The better than 30 days sober is great. It would probably help if you got with some sober people. The people in AA is what helped me. Being able to spend time with sober others was good for keeping me out of my head....

Dennis

You don't mention whether you are getting outside much. I know that if I get outside and go hiking though the woods (I am lucky that there are woods and state forests with trails nearby) that I feel much better in general.

Also I wonder if your headache and drowsiness might be from over sleeping. Or it could be your neck fracture healing? I think your doctor can help you figure that out.

If you've run out of house to clean, I can help you out with that... :-)

What activities does your school offer that you can get involved with? What are three things you've wanted to explore but never had time for, that you can do with a healing neck fracture?

Hi, Brooklynn,

First, congratulations on over a month sober! That is huge, bigger than the depression, bigger than sleeping too much, bigger even than the broken neck. In all probability, if you keep investing in your sobriety, a day at a time, the neck will heal, the depression will lift, your energy will return.

If you have taken meds in the past for depression, you may want to discuss it with the shrink who gives you the prescription. The change in your drinking changes your brain chemistry, so you may need to change the dosage up or down, or even change the type of meds, to get your brain's mood regulators back in balance.

Phil

"drowsy and a headache all day"

Ok....you can go to tons of AA meetings which will help get you out of your head but, wouldn't such a state require looking at a different level of expertise? I mean...you're sleeping a ton.

Congrats on not drinking but please, seek help beyond AA meetings around your overall health. There can be so many factors. Sure, don't drink, but not all answers lay in an AA meeting.

Jersey's suggestion of finding out how you can be involved with the school is a good one. I found I had time on my hands because previously, all my time was spent drinking, or thinking about the next drink. When I got sober, I had to change habits and routines, create new ones. I went to daily AA meetings, took up some simple activities, always had a massive jigsaw on the table, and also got involved with my daughters sport. Every little bit of change helps.

Even found some things I never did were actually enjoyable like meditation, going to movies, hiking and reading. Brooklyn, something that was recommended to me early on was to commit to getting up in the morning at a set time, and doing it. Even now, I know the longer I sleep, the more tired I am when I wake. I hope the neck heals well and you can get back doing more. Don't give up, you've got a month and you 'can' build on that.

You are doing really well despite all the setbacks, considering the serious accident you had. Big events like that seldom leave a person unscathed physically and mentally, so do keep in close contact with your doctor who can give you the qualified help you may need.

Depression is awful, I know that from personal experience. In my case, once I had gone through the 12 Step programme of recovery with my AA sponsor, my depression has not returned in the years since I got sober. Life just got better all round as more fences got mended and bridges crossed.

As you are attending AA meetings, have you looked to find a sponsor, someone who will guide you through the Steps? It takes a big commitment so all that free time would be very beneficial for you in that respect. I've heard it a few times that just attending meetings and not going the programme was like hanging around in the doctor's waiting room but never going in to see the doctor. I understood that analogy!

Whatever you do, let your doctor help you as much as possible and do all you can to benefit yourself psychologically and physically.

All the best to you!

Why don't you volunteer somewhere? The best way to get out of self (which you are in) is helping others. I don't know if you go to AA but there is always someone there who needs help. Make some tea fr the meeting, help clear away afterwards.

I know what it feels like to stay in bed like that but the best thing you can do is to do something. Could you help kids with their reading? Many people volunteer for that. You are right when you say that staying in bed will make things worse. That is then likely to lead to more drinking!

The ball is in your court!! Good luck.

If your sleeping so much, how are you doing for eating for energy?

Isolation didn't work well for me in early sobriety, I had to stay busy to keep my 'thinking' disease at bay. I was lucky enough (lol) to work so that knackered me out. For me, it is about having balance in life.

Maybe have a look at your eating and routine and adjust a bit for life without alcohol. Way to go on 30 days....awesome :)