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Chad Harrington

@shambanee

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Celebrating 25 years married to my darling @souprgirl by goofing off at the #volcánarenal thermal hot springs. Wouldn’t have it any other way. taken in Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa by @shambanee

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4 months ago

I quit drinking alcohol.

Those of you who know me know I’ve always had a hard time saying no to one more / one too many. Things went from bad to worse during COVID / work from home. The quantity and the frequency of my consumption became unmanageable, and it was affecting both my physical and mental health.

I tried several times to cut back / take a break long enough to reset my brain chemistry so that I could return to drinking like my friends did. All my breaks were painful and short-lived. Nothing I tried worked.

I finally threw in the towel and went to get a therapist. I was instead recruited into a virtual intensive outpatient program (IOP). That worked…for three weeks, when United Healthcare decided they weren’t going to pay for it. The Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor running the program (an angel sent by my higher power / I’ve suggested several times she add the Angel credential to her LinkedIn page) took pity on me and offered to take me on as a therapy client. She kindly but firmly guided me through the first few weeks and months without alcohol. After a while she sent me to another group, one that I need to be careful how I write about here. There I found an army of big brothers and big sisters waiting to love me, to show me how to live sober, including my sponsor and the best new friend I’ve made since moving to the Region.

Life is good now. I sleep better, I 💩 better, I dropped 20 lbs without trying. My blood pressure is down from 150/110 (a heartbeat away from a stroke levels). My anxiety, my anger is all more under control. And now I’m learning to fly, a lifelong dream that doesn’t happen if I’m still drinking.

…cont in comments… taken in Lookout Mountain Flight Park by @shambanee

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6 months ago

The hanggliders weigh 46 lbs. The joke is that my arms should be tired from all the flying, but squatting that 46 lbs and running down hill with it has my quads reminding me they exist. The winds are too strong for safe flying today, so I tackled the 600+ stairs at #cloudlandcanyonstatepark instead. Not skipping leg day. Made a few friends along the way. taken in Cloudland Canyon State Park by @shambanee

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6 months ago

by @shambanee

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10 months ago

How it started, how it’s going. Day 3, 37 lbs. #fromgarywithlove #benlinus by @shambanee

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a year ago

#AM180 @grandaddymusic @jasonlytle taken in Thalia Hall by @shambanee

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a year ago

@shuddertothinkofficial #shuddertothink @craigwedren #shakeyourhalodown #somenewsongididnthearthetitleof taken in Cobra Lounge by @shambanee

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a year ago

taken in The Rave / Eagles Club by @shambanee

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a year ago

#frankblack #metrochicago #losangeles by @shambanee

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2 years ago

Did we just become best friends? #rosebud #roseandherbud #boondoggydoggle #boone #hoosierpuppy #fromgarywithlove by @shambanee

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2 years ago

@soulcoughingband #bustobeelzebub taken in The Riviera Theatre by @shambanee

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2 years ago

Best times with my best girl by @shambanee

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3 years ago