Military Requirement

[Bub32]

Good Evening,

My Sober Date is 20 June 2019 and that is where my journey began. I am now 414 days into recovery and enjoying my life and career.

Being in the military and dealing with alcoholism hasn't been the easiest process, however, I do have the support of my commander, senior leadership and of course, my family.

Following approval of my waiver to remain in the military and in my current job, I have been directed to attend AA or a similar alcohol abuse aftercare program three times a week. I haven't been provided any actual limitations on this, so I am choosing to share online, in a forum amongst other AA members.

This will be long and boring and I am not expecting much, if anything in response. I am modeling the structure of my follow-on posts after a military group that I attended weekly for the most part of the past year. It will provide some structure and will allow me to document my experiences with Alcoholism. Any comments or injects are welcome.

[Bub32]

Am I Sober? Yes. 414 Days.

Have I Had Any Exposure to Alcohol Today? How did I handle the exposure? I found a mini wine bottle that my wife had received at a bridal shower. I placed it in the fridge for her and went about my day. No issues.

Did I Have Any Thoughts or Cravings? Like nearly all days, no thoughts or cravings.

Am I Homicidal or Suicidal? No, this has never been an issue for me.

Daily or Weekly Events: Nothing significant to report.

[PaigeB]

Good Evening,

My Sober Date is 20 June 2019 and that is where my journey began. I am now 414 days into recovery and enjoying my life and career.

Being in the military and dealing with alcoholism hasn't been the easiest process, however, I do have the support of my commander, senior leadership and of course, my family.

Following approval of my waiver to remain in the military and in my current job, I have been directed to attend AA or a similar alcohol abuse aftercare program three times a week. I haven't been provided any actual limitations on this, so I am choosing to share online, in a forum amongst other AA members.

This will be long and boring and I am not expecting much, if anything in response. I am modeling the structure of my follow-on posts after a military group that I attended weekly for the most part of the past year. It will provide some structure and will allow me to document my experiences with Alcoholism. Any comments or injects are welcome.

Congrats Bub! That's a long time and sounds like sobriety has been good to you. I am sure your story will save a life someday!

[Bub32]

Thanks PaigeB! I appreciate it.

Am I Sober? Yes. 416 Days.

Have I Had Any Exposure to Alcohol Today? How did I handle the exposure? I did have some exposure yesterday at a birthday party. It wasn't much but alcohol was present. No issues presented themselves.

Did I Have Any Thoughts or Cravings? Much like every day, No.

Am I Homicidal or Suicidal? No.

Daily or Weekly Events: I'm heading to watch my nephew race this afternoon and I'm taking the kids with me because my wife will be working.

[Bub32]

Am I Sober? Yes, still 416 Days. This is an evening post to get my 3rd post in prior to the end of the week.

Have I Had Any Exposure to Alcohol Today? How did I handle the exposure? Yes, a hard Seltzer in the fridge that is my wife's. I just closed the door on it and could have cared less.

Did I Have Any Thoughts or Cravings? Nope, not for alcohol anyway, just a huge thirst for water all day.

Am I Homicidal or Suicidal? Nope.

Daily or Weekly Events: The kids and I went to see my brother, his wife and children at a dirt track that my nephew was racing quarter midgets at. It turned out to be a wholesome family day. We just got home and
are just crushing some Wendy's and winding down for the evening. Y'all have a good night and I wish you the best throughout the coming week.

[MyNameIsBetsy]

Hello Bub (Brent). I read all your posts, including the one from a year ago. Hooray for hanging in there, and growing in your sobriety!!

I retired from the US Navy a while ago. We have military experience in common.

Active military members are part of our local AA community. We may have different professional roles, but we are so much alike when we share our experiences with alcoholism.

Every time I think I am the only one who did (or thought) some crazy thing, someone else ends up sharing that they did (or thought) the exact same thing! We all belong together!!!!

You are not alone! Please keep posting!

Betsy, an alcoholic

[positrac]

Am I Sober? Yes, still 416 Days. This is an evening post to get my 3rd post in prior to the end of the week.

Have I Had Any Exposure to Alcohol Today? How did I handle the exposure? Yes, a hard Seltzer in the fridge that is my wife's. I just closed the door on it and could have cared less.

Did I Have Any Thoughts or Cravings? Nope, not for alcohol anyway, just a huge thirst for water all day.

Am I Homicidal or Suicidal? Nope.

Daily or Weekly Events: The kids and I went to see my brother, his wife and children at a dirt track that my nephew was racing quarter midgets at. It turned out to be a wholesome family day. We just got home and
are just crushing some Wendy's and winding down for the evening. Y'all have a good night and I wish you the best throughout the coming week.

