Easilypleased

I drank from the age of 17 but I didn't develop a problem until I was in my mid-twenties, my whole social existence previously had alcohol at the core of it. I'm currently sober and have been for 14 months, only now am I discovering the real me again. I'm realising the real me is actually somewhat quiet and reserved, after drinking I became loud, arrogant and always the last one to go to bed. 10 years of drinking heavily has meant 10 years of not being me and it feels really wonderful getting to know the real me again.

PurpleKnight

14 Months is fantastic!!

Hevyn

Great job on your 14 months.

You're so right. We keep ourselves from growing & maturing normally by getting numb. I was at it for almost 30 yrs., so you can imagine how tough it was to find the me I was meant to be. I'm happy you are on your way.

Easilypleased

Absolutely, I think I've matured more in 12mths than I did in the ten years of drinking. Alcohol pressed PAUSE. Good on you too!

Hevyn

Thank you. I'm just so glad we got free.

zjw

tell me about it. it was around that time in my sobriety i put a smile on my face put on some roller blades (hadnt worn those in probably 20 years) and skated with my duaghter at roller skating place. and this quiet guy who normally would have rahter had stayed home and gotten drunk actually had a good time doing a fun holsume activity for the first time in years!

getting to know yourself all over again. its scary and exciting at the same time. I'm still trying to figure out who the heck i am. and I think i'm also doing a little bit of reinventing of myself too. In many ways i'm finally living a little instead of being glued to a bottle night after night.

congrats on the 14 months it gets better.

Wastinglife

I can relate. I was a shy, introverted kid until about 16 when I discovered how alcohol could miraculously make me the funniest and smartest person in the room. For a while, it worked and I had great time through college and my 20's. Eventually, things started to change though. As I drank more and more, I became obnoxious, loud, and a bit of an arse-hole.

Since I gave up drinking, I am back to being quiet and introverted, but I accept myself now. Causes a lot less problems!

Easilypleased

Exactly, drinking was a great cure for my shyness. I've realised now that I really enjoy reading, something I'd never have done whilst drinking. My attention and intellect has improved ten fold.

Soberpotamus

It's happening for me this way too Pretty cool. Great post!

least

Congrats on 14 months sober!

zvang

Congrats on achieving this ..

i really want to discover my self after 13 years of drinking .

Easilypleased i agree with you ,that i stop mature when start drinking , and i'm excited to know my self after those years .

hope it will be done soon .

Dee74

I know exactly what you mean easilypleased - good for you

D

FBL

Drunk me: cynical, bitter, paranoid.

Sober me: positive, caring and happy.

I like the sober me MUCH better

dollpart

Well done on your 14 months Easilypleased.

dollpart

I've been sober 6 weeks and no idea what I'm really like, not yet.

leviathan

it funny. recent pleasant surprise: im actually not that bad!

i became a poly-substance bore. who was afraid that if completely straight, i would become a BORE!!!

so happy to be wrong. so grateful.

now when i think im quick-witted in a situation, its not just because my voice is louder. LOL!

fhl41

its amazing what emerges when I am forced to engage in social gatherings without my crutch. I'm actually okay with this new person, slightly shy and introverted but I'm coming to terms with it.

It feels new to me, but when I allow myself to just be in the moment its actually kind of exciting to experience this new me. I look forward to getting to know her better.

Easilypleased

Good work on 6 weeks, you'll like the real you more and more as time goes by.