Encouragement for newbies
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 4,860
Encouragement for newbies
My last -- and hopefully final -- drink was 499 nights ago. Up until 500 days ago, I didn't know if I could go five days sober. I only knew that I couldn't go on like I was.
Honestly, I'm not fishing for compliments or congrats. I'm really posting for the newbies.
I want you to know you can do this. You really can. I hope it helps to share some of the things I've learned in 499 days -- and 438 days on SR:
- It's a sprint and a distance run. For now, discover and rely upon the things that distract you. Summon your grit. The intensity of the urges subsides. Really.
- When sobriety feels challenging, remember that alcoholism is worse. When you romanticize a drink, sit down and write out the five worst things drinking has done to you. Chances are there will be more than five.
- Congratulations in advance: You're going to accomplish things you never could while addicted.
- Rome wasn't built in a day. Be patient with yourself and your sobriety.
- Life will keep happening. You won't be spared the tough stuff, big or small. When you experience hardship or sadness, don't con yourself into thinking you deserve a drink. You deserve better.
- Good things will happen, too. They're better sober.
- Recovery and SR are a microcosm of life, populated by people from every complex shade on the spectrum. Here, you'll meet people from all walks of life; they'll offer you some of the wisest insight imaginable. At times, it may be tough love. Listen to them. The moderators, admins and greeters understand you. Listen to them.
- You're here so be involved. Don't just post and wait for others to respond. Offer kind words -- yours may be the ones that keep other addicts in recovery or gets them back on track. Congratulate folks -- your goodwill shall be returned. Check out the Tuesday and Friday night meetings. Join your class.
We're hard-wired differently than non-addicts. The only difference between you and me is I've amassed some time sober. We all need to be vigilant, whether we're at one day, five days or five thousand days. We have to be on guard against the voice that says anything good can be found in a bottle. Someday, I may need you to remind me of that. Someday, I might need your encouragement and support.
In the meantime, you have mine. You can do this.
Welcome to sobriety.
Honestly, I'm not fishing for compliments or congrats. I'm really posting for the newbies.
I want you to know you can do this. You really can. I hope it helps to share some of the things I've learned in 499 days -- and 438 days on SR:
- It's a sprint and a distance run. For now, discover and rely upon the things that distract you. Summon your grit. The intensity of the urges subsides. Really.
- When sobriety feels challenging, remember that alcoholism is worse. When you romanticize a drink, sit down and write out the five worst things drinking has done to you. Chances are there will be more than five.
- Congratulations in advance: You're going to accomplish things you never could while addicted.
- Rome wasn't built in a day. Be patient with yourself and your sobriety.
- Life will keep happening. You won't be spared the tough stuff, big or small. When you experience hardship or sadness, don't con yourself into thinking you deserve a drink. You deserve better.
- Good things will happen, too. They're better sober.
- Recovery and SR are a microcosm of life, populated by people from every complex shade on the spectrum. Here, you'll meet people from all walks of life; they'll offer you some of the wisest insight imaginable. At times, it may be tough love. Listen to them. The moderators, admins and greeters understand you. Listen to them.
- You're here so be involved. Don't just post and wait for others to respond. Offer kind words -- yours may be the ones that keep other addicts in recovery or gets them back on track. Congratulate folks -- your goodwill shall be returned. Check out the Tuesday and Friday night meetings. Join your class.
We're hard-wired differently than non-addicts. The only difference between you and me is I've amassed some time sober. We all need to be vigilant, whether we're at one day, five days or five thousand days. We have to be on guard against the voice that says anything good can be found in a bottle. Someday, I may need you to remind me of that. Someday, I might need your encouragement and support.
In the meantime, you have mine. You can do this.
Welcome to sobriety.
Sober since 10th April 2012
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 6,047
Venecia, I can only endorse your encouraging words and solid advice. I would add that you can go from thinking you'll never be able to stop (multiple past tries) to total abstinence very quickly.
The key is never drinking. If you start thinking you can have one, it goes pear-shaped very quickly. Knowing that a drink is is not a possibility is much more relaxing, because there are no decisions to make.
The key is never drinking. If you start thinking you can have one, it goes pear-shaped very quickly. Knowing that a drink is is not a possibility is much more relaxing, because there are no decisions to make.
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