Anniversary
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sobersville, USA
Posts: 159
Anniversary
Today is not only exactly six months since my last drink, but it's my 54th birthday. I pretty much drank nonstop for 35 years. I had that moment of clarity and strength right after Christmas, and I stopped.
I don't have to tell anyone here that it has been a hard, wild road. Withdrawals, crazy mood swings, anger, compassion.
I'm still dealing with some traces of PAWS, but most of the literature I've read says that it peaks at around six months. Still a long ways to go, but there is no turning back now. Hopefully I am coming over the hump.
As the saying goes, if I can do it, so can you. For years I knew I needed to quit, but stopping drinking was unthinkable for me. I made my plan of attack to quit, steeled myself, and did it. I won't lie and say that I have not suffered. I have, but I was suffering anyway.
Learning to live sober is the really hard part. No more hiding from my feelings and fears behind a cloak of alcohol. It's both wonderful and terrible. But it gets better by the week.
I've also cut out excessive sugar, bread, rice, potatoes, but today I am going to have a gloriously unhealthy lunch. Then it's back to my regiment of exercise and a diet that is best for me.
Thanks for listening, and God bless everyone.
I don't have to tell anyone here that it has been a hard, wild road. Withdrawals, crazy mood swings, anger, compassion.
I'm still dealing with some traces of PAWS, but most of the literature I've read says that it peaks at around six months. Still a long ways to go, but there is no turning back now. Hopefully I am coming over the hump.
As the saying goes, if I can do it, so can you. For years I knew I needed to quit, but stopping drinking was unthinkable for me. I made my plan of attack to quit, steeled myself, and did it. I won't lie and say that I have not suffered. I have, but I was suffering anyway.
Learning to live sober is the really hard part. No more hiding from my feelings and fears behind a cloak of alcohol. It's both wonderful and terrible. But it gets better by the week.
I've also cut out excessive sugar, bread, rice, potatoes, but today I am going to have a gloriously unhealthy lunch. Then it's back to my regiment of exercise and a diet that is best for me.
Thanks for listening, and God bless everyone.
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 184
Congrats on six months..big milestone! Things do get better after six months. I remembering scarfing down the ice cream as if my life depended on it, but after six months to a year, things were much healthier and balanced. Excellent work!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PA
Posts: 12,000
congrats on 6 months and happy birthday...
today is 18 months for me. At six months I was eating bags of candy and whatever, ice cream all that... and I was going through a lot of weirdness in how I felt etc.
Today, just one year further than you are, I feel like I never drank.
No cravings or triggers to speak of. Every day is just another day I don't drink. I rarely think about it. But in the times I think a cold one would be nice I just remind myself I don't drink - and for a good reason.
Stick with it and before you know it, life without drinking will become normal.
today is 18 months for me. At six months I was eating bags of candy and whatever, ice cream all that... and I was going through a lot of weirdness in how I felt etc.
Today, just one year further than you are, I feel like I never drank.
No cravings or triggers to speak of. Every day is just another day I don't drink. I rarely think about it. But in the times I think a cold one would be nice I just remind myself I don't drink - and for a good reason.
Stick with it and before you know it, life without drinking will become normal.
under new management
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 2,339
Happy birthday and congratulations on getting to 6 months sober, Livinginhope!!! I love your username!
We have similar stats, I am 56 yrs old and very close to my 6 month anniversary (I drank for close to 40 years with a 6 year break).
Here's to many more sober birthdays!!
We have similar stats, I am 56 yrs old and very close to my 6 month anniversary (I drank for close to 40 years with a 6 year break).
Here's to many more sober birthdays!!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sobersville, USA
Posts: 159
Thanks so much for the support and encouragement.
I hiked a trail with an old friend, and then he had to go. I had a plate of hibachi noodles. Not too unhealthy, even though I have been avoiding pasta and other flour-based food.
It's been a rough six months. Lots of confusion, disorientation, but also clear thinking for the first time in so long. I still get scared a lot, and I am lonely, but with life, there is hope. And without alcohol, there is life.
I hiked a trail with an old friend, and then he had to go. I had a plate of hibachi noodles. Not too unhealthy, even though I have been avoiding pasta and other flour-based food.
It's been a rough six months. Lots of confusion, disorientation, but also clear thinking for the first time in so long. I still get scared a lot, and I am lonely, but with life, there is hope. And without alcohol, there is life.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,524
Thanks for a wonderful post, livinginhope.
You describe the journey so well. I was very grateful to be sober, but did feel like a fish out of water for months. We are rediscovering ourselves & learning to live in a different way. It's a great privilege. Very happy for you - and congrats on your 6 months!
Happy Birthday livinginhope.
You describe the journey so well. I was very grateful to be sober, but did feel like a fish out of water for months. We are rediscovering ourselves & learning to live in a different way. It's a great privilege. Very happy for you - and congrats on your 6 months!
Happy Birthday livinginhope.
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