+ 9 Just a Summer Shout out to Everyone!!!
I just thought I'd say a Big Hello to EVERYONE in the group on this Glorious Heatwave of a day over in Old Blighty!! 
It's the Beginning of another Summer with 4 months of the Unknown waiting ahead for us LOL
I wonder what lies in wait - A New woman, Car, Home, Job, Lottery Win???!! Lmao
I remember 13 years ago today, a day like this meant getting out for the 1 Litre Bottle of Vodka at 8am and a boat load of Tropical Juice to wash it all down with. I'd lay in the sun all day getting sunburnt then pass out on the lounger by nightfall and often just sleep outside until the sun rose again - NIGHTMARE stuff, makes my skin shudder to think about it. I Hope everyone has managed to remain on the Sobriety path over the winter months and continues to do so 
I Hope all that see this will take 5 minutes out of their day to leave a comment letting us know what you are up to and how things are going for you, & remember that no matter how tempting it may be to throw caution to the wind and partake in drink & drugs again during the nice weather 'Just for 1 night' - always remember you are just 1 temptation away from revisiting that old life we called Hell.
- Bookmark
- 9
- 0
I'm doing good and thriving in Florida!! I start my second job tomorrow morning, I work on the beach just about every day. My daughter's here, we're getting closer. I couldn't ask for more my friend!! Thank you for sharing press! I hope everybody's out here doing the same, one day at a time. If anyone needs to talk or just vent or has questions, feel free to message press1 or myself. ----✌️ Brothas
10 years sober here. Thanks for adding me to the group. Getting sober allowed me to start living my life. I was stuck on pause from adolescence to 35 years old. In the 10 years since I got sober, I met and married my wife, had 3 beautiful kids bought homes, cars, bikes, started businesses, lost loved ones, showed up for other people and became a fully functioning member of our species. These last 10 years have been like living a whole second life so I consider myself on bonus time because based on the first 35 years I lived, I deserve none of this and I wake up every day eternally grateful to be alive and living my best second chance. Thanks for the group add. Hope you all have a killer summer.
Congrats on 13 years press, thats huge. I know what you mean by "makes your skin shudder". I often think back to things i did, said on booze/coke and it makes me cringe. So many little moments that i cant help but recall that fucking make me feel an ick. But its been 2.5 years of clean and serene and im laying new roads. I give myself as much grace as possible when they pop up in my memory, dont know why they still do. I cant believe where im at today tbh. I walked completely out of a wonderful life, luckily the door didnt slam shut behind me and my family had my back. Thanks for approving my request.
Best,
G
Going on two years sober with quite a few clean years. Been pressed by my home group to get a sponsor, but had to give the wife a swipe at Q&A promising her to answer… she took me by surprise and I lied… trivial thing, but I lied. Sucked it up, took her for a walk and gave her the truth -so I am back on track with amends…. One knows a sponsor will push that agenda… so, now to get my first sponsor after 40-years of introduction to AA. Anyhow, living this Southern UK heat wave and living sobriety. Nice to clear up a 12-year old lie too, guess I can move forward in growing up.
Amen brother, honesty heals all parties. Congrats on your sobriety too man, 2 yrs is a big one and they say it gets alot easier after those 2 yrs. Hope the best for you friend.
I would say a BIG part of staying sober for many years is down to 'How much you do not want to return to that way of life' being drunk constantly and going between being hungover. feeling depressed, feeling hopeless to beat something that is controlling you, constant anxiety unless you are in that happy zone etc'. Its all down to just how BAD things were for you in the end mate. If you were truly at your lowest in your final 6 months then there is no way that ANYONE would go back to having a drink again.
Many of the people I've seen fail over the years continue to hang around with people that are heavy drinkers or alcoholics - so continue to put themselves in that lifestyle, you have to get away from those people. Another is when times get tough and people lose a loved one or relationship - thinking that somehow Alcohol is going to make the situation better when it fact it makes it 10 times worse because it magnifies the upset in your mind. Absolute BEST way to deal with anything in life is sober minded and in reality - not a warped reality.
Your 100% correct Press. I changed my number, keep a small group of friends who dont party and wouldnt bring beer over or anything. And i dont put myself in situations where im overly exposed to alcohol. I sometime have nightmares where i relapse and wake up so glad it was just a nightmare. I was literally hungover for about 7 years, was so bad at one point that i got spicy nips before i ever knew what that was. Stress and lack of quality sleep combined with high bf% had me getting natty-gyno lol. Thanks for the words bro.
I just got back to Florida!! I got some good side work going outside of my daily 9-5. I see my daughter and her mom everyday just about, I'm so blessed my friend!!! Thank you for opening this up, I don't reach out enough, and I do apologize to the group for that .I'm coming for more consistency
Im pretty new around here but I've noticed there is a very obvious brotherhood vibe and this right here is next level. Ive wasted my fair share of time and energy drinking alcohol. Since I started my trt amd weightloss path Ive cut out alcohol for obvious reasons. Also 3 months or so in I noticed a distraction with television, news/politics amd social media. I cut it all out amd now live in an ignorance bliss type zone I suppose but its very mind clearing amd helped me focus on what's most important. I have no distractions that aren't important and its super peaceful and has only positioned me towards success and setting new goals.
