My 3-Year Post
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Northwest U.S.
Posts: 778
My 3-Year Post
Three years ago, I awakened at about this time at an inpatient rehabilitation facility, hungover, scared, and stressed, wondering whether I was really prepared for this journey.
Until the day before, I had never admitted to anyone that I was an alcoholic. By making that admission to my wife and a few others that really needed to know, I had, in effect, increased the stakes. There were no half-measures available to me. I would either quit or I would fail, and I could no longer cling to the idea that “I sometimes drank too much” but I really didn’t have a problem.
Thirteen days later, I walked out the door sober, armed with a recovery plan and a much better understanding of myself. Three years later, I know that I will proceed for the rest of my stay on this fine planet quite satisfied without ever consuming alcohol.
My recovery was dependent, first and foremost, upon honesty with myself. The lies that I convinced myself of took many years away from me. I also know that, for me, I had to completely step away from my daily life for a short period in order to get a start on sobriety. Third, I mapped my own course. I made a recovery plan that was written, based upon science and fact, and made according to my own unique characteristics. Fourth, exercise quickly became and has remained the most fundamental aspect of my recovery and maintenance. Finally, I embraced ownership of this sobriety thing. This is mine, earned through my sweat, blood and tears, and only I can give it away. No person, no circumstance, no stressful situation can take it. And I ain’t throwing it away.
Sobriety didn’t solve my problems. It doesn’t slow life down. It didn’t fix my finances. It didn’t make raising three kids easy. It doesn’t wash away the stress. But sobriety gives me the opportunity to embrace life in its full splendor. It gives me a fighting chance to achieve big dreams. It allows me to seek excellence in my endeavors. Without sobriety, none of those things would be possible.
Sobriety places me on an upward trajectory in life. Sometimes that trajectory is woefully and frustratingly slow, but it remains pointed in the right direction most of the time. As an alcoholic, no matter what short-term successes I had, the overall direction of my life was always down.
I still fail, all the damn time, but my failures are not caused by self-sabotage and they are not drowned in booze. I feel failure. I learn from it. It's healthy failure.
For those starting out on this journey, be honest with yourself, and then be even more honest, choose your own course, make a plan, and follow your plan. You will not regret sobriety. And, trust me, those fears that pervade your every thought – I don’t think I can sleep without booze! I can’t even fathom life without alcohol! I can’t deal with the stress in my life without a drink or ten! – all of those fears will, with time, be proved to be false. You can quit. Don't quit quitting. Don't delay.
I am very thankful to SR and all of the really awesome people that hang out here!
Good luck! Happy December 8.
Until the day before, I had never admitted to anyone that I was an alcoholic. By making that admission to my wife and a few others that really needed to know, I had, in effect, increased the stakes. There were no half-measures available to me. I would either quit or I would fail, and I could no longer cling to the idea that “I sometimes drank too much” but I really didn’t have a problem.
Thirteen days later, I walked out the door sober, armed with a recovery plan and a much better understanding of myself. Three years later, I know that I will proceed for the rest of my stay on this fine planet quite satisfied without ever consuming alcohol.
My recovery was dependent, first and foremost, upon honesty with myself. The lies that I convinced myself of took many years away from me. I also know that, for me, I had to completely step away from my daily life for a short period in order to get a start on sobriety. Third, I mapped my own course. I made a recovery plan that was written, based upon science and fact, and made according to my own unique characteristics. Fourth, exercise quickly became and has remained the most fundamental aspect of my recovery and maintenance. Finally, I embraced ownership of this sobriety thing. This is mine, earned through my sweat, blood and tears, and only I can give it away. No person, no circumstance, no stressful situation can take it. And I ain’t throwing it away.
Sobriety didn’t solve my problems. It doesn’t slow life down. It didn’t fix my finances. It didn’t make raising three kids easy. It doesn’t wash away the stress. But sobriety gives me the opportunity to embrace life in its full splendor. It gives me a fighting chance to achieve big dreams. It allows me to seek excellence in my endeavors. Without sobriety, none of those things would be possible.
Sobriety places me on an upward trajectory in life. Sometimes that trajectory is woefully and frustratingly slow, but it remains pointed in the right direction most of the time. As an alcoholic, no matter what short-term successes I had, the overall direction of my life was always down.
I still fail, all the damn time, but my failures are not caused by self-sabotage and they are not drowned in booze. I feel failure. I learn from it. It's healthy failure.
For those starting out on this journey, be honest with yourself, and then be even more honest, choose your own course, make a plan, and follow your plan. You will not regret sobriety. And, trust me, those fears that pervade your every thought – I don’t think I can sleep without booze! I can’t even fathom life without alcohol! I can’t deal with the stress in my life without a drink or ten! – all of those fears will, with time, be proved to be false. You can quit. Don't quit quitting. Don't delay.
I am very thankful to SR and all of the really awesome people that hang out here!
Good luck! Happy December 8.
Blue Belt
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Soberville, USA
Posts: 4,174
Sober,
Congrats.
Being sober this long has allowed my body and mind to normalize wonderfully. I can still feel growth as well.
Agree. Part of staying sober is putting it out there.
Wife, son, family, job, friends....I don't drink anymore.
Makes a relapse that much more hellish.
I go out all the time. I see drinkers and druggers. I don't envy them at all.
It is actually a reason for me not to drink.
My crave lies in the hidden drinking. Holed up in my room or some hotel room like a drunken troll. That is my danger.
Drunk in public, even just a little, is obvious and unappealing.
I have no desire to be intoxicated in public.
This lady was so wasted last night at a comedy show. She was slurring her words so strongly. She was fried!
The comic didn't want to attack her, but she kept antagonizing him. Plus, security came over and reminded her to not heckle.
Awkward!
Keep posting.
Thanks.
Congrats.
Being sober this long has allowed my body and mind to normalize wonderfully. I can still feel growth as well.
Agree. Part of staying sober is putting it out there.
Wife, son, family, job, friends....I don't drink anymore.
Makes a relapse that much more hellish.
I go out all the time. I see drinkers and druggers. I don't envy them at all.
It is actually a reason for me not to drink.
My crave lies in the hidden drinking. Holed up in my room or some hotel room like a drunken troll. That is my danger.
Drunk in public, even just a little, is obvious and unappealing.
I have no desire to be intoxicated in public.
This lady was so wasted last night at a comedy show. She was slurring her words so strongly. She was fried!
The comic didn't want to attack her, but she kept antagonizing him. Plus, security came over and reminded her to not heckle.
Awkward!
Keep posting.
Thanks.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,597
Congrats, soberandhonest! Three years is incredible and inspiring.
Like I always say, it's getting better man!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaseIZHD1jA
Like I always say, it's getting better man!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaseIZHD1jA
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
