one year
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 526
one year
to be honest i am a little surprised that i've reached this milestone. i was sure, for some reason, i'd slip up along the way. but here we are one year... alcohol-free.
it feels good, most definitely. but despite having a relatively long period of sobriety now and months in the past... i still get those nasty desires to have a drink. the same thoughts "one won't hurt" as i did on day 3 or 7.
just yesterday i nearly gave in and had a beer (like i would stop at one) at the airport because i was hungry, tired, my flight was delayed by 3 hrs, i was anxious, well every single excuse was right there.
the only thing that gets easier is dealing with all that crap in my head.
on day 3 i would've caved in. a year later i can step back and let these nasty emotions and desires pass by. the beast is not asleep but i am much stronger today. i can face the beast without judgement, without anger or depression.
i still get anxious and sometimes a little scared when the desire to have a drink appears almost out of nowhere. one thing that i've come to know very well is that very happy feeling that you get when thinking: "today i deserve a drink!" and at that instant you know that you will have one and/or many more... and nothing is going to stop you. how many times did i fall into that trap?
today i am simply aware of that trick; i've fallen for it so many times.
no matter what, having some sober time really helps me to see alcohol for what it is, a glorified drug, which for some reason is socially accepted.
i lied to myself when i said:
- meat tastes better with red wine
- i have to drink champagne because it's a sophisticated way to celebrate something
- i need a drink to de-stress
- everyone else can be a normal drinker that's how i should be too...
letting going of these internal lies, helps.. really does.
sorry for the long post.
it feels good, most definitely. but despite having a relatively long period of sobriety now and months in the past... i still get those nasty desires to have a drink. the same thoughts "one won't hurt" as i did on day 3 or 7.
just yesterday i nearly gave in and had a beer (like i would stop at one) at the airport because i was hungry, tired, my flight was delayed by 3 hrs, i was anxious, well every single excuse was right there.
the only thing that gets easier is dealing with all that crap in my head.
on day 3 i would've caved in. a year later i can step back and let these nasty emotions and desires pass by. the beast is not asleep but i am much stronger today. i can face the beast without judgement, without anger or depression.
i still get anxious and sometimes a little scared when the desire to have a drink appears almost out of nowhere. one thing that i've come to know very well is that very happy feeling that you get when thinking: "today i deserve a drink!" and at that instant you know that you will have one and/or many more... and nothing is going to stop you. how many times did i fall into that trap?
today i am simply aware of that trick; i've fallen for it so many times.
no matter what, having some sober time really helps me to see alcohol for what it is, a glorified drug, which for some reason is socially accepted.
i lied to myself when i said:
- meat tastes better with red wine
- i have to drink champagne because it's a sophisticated way to celebrate something
- i need a drink to de-stress
- everyone else can be a normal drinker that's how i should be too...
letting going of these internal lies, helps.. really does.
sorry for the long post.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sausalito, CA
Posts: 13
Congratulations! I know all those traps and tricks of the mind far too well. Today is Day 10 for me, some days easy some hard, but right now I'm feeling great! Your post is very encouraging, thank you!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Washington Twp
Posts: 15
Originally Posted by serious 
to be honest i am a little surprised that i've reached this milestone. i was sure, for some reason, i'd slip up along the way. but here we are one year... alcohol-free.
it feels good, most definitely. but despite having a relatively long period of sobriety now and months in the past... i still get those nasty desires to have a drink. the same thoughts "one won't hurt" as i did on day 3 or 7.
just yesterday i nearly gave in and had a beer (like i would stop at one) at the airport because i was hungry, tired, my flight was delayed by 3 hrs, i was anxious, well every single excuse was right there.
the only thing that gets easier is dealing with all that crap in my head.
on day 3 i would've caved in. a year later i can step back and let these nasty emotions and desires pass by. the beast is not asleep but i am much stronger today. i can face the beast without judgement, without anger or depression.
i still get anxious and sometimes a little scared when the desire to have a drink appears almost out of nowhere. one thing that i've come to know very well is that very happy feeling that you get when thinking: "today i deserve a drink!" and at that instant you know that you will have one and/or many more... and nothing is going to stop you. how many times did i fall into that trap?
today i am simply aware of that trick; i've fallen for it so many times.
no matter what, having some sober time really helps me to see alcohol for what it is, a glorified drug, which for some reason is socially accepted.
i lied to myself when i said:
- meat tastes better with red wine
- i have to drink champagne because it's a sophisticated way to celebrate something
- i need a drink to de-stress
- everyone else can be a normal drinker that's how i should be too...
letting going of these internal lies, helps.. really does.
sorry for the long post.
it feels good, most definitely. but despite having a relatively long period of sobriety now and months in the past... i still get those nasty desires to have a drink. the same thoughts "one won't hurt" as i did on day 3 or 7.
just yesterday i nearly gave in and had a beer (like i would stop at one) at the airport because i was hungry, tired, my flight was delayed by 3 hrs, i was anxious, well every single excuse was right there.
the only thing that gets easier is dealing with all that crap in my head.
on day 3 i would've caved in. a year later i can step back and let these nasty emotions and desires pass by. the beast is not asleep but i am much stronger today. i can face the beast without judgement, without anger or depression.
i still get anxious and sometimes a little scared when the desire to have a drink appears almost out of nowhere. one thing that i've come to know very well is that very happy feeling that you get when thinking: "today i deserve a drink!" and at that instant you know that you will have one and/or many more... and nothing is going to stop you. how many times did i fall into that trap?
today i am simply aware of that trick; i've fallen for it so many times.
no matter what, having some sober time really helps me to see alcohol for what it is, a glorified drug, which for some reason is socially accepted.
i lied to myself when i said:
- meat tastes better with red wine
- i have to drink champagne because it's a sophisticated way to celebrate something
- i need a drink to de-stress
- everyone else can be a normal drinker that's how i should be too...
letting going of these internal lies, helps.. really does.
sorry for the long post.
I hope I end up being as strong as you. As, I now see that even one beer in my life is something I cannot have.
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,449
thank you for sharing that and congrats on one year 
I remember feeling all that as well when I got sober a few years ago for about 16 months...within 3 years I was right back at it and well...here I am. I've thought numerous times about WHY I even picked up that drink after such a good amount of time, I wasn't really missing it (that I recall anyways)...the cravings had passed. I know it was xmas time (damn holidays)
I didn't fall down the rabbit hole immediately again, it took awhile but I got there.
Thanks for the reminder
I remember feeling all that as well when I got sober a few years ago for about 16 months...within 3 years I was right back at it and well...here I am. I've thought numerous times about WHY I even picked up that drink after such a good amount of time, I wasn't really missing it (that I recall anyways)...the cravings had passed. I know it was xmas time (damn holidays)
I didn't fall down the rabbit hole immediately again, it took awhile but I got there.
Thanks for the reminder
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