Maybe Later

Awhile back I was talking to a person who had just returned after a relapse. One of those common things. Damn few that I've ever heard of just put it down and stopped. Anyway, they were having trouble getting restarted and asked about my journey from my last relapse. My side of the conversion was something like this.

Where I live, liquor sales stop between 1:30 AM until 6:00 AM. For a time I lived for 1:30 AM. It meant 4.5 hours I could relax. I didn't have to sweat it out. I couldn't ever if I wanted to. The other 19.5 might be hell but, I could look forward to 1:30. All I had to do was maintain until then. In AA it's one day, 24 hours at a time. I managed to cheat it down.

After awhile. A week, 10 days, 2 weeks? Hell, I don't really remember, awhile. I got to feeling better. And that thirst came back. Big time. Now, I don't drive. I walk. And liquor is about an hour round trip. To the store, purchase, and back.

I felt better but, I didn't feel that much better. And I was torn anyway. I decided, later, when I feel better.

When I felt better. But less thirsty. I still wanted it. Not as much. But still. I said to myself, “Self, that's too damn far and it's too damn cold. Maybe later.” And Self agreed. I made lazy my advantage.

And for a very long time after. When that thirst came upon me, Self and I still agreed, “Maybe later”.

Later on. When I was already in a store with liquor and I thought I was thirsty. It became, “Not now. Maybe later”

I call it the “Maybe later method”. It's worked for me so far.

 

Thanks to Mack, for the conversation. Another case of two alcoholics talking.

"It's Never Too Late"

"It's Never Too Late"

Your eyes are moist, you scream and shout
As though you were a man possessed
From deep inside comes rushing forth
All the anguish you suppressed
Up on your wall hangs your degree
Your parents craved so much for you
And though you're trained to make your mark
You still don't quite know what to do

It's never too late to start all over again
To love the people you caused the pain
And help them learn your name
Oh, no, not too late
It's never too late to start all over again

Well, it's much to late to start again
To try and find a little bliss
So on your woman and your child
You release your bitterness
You drift apart some more each day
You feel the guilt and loneliness
And the God of your childhood you can't find
To save you from your emptiness

It's never too late to start all over again
To love the people you caused the pain
And help them learn your name
Oh, no, not too late
It's never too late to start all over again

You say you've only got one life to live
And when your dead your gone
Your family comes to your grave
And with tears in their eyes
They tell you, you did something wrong
"You left us alone"

Tell me who's to say after all is done
And you're finally gone, you won't be back again
You can find a way to change today
You don't have to wait 'til then

Repeat Chorus

 

Steppenwolf

"At Your Birthday Party" 

Ted Talks on Alcohol

Sobriety Rocks - Who Knew?

How I Overcame Alcoholism

TED talks about Alcohol

30 Days Without Drinking

   

30 days without drinking alcohol will do this to your body. Here's a timeline on what happens to your body as soon as you put down the bottle.

 

This is via YouTube Channel; Curiosity

Twenty things that happen to your body.

    

 

This is via YouTube Channel;Getting Sober ...Again - YouTube