I feel good
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 82
I feel good
Being sober finally makes sense to me.
Although I'm only just shy of 4 months (longest ever for me), I can safely say that I've never valued my sobriety as much in the past. It's definitely uncharted waters for me- and no, my life hasn't transformed into a fairytale since I quit drinking, but well...come to think of it, it kind of has. It's me who is 'in charge' now. Order has finally been restored, in what was a constant institution of havoc- only in the form of a human being.
Besides putting down the bottle, these past few months have taught me how sane people deal with their emotions, you know, not like the old me, downing a 12-pack in both- happy and sad situations.
In fact, I thought spending the weekend without beer was pathetic. In fact, I even posted about it here, I remember. Ms. Dee refuted accordingly, and replied stating her perspective on the topic. I read it, but didn't really care for it at the time, because I missed my beer so much. I get it now. Well, I'm free It's over. I've escaped the hamster mill. By no means am I here to gloat, and I know I still have a long way to go. But I do feel good, so darn good.
I know I'm not one of the more active members on SR, but I do consider this community a valuable source of motivation that is always accessible to me. Obviously, it is managed by some very professional yet compassionate hands, from my experience. My sincere gratitude to everyone who has interacted with me here.
I'm the kind of person who doesn't really open up easily, not even online. And I certainly don't like spilling my day-to-day dirty laundry elsewhere. I'm here to discuss alcohol addiction solely. But that's just me. Whatever helps you get/stay sober, do it. Do it now.
Have a nice day!
Although I'm only just shy of 4 months (longest ever for me), I can safely say that I've never valued my sobriety as much in the past. It's definitely uncharted waters for me- and no, my life hasn't transformed into a fairytale since I quit drinking, but well...come to think of it, it kind of has. It's me who is 'in charge' now. Order has finally been restored, in what was a constant institution of havoc- only in the form of a human being.
Besides putting down the bottle, these past few months have taught me how sane people deal with their emotions, you know, not like the old me, downing a 12-pack in both- happy and sad situations.
In fact, I thought spending the weekend without beer was pathetic. In fact, I even posted about it here, I remember. Ms. Dee refuted accordingly, and replied stating her perspective on the topic. I read it, but didn't really care for it at the time, because I missed my beer so much. I get it now. Well, I'm free It's over. I've escaped the hamster mill. By no means am I here to gloat, and I know I still have a long way to go. But I do feel good, so darn good.
I know I'm not one of the more active members on SR, but I do consider this community a valuable source of motivation that is always accessible to me. Obviously, it is managed by some very professional yet compassionate hands, from my experience. My sincere gratitude to everyone who has interacted with me here.
I'm the kind of person who doesn't really open up easily, not even online. And I certainly don't like spilling my day-to-day dirty laundry elsewhere. I'm here to discuss alcohol addiction solely. But that's just me. Whatever helps you get/stay sober, do it. Do it now.
Have a nice day!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 82
Just glancing at my 'Join Date' will give you an indication of how long I've been trying to achieve this, and what it means to me.
For anyone caught in a plateau / stuck in two boats- it's never too late. Case in point. Better late than never.
For anyone caught in a plateau / stuck in two boats- it's never too late. Case in point. Better late than never.
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Great to hear! And I smiled bc it took me a sec to realize it was 'Mr' Dee 
We learn so much getting sober and clarity is a big one. I like what you said about 'not being a fairytale...but kinda is' - totally!
Keep going!
We learn so much getting sober and clarity is a big one. I like what you said about 'not being a fairytale...but kinda is' - totally!
Keep going!
Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Posts: 535
"these past few months have taught me how sane people deal with their emotions, you know, not like the old me, downing a 12-pack in both- happy and sad situations."
All addictions serve an emotional purpose. All addictions are caused by one underlying emotion: intolerable, overwhelming, helplessness (When one feels helpless, they feel trapped, powerless and out of control). Alcoholics, have learned to regain control of their emotions with a quick fix or mood changer of alcohol. Non alcoholics empower themselves and regain control of their emotions by facing them directly or replacing them with some other high value behavior.
Addictions are really about making your emotions work for you instead of against you. This is what Emotional IQ is all about.
Proverbs 29:11 "A fool vents all their feelings, but a wise person holds them in check."
All addictions serve an emotional purpose. All addictions are caused by one underlying emotion: intolerable, overwhelming, helplessness (When one feels helpless, they feel trapped, powerless and out of control). Alcoholics, have learned to regain control of their emotions with a quick fix or mood changer of alcohol. Non alcoholics empower themselves and regain control of their emotions by facing them directly or replacing them with some other high value behavior.
Addictions are really about making your emotions work for you instead of against you. This is what Emotional IQ is all about.
Proverbs 29:11 "A fool vents all their feelings, but a wise person holds them in check."
