Hammers

I don't know how this will sound to everyone here.

And I apologise if it causes anyone offence.

There are people here who are now sober, long
time sober, by that, I mean over a year or so. And
well done to them.

What does it feel like?

Nicholas..

Opivotal

Feels like a giant weight's been lifted from my shoulders.

I feel free.

tomsteve

it feels great!
it feels great to wake up without remorse or guilt over yesterdays actions.
feels great to not have my past haunt me any more
feels great to not wonder what i did last night in a blackout
feels great to not have a hangover
feels great to not be wrapped up in self pity
feels great to be at peace with who i am
feels great to love myself
feels great to experience serenity

it feels great to be LIVING!!!

Della1968

Free is exactly right. What a crazy life it was trying to continue to drink.

Bunny211

Yes.
It is so much better than drinking. I never thought I would come this far. I never thought I could live without alcohol. Now alcohol is rarely, if ever, a thought that crosses my mind.
Most of the time I am peaceful and content.

wheresthefun

It feels great!!!!

BUT, just because I stopped drinking doesn't mean life is nothing but rainbows and Skittle shitting Unicorns. There is still "stuff" (good and bad) in my life, but that bad "stuff" is WAY easier to deal with, as a non drinker. And, the good "stuff" in life... fogettaboutit.

Delizadee

lmao

FreeOwl

It feels like LIVING.

It feels like Gratitude.

It feels like Relief.

It feels like Presence.

It feels like Joy.

Hammers

Thanks TomSteve,

I don't know if you saw my earlier post, but
I started to stop wednesday, had a relapse
today.

I will try again tomorrow. I am in Switzerland and
seeing a doctor is not really viable at this time. I only
ask because, is it really like that? Are all those things
you describe, they are like that now? I can't and don't
want to see a doctor. Is this really what is achievable?

Thanks,
Nicholas

Delizadee

Nicholas there are many ways, many different paths to achieve sobriety. Once you make the decision make a plan and never give up trying until you find the right way to get to where you want to be.

tomsteve

honestly,sincerely, 100% yes!
but it took time to receive all of that. i had to put in a lot of footwork looking at myself , learning what makes me tick, and changing me.
worth every bit of work.

tomsteve

why isnt seeing a doctor viable?
why dont you want to see adoctor?

MIRecovery

No one ever said that sobriety was made up of things we want to do. When I became willing to do anything is when recovery started. I didnt want to go to a doctor, go to professions, go to AA, get a sponsor, work the steps, not go to drinking events, change my friends, go to church, or become a different person. I cannot think of one thing I wanted to that got me sober and in recovery but without them I wouldn't be leading the wonderful life I am

Hammers

Switzerland is not like the U.S. nor many EU
countries. I am a Head Chef in a restaurant
where booze is everywhere.

My medical records can be found by anyone who
knows who my GP is.

Alcoholic Head Chef.
You know the rest..

My health is ok. As ok as an alky's helath is, sorry
to be blunt, but despite many periods of not eating,
my bowels are reasonable. Reasonable enough to just
stop drinking. I don't have any real problems. Of course
when I am drunk or on a bender things change, but
normal when I don't drink, which is not so often over
the last two years..



Thanks for asking though.

ScottFromWI

If you don't have any "real" problems, may I ask why you are considering sobriety? Physical health is only one component of alcoholism/addiction of course. Sobriety and "just stopping drinking" are 2 completely separate things as well.

Hammers

Thank you MI Recovery,

I appreciate and value your reply and support.

I am unfortunatley a person who despises religion
which may sound odd from an Irishman, but I do
beleive that the Church is in some way responsible
for some of my anger, none of this is your fault of
course.

Thank you anyway for your support.

Nicholas.

doggonecarl

Alcoholic thinking...

Your medical records are more private than your drinking and the effects of your bingeing. Keep drinking and everyone will know eventually.

doggonecarl

Oh, and after six years without a drink, I feel....

Normal.

Hammers

I live in Switzerland. I am Irish and I come from London.
I mean I have seen drunks/alkies shitting themselves in
the street there because of drink.

I am not there yet..

I have had the training about the dangers of alcohol in
the restaurant trade in London as a trainee chef ten, fifteen
years ago.

Didn't work.

I am pissed at work, I can get away with that.
I am drunk all the time outside work, I have no friends,
I am anti social and I can't stop ******* drinking..

Hammers

Not ten or fifteen years ago..

Early/Mid 90's