyone else is struggling with the same thing and wants someone to talk to for support, please don’t hesitate to privately message me. We can do this together.

Sending much love and light to everyone regardless🙏🏽

[Isinatra]

I’ve had a&d as far back as I can remember. I drank for relief,then I became addicted to it. I’ve read over the years that alcohol damages neurons and can promote mental illness if not cause it. I’m afraid I didn’t do my mental illness a favor by drinking. Something for you to think about?

[fauxartist in reply to Isinatra]

I think once we get sober and can have some kind of support system like therapy and others to help guide us through the emotional mind fields, it's a better life for most of us I think.

We have no guarantees that just by being sober our mental illness will go away, it's usually the reason we self-medicated, but at least without being impaired by alcohol we can clearly see the work ahead of us in dealing in a healthier way with our disease. I'm 'Dual Diagnosed' and also have mental injury... a triple whammy... so yeah... it takes a lot of courage and strength we don't even know we have to fight the good fight...but congratulate yourself for coming to terms with your stuff Isinatra and you shared great info on this topic.

[fauxartist]

A drink for me was a quick fix to long term mental injury and depression. Thing is, alcohol is a depressant, so it was kind of an oxymoron to drink for my depression. It's a one day at a time cliché that works, you can't bring up the past or guilt and regret haunts us, and tomorrow isn't here yet so don't make any promises to yourself or anyone else about drinking, just deal with staying sober today...that's it. Finding some support system that works for you is very helpful for those days your really jonesing for a drink, and have online chat groups or support contacts help us make it through those dark days.

Best wishes to you and congrats on the 4 days ... hang in there.

[Midori]

Well done; my late husband was alcohol dependent, but he couldn't shake it off, unfortunately.

Once again well done; you have recognised it for what it is.

Cheers, Midori

[WorkInProgress28]

Thank you! 🙏🏽