Happiness after alcohol
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Pullman, WA
Posts: 1
Happiness after alcohol
I'm two days sober now following a bad car accident that left me banged up and my car totaled. The gist of the story is that my friend and I were driving drunk when we began arguing about something stupid which I can't quite recall. In the heat of the argument my friend lost control of the car and we rolled into a rock outcrop on the side of a highway.
The accident caused me to reevaluate my behavior and realize that alcohol has been at the center of most of the negative experiences in my life, from being thrown in jail and sexually assaulted to relationships lost. Within the last couple months alone, some of my negative experiences involving alcohol included waking up on the side of the road in a bad neighborhood with my purse and all of its belongings stolen (this happened while I was visiting CA for an academic conference) and passing out at a family member's wedding with virtually no memory of this momentous occasion.
The problem is, even after recognizing the detrimental role that alcohol has played in my life, I still can't fathom how to cope with the struggles and successes of every day life without alcohol and can't imagine how to find happiness and fun without a drink in my hand. Is anybody here in a similar circumstance and can anyone who has felt this way offer advise or support?
The accident caused me to reevaluate my behavior and realize that alcohol has been at the center of most of the negative experiences in my life, from being thrown in jail and sexually assaulted to relationships lost. Within the last couple months alone, some of my negative experiences involving alcohol included waking up on the side of the road in a bad neighborhood with my purse and all of its belongings stolen (this happened while I was visiting CA for an academic conference) and passing out at a family member's wedding with virtually no memory of this momentous occasion.
The problem is, even after recognizing the detrimental role that alcohol has played in my life, I still can't fathom how to cope with the struggles and successes of every day life without alcohol and can't imagine how to find happiness and fun without a drink in my hand. Is anybody here in a similar circumstance and can anyone who has felt this way offer advise or support?
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,780
When I got sober, I had no idea how to live without drinking. I had to take it an hour, a minute, a day at a time and learn to rebuild my life sober. It took some hard work, but after over five years, I don't regret a minute of it and wish I'd gotten sober sooner. 
Do you have any support for getting sober? There's lots of support here.
Do you have any support for getting sober? There's lots of support here.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,087
Welcome to SR youngerdryas.
I'm not sure what the solution yet is either, as I haven't gotten to that point yet. However, I do know far more (and more serious) problems await at the bottom of a bottle, versus the problems we'll encounter learning how to live a sober life.
I'm not sure what the solution yet is either, as I haven't gotten to that point yet. However, I do know far more (and more serious) problems await at the bottom of a bottle, versus the problems we'll encounter learning how to live a sober life.
Member
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 122
Lots of people have felt the way as you, it's not unusual.
Six years after I became sober I still feel the same way sometimes.
What helped me at first is to realize you don't need to solve all your problems at once, that you don't need to tackle giving up forever all you need today is not to drink today, plus I whined a lot.
Six years after I became sober I still feel the same way sometimes.
What helped me at first is to realize you don't need to solve all your problems at once, that you don't need to tackle giving up forever all you need today is not to drink today, plus I whined a lot.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 4,860
Welcome to SR. There are so many great people here to help you.
Alcohol lost appeal for me as anything remotely celebratory. But the alcoholic mindset does try to convince us that booze is a "friend." It's not. And in reading your post, I'm struck by how some truly awful things have happened to you because of drinking.
It doesn't have to be that way. Choose sobriety. You'll never regret it.
Alcohol lost appeal for me as anything remotely celebratory. But the alcoholic mindset does try to convince us that booze is a "friend." It's not. And in reading your post, I'm struck by how some truly awful things have happened to you because of drinking.
It doesn't have to be that way. Choose sobriety. You'll never regret it.
Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 71
Your drunken stories are too familiar and now that summer is coming I am also afraid of not enjoying life without a drink but at least I won't be hiding behind the drink anymore. At least my life won't be in jeopardy any longer. I can build relationships instead of destroy them. I wish you strength!
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: usa
Posts: 3,938
I'd say quit while you are ahead....I'm glad you are ok after the accident. You will find many of us are happier now that we've given up booze. At first it seems impossible, but if you can stick with it you will find that life gets better and better.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,412
My personal experience with sobriety (6wks) so far....
Most of life's issues and problems were actually created by or at least amplified by alcohol. My life would be soooo much better right now if I didn't let drinking get out of control.
I can say this. My first week I felt the same way you did. My 2nd week I broke free and had several great moments and was extremely thankful to be free from the grips of alcoholism. From there, each week keeps getting better and better.
It's also worth noting that I am seeing a counselor. That has helped tremendously.
Most of life's issues and problems were actually created by or at least amplified by alcohol. My life would be soooo much better right now if I didn't let drinking get out of control.
I can say this. My first week I felt the same way you did. My 2nd week I broke free and had several great moments and was extremely thankful to be free from the grips of alcoholism. From there, each week keeps getting better and better.
It's also worth noting that I am seeing a counselor. That has helped tremendously.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: canada
Posts: 748
Originally Posted by least 
When I got sober, I had no idea how to live without drinking. I had to take it an hour, a minute, a day at a time and learn to rebuild my life sober. It took some hard work, but after over five years, I don't regret a minute of it and wish I'd gotten sober sooner.
Do you have any support for getting sober? There's lots of support here.
Do you have any support for getting sober? There's lots of support here.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
"how to find happiness and fun without a drink in my hand"....sexually assaulted, crashing into rocks and waking up on the side of the road after being robbed. Hmmm, your idea of having fun with a drink in your hand is different than most.
In all seriousness, take it one small step at a time. you are here so its clear you have concerns. Rome wasn't built in a day right? Wishing you the best.
In all seriousness, take it one small step at a time. you are here so its clear you have concerns. Rome wasn't built in a day right? Wishing you the best.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,564
Good to meet you younger - I'm sorry for the painful experience you had.
At your age I couldn't imagine not drinking - so I didn't stop. Despite knowing I never drank like a normal person, I just couldn't let go of it. As a result my life fell apart - and I found myself completely dependent on it as a much older person. There is an adjustment period, and it does feel strange to be without it in the beginning - but nothing beats being free of it. You can do this.
At your age I couldn't imagine not drinking - so I didn't stop. Despite knowing I never drank like a normal person, I just couldn't let go of it. As a result my life fell apart - and I found myself completely dependent on it as a much older person. There is an adjustment period, and it does feel strange to be without it in the beginning - but nothing beats being free of it. You can do this.
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