Five Years In
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,474
Five Years In
.
Five Years ago today, I dug down deep and forced myself into the Life-saving decision to get Sober permanently. I wanted to share a few things learned, but mostly thank the SR Community; my primary Support Network. For me, Relapse now is simply not an option. Any interest in Ethanol is long gone. I can't crave what I simply don't want anymore. Life now is that good.
I searched for, and found, a Resource like SR a few Months after my 10 January 2014 decision. Here, I found innumerable Accounts I could relate to, and commiseration within the honesty-enhancing shield of anonymity. I could read Accounts while in line at the Grocery Store, or at the Dog Park. Get lil Mental 'boosts' in snippets here whenever needed. For my Attention Span, and DNA 'wiring' as a relative Introvert, this was crucial. Some insights...
~ The Science Of Why Introverts And Extroverts Are Different ~
My own toxic spiral - while having several Guns in the House - simply reached Critical Mass one Night. Astonishingly, there were no DUI Arrests over 42 increasingly-intoxicated Years. No Job losses. No failed Marriages. *Just* habitual Intoxication; eventually to Blackout several times/Day. Early Retirement at 48 [17 Years ago] + lots of Booze Money was a wicked combination. Later, I read up on 'Persistent Stupor'; the warped State I was in. Never really fully awake and in the moment. It was as though I was attempting something requiring manual finesse with Welding Gloves on. I continue to be amazed that something so addictive - Ethanol - is openly sold in most any Town at multiple Stores.
For me, long-term Sobriety was a Mental Game. Yogis - as well as the Magician Harry Houdini - could slow their Heart Rate significantly using sheer Will. Other Folks can endure amazing rigor, or prevail in daunting Life/Death situations. I'm one of them. So, I set about mastering The Mental Game; responsible solely to the bloated-Face Addict seen in my Bathroom Mirror. It's not primarily White Knuckling over time, in my experience, if it's a disciplined choice. To this Day, I'm staunchly careful about Socializing Scenarios, and I always develop Escape Plans from where Addicts might be overwhelming. I had to adopt the POV that I owe nothing to anyone. A good way to live Sober, actually. This liberates me to give back voluntarily, obligation-free.
Out in what I call 'The SoberSphere', I simply carry on with Life around the Sober. It's amazing how many Folks I meet where the conversation drifts to their Decades-long Sobriety, or how they're trying to help their Children. It feels good to help, but on my own, periodic schedule.
For the many here who've helped make Sobriety possible, I extend my sincere Gratitude. I would counsel anyone struggling here that eventually-effortless, long-term Sobriety is absolutely achievable. As some Sales Pals used to say - when working for Sales success - 'Plan Your Work ~ Work Your Plan'. The same applies to your Sober Plan, IMO. Dig down deep, and commit unflinchingly as though your Life depended on it. Because it does. As time accumulates, and old, toxic Habits are replaced, don't be afraid to design your own Sober Tool Kit to enhance success. This Introvert had to.
The difference in Sober Life today is not unlike the Scene from 'The Wizard Of Oz' where Dorothy steps out from her Black & White World into the Technicolor World of Oz.
Step into The Light of Sobriety. You'll never regret it.
Sunrise here this Morning...
.
Five Years ago today, I dug down deep and forced myself into the Life-saving decision to get Sober permanently. I wanted to share a few things learned, but mostly thank the SR Community; my primary Support Network. For me, Relapse now is simply not an option. Any interest in Ethanol is long gone. I can't crave what I simply don't want anymore. Life now is that good.
I searched for, and found, a Resource like SR a few Months after my 10 January 2014 decision. Here, I found innumerable Accounts I could relate to, and commiseration within the honesty-enhancing shield of anonymity. I could read Accounts while in line at the Grocery Store, or at the Dog Park. Get lil Mental 'boosts' in snippets here whenever needed. For my Attention Span, and DNA 'wiring' as a relative Introvert, this was crucial. Some insights...
~ The Science Of Why Introverts And Extroverts Are Different ~
My own toxic spiral - while having several Guns in the House - simply reached Critical Mass one Night. Astonishingly, there were no DUI Arrests over 42 increasingly-intoxicated Years. No Job losses. No failed Marriages. *Just* habitual Intoxication; eventually to Blackout several times/Day. Early Retirement at 48 [17 Years ago] + lots of Booze Money was a wicked combination. Later, I read up on 'Persistent Stupor'; the warped State I was in. Never really fully awake and in the moment. It was as though I was attempting something requiring manual finesse with Welding Gloves on. I continue to be amazed that something so addictive - Ethanol - is openly sold in most any Town at multiple Stores.
For me, long-term Sobriety was a Mental Game. Yogis - as well as the Magician Harry Houdini - could slow their Heart Rate significantly using sheer Will. Other Folks can endure amazing rigor, or prevail in daunting Life/Death situations. I'm one of them. So, I set about mastering The Mental Game; responsible solely to the bloated-Face Addict seen in my Bathroom Mirror. It's not primarily White Knuckling over time, in my experience, if it's a disciplined choice. To this Day, I'm staunchly careful about Socializing Scenarios, and I always develop Escape Plans from where Addicts might be overwhelming. I had to adopt the POV that I owe nothing to anyone. A good way to live Sober, actually. This liberates me to give back voluntarily, obligation-free.
Out in what I call 'The SoberSphere', I simply carry on with Life around the Sober. It's amazing how many Folks I meet where the conversation drifts to their Decades-long Sobriety, or how they're trying to help their Children. It feels good to help, but on my own, periodic schedule.
For the many here who've helped make Sobriety possible, I extend my sincere Gratitude. I would counsel anyone struggling here that eventually-effortless, long-term Sobriety is absolutely achievable. As some Sales Pals used to say - when working for Sales success - 'Plan Your Work ~ Work Your Plan'. The same applies to your Sober Plan, IMO. Dig down deep, and commit unflinchingly as though your Life depended on it. Because it does. As time accumulates, and old, toxic Habits are replaced, don't be afraid to design your own Sober Tool Kit to enhance success. This Introvert had to.
The difference in Sober Life today is not unlike the Scene from 'The Wizard Of Oz' where Dorothy steps out from her Black & White World into the Technicolor World of Oz.
Step into The Light of Sobriety. You'll never regret it.
Sunrise here this Morning...
.
And thank you for the inspiring post. 
Ocean Lover!
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: You know nothing Jon Snow - UK
Posts: 2,604
Congrats Mesa! What everyone has said I absolutely echo, you’re a true original and I find myself totally captivated by your writing style. We are lucky to have you as part of this family!! xx
Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Midwest
Posts: 4,860
Congratulations, Mesa Man!
There is so much wisdom packed into your post. You've given some of us "older types" on-going inspiration. For those newer to recovery, please read this post several times. It will sink in.
All the best. You are a good friend and we're lucky to have you as part of our world!
There is so much wisdom packed into your post. You've given some of us "older types" on-going inspiration. For those newer to recovery, please read this post several times. It will sink in.
All the best. You are a good friend and we're lucky to have you as part of our world!
Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Where I’ve longed to be all my life…..here, now.
Posts: 7,339
Mesa man.
WOW. just WOW!!!
First, 60 months is incredible !! Congrats!
What a great story, and you are a great storyteller!
You are such an inspiration...and a gift to so many here, including me.
Thank you for writing this!!
WOW. just WOW!!!
First, 60 months is incredible !! Congrats!
What a great story, and you are a great storyteller!
You are such an inspiration...and a gift to so many here, including me.
Thank you for writing this!!
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
