Two Years Sober
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 10
Two Years Sober
Hi folks...
Today marks two full years of sobriety for me. I took my last drink on New Years Eve 2003 and, somehow, haven't looked back.
At my worst, which was a period of about a year-and-a-half, I was getting hammered four or five nights a week, mostly alone. Strong European beer was my poison, although I'd drink anything that was around. I couldn't stop. Many evenings I would find myself walking to the liquor store against my own will; I didn't want to drink, but something inside me felt otherwise. I was like a man possessed. Even after I had destroyed my relationship with my girlfriend at the time and severed ties with lifelong friends, even after I dropped out of college and gained 50 pounds, I still couldn't stop. I just drank more and more.
I thank God for receiving the power to move forward. I believe that it was the Holy Spirit guiding me along. There is no other explanation. I still have many problems -- who doesn't? -- but at least I'm not killing myself with alcohol anymore.
Thanks, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Nathan
Today marks two full years of sobriety for me. I took my last drink on New Years Eve 2003 and, somehow, haven't looked back.
At my worst, which was a period of about a year-and-a-half, I was getting hammered four or five nights a week, mostly alone. Strong European beer was my poison, although I'd drink anything that was around. I couldn't stop. Many evenings I would find myself walking to the liquor store against my own will; I didn't want to drink, but something inside me felt otherwise. I was like a man possessed. Even after I had destroyed my relationship with my girlfriend at the time and severed ties with lifelong friends, even after I dropped out of college and gained 50 pounds, I still couldn't stop. I just drank more and more.
I thank God for receiving the power to move forward. I believe that it was the Holy Spirit guiding me along. There is no other explanation. I still have many problems -- who doesn't? -- but at least I'm not killing myself with alcohol anymore.
Thanks, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Nathan
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by Peter
Welcome and congratulations on your 2 years sober. Perhaps you could tell us more about how you manage to maintain your sobriety.
I have found that replacing my addiction with positive things, things that I love, does the trick. At first, I took all the money that I was spending on beer -- $40 to $50 a week -- and bought books with it (I've always been a big reader with a wide range of interests). Every weekend I would hit a bunch of the great second-hand bookstores around Toronto and take home a new stack of books -- philosophy, theology, politics, history, plain ol' fiction. It became my new "fix." I still do it, only now I save the money by using one of the jaw-droppingly amazing libraries at my university.
I think this is a pretty common thing. Some people replace their addictions with model airplanes or coin collecting or taking up golf; I chose books.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Melbourne victoria
Posts: 1,975
LOL@ dipso!
You are so right !
I am also an avid reader, and now have books piled up against all my walls!
I also replaced my drinking with shopping
, lunching, and having numerous "coffee breaks" with friends on the sidewalk, and people watching!
HUGX
Lee
You are so right !
I am also an avid reader, and now have books piled up against all my walls!
I also replaced my drinking with shopping
, lunching, and having numerous "coffee breaks" with friends on the sidewalk, and people watching!HUGX
Lee
body ~ mind ~ spirit
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Geelong, Australia
Posts: 582
Happy New Year, I have made a resolution to give up the cigarettes this year, had my last one just before 12:00, with a cup of coffee - which is also a no no for me this year.
OK, one day down and the rest of my life to enjoy ... great to see that New Year's Resolutions work for some.
Congratulations on your 2 years!! Great stuff.
love brigid
OK, one day down and the rest of my life to enjoy ... great to see that New Year's Resolutions work for some.
Congratulations on your 2 years!! Great stuff.
love brigid
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: los angeles, ca
Posts: 62
I.S.,
Congrats on your anniversary. I'm only a month in but look forward to celebrating that two year mark as well. Thanks for the tip. I'm gonna start socking away that money I spent on booze and save up for something good...maybe a new guitar
Congrats on your anniversary. I'm only a month in but look forward to celebrating that two year mark as well. Thanks for the tip. I'm gonna start socking away that money I spent on booze and save up for something good...maybe a new guitar
Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 1,432
Originally Posted by Ignatian Spirit
I have found that replacing my addiction with positive things, things that I love, does the trick.
Congratulations on two years; you're an inspiration for New Year's resolvers everywhere.
And you and Brigid keep us posted on the cigarettes, too....
Thanks for posting!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 10
Originally Posted by collinsmi
What kind of books? Looking for some new reading material myself. Get up to the Ontario Science Center often?
As for books, right now I'm reading a lot of theology and philosophy of the Catholic tradition, and American political science of the (neo)conservative tradition.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
