Clean and sober sportsmen.

[dune]

Great job guys I'm not a big drinker. Hunting is enough of an addition 

[300UltraMagShooter]

I've been lucky.  Very independent thinking, so I've never been tempted to drink, ever.  Never had a drop.  Never interested me in the least.  I use to hang out at bars and shoot pool and have a good time, but always drinking my soda.  I don't mind hanging out with drinkers as long as they don't get stupid trashed.  That being said, I'm more comfortable around people who don't drink.  95% of my friends don't drink around me...  don't think they ever felt a need to.  We always have a good time without it. 

I've been to many hunting camps and not once did my buddies get smashed, so I can't relate.  Most I ever seen any of them drink was one beer here and there.  As far as I know, never heard of them drinking a lot when I wasn't there.  Guess I can't relate to having to beat the habit, but I can relate to people with addictions.  I've always told my friends who have let drugs or booze ruin their lives, you can't beat it by hanging out with people who do the things you want to avoid.  (Doesnt' mean they are bad people.  I've known plenty of great people who were addicts.  Just means that, good intentions and all, you'll drag each other down.)  Happens every time.

You're doing it the right way this time.   

[nontypical176]

Hi....recovering alcoholic, drank for about 20 years, going on 2 years sober now.  Still a struggle every day.  Wasnt a fall down drunk, no DUIs, destroyed property, or fighting, and I could go a few days without drinking and didn't have a problem.  For many years I'd had stomached problems, got worse and then finally I ended up in the ER.  A week later and I'm back in the ER at OHSU this time.   Dr looks at me says "buddy I don't know you and you don't know me, but I read this chart right here and I see a 38 year old alcoholic with liver and kidney problems and a major life decision to make."  I got out of OHSU 4 days later and quit drinking.   Couple weeks went by and I was back in the hospital for an overnight stay because my body was shutting down from alcohal withdrawals.   The first 30 days of sobriety fighting through withdrawal was a nightmare I couldn't live through again.   

I don't preach sobriety but stress moderation.  Nobody not even my family seen the damage the booze was doing.  It's sneaky.   Honestly didn't know I was a drunk til I had to quit.    I don't hunt with people now like I used too and I'm only fishing with the right crowd too.   I really wish I'd respected the alcohal better.   I'd like to be able to have a couple now and then but it's not an option and I can only blame myself.   

Good luck to everyone with their sobriety and for the rest of you practice moderation or you might end up like me and won't have an option.

[jcamp86]

I'm glad I found this thread! I passed the 6 year mark May 11th.  I haven't been hunting yet, but would love to go some time with others who are also sober.  I'm in Covington, so a ways from Alrington.     

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[Ellensburg]

8 years for me.

[Ripper]

It's good to here from some others in recovery and those offering encouragement and support. Congrats to those of you with some time under your belts. Jcamp86, Covington is a ways, but if you wanted to hunt sometime we could meet somewhere. Maybe we could meet at Ellensburgs place? I plan on going over that way this fall.

[4fletch]

May try going to AA in Snoqualimie at hope hall. they go on camp trips fishing trips and quite a few guys get together and go hunting n this weekend is there camping trip in carnation I believe

[Ripper]

Thanks a lot 4 fletch, I wish they were closer. I may have to start my own meeting , I don't know of anything like that in my area.

[4fletch]

I would think you could go and check in let them know your out of the area and go to their outings. These people like to help anybody out that wants to stay sober

[Ripper]

I think you are right. We are all in this thing to help each other. I will go check it out and report back soon.

[Cougartail]

I'm all for clean and sober sportsmen. I have noticed that sober sportsmen don't leave beer cans & bottles laying around the woods nor do they leave fire rings full of cans and broken glass. On my last scouting trip I saw some fire rings that really chapped my tail. I always pick up cans and bottles but didn't have the equipment to deal with the fire rings.

A sober sportsman is usually a cleaner sportsman, but not always.

[4fletch]

On some Saturday nights . They have a live band which I here that they rock

[Ripper]

I can't speak for all sober sportsmen/women but the people I hang with would never leave their trash behind. If they did I wouldn't Hunt with them anymore.

[Ripper]

How are all of my clean and sober friends doing?  Just a reminder to be careful at those family get together this upcoming long weekend. Have another person along for sober support if needed. Family can be some of the toughest people to be around when fighting this disease. They usually don't understand at all, yet speak like they are the authority. Oh just one won't hurt.  No, but for me 1 will lead to my early death.  1 is to many and 1000 isn't enough. Have fun and be safe. Go kill something, that always makes me feel better! 

[csaaphill]