Not a newcomer anymore...

Well, it's been over a month since I've joined this forum so I figured I would move my post from the Newcomers and Introductions section to the Living with Hope section. I've been reaping the rewards of my hard won sobriety, but I still hear that voice in my head that says I've got this thing licked and a toke or a drink now and then would hardly qualify as a problem. Does it ever go away? I haven't smoked in 5 weeks and it's been almost 2 weeks since my last drink. There are times that I really miss it and I hate thinking about never taking a bong hit or having a glass of wine again. But, there are also times that I really appreciate having my life back on an even keel and being able to enjoy the little things that I never could do when I indulged like reading a book from beginning to end, remembering a movie that I watched the night before, and waking up not feeling sick to my stomach because I ate everything in the pantry and fridge due to a bad case of the munchies.

Yes, it's been hard, but I am doing this...

awesome!

does it go away?
absolutely
the obsession to use gets lifted
for some quickly, for others a little longer...but it does
well as long as you are doing what you are supposed to be doing

"Yes, it's been hard, but I am doing this..."

it gets better

Today, I will be going to a winery to watch my honey sing. The venue gives me pause since I can already hear that voice in my head that is rationalizing why I can have a glass of wine there. For those who have not read my earlier posts and am thinking that I should be writing this on an AA site, I am addicted to both pot and alcohol and one thing always leads to another.

It's supposed to be a beautiful day, with temps around 80. I am working on my game plan for how I am going to handle myself.

First off, I will treat myself to a refreshment that I can have in my hand so that I won't feel deprived. It may be a fancy coffee or la dee da sparkling mineral water...the cost does not matter.

Next, I will give full attention to everything around me, the music, the people and anything else that captures my senses.

On top of that, I will consider what it has been like over the last month and a half, facing life day to day with all of it's natural highs and lows and liking it.

That said, wish me luck...I will let you know how it went.

how'd you make out?

needn't worry about writing alcohol related things here.
can totally relate

Yeah, no doubt. If I drink, I will be smoking pot everyday within a matter of weeks. Can't do either!!

Well, I did it! Was it easy? No, but it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be either. I think having a plan was key and I followed it to the letter. When I first arrived me sweetheart bought me a San Pelligrino Limonata (a bit pricey but very yummy). Next, I took some time to walk the grounds of the winery and enjoy the sunshine and natural and manmade beauty that was around me. After that, I listened to some awesome music. At the end of the day I felt good, no headache, no regrets.
Where I live in California, the wine industry is big part of the economy. Wine tasting is a favorite past-time and there are a multitude of places to do it. Also, many of the festivals are geared around wine, so it is very socially acceptable, as well as being legal, which to me, makes it harder to say no to myself. Pot has a more negative stigma, so that in itself plays a part in my motivation to quit smoking.
Anyway, another day under my belt! Thank you Lou and eclare for your support. It does make a difference!

great job!!!!

a plan....key!

Fantastic!! Sounds like a great day. I've been taking time to sit in my backyard on my swing and watch my bunnies run around. It slows me down and brings in that much needed element, nature. At this stage in my recovery, I forget to take time...I work and do too much. Thank my HP for swings and bunnies today!!

Just wanted to check in and say that, Lou, you were right, it does get easier. To my surprise, my desire for pot is almost non-existent, even when I am around people who smoke. One thing that really helps is imagining how I felt when I would smoke even though I did not want to anymore. I visualize waking up in the morning after a night of getting stoned and how I felt physically and mentally. As much as these images are negative in nature, I use them as a positive tool in my recovery.

Now, my main challenge is alcohol. I was never one who got  falling down drunk or had black outs or anything. The worst for me were the morning after hangovers, and even these were not on a regular basis. It's just that I know just one drink is never enough and I'm afraid it will lead to smoking again. So, hopefully, this will get easier too.

Thanks for all of the support that I have found on this forum. It really makes a difference opening my email and seeing that there are new replies to my posts.

ah......called thinking it through.....good form

funny what you say about drinking....like most folks I know...profess to not having had a problem with alcohol.....easy when stoned 24/7...but I actually found it quite hard not to drink. I didn't drink...but my mind would go there..

