I made it! 8 months :) - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

hypochondriac · 10-28-2012, 05:04 AM

I had to go to a party last night... it was bugging me all week and I so desperately wanted to cancel but I knew my friend would be really upset with me. I've had a stressful week with work and I have been really emotional and narky recently. Plus I went to a my first proper sober gig this week too, so I felt like I had enough social stuff to get through, but despite all the doubts in between, my social occasions have been really enjoyable and not stressful at all!

I was less worried that I would drink and more worried that I would find everything boring sober, including people, and even music to some extent. I think it is just having not done anything sober I couldn't imagine doing certain things without drinking. Everything is better sober. It was great to go to a gig and not worry about how easy it would be for me to get to the bar... and even drinking games at parties hold some amusement. I was really surprised how much being surrounded by alcohol and drunk people didn't trigger me. I remember the last party I went to when I was a few months sober I felt really weird and a little scared being near the booze, but this time it didn't bother me at all. And absolutely no one gave me a hard time about not drinking. I told an old friend who asked why I quit that I was just drinking way too much... she didn't question that, and I didn't feel defensive about it. And the new people I have met have just accepted that I don't drink. That doesn't feel odd to me anymore either. I just don't drink anymore, and it is possible to do everything sober and enjoy it even more than when I was drinking.

I think a large part of my worries about what people think about me not drinking is because of what I used to think of people not drinking. It used to really get to me when people weren't drinking enough, but it was just because I worried that I would stand out. If other people didn't drink enough then maybe they would notice how drunk I was getting. I have to keep reminding myself that not everyone has an issue with alcohol and won't care if I am drinking or not. But more to the point, the more sober time that passes, the less embarrassed and defensive I am about my own drinking. I am not ashamed to admit I used to drink too much and if people say things like I am boring for not drinking, I just say 'ah well' and move on. Because I know that I'm not boring and that drinking certainly isn't gonna make me more interesting even if I was.

I was absolutely petrified about what would happen to my social life sober so if anyone out there feels the same, don't worry about it for now. It does get easier. Don't rush it and everything will start falling into place.

I'm incredibly happy to be sober today

Thank you SRians xxx

Natom · 10-28-2012, 05:07 AM

Awww hypo congrats on your 8 months

MrsKing · 10-28-2012, 05:19 AM

Very pleased for you, Hypo

foodie1 · 10-28-2012, 05:28 AM

Great job on 8 months and on enjoying the party sober!

Scolova · 10-28-2012, 05:37 AM

Congrats hypo

I am completely open about quitting the beers (with people I know), it feels really good and most people except it at that.

IndaMiricale · 10-28-2012, 06:09 AM

Right On Right On...

Keep living the dream and stay on the beam..

Hollyanne · 10-28-2012, 06:13 AM

Well done Hypo,
I am happy for you.

Sasha4 · 10-28-2012, 06:54 AM

Wll done my friend xx

Jeni26 · 10-28-2012, 07:09 AM

You are my hero!!xxx

***least*** · 10-28-2012, 07:47 AM

Eight months sober is fantastic!!

FreeFall · 10-28-2012, 07:48 AM

Awesome job on 8 months!! So glad you're able to have fun socially without drinking and still spend time with your friends-huge!!

**Impurrfect** · 10-28-2012, 07:54 AM

((Hypo)) - Great post and congrats on 8 months!!

Hugs and prayers,

Amy

quitforme79 · 10-28-2012, 08:06 AM

congrats!!

jobei · 10-28-2012, 08:31 AM

Well done my friend!

I'm so proud to be on this journey into LIFE with you!

Soberween · 10-28-2012, 08:49 AM

Thanks for the wonderful post, Hypo! Congrats on 8 months!

Delilah1 · 10-28-2012, 09:17 AM

Congratulations on 8 months, that is huge!!!! Also, thanks for sharing how you handled the party. I think being in social situations with friends and colleagues is what makes me most apprehensive, when in reality whether or not I am drinking will not even be noticed by anyone but me!

Have a great day!!!!

**Dee74** · 10-28-2012, 01:54 PM

Congratulations Hypo - and thanks for all your shares

D

**Opivotal** · 10-28-2012, 02:17 PM

Congratulations Hypo!! Thanks for the great post.

Best Wishes To You!

Purplecatlover · 10-28-2012, 03:46 PM

You are so awesome, I can't stand it!

hypochondriac · 10-28-2012, 03:51 PM

Thanks everyone

x

10-28-2012, 05:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
hypochondriac Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Posts: 4,274	I made it! 8 months :) I had to go to a party last night... it was bugging me all week and I so desperately wanted to cancel but I knew my friend would be really upset with me. I've had a stressful week with work and I have been really emotional and narky recently. Plus I went to a my first proper sober gig this week too, so I felt like I had enough social stuff to get through, but despite all the doubts in between, my social occasions have been really enjoyable and not stressful at all! I was less worried that I would drink and more worried that I would find everything boring sober, including people, and even music to some extent. I think it is just having not done anything sober I couldn't imagine doing certain things without drinking. Everything is better sober. It was great to go to a gig and not worry about how easy it would be for me to get to the bar... and even drinking games at parties hold some amusement. I was really surprised how much being surrounded by alcohol and drunk people didn't trigger me. I remember the last party I went to when I was a few months sober I felt really weird and a little scared being near the booze, but this time it didn't bother me at all. And absolutely no one gave me a hard time about not drinking. I told an old friend who asked why I quit that I was just drinking way too much... she didn't question that, and I didn't feel defensive about it. And the new people I have met have just accepted that I don't drink. That doesn't feel odd to me anymore either. I just don't drink anymore, and it is possible to do everything sober and enjoy it even more than when I was drinking. I think a large part of my worries about what people think about me not drinking is because of what I used to think of people not drinking. It used to really get to me when people weren't drinking enough, but it was just because I worried that I would stand out. If other people didn't drink enough then maybe they would notice how drunk I was getting. I have to keep reminding myself that not everyone has an issue with alcohol and won't care if I am drinking or not. But more to the point, the more sober time that passes, the less embarrassed and defensive I am about my own drinking. I am not ashamed to admit I used to drink too much and if people say things like I am boring for not drinking, I just say 'ah well' and move on. Because I know that I'm not boring and that drinking certainly isn't gonna make me more interesting even if I was. I was absolutely petrified about what would happen to my social life sober so if anyone out there feels the same, don't worry about it for now. It does get easier. Don't rush it and everything will start falling into place. I'm incredibly happy to be sober today Thank you SRians xxx __________________ “The future you have tomorrow, won't be the same future you had yesterday.” ― Chuck Palahniuk, Rant

