One year sober today!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sydney
Posts: 168
One year sober today!
Actually 366 days because it was a leap year.
It seems surreal that a year ago I was about to enter rehab, I feel sad for that person.
I love recovery, if I honestly could see how good it would be when I was drinking I wouldn't have been so scared to stop.
I don't have a program as such, AA doesn't work for me but I know it helps countless people. A few months after getting sober I started my Masters part time and was exposed to Social learning theory and classic conditioning and research into these areas was a revelation for me. Exposure to triggers is so hard when newly sober because we have such a conditioned response to drink, however through repeated exposure those response fade and eventually disappear. There were numerous scenarios that triggered me when newly sober such as going past a bottle shop, being around people drinking, going out to dinner etc but now I really don't think about it all. I am so free.
I have tried to take a holistic approach by building the kind of life that doesn't suit drinking, through exercise, family time, diet etc. I am quite a health nut now, probably quite boring, but it is protective against things that are bad for me.
I actually feel like an adult now. I am 31 and finally feel like a women. However I still have a lot of growing up to do, I think I still act childish in situations but try to learn from these.
Anyway if you are scared of sobriety take the plunge, my life and state of mind are infinitely better today.
It seems surreal that a year ago I was about to enter rehab, I feel sad for that person.
I love recovery, if I honestly could see how good it would be when I was drinking I wouldn't have been so scared to stop.
I don't have a program as such, AA doesn't work for me but I know it helps countless people. A few months after getting sober I started my Masters part time and was exposed to Social learning theory and classic conditioning and research into these areas was a revelation for me. Exposure to triggers is so hard when newly sober because we have such a conditioned response to drink, however through repeated exposure those response fade and eventually disappear. There were numerous scenarios that triggered me when newly sober such as going past a bottle shop, being around people drinking, going out to dinner etc but now I really don't think about it all. I am so free.
I have tried to take a holistic approach by building the kind of life that doesn't suit drinking, through exercise, family time, diet etc. I am quite a health nut now, probably quite boring, but it is protective against things that are bad for me.
I actually feel like an adult now. I am 31 and finally feel like a women. However I still have a lot of growing up to do, I think I still act childish in situations but try to learn from these.
Anyway if you are scared of sobriety take the plunge, my life and state of mind are infinitely better today.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 518
I really needed to read a post like this today.
Thanks so much Ozgirl and CONGRATULATIONS! You should be so incredibly proud. 1 year, that is so amazing.
I too would like to get to that point where I am a health nut.
Ultimately, I would love to enter into a fitness competition but drinking has led me astray.
Very inspiring to read about your accomplishment.
Thanks so much Ozgirl and CONGRATULATIONS! You should be so incredibly proud. 1 year, that is so amazing.
I too would like to get to that point where I am a health nut.
Ultimately, I would love to enter into a fitness competition but drinking has led me astray. Very inspiring to read about your accomplishment.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,760
Congrats on one year sober!!
Come on over to the daily support forum and join us in the one year and over club. We'd love to welcome a new member. :ghug3http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...-part-4-a.html
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 5,678
Wow, this is ace, congratulations.
I can't wait for this to happen. I'm a month sober and every time I do something I haven't done since I drank last I'm like Pavlov's dogs. Trouble is everything is a trigger because everything is a circumstance where I'd drink. I'm watching it like an outsider at the minute and it's surprising how many times it comes up.
Thanks for such a positive post
Originally Posted by Ozgirl 
Exposure to triggers is so hard when newly sober because we have such a conditioned response to drink, however through repeated exposure those response fade and eventually disappear.
Thanks for such a positive post
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,193
Congratulations!!! And thank you for posting. I can relate to you so much. I too am 31, and I feel I have been growing up soooooo much. I too have been working on living the lifestyle I truly want to live, which is healthy, active, and had no room for alcohol or other substances! I too often feel boring-- at least according to my old definition of "boring"-- but then again, my life feels full, so I guess "boring" is all subjective! I'm happy for your one year and happy that you shared. Best wishes!
I'm happy for your one year and happy that you shared. Best wishes!
Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ireland
Posts: 1,641
Brilliant!
Well done Ozgirl!
Great stuff.
I like your attitude and you are right on about the fear of quitting.
What in the name of God were we afraid of??
At least now, we can work on the stuff bothering us instead of that never-ending cycle of drink, hangover, fear, jitters, repeat.
:day1
Anne
Great stuff.
I like your attitude and you are right on about the fear of quitting.
What in the name of God were we afraid of??
At least now, we can work on the stuff bothering us instead of that never-ending cycle of drink, hangover, fear, jitters, repeat.
:day1
Anne
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 42
That is amazing! I almost relapsed today due to one of my triggers. I'm 6 wks tomorrow, I can't wait until I am a year, or however many years it takes to be completely free of alcohol! Congratulations!! 
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