Published in AINYF…Alcohol is NOT Your Friend·PinnedMember-onlyCan Brad Pitt's Latest Revelation About His Alcohol Addiction Help You?Does telling our stories about our addictions help others? —Maybe — especially if you're a celebrity. — Handsome, talented Brad Pitt was addicted to alcohol just like millions of ordinary people. I'm not saying you and I are ordinary in the sense of being average or unremarkable, so don't be offended. He's a celebrity, and we often put them on a pedestal. …Alcohol Addiction4 min readAlcohol Addiction4 min read
Published in AINYF…Alcohol is NOT Your Friend·PinnedMember-onlyHow Stephen King Quit Drinking and Why You Should Quit Your WayCheck out how others got sober — and then you decide what is best for you. — Stephen King has no memory of writing Cujo, his thriller about a rabid St. Bernard gone mad. That is a significant blackout, if ever there was one. King also admits there are several other books he has no memory of writing. Incredible. There are various ways to find sobriety: spontaneous…Sobriety3 min readSobriety3 min read
Published in AINYF…Alcohol is NOT Your Friend·8 hours agoMember-onlyThe 5 Levels of the “Alcohol Use Spectrum” Rates Drinking From the Safest to the Most DangerousCheck out the range from abstinence to disordered drinking. — I went through the first four levels of the Alcohol Use Spectrum before I quit drinking. During my childrearing and working years, I remained in Level 1 most of the time. After retiring, I fluctuated between the third and fourth levels. A review of the “safe” amounts of alcohol consumption…Addiction4 min readAddiction4 min read
Published in The Memoirist·1 day agoMember-onlyWhen Your Gut Tells You to Beware in Matters of the Heart — Pay Attention ImmediatelyYou may save yourself a lot of grief. — My heart shattered into a thousand tiny pieces like fragile porcelain. How could he do this to me? What do you do when someone hurts you? Pain is unavoidable if you are alive. One of life’s most difficult and painful situations is also one of the most fulfilling and emotionally…Life4 min readLife4 min read
Published in Spirituality and Recovery·2 days agoMember-onlyDo You Think Your Life Is Peaceful and Happy Because You Believe in a Power Greater Than You?There’s more than one way to believe and find peace and joy. — Do you believe there is a God? As a young girl, I attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Because of my Catholic upbringing, I have a deep faith there is a power greater than me. What you call this supreme power is of no consequence; however, I choose to…Spirituality4 min readSpirituality4 min read
Published in Black Bear·3 days agoMember-onlyThis Is My Drinking Story and I’m So Happy I Sobered Up — How About You?If I quit — you can, too. — Alcohol is the perfect elixir — until it isn’t. That lovely glass of chilled Chardonnay with dinner. Or before. Or after. Or with lunch. Or just because. Or how about a lovely Cabernet or Pinot Noir? A perfectly shaken rosy pink Cosmopolitan or a top-shelf Manhattan? I’ve indulged in all…Alcohol5 min readAlcohol5 min read
Published in Black Bear·5 days agoMember-onlyThese 5 Eye-Opening Books Changed My Life and Helped Me Sober UpThey can help you, too, as it’s easier when we have guidance along the way to sobriety. — Another hangover yet again? Uh oh. Could this be a sign I have a drinking problem? I had to take a deeper look. Shortly after retiring, I realized my cocktail hour was getting earlier and earlier. I finally admitted it was time to quit drinking. I’d tried “moderation” before and…Addiction5 min readAddiction5 min read
Jan 26Member-onlyIt May Seem Like a Little Thing But Don’t Forget to Show Your Love and Gratitude Every DayWe can’t take for granted that our loved ones will be here tomorrow. — Tomorrow may be too late to tell your husband how much you love him. I know I sound like a drama queen. However, this scenario has played out many times in countless lives. We get caught up in our busy lives and often think we have tomorrow or even later…Life3 min readLife3 min read
Published in Black Bear·Jan 25Member-onlyAlcohol and Anxiety — What Came First the Chicken or the Egg and Does It Matter?Does drinking ease your anxiety or worsen it? — I drank for a long time — several decades. Drinking was a part of my life. Both my parents drank. It was the norm. At least in my family. It never occurred to me not to drink. I don't remember when my daily imbibing began. I always worked, and in…Alcohol3 min readAlcohol3 min read
Published in AINYF…Alcohol is NOT Your Friend·Jan 24Member-onlyCheck Out These 10 Reliable Calming Strategies for You to Add to Your Sobriety ToolkitDon't go without help navigating the rough spots of recovery. — You probably have a GPS on your phone or in your car to help guide you when you're confused or lost. Think of a Sobriety Toolkit as a GPS that helps you stay on your sober path. Keep this list nearby to be your GPS if you're new to sobriety…Sobriety4 min readSobriety4 min read
