SGC

This is day one for me after 15-20 years of abuse. I made a promise to myself and my family that I'd stop drinking and I read a book whilst on holiday. My 8 year old came across the book title on my kindle and since then has asked me: "is that book called, stop drinking start living or, start drinking, stop living?" This is now something I will say to myself so that I maintain my focus.
Does anyone feel like they only started living once they stopped drinking?

lessgravity

Welcome on your journey. Getting sober for our families and kids is a gift we give them, and ourselves.

Finally, after so long, I feel like I can start living my life. There is no question I had to get sober to do so.

least

Welcome to the family. I started enjoying my life after I got sober for good.

SGC

Thanks for the replies. I never thought I had a problem as it's always been "normal" to have a drink. I haven't really discussed it with anyone other than my partner so I know I have a difficult road ahead; one of the reasons why I felt the need to join a forum.

DreamCatcher17

Welcome!

I had always been living, whether sober or drunk I was alive.
While I was drinking, I enjoyed many things: Shows, concerts, events, etc... But then there were the moments where drinking took those things away from me (I essentially took them away from myself)
I would turn a wonderful evening into a nightmare at the end of the night. Take a wonderful experience and turn into a fight, an embarrassment or shame.

I enjoy my life more now that I am sober, I do different things, I am more active and spend less time on the couch hungover.
My sober life is more clear
My sober life has more promise
My sober life is more positive and without regret, pains, self-loathing, shame and so on.
On a drop of a hat, I can drive anywhere for any reason.
I am there for those who need/want help to recover.

People trust me
People See me, for who I am not what I have done.
People respect me

I love me
I respect me
I am learning and growing - This should never stop. Alcohol was a growth stopper. I dont want to live in stagnant.
I am a better version of myself, the best version to date and that keeps getting better.

I am human, I am not aiming for perfect. - The non-existent idea that it is.

As long as I can smile, a true smile and show love I am happy!

Blessings,
DC

Soberween

A lot of times in recovery if you reverse the sentence it gives you such clarity. I always would think "I drink because I have problems" and then when I reversed it to "I have problems because I drink" it was so helpful in giving me clarity and telling me what I needed to do...... STOP DRINKING!

PeacefulWater12

My life is so much better sober than drinking.

I have real, genuine fun sober. I think my drinking "fun" wasn't real. It was all chemical.

I was certainly able to clear up and put right the various issues in my life once I had a clear head.

Dee74

I resumed my life once I quit drinking and started building a sober life I loved

D

rayna87

I went into a bar last weekend, just days after deciding i was done drinking for good, because my “best friend” kept bugging me about meeting up. I was actually totally fine with the whole being around alcohol part. She on the other hand had been drinking all day (a few weeks ago I would’ve joined her in that), and watching her make a complete fool of herself really solidified it all for me. She probably doesn’t remember the majority of that whole day, her Sunday was probably spent miserably hungover...meanwhile i got good sleep, deep cleaned my house, got all my errands done and then some. It really made me realize what a waste of time drinking to that kind of excess is! And I love the title to that book!!

Gottalife

A drinking alcoholic is dying of a terminal illness. A dry alcoholic can be dying too, only it takes longer and is more painful. A recovered alcoholic gets an entirely new deal, like living in a whole new world.

Nonsensical

+1

SGC

Rayna, it's a good book which is also very amusing. There is a section in there about socialising with people who drink and how jokes are 10x funnier when told pissed. I've not been in that situation yet as 99% of my socialising involved alcohol. I'm toying with the idea that some people will need to be cut out of my life to achieve my goal. This is an easy decision for me however because it's either them or my family. Good luck with your journey. I'd imagine the first few weeks are the hardest.....