Hi everybody
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Abroad
Posts: 1,865
Hi everybody
I'm so glad I found this forum! I decided to quit drinking three days ago, and it's so nice to have real people to talk to about this stigma.
My name is Liz and I'm 44 years old. I'm married to a wonderful man and I have three kids. I'm a teacher, but I haven't been able to work these last six months because of PTSD, depression and anxiety. I've been using alcohol to escape a dark and difficult life, but I've realized that I can't continue on this destructive path. So I quit cold turkey on Wednesday. I'm not the heaviest drinker, maybe two-three times a week, but I know that it'll only get worse and I have to stop now or risk destroying my family.
Can't wait to get to know you guys better!
My name is Liz and I'm 44 years old. I'm married to a wonderful man and I have three kids. I'm a teacher, but I haven't been able to work these last six months because of PTSD, depression and anxiety. I've been using alcohol to escape a dark and difficult life, but I've realized that I can't continue on this destructive path. So I quit cold turkey on Wednesday. I'm not the heaviest drinker, maybe two-three times a week, but I know that it'll only get worse and I have to stop now or risk destroying my family.
Can't wait to get to know you guys better!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 9,029
hi Fabela! Welcome to SR. It's been a great support for me. I hope to see you around.
I was depressed and had anxiety when I quit. It's gotten substantially better now that I'm not medicating with alcohol. I hope you find the same to be true.
I was depressed and had anxiety when I quit. It's gotten substantially better now that I'm not medicating with alcohol. I hope you find the same to be true.
Friendly Folk
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Powers Lake, Wisconsin
Posts: 21,717
You will find a lot of support here at SR. So glad you are here and that you have chosen to quit drinking. Sounds like you have a lot going for you and you do not want to lose it to alcohol. No one does but, unfortunately alcohol destroys. We are here to listen and help 24/7.
Re-Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 7,909
Welcome to SR, Fabela, and congrats on choosing a better way of life in recovery.
I hope you'll join us in the Class of March 2016 thread on this same page. It's a great way to get support from and help others who are also newly sober.
I hope you'll join us in the Class of March 2016 thread on this same page. It's a great way to get support from and help others who are also newly sober.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 476
Originally Posted by Fabela 
I'm so glad I found this forum! I decided to quit drinking three days ago, and it's so nice to have real people to talk to about this stigma.
My name is Liz and I'm 44 years old. I'm married to a wonderful man and I have three kids. I'm a teacher, but I haven't been able to work these last six months because of PTSD, depression and anxiety. I've been using alcohol to escape a dark and difficult life, but I've realized that I can't continue on this destructive path. So I quit cold turkey on Wednesday. I'm not the heaviest drinker, maybe two-three times a week, but I know that it'll only get worse and I have to stop now or risk destroying my family.
Can't wait to get to know you guys better!
My name is Liz and I'm 44 years old. I'm married to a wonderful man and I have three kids. I'm a teacher, but I haven't been able to work these last six months because of PTSD, depression and anxiety. I've been using alcohol to escape a dark and difficult life, but I've realized that I can't continue on this destructive path. So I quit cold turkey on Wednesday. I'm not the heaviest drinker, maybe two-three times a week, but I know that it'll only get worse and I have to stop now or risk destroying my family.
Can't wait to get to know you guys better!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
welcome!!
Many of us.... perhaps all of us, actually, leaned on alcohol (and other things) to shore up our emotions against life's difficulties.
I find that difficulties don't stop in sobriety - but much of the struggling and suffering and despair do. Difficulties can still bring deep challenges, frustration, even sometimes despair - but in sobriety I find that it is simply the condition of being human and that there is gratitude in it.
I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you've seen the need for change and taken action. I'm glad you took the step of reaching out. Follow that momentum, and you will find that gradually, things will get better. Continue to nurture that momentum and honor that voice that called out to you "do something.... this isn't the path I want..."
Before you know it, you will wake up one day and realize that your entire life has changed. For the better. And you will love it. And in the meantime, if you're not quite feeling all of that..... choose to love it anyway.
Many of us.... perhaps all of us, actually, leaned on alcohol (and other things) to shore up our emotions against life's difficulties.
I find that difficulties don't stop in sobriety - but much of the struggling and suffering and despair do. Difficulties can still bring deep challenges, frustration, even sometimes despair - but in sobriety I find that it is simply the condition of being human and that there is gratitude in it.
I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you've seen the need for change and taken action. I'm glad you took the step of reaching out. Follow that momentum, and you will find that gradually, things will get better. Continue to nurture that momentum and honor that voice that called out to you "do something.... this isn't the path I want..."
Before you know it, you will wake up one day and realize that your entire life has changed. For the better. And you will love it. And in the meantime, if you're not quite feeling all of that..... choose to love it anyway.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Abroad
Posts: 1,865
I'm overwhelmed and touched by the response and support from you. Thank you. I have decided to start every new day with gratitude, thinking of how blessed I am and how proud I am of myself starting this journey. I am convinced that even though life will be difficult at times and I will see times of struggle, I will be better equipped to deal with these difficulties now that I have said good bye to my biggest enemy. Life without alcohol will always be a better life.
It is almost noon here in Norway, and I am looking forward to spending time with my family today. I wish you all a wonderful day.
It is almost noon here in Norway, and I am looking forward to spending time with my family today. I wish you all a wonderful day.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Abroad
Posts: 1,865
It's past six o'clock and it is no longer possible to buy alcohol from shops. I now know that this day will be my fourth day of sobriety, and Sunday will be sober as well. Kinda nice to know.
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