I don't have a problem with alcohol
it's legal
i can have just one
etc etc etc

bottom line for me...if I could drink like a regular person I'd do it everyday.

I never had any "legal" problems around my alcohol..no DUI'S, no lost jobs...but many times I'd have a drink or 3...and that's when I'd give in to temptation and get some weed. I once had over 1.5 years sobriety and went back to pot after getting a little tippsy. So...now I run my program the MA/NA/AA way: total abstinance from all drugs (both legal and illicit) is the best approach for me. I have about 55 days in recovery now, thanks to God (my Higher Power). I really love my HIgher Power, because he gives me the power not to get high!
                                                                             

I feel the same way but when i get on my 80's cruiser all of that goes away, i dont worry about anything tell the folks ill be back i 4 hours and just not worry about where im goin as long as i avoid the real bad areas im fine. I dont think where im at i let the board take me,  a different street or curb and i talk to people i meet go into a shop grab a coffee and get on the board again.I have no skills as a trick skater but regular skating is easy especiallly on a crusier i got, my 80s at a garage sale for 8 bucks great condition put on some sector nines and some reds bearings in em and ive never looked back i highly recommend it or find a hobby you really like i also like to look for mushrooms when it rains every new one bring a smile to face. rain use to a pain,a damper on beach days and barbeques but now i cant wait to plung into the forest in  into the morning dew to see what beautiful mother nature has brought us  and seek all that the rain promises and more... ps.stay clean stay,safe and busy and i wish you luck and salvation on your journey for a better, cleaner, and fuller life. :)

to zenasboy, what a great way to fill in the time it took to get high everyday! thanks!

Thanks to this website and people like Lou, I felt like I had people that could relate to my short comings. Its been 5 months since I quit and since then I started going to church for the first time since 2004; I also began to go to Jr. college to continue my education, that is a dream that i had given up before. With my new found momentum I was able to get myself on track.

I had some days that I almost turned back but through prayer I was able to maintain. I also used a app that i found called sobriety counter that kept track of the time I had been sober, I would sometimes look at this in moments of weakness to remind me of my progress; It has gotten easier for me and I'm thankful that I stuck with it. God bless you all, stay strong and keep true to yourself. Thanks again Lou.
 

thank you allenV..................you're dong the work.

keep it up, it continues to get better....insanely so.

allenlv, it's posts like yours that help me stay on track!

It's a great day to be free from marijuana! Peace be with all of you today:)

Over two months pot free and 1 month alcohol free! Yay!

Just wanted to share a couple of more benefits that I am experiencing.

Not smoking and drinking have definitely been good for my health. I am much more conscious of what I put into my body. Not only have I lost a few pounds, I'm also experiencing a big increase in my energy levels. Where as before, I was fueling my body with lots of sugar and fat from those night time munchies (something sweet like red licorice with a bag of potato chips as a chaser), I am now more inclined to reach for an apple or a small handful of raw nuts for my snacks. My clothes are fitting better and my self-esteem is getting better.

At 53 years old, and with heart disease and diabetes running in my family, I knew that I needed to make some changes, but when I smoked my motivation and self control were practically non-existent. I know too, that I need keep my sobriety a priorty and not become complacent.

Thank you to all of you on this forum. I truly do not know if I could and can continue to do this without you.

QBJ way to go!

Queen Blu Jay you've helped me out a lot so far with your inspirational and motivational posts, and I am MOST HAPPY to see you doing right and that you're also very happy nowadays with your decisions to quit smoking pot and drinking. It's only been a few days since I quit smoking weed, but I've been sober from alcohol for almost 1 year and 6 months now and I can speak more on that subject than the former; I have NEVER felt better because of the no-alcohol thing! It truly is a different and better way of living and thinking, and even feeling. Alcohol is one of the most destructive demons known to man! I quit because I am an alcoholic & it caused many, many problems. Nowadays, life without it is almost like a fantasy (a good one!) I am proud of you for your decision to stop, and I wish you the best with your journey :)