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 82
Originally Posted by August252015 
Great to hear! And I smiled bc it took me a sec to realize it was 'Mr' Dee
We learn so much getting sober and clarity is a big one. I like what you said about 'not being a fairytale...but kinda is' - totally!
Keep going!
We learn so much getting sober and clarity is a big one. I like what you said about 'not being a fairytale...but kinda is' - totally!
Keep going!
The clarity portion of the benefits I've reaped from sobriety have played a big part in my decision-making process as well. Which indirectly, impacts my quality of life in a positive way. I cannot overemphasize the freedom, and my newfound 'being comfortable in my own skin' feeling I have achieved through sobriety, even in this relatively short spell.
I found that drinking made me even more impulsive/compulsive than I already am when it comes to certain behaviours, even beyond the boozing itself. I used to hit the casinos while being totally inebriated. Enough said. Alcohol did for me (illusion of becoming invincible) what is commonly the impression of cocaine, although I wouldn't know since I've never tried that, and don't intend to know- knowing how big of an addictive personality I am.
What is commonly referred to as the 'bigger picture' becomes a lot clearer. Atleast it has for me. Every decision I make is now based almost entirely on logic, and not on emotion (eg. drunk texting, which believe it or not, in today's age of instant messaging- was a big, big issue for me, thereby giving birth to a perpetual cycle of regret and shame after each instance) or physical condition (eg. skipping work days due to hangovers).
I could keep on rambling, but I guess this isn't the place, haha!
Cheers, and have a good one ahead!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 82
Originally Posted by CRRHCC
"these past few months have taught me how sane people deal with their emotions, you know, not like the old me, downing a 12-pack in both- happy and sad situations."
All addictions serve an emotional purpose. All addictions are caused by one underlying emotion: intolerable, overwhelming, helplessness (When one feels helpless, they feel trapped, powerless and out of control). Alcoholics, have learned to regain control of their emotions with a quick fix or mood changer of alcohol. Non alcoholics empower themselves and regain control of their emotions by facing them directly or replacing them with some other high value behavior.
Addictions are really about making your emotions work for you instead of against you. This is what Emotional IQ is all about.
Proverbs 29:11 "A fool vents all their feelings, but a wise person holds them in check."
All addictions serve an emotional purpose. All addictions are caused by one underlying emotion: intolerable, overwhelming, helplessness (When one feels helpless, they feel trapped, powerless and out of control). Alcoholics, have learned to regain control of their emotions with a quick fix or mood changer of alcohol. Non alcoholics empower themselves and regain control of their emotions by facing them directly or replacing them with some other high value behavior.
Addictions are really about making your emotions work for you instead of against you. This is what Emotional IQ is all about.
Proverbs 29:11 "A fool vents all their feelings, but a wise person holds them in check."
In my opinion, the only way I think you can move past any particular overwhelming circumstance is by fully experiencing it to the core, and not running away from it (where I think the rationale of replacement originates).
Alcoholism is one of the many forms of 'replacement' too, just not a healthy one.
But at the core, even a healthier or healthy replacement, is still replacement ie. occupying yourself with a behavior, in order to escape the overwhelming sensations.
People have the perception that excessive crying or laughing is unhealthy. I don't. Those are expressions through which one releases their unadulterated vibes. Anything else, would simply stuff the same deep within, inevitably leading to a volcano ready to explode once the tank is full.
Great to chat with you, good sir/madam.
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Posts: 535
Originally Posted by Pippo
I totally agree with you, besides the 'replacing behavior' technique.
In my opinion, the only way I think you can move past any particular overwhelming circumstance is by fully experiencing it to the core, and not running away from it (where I think the rationale of replacement originates).
Alcoholism is one of the many forms of 'replacement' too, just not a healthy one.
But at the core, even a healthier or healthy replacement, is still replacement ie. occupying yourself with a behavior, in order to escape the overwhelming sensations.
People have the perception that excessive crying or laughing is unhealthy. I don't. Those are expressions through which one releases their unadulterated vibes. Anything else, would simply stuff the same deep within, inevitably leading to a volcano ready to explode once the tank is full.
Great to chat with you, good sir/madam.
In my opinion, the only way I think you can move past any particular overwhelming circumstance is by fully experiencing it to the core, and not running away from it (where I think the rationale of replacement originates).
Alcoholism is one of the many forms of 'replacement' too, just not a healthy one.
But at the core, even a healthier or healthy replacement, is still replacement ie. occupying yourself with a behavior, in order to escape the overwhelming sensations.
People have the perception that excessive crying or laughing is unhealthy. I don't. Those are expressions through which one releases their unadulterated vibes. Anything else, would simply stuff the same deep within, inevitably leading to a volcano ready to explode once the tank is full.
Great to chat with you, good sir/madam.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 82
Originally Posted by CRRHCC
I don't see, "Replace," as an escape behavior, although it could be for some. I see it as a healthy substitute behavior that is of value to the person that helps and empowers the person regain control of their emotions. :-)
Good day!
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