Scarlett Chesser

  December 29, 2022 152 days of sobriety! Today I am celebrating  5 months of sobriety! I am also celebrating the fact that I survived the Christmas holiday, and I stayed sober!!!  In general, the holidays can be a hectic time of year for so many people.  The hustle and bustle of the season can definitely just about drive anyone to drink or at the very least test our sanity.  The shopping, the crowds, the traffic, the money, the decorations, the gift wrapping, the cooking, the traveling, the parties, the family...the lists of triggers could go on and on for some. It is not uncommon to hear other alcoholics testify to their levels of stress during this season and the enormous amount of triggers that are present. We are not alone!  As much as I do enjoy certain aspects of the holidays and the joy it brings my family, I would be lying if I didn't admit to the rise in anxiety levels I personally have experienced as Christmas Day approaches.  There were ple...

  December 16, 2022 139 days In the past week, I have experienced a range of feelings and emotions.  I was excited to have the opportunity to attend another wedding sober, and I was able to go to our Annual Indian River County Cattlemen's Association Christmas Party and Auction clear headed. As the Big Book describes on page 340, "Alcohol had enslaved me." In the past, it was difficult for me to fathom going anywhere without drinking first.  Especially towards the end of my demise, I needed a drink to just about leave the house and attend any social event. Anxiety, in general, is a huge trigger for me.  Social anxiety, especially, is a huge trigger for me.  I felt like I just couldn't handle the pressure of social events, without taking that first sip.  The problem for me, is, that the first sip always turned into a night long binger and the ramifications of that became more and more apparent.  Last Saturday, James, Reina, and I headed out of town to O...

 December 4, 2022 127 days The last few days, I have been able to personally celebrate many milestones.   I celebrated 4 months of sobriety and I celebrated my first wedding attendance in sobriety! I cannot tell you this past week has been easy...it hasn't.  I've had days where my anxiety was through the roof! I can tell you, that it has all been worth staying sober though, because I actually feel great this morning and ready to face new adventures! No regrets, no hangovers, no "why did I do that" moments, or "why did I say that" moments? It was me, just being me, and all of my vulnerabilities for everyone to see!  I honestly feel that my anxiety was in full gear the past few days due to the anticipation of Julia and Brandon's BIG Wedding Day!  Although, the evening in finality was absolutely perfect in every way, leading up to the event I was a nervous wreck.  This would be the first big event I have attended sober, AND it was the first wedding I think ...