Is life fun without alcohol?

[jenjram]

Hi,

I am new to the boards, and for that reason, I don't know if you were an alcoholic,etc. However, I am going into a residential treatment center this week, admitting myself, because I feel that if I continue to drink, I will be a detriment to my husband and baby son.

I have never had a DUI (although I'm lucky), never had any issue with the law, my life is for the most part positive ( I have a great family), but I know my drinking can get out of control. So, I have asked some people on the board, can life be fun without drinking? And they have told me, that life wasn't fun WITH drinking. Maybe that makes sense later, but it just doesn't now, especially for me and the life I have. I wish I could quit the day to day drinking and I don't want it to get worse, which I feel it will if I don't quit, but my vacations, family occasions (Christmas, etc), parties (from time to time) are MORE fun with drinking. They are defined by drinking. The only time I have been able to abstain (for nine months) was when I was pregnant with my son, and when I was pregnant, I didn't want to go to nice places for vacation or to parties and/or dinners for my husband's business because it wouldn't be fun..I couldn't drink.

I am doing this for my son and FOR me, and it's my choice. However, drinking can be SO fun, and how do I prepare for life without it? What do I do, especially in those social occasions that I so depend upon it. It truly does make me open up and be fun.

Someone suggested that I am not ready for treatment, and I resent that..because I am one of the minority that wants to admit myself to treatment..I am not going to be dragged into it! (my husband won't admit I have a problem!) I guess I just want to know that life can be fun and full of joy and laughter without the alcohol.

Thanks for your opinion,

Jen

[GuyBlakeKett]

Hey Jen -

I know how hard it is to imagine life - and especially having 'fun' - w/o drinking. But I can't tell you how much MORE fun life is sober - and I do mean fun. You learn to be present with your whole self - enjoy yourself more 'deeply' sober than you realized you ever could. But it takes time. One of the reasons AA has been so life-giving to me and to so many other people is that it gives you that time - tells you however you feel is okay as you make your way closer to this new happiness. Another of the great things about AA is the laughter you hear in meetings. It's a deep-belly-from-the-heart laughter. I hope you'll give yourself a chance to find out what this joy is like. Believe me, it's waiting for you. Do this for yourself. You deserve it. Hang on for the miracle. It'll happen if you let it.

Thanks for posting. We're pulling for you.

prayers -

Guy

[delaney26]

Man, I can totally relate to this question. I remember the first time I took a drink at 16 and the feeling of euphoria, the ease of socializing, the bonds that form over 'doing shots together', and etcetera. It then became a pattern. Drinking just makes it all more FUN, period. At least that's how my thought process works now. I wouldn't even want to go to a bar or a concert or a dinner unless I knew I could drink. I am convinced that I will have and be more fun with drinks in me.

However posts like Guy's are reassuring, and the "high" that I feel from drinking is only temporary and with such a high also comes a low.