RahneTelly

I heard in a meeting that one of the first emotions to return is lust (to be politically correct), thus the warnings about there is no 13th step. What emotions came back first for everyone?

For me it was despare, shame/guilt, loneliness, wanting to be close to my significant other, anger, and now cycling through depression. I'm only 4 1/2 months into recovery though. What emotions can I expect to creep in next?

Inca

Resentment, anger, boredom, self-pity, a feeling that things are going too well so need to shake things up a bit, extreme happiness, sadness, irritation, I could go on and on. This was how it was for me after two months anyways. Seems to get better for people over time if you fight through it for a good six months.

I haven't gotten that far but I've seen it first hand. Now that I'm starting over again, I get to go through it all over again. Hang in there...

Sapling

What step are you working on?

Jitterbugg

Hi RahneTelly,
I stopped drinking a year ago and I would say that boredom and loneliness are the emotions I struggle with most. Sometimes I can't sleep because of anxiety and end up watching TV until the sun comes up, but it's better than being hungover...

Gottalife

I identify with shame, guilt, remorse - these were the main feelings I had when I came in. Emotionally I was stunted, I never grew up, started drinking when I was 13. So really I had been running on instinct - survival, security, sex. Talk about self will run riot. As I got sober emotions began appearing, anger, fear, and lust of course. But i didn't understand any of it. I wouldn't have known an honest emotion if I fell over it.

For me, the questions you are asking were answered in step 4. That is where I began to get some insight into why I acted and felt the way I did. The two things, feelings and actions are closely related. Take the step... more will be revealed.

shockozulu

Boredom and anger. Those will also still be the first to rear their ugly heads when I'm not where I should be mentally, physically or spiritually.

lydiebreeze

This might be a strange response to your post...
But here goes.
Have you ever listened to the song Kashmir? (Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti)
Every time I think of my life without drugs or alchohol I think of these lyrics...

Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed

Talk and song from tongues of lilting grace, whose sounds caress my ear
But not a word I heard could I relate, the story was quite clear
Oh, oh.

Oh, I been flying... mama, there ain't no denyin'
I've been flying, ain't no denyin', no denyin'

All I see turns to brown, as the sun burns the ground
And my eyes fill with sand, as I scan this wasted land
Trying to find, trying to find where I've been.

Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace, like thoughts inside a dream
Heed the path that led me to that place, yellow desert stream
My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon, I will return again
Sure as the dust that floats high in June, when movin' through Kashmir.

Oh, father of the four winds, fill my sails, across the sea of years
With no provision but an open face, along the straits of fear
Ohh.

When I'm on, when I'm on my way, yeah
When I see, when I see the way, you stay-yeah

Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, when I'm down...
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, well I'm down, so down
Ooh, my baby, oooh, my baby, let me take you there

Let me take you there. Let me take you there

Beyond the lyrics it's got a great beat to dance to - which has been helping me (dancing around the apt...)

lydiebreeze

Oh and yes lust...
I've always had it - it's a natural thing.
I was simply able to release it with drugs and alcohol (Roman Catholic)
It's a weird thing to do sober - but it CAN be done - and better...