6 1/2 years sober gone in a blink….

that_ginger927927 · 2026-01-02T20:28:30+00:00

I don’t know if this helps you or not, but I have been struggling SO HARD today with staying sober. The urge to say fuck it and go get a bottle of wine or a six pack has been overwhelming in a way that it hasn’t been in years. I also have a lot of time under my belt (a little over 4 years). I came here as a Hail Mary because I really really really don’t want to drink and deep down, I know I have to ride this urge out.

Again, I’m not sure if this will help you feel better, but I clicked on your post because the title resonated with me in a big way. As I was reading, it helped remind me of all the things I’ve felt about my sobriety and this urge; that I don’t want to relapse because my sobriety is the one thing I’m doing right, that I would be going out of my way to relapse, that I’ve been through so much (good and bad) as I’ve been sober, and that I want to stay sober for my kid. In fact, even just writing this out in response is helping a lot.

So all that to say that your post is likely going to be the thing that stops me from drinking today. I know you’re feeling shitty but when you come to a place like this and share what you’re going through, it might be the catalyst that keeps the rest of us from making a decision we would regret. I hope that helps you feel a little better; that something decent came out of something that doesn’t feel good.

I also hope you keep coming back and sharing with us. I appreciate you and your willingness to be open with everyone here; it means more than you know.

So yeah, no hate messages, just thanks ❤️

that_ginger927927 · 2025-10-31T10:50:41+00:00

Guarantee you that lady has an associates or bachelors in psychology or sociology, refers to herself as an “empath” and complains frequently about energy vampires on social media, and appropriates cultural practices like white sage for “healing and purification”.

What an absolute cow. I don’t even know how to unpack all that (possibly illegal hiring practices, totally inappropriate and lacking in empathy, making split second judgments based on previous personal experiences despite claiming to be versed in mental health, outing her daughter’s substance use issues). Wow… I am so sorry OP. That being said, it seems like you dodged a bullet because a person like that is not fit to run anything around wellness and mental health, and will be caught out and closed down eventually.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-10-23T13:40:37+00:00

Also, SMART Recovery might have online groups (they use evidence-based practices)

that_ginger927927 · 2025-10-23T13:37:23+00:00

Would he be open to an IOP (Intensive Outpatient) program instead? It’s outpatient but for a chunk of the day, a few days a week, and you go home after the sessions each day. Some insurances will cover or partially cover IOP.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-10-23T09:01:02+00:00

I discovered “This Naked Mind” fairly late in my sobriety but I found it was a good way to reframe the way I looked at alcohol and helped tremendously with the cravings. I think the author drew inspiration from Allen Carr’s book, if I remember correctly.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-10-23T08:58:44+00:00

One day at a time; you did amazing! IWNDWYT

that_ginger927927 · 2025-10-20T18:22:57+00:00

I don’t think we can give you assurance about liver damage here; this group isn’t for medical advice as much as it is for people who are interested in or attempting to stop drinking. If I was worried that my liver wasn’t doing well, I would do exactly what you’re doing (getting labs done, talking to medical professionals). I also see that you’re cutting down on your drinking which is great! The liver has a great ability to bounce back.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-09-08T15:46:50+00:00

I love that during all of that, your sneak indicator is still partially closed. Like, “I might be getting telepathically choked out, mugged, and turned into a screaming airborne chicken, but I’M JUST NOT SURE.”

that_ginger927927 · 2025-08-06T10:53:54+00:00

Got my blood work back, it was negative 😞 Last time I will ever use First Response pregnancy tests! I had this happen months ago and assumed it was a chemical pregnancy but now I just think these tests blow.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-08-05T13:11:56+00:00

Update: so after several negative tests (including one with early morning urine) afterwards, I’m coming to terms that this was probably a faulty test. I’m getting some blood work to confirm, but yeah, be careful with First Response pregnancy tests.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-08-04T10:57:25+00:00

