It's not just about drinking or not drinking
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 770
It's not just about drinking or not drinking
Something I want to share from experience, what I've seen in people around me and on this forum as well, is that it's not just about drinking or not drinking.
It's about who you are.
Alcohol doesn't just get you drunk. It changes who you are. Alcoholism, over time, changes who you are. It goes deep.
When you quit drinking, you will return to the person you originally were. Not perfect, you will still have flaws and stuff to work on likely. But it brings you back. The real you.
I don't think many people realize this. I'm not talking about the people on this forum, but in everyday life. Even a one-night bender makes people different from who they really are. The classic example is when someone wakes up in bed with a stranger. Not remembering who they are.
Over time, alcoholism shapes you into a poor version of yourself. It goes beyond drinking, it goes into your identity.
Good thing is, you return to your real self when you quit.
I have 12 days sober now. I was a very shy person with social anxiety. That is fading quickly. It would have faded years ago had I not started drinking though. Drinking just prevents you from processing things properly and makes it so you don't get over things.
Sure, some things are hard. But they will go. You can always get help if you need to.
Alcohol influences the brain. The brain is the center of who you are.
The more sober time I get, the more I see the devastation alcohol causes.
It can run deep. Quit and recover.
It's about who you are.
Alcohol doesn't just get you drunk. It changes who you are. Alcoholism, over time, changes who you are. It goes deep.
When you quit drinking, you will return to the person you originally were. Not perfect, you will still have flaws and stuff to work on likely. But it brings you back. The real you.
I don't think many people realize this. I'm not talking about the people on this forum, but in everyday life. Even a one-night bender makes people different from who they really are. The classic example is when someone wakes up in bed with a stranger. Not remembering who they are.
Over time, alcoholism shapes you into a poor version of yourself. It goes beyond drinking, it goes into your identity.
Good thing is, you return to your real self when you quit.
I have 12 days sober now. I was a very shy person with social anxiety. That is fading quickly. It would have faded years ago had I not started drinking though. Drinking just prevents you from processing things properly and makes it so you don't get over things.
Sure, some things are hard. But they will go. You can always get help if you need to.
Alcohol influences the brain. The brain is the center of who you are.
The more sober time I get, the more I see the devastation alcohol causes.
It can run deep. Quit and recover.
After years of hating myself, I finally like my life again. Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,472
I could not agree more. I've noticed I'm returning to my old self with each day sober. I'm back into my old hobbies and excited about things I just forgot about when I was caught up in drinking. I almost feel like I've gone back in time to my late teens / early 20s before I started drinking and it just gets stronger every day. Feeling so happy and free again just reinforces my complete and total commitment to never let alcohol into my life again. It brought nothing to the table for me but negativity and poor health. I've become a much, much more positive thinking person since I cut alcohol out of my life. I can see the same happening to you, Mike. Well done and keep up the fantastic work!
Trudgin
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348
Drinking covered up who I didn't want to be - sobriety, as least posted - allows me clarity of body , mind and spirit allowing me to find the truth of who I am.
Once discovered I can start to accept myself and perhaps work on those attributes I find distasteful. I can give and not just take.
Many "are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound ."
Great job Mike on time unserved!
Once discovered I can start to accept myself and perhaps work on those attributes I find distasteful. I can give and not just take.
Many "are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound ."
Great job Mike on time unserved!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,415
Originally Posted by lost2010 
I totally agree but it is also hard because if you were drinking to escape who you are and what you feel. At some point that is what you are dealing with and that is a hard one.
D
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Kingston,ont-Canada
Posts: 26
I guess I just find it hard, because for me (not that it has to be the same for everybody) there was so much pain from the past that even when I was with my counsellor the wall I had built was so big getting past it seems impossible. I have tried just moving forward and letting go but I still struggle to move on. My counsellor used to have this thing to help me with my feelings because I can't cry, she would see me get upset and then pull back, she would stop me and try to bring me back so I would cry. I still really can't do it. I guess in trying to respond to this post all I am saying is that I agree because u can stop drinking but there is so much more to deal with after.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 927
I totally agree.
Some days, sober I get a rush of exhilaration and I feel like a child again, I feel innocent, hopeful, optimistic. It's a lovely feeling but then I feel scared because it's almost like I'm back to that age before I started drinking / drugging (13 in my case) and it's like I've got to build a new me from that point, which is now 27 years, a husband and 2 children later...
I'm seeing a counsellor and I look forward to discussing this with her at my next session.
Mike - you're doing great by the way, I didn't expect to see you still posting sober, well done : )))
Some days, sober I get a rush of exhilaration and I feel like a child again, I feel innocent, hopeful, optimistic. It's a lovely feeling but then I feel scared because it's almost like I'm back to that age before I started drinking / drugging (13 in my case) and it's like I've got to build a new me from that point, which is now 27 years, a husband and 2 children later...
I'm seeing a counsellor and I look forward to discussing this with her at my next session.
Mike - you're doing great by the way, I didn't expect to see you still posting sober, well done : )))
Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 88
Great post! Only thing I find fault with is "When you quit drinking, you will return to the person you originally were." I don't think this is the case, because the person I originally was turned to alcohol. I think we turn into a sober form with parts of us, but with the wisdom, truth and trials with us.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 770
Originally Posted by Maffers
Great post! Only thing I find fault with is "When you quit drinking, you will return to the person you originally were." I don't think this is the case, because the person I originally was turned to alcohol. I think we turn into a sober form with parts of us, but with the wisdom, truth and trials with us.
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