Shealy

My thoughts three weeks ago? I don’t get to drink with my friends anymore.
My amazing partner said something to me last night (while we were out at dinner and a show surrounded by people literally racing during intermission to get their glass of wine). He said, I don’t HAVE to drink with my friends anymore.

I don’t have to spend he entire evening half-listening to a conversation while I either fixate on my next drink or try to pace myself enough that I can function the next day.
I don’t have to wake up feeling ****** and stupid for my behaviour.
I don’t have to waste precious time thinking about or acting on my impulse to drink.
I don’t have to be concerned about what alcohol may be doing to my health.
I don’t have to figure out how we’re getting to an event and getting home because we won’t be able to drive.
I don’t have to figure out how much I can spend on alcohol and still have enough money for everything else I want and need.
I don’t have to worry about whether or not I will be able to stop drinking if and when we do decide to start a family.
I don’t have to feel terrible about myself for not being able to follow through with my desire to be a better person.

The high I have from writing this list is better than anything alcohol has ever done for me.

suki44883

Hallelujah!! I LOVE this! I wish everyone in early recovery could see this and take it to heart. Stop feeling like you are missing out on something good. Stop looking at alcohol as some kind of reward. It isn't! It wants to kill you!

Dee74

Great stuff shealy

D

SoberRican

Good for you thats the spirit. And your right YOU dont have to drink anymore. Thank goodness. ✌

D122y

I always say that the real me...not the chemically altered version....gets to interact and shine.

I am pretty darn clean these days and I swear that I wake up hung over. It is from natural melatonin. So, I get to feel hung over and I don't have to drink. Honestly, I miss the distraction of being hung over, so this is a good thing.

I get to go to the gym and have so many folks taking a second look my way as my muscles are starting to grow in all the right places. I get the natural high from adrenaline and dopamine. It is 10x better than booze and lasts way longer.

All problems you wrote about are overshadowed by all of the benefits of simply living as God intended me to live.

I was not born to drink. It was a learned behavior.

At 55 years old, my brain is as sharp as I can recall. My balance is better than it has been in 15 years.

I relish the opportunity to interact with folks. My sober self has most active addicts, every drinker in my opinion, whooped before the interaction starts.

What a gift the internet and sr has given me.

Have a great weekend.

Getting ready to go see a great show tonight. The band is sweet. Ball room blitz etc. I will be out until well past 11 pm.

I am picking up an old friend. He is looking forward to me being the DD. He is pre drinking and will likely be exhausted by mid evening. His life will suck. He will wake up really hung over and craving booze. Sucks for him. Hope he doesn't puke in my car.

I cant wait see all the glitz and glamor of the casino we are going to see the show at. Looking forward to the drive home tonight stone sober and waking up refreshed.

Tomorrow night I get to go see some top ranked college football. Stone sober. Can't wait.

Thanks.

fini

yo Shealy,
great list, great realization!

and you could, if so inclined, make another list of things you get and get to do:
-get to be safe
-get to be healthier
-get to have $ for what you need
-get to...

you get to get lots

least

I love my freedom from having to drink. Toward the end of my drinking career, I had to drink. I had to have alcohol in my bloodstream to function. It's no way to live and I am so happy to be done with that existence. My life is a thousand times better sober.