Life after drinking:
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 158
Life after drinking:
What's life after drinking (or using) like for you?
For me, it's more consistent. I used to live for the emotional and physiological highs of drinking; it was what I looked forward to nearly every day. Once I stopped drinking, I had to find comfort in more simple things: waking up clear-headed, having a cup of coffee in the morning, reading a book (I've probably read more books in the last five months than I had in the past five years).
None of these simple things make me manic or blackout and exhibit embarrassing behavior. I'm as successful as ever professionally--perhaps even more so--without experiencing the depressive dregs of drinking. I'm gradually rebuilding my social life to include people with whom I can spend time sober.
Life is pretty mild-mannered, but that's okay now.
For me, it's more consistent. I used to live for the emotional and physiological highs of drinking; it was what I looked forward to nearly every day. Once I stopped drinking, I had to find comfort in more simple things: waking up clear-headed, having a cup of coffee in the morning, reading a book (I've probably read more books in the last five months than I had in the past five years).
None of these simple things make me manic or blackout and exhibit embarrassing behavior. I'm as successful as ever professionally--perhaps even more so--without experiencing the depressive dregs of drinking. I'm gradually rebuilding my social life to include people with whom I can spend time sober.
Life is pretty mild-mannered, but that's okay now.
x
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SE Arizona
Posts: 1,099
Yeah, that is pretty much the way is has turned out for me; I am enjoying doing things that I either neglected or ignored while I was drinking. I like to cook; I'm much better at it without hitting the wine while cooking. Stuff turns out better too! I read more. I have come back to several hobbies that I lacked the energy to pursue while drinking. I go on evening walks with my dog Rosie rather than sleeping in my chair. These are small things but great things. I like myself a lot more too!
Saved By Grace
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Oop North, Furtlin' me Ferrets
Posts: 410
TucTee I'm also at 5 months of sobriety and can really relate to the consistent peace that has been added to our lives as a result of putting down the bottle. The drama isn't nearly as acute as it once was. Now the drama is more as a result of "coming to" and seeing clearly the wreckage of my past and what needs to be done about it. It can be quite stressful but it's been my experience that things do get better one day at a time if we stay sober and do the work to make tomorrow better. It's easy for me to forget the chaos that ensued while I was in a alcoholic haze for years, and today I have a chance at a much better way of life thanks to God and AA.
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