great post Paddler,
You described it beautifully. I have been sober nearly 20 months and reading your post really reminded me what it was like. I had my last big obsession around 6 months and fought it tooth and nail. I have no desire to drink today, I find nothing about alcohol attracts me anymore. I stay sober with the support of both AA and SR.
Unfortunately I can't make many meetings because of where I live but I read the literature and incorporate the steps in my life daily.
Early in sobriety I would read posts , people saying how their lives had turned around and how brilliant everything is now they are sober. I half believed what they said but thought they are saying that to encourage people. I now know that for a fact,my life is so much better, in every way. That being said it only gets better if I work my program, my program happens to be AA and SR.
Hang in there
CaiHong