10-28-2012, 05:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
Natom Not Alone Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: South East UK Posts: 1,240 Blog Entries: 2	Awww hypo congrats on your 8 months __________________ Tiny little boxes in a row. Ain't what you want it's what you know. Just happy in the shoes you're wearin.

10-28-2012, 05:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Scolova dude in recovery Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Gulf Coast, TX Posts: 1,506 Blog Entries: 2	Congrats hypo I am completely open about quitting the beers (with people I know), it feels really good and most people except it at that. __________________ ScotA "I've never seen anyone drink themselves smart, successful or happy. Most end up broke, bitter and alone. <anonymous>

10-28-2012, 06:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
IndaMiricale Powerless over Alcohol Join Date: May 2011 Location: Trudging the Road to Happy Destiny! Posts: 4,020	Right On Right On... Keep living the dream and stay on the beam.. __________________ "The only real thing in life are dreams, which nature cant touch with decay." Bob Dylan "Each day,somewhere in the world ,recovery begins when one alcoholic talks with another alcoholic , sharing experience,strength and hope."

10-28-2012, 07:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jeni26 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: South East England Posts: 3,937	You are my hero!!xxx __________________ 25th May 2012 was the last time I took a drink. I will never forget it. I don't EVER have to feel like that again.

10-28-2012, 05:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
MrsKing Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: UK Posts: 1,142	Very pleased for you, Hypo

10-28-2012, 05:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
foodie1 Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 817 Blog Entries: 28	Great job on 8 months and on enjoying the party sober!

10-28-2012, 06:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
Hollyanne Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,360	Well done Hypo, I am happy for you.

10-28-2012, 06:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
Sasha4 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: UK Posts: 1,390	Wll done my friend xx

10-28-2012, 07:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
*least* bona fido dog-lover Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: eastern USA Posts: 28,709 Blog Entries: 31	Eight months sober is fantastic!! __________________ I'd rather live in my car with my dogs than live in a castle without them. Dogs may not be our whole lives, but they make our lives whole. Don't wait for the Last Judgement. It takes place every day. -Albert Camus Find the good and praise it. - Alex Haley

10-28-2012, 07:48 AM	#11 (permalink)
FreeFall Clear Eyes Full Heart Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,011	Awesome job on 8 months!! So glad you're able to have fun socially without drinking and still spend time with your friends-huge!! __________________ “When you quit drinking you stop waiting.” ― Caroline Knapp, Drinking: A Love Story

10-28-2012, 07:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
Impurrfect Social Network Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 25,214	((Hypo)) - Great post and congrats on 8 months!! Hugs and prayers, Amy __________________ "I'm not where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be" - Joyce Meyer "You got what it takes you can win, today is your day to begin. - Shania Twain (Tinker, Elvis [RIP], Patches and Mots - Mouth Of The South)

10-28-2012, 08:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
quitforme79 Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: east coast Posts: 1,284	congrats!!

10-28-2012, 08:31 AM	#14 (permalink)
jobei Renaissance Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: CT Posts: 635 Blog Entries: 13	Well done my friend! I'm so proud to be on this journey into LIFE with you! __________________ . . "I don't ever wanna feel... like I did that day..." - A.K. . .

10-28-2012, 08:49 AM	#15 (permalink)
Soberween Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 294	Thanks for the wonderful post, Hypo! Congrats on 8 months!

10-28-2012, 09:17 AM	#16 (permalink)
Delilah1 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,700	Congratulations on 8 months, that is huge!!!! Also, thanks for sharing how you handled the party. I think being in social situations with friends and colleagues is what makes me most apprehensive, when in reality whether or not I am drinking will not even be noticed by anyone but me! Have a great day!!!!

10-28-2012, 01:54 PM	#17 (permalink)
Dee74 SR Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Seas Posts: 65,543	Congratulations Hypo - and thanks for all your shares D __________________

10-28-2012, 02:17 PM	#18 (permalink)
Opivotal Social Network Moderator Monster Match Champion! Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York Posts: 5,930	Congratulations Hypo!! Thanks for the great post. Best Wishes To You!

10-28-2012, 03:46 PM	#19 (permalink)
Purplecatlover Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Sober State Posts: 1,114	You are so awesome, I can't stand it!

10-28-2012, 03:51 PM	#20 (permalink)
hypochondriac Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: UK Posts: 4,274	Thanks everyone x __________________ “The future you have tomorrow, won't be the same future you had yesterday.” ― Chuck Palahniuk, Rant

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