Comes a time when in life staying sober it will seem as if you never drank. not a bad life is all I know and my goal is to leave this world sober and I feel confident today that I will achieve that goal. 11/1/1989

[Bub32]

Thanks positrac, much respect.

Am I Sober? Yes. 419 Days.

Have I Had Any Exposure to Alcohol Today? How did I handle the exposure? Very minimal. There was beer and hard seltzers in the cooler. No issues.

Did I Have Any Thoughts or Cravings? Nope, just for water again though.

Am I Homicidal or Suicidal? Nope, never.

Daily or Weekly Events: We officially started our move today. My buddy helped me move a crap-ton of stuff and it'll be a long week, but I'm looking forward to it. It'll keep me busy and much like most of the time in my sobriety, I won't have time to think about drinking.

[Bub32]

Am I Sober? Yes, 421 days

Have I Had Any Exposure to Alcohol Today? How did I handle the exposure? I did, we had the cooler full of all types of beverages. I barely visited the cooler, not out of choice, but because I was so busy.

Did I Have Any Thoughts or Cravings? None. I just wanted to be done moving for the day and I couldn't keep that out of my head!

Am I Homicidal or Suicidal? Nope.

Daily or Weekly Events: We closed on our new house today. After much packing, travel and hard work, we got everything situated in the house.....now it's time to actually put the pieces together. Hah, I have no idea where anything is!

I'm going to sleep, it's some rest well earned!

[Bub32]

Am I Sober? Sure am! 423 Days.

Have I Had Any Exposure to Alcohol Today? How did I handle the exposure? No, I just woke up. The only exposure I should have today is the cans of hard seltzer and bottles of beer in the garage fridge. It is no issue for me.

Did I Have Any Thoughts or Cravings? Nada.

Am I Homicidal or Suicidal? Heck No.

Daily or Weekly Events: Day 3 in the new house. My wife and I are killing it with some help from our friends and family. We still have a long road ahead!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and have a beautiful Sunday!

[MyNameIsBetsy]

Hey Brent.

A suggestion for you, you might think about adding another question or two to your reporting format.

Maybe include:
Did I go to an AA meeting today, and what share impacted me the most?
Did I talk to other sober alcoholics today, including my sponsor?

Just an idea that you might find useful.

Betsy, an alcoholic

[positrac]

I was in the service 13 years and I have been sober 30 years and it wasn't a walk in the park. I would recommend that if you surround your self with winners then you'll find attributes in sobriety that will really help in clearing your mind and not dwelling and or over thinking the aspect of being sober.

[Bub32]

Thanks Betsy and positrac.

Am I Sober? Yes, 425.

Have I Had Any Exposure to Alcohol Today? How did I handle the exposure? None at all.

Did I Have Any Thoughts or Cravings? Nope. It was a busy day and all that I thought about was yard work and ice cream.

Am I Homicidal or Suicidal? Nope.

Daily or Weekly Events: Day 5 of moving and I'm pooped. Today was a day to focus on my favorite part, the lawn and landscaping.

Betsy, I appreciate the input. I do not attend AA (not since mandatory AA meetings while in rehab) and I don't have a sponsor. I do have a very strong support system and if I would need to talk or reach out, I have many options as opposed to a specific sponsor.

positrac, I am lucky enough to be surrounded by a bunch of winners and I don't dwell in my sobriety. Hell, if it wasn't for the military making such a big deal of my sobriety, I probably wouldn't think about it at all. I am proud of where I am and what I have overcome, and now, in my second year of sobriety, the military is cramming more treatment down my throat just to continue doing my job. That is frustrating at this point. I would understand if I had some co-occuring disorders, but I don't.

Thanks guys, I have to get back to work.

[Bub32]

Am I Sober? Yes, 427.

Have I Had Any Exposure to Alcohol Today? How did I handle the exposure? No, I just woke up and made the commute to work.

Did I Have Any Thoughts or Cravings? No, and I don't expect to.

Am I Homicidal or Suicidal? No.

Daily or Weekly Events: Back to work after a week of moving in to our new home. I'm excited to be back and I'm also excited to get back home to continue making this house our home.

[Bub32]

Am I Sober? Yes, 428.

Have I Had Any Exposure to Alcohol Today? How did I handle the exposure? No, I just got to work.

Did I Have Any Thoughts or Cravings? None so far.

Am I Homicidal or Suicidal? Nope!

Daily or Weekly Events: Heading into the weekend, I'm looking to remodel a bathroom and hang with my brothers tomorrow night. Should be a busy weekend with the new house! I can't wait.