I really appreciate you guys sharing so much!
Hope everyones weekend is one to remember fondly.
Absolutely pal - there is not truer saying than 'What you don't know doesn't bother you'
There is so much shit on social media with people spreading shit and gossip that once you read it, it can wind you up to fuck, so why bother?? Even the Newspapers do it playing people one way or another depending on how much they are getting paid for the story by the people its advertising!! All that happens is you get wound up by pointless shit where you could be doing positive things and progressing your life away from all that negative stuff. Living in your own little bubble and world is always the happiest.
Media bro.... We zombie out without even realizing it, it's a struggle too no doubt. congrats on your journey bro!
Good on you guys. I’m over 2yrs no alcohol or smoking. My drink of choice is chocolate milk now. Not missing it either, rather be in the gym progressing. All my extra time i spend with my grand children. 3 boys. They wear me out. I want to be a great example for them. Happy Memorial Day weekend to all.
Well Done on the 2 years mate!! Especially on the Smoking front - not many guys manage to beat that addiction from what I've seen. It often amazes me how many people smoke on here - especially weed when they are so into their training. I can never get my head around why people would want to breathe smoke through their lungs which in turn make lifting weights even possible in the first place. Why would you want to damage them of all things?
Keep going strong buddy!
I know it’s not much but today is day 68 of not having any alcohol and that includes the non alcoholic beer
We will be at couple gathering this weekend so I will just have to be strong and bring my own dunkin doughnuts black iced coffee ,, While I do miss it , i feel
It took atleast a month or more for my body to rid the poison. I do wake up earlier , and clearer , everyday
And I know I can’t or won’t have just one so I CANNOT have any…. And I love the way the mirror is looking with abs. Have a great weekend everyone thanks for letting me vent.
You got this brother!! Stay strong. Mannnn... I remember killing a pints of fire ball at gym to "spike my blood sugar" yeah... Crazy miserable days bro, put em behind ya and leave em there the best days of your life are ahead of ya!
Keeping going buddy - You are as strong as you want to be .....
I remember when my father offered to get me in some Alcohol Free Wine at my first sober Christmas dinner at my Grannies house when she was still alive. I said 'No way - that's even worse!! Then I am drinking something that tastes like something I use to enjoy the feeling of yet I'm still sober LOL Its almost being halfway back to proper wine again!! He couldn't understand what I meant at all lol
EXACTLY mate - During my last 6 months I would always say right, lets buy one bottle of wine to drink and then when thats done no more for the rest of the night and go to bed. YEAH RIGHT!!! I use to Drink the whole fuckin bottle whilst my tea was cooking in the oven during those 25 minutes LMFAOOO Then the next mission after I ate was to run into town to get another bottle of Vodka. The cycle just continues round and round - it never STOPS until you stop doing everything.
Im eating pulled pork sandwiches listening to Bob Seger
Mannnn.... Memorial Day 2024 is my sobriety birthday. coming up on 2 years. Best 2 years of my life wouldn't trade it for nothing. I can't forget that last drunk. Was on the lake in my boat with my kids in a black out, got pulled over by lake patrol... Mannn... What a terrible day. I am great full they pulled me over. My babies could have drowned that day. That experience changed my life. Temptation is far and few between and gets easier the longer I'm sober, but your exactly right one slip and I'm back on my way to that hell. Preciate ya posting and reminding me to stay on guard and stay sober! Congrats on 13 years!!!
MASSIVE WELL DONE on the 2 years buddy
I believe to Fully quit you have to reach your lowest low in life - maybe potentially losing your children was your point mate.
I am actually 12 years next month, but I was just meaning counting back 13 years I was still living my life just like that.
Gotcha brother, congratulations on 12 next month!!! Bro that's phenomenal. Would you have ever believed in the last days of your addiction you would have this long sober?
Mate I was talking out loud to myself on an evening drive the other night about this exact scenario - I simply cannot believe I've not had the Alcohol feeling cursing through my veins and mind for almost 12 years now. Absolutely no way would I of believed I would or could ever do that - UNTHINKABLE. If you could bottle and sell that 'hit' that you get after a couple of drinks - the Euphoria, Escapism, Belief, Numbness etc then you'd be a Billionaire because it is undeniably a great feeling - BUT the problem is that's only 5% of the whole experience, because the other 95% is all the shit that comes with it and after it, and it eventually becomes your life on a daily basis when you chase it 24/7. In fact once you begin constantly chasing it you never achieve it like you did in the early days lol Lifting absolutely has paid a HUGE part for me in remaining sober - that has become the 'HIT' and drinking again would only damage this new life I've found.
Hope you are having a great day buddy, Great to have you back on the site and your support. Stop buggering off each time!! Lol
I'm not a recovering addict myself, but I do also hope all that are, are staying strong and finding more constructive things to fill their days with.
Life isn't a constant high of pumping steroids and kicking ass in the gym everyday, unfortunately there are the lows out there too which at some point we all have to deal with and overcome.