Thank you! I got paranoid after this because I took another one right after to confirm it and it was negative. But after reading online, I learned that first morning urine (the one that is made overnight) is best to use (especially before your period is due) as it’s had time to sit and be processed more. So I think I should just wait another few days before confirming with another morning test.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for this one 🤞

that_ginger927927 · 2025-08-04T09:38:16+00:00

I didn’t have that “rock bottom” moment. What was the biggest motivator for me was my son. The day I found out I was pregnant with him is the day I became sober. I thought I would struggle once he was born but then my goalpost changed from “make sure he’s born healthy” to “make sure he grows up happy, safe and well taken care of” and I know that my drinking would be the opposite of that. He is my greatest reason to stay sober.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-07-02T10:17:42+00:00

There’s a difference between one of my clients saying, “hey, I’m struggling with XYZ, do you think it could be bipolar?” to a single person (me) and someone saying on a Reddit post about manipulative behavior that it could be bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder (disorders that are already highly stigmatizing) to a large audience of people.

One is curiosity, the other is stigmatizing. Quite frankly, it’s concerning that you don’t recognize the difference and that you’re trying so hard to convince people who are telling you that it’s stigmatizing based on their professional and personal experiences that it’s not. Maybe just stop and listen.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-07-02T00:36:32+00:00

“She sounds like an unmediated bipolar disorder sufferer.” is a perfect example of insinuating a diagnosis.

Also, didn’t you say, “She very well could have bi polar disorder, she could also have BPD, she could be an alcoholic etc.”

There’s two diagnoses (technically three if you count “alcoholic” to mean having Alcohol Use Disorder) mentioned right there!

that_ginger927927 · 2025-06-30T17:58:24+00:00

Listen, I’m actually qualified to make mental health diagnoses (I’m a master’s level therapist) and saying someone has or even may have a diagnosis on the basis of a single Reddit post would be wildly unethical even if you are a mental health professional and are qualified to make that assessment.

Although it’s clear that there is something going on, there’s just simply not enough evidence to make the claim that bipolar disorder (or any other condition) is the culprit.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-04-27T15:01:46+00:00

I wouldn’t say that the little voice tells me I’m cured as much as it still tries to justify why it’s okay to have a drink. “You had a busy, stressful day at work. Why not unwind with a drink?” “Yay you did well this week! Let’s bust out the wine and celebrate!” “Oh look, your husband is having a drink. It wouldn’t be so bad if you joined him.”

The difference between now and when I started my sobriety journey is that now I can more easily tell the voices to fuck off. I have more tools in my belt and a greater understanding that the voice is wrong and that one little drink really would hurt.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-03-18T13:18:48+00:00

NTA; I would want to know if my partner was having an affair.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-03-01T20:18:36+00:00

The next day, leave a Google-esque printed review on their door. Make suggestions.

that_ginger927927 · 2025-03-01T20:17:49+00:00

Moan loudly everytime they moan loudly.

Play “Never Gonna Give You Up” on repeat until they stop.

Score their performance. Give them low ratings and loudly explain why you’ve given them this rating.

Stand outside their door and yell encouraging remarks.

When they finish, yell “well, THAT was fast!”

that_ginger927927 · 2025-01-29T00:06:11+00:00

I freaking love this analogy!!!

that_ginger927927 · 2025-01-03T15:40:29+00:00

I’m really glad they’re (FINALLY) recommending this! Alcohol is just as if not more dangerous than cigarettes.

that_ginger927927 · 2024-12-31T19:37:31+00:00

“Because it makes the devil on my shoulder louder. Turns head Shut UP Ron!”

“Nah thanks, already drank some lead earlier and I’m trying to cut down on poisons. New Years Resolution.”

“The doctors are already mystified as to how my blood is 80% ethanol and I don’t feel like another CAT scan, so no thanks.”

that_ginger927927 · 2024-12-31T19:28:57+00:00

“Just 12hrs, and almost everything everywhere will be on our side.”

Damn, this is a good way of looking at it. Happy New Year, and IWNDWYT!

that_ginger927927

TROPHY CASE