1 Year Sober
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Cheshire, UK
Posts: 38
1 Year Sober
Hi All,
It's been a while since I posted, but thought I'd share some experiences after reaching a major milestone.
Firstly, I think if I hadn't found this site and lurked here for a few weeks, reading other people's posts, I would not be in the position I'm in today - so a big thank you to all who contribute here. It was especially helpful to be able to join the monthly threads for a couple of months, post and read how others were coping at the same stage of recovery.
When I first made the decision to quit (and it had to be my decision), I could not see further than getting through to the next day. I've now done this 366 times (typical it coincided with a leap year to make it 1 day more!). On that first day I could not comprehend never having another drink, so I just had to think I won't have one today, and so on. I still have thoughts (and dreams) of drinking again, but these have become fewer and less frequent now. I don't know if it will ever go away, but I know I can keep those thoughts at bay. I only have to think back to those first few days of detox to know I don't want to go through that again.
Some benefits:
Sleeping - yes it took a while, and I never thought I would be able to sleep again without alcohol, but finally I did. Don't know if anyone else had this, but I realised that I hadn't been dreaming prior to sleeping without alcohol. Just zonking out didn't give me any proper sleep so I didn't dream. The first dreams I had were terrible and so real - I was behaving so badly in them and waking up thinking it was reality, worrying how to face people. For the first 5 days I was so convinced things had really happened I was really glad my wife was around to try and convince me it hadn't (although it took a few days to believe her). Thankfully they didn't last for long and I am now sleeping great and feel so much better and rejuvenated, compared to being unconscious and waking up feeling dreadful.
Health - no more liver pains, and my tests have improved month on month. I also suffer badly from anxiety and my medication was not working well. Within a week of stopping drinking my meds have been working fine and I've had no issues since. I also had gastric issues which have also vastly improved.
No more hangovers - obviously
Time & Energy - I have so much more energy and time to do the things I (and my family) want. I now have time to spend with my wife and kids, instead of drinking and making excuses. I feel I have my family life back and my kids have a dad again. I am now able to concentrate on work.
My hands don't shake any more - how embarrassing was that?
The only real downside so far has been gaining weight, as I have used used chocolate etc. to dampen any urges. It's time to make a start on changing that now, as I want to get fitter. I've struggled to find AF drinks that I like to drink, but I have found AF beers to be useful for me (I know it's a controversial subject). There are a lot of poor tasting examples out there, but some are nice and I enjoy them as an occasional alternative to other soft drinks. I do drink too much coffee now.
It's been tougher these last few months, but I think and hope I'm through the worst now. I've just got to keep pushing on, one day at a time. I still visit the site daily and take inspiration from reading posts from other members. To anyone struggling out there - it's incredibly difficult at first, and it will feel like hell, but it is worth it if you can get past the first few days and weeks.
I'm so glad I found this resource, I honestly believe I would be dead in the next 5 years if I hadn't stopped when I did. Hopefully I will now last a bit longer than that to see my kids grow up.
Take care and stay sober.
Andy.
It's been a while since I posted, but thought I'd share some experiences after reaching a major milestone.
Firstly, I think if I hadn't found this site and lurked here for a few weeks, reading other people's posts, I would not be in the position I'm in today - so a big thank you to all who contribute here. It was especially helpful to be able to join the monthly threads for a couple of months, post and read how others were coping at the same stage of recovery.
When I first made the decision to quit (and it had to be my decision), I could not see further than getting through to the next day. I've now done this 366 times (typical it coincided with a leap year to make it 1 day more!). On that first day I could not comprehend never having another drink, so I just had to think I won't have one today, and so on. I still have thoughts (and dreams) of drinking again, but these have become fewer and less frequent now. I don't know if it will ever go away, but I know I can keep those thoughts at bay. I only have to think back to those first few days of detox to know I don't want to go through that again.
Some benefits:
Sleeping - yes it took a while, and I never thought I would be able to sleep again without alcohol, but finally I did. Don't know if anyone else had this, but I realised that I hadn't been dreaming prior to sleeping without alcohol. Just zonking out didn't give me any proper sleep so I didn't dream. The first dreams I had were terrible and so real - I was behaving so badly in them and waking up thinking it was reality, worrying how to face people. For the first 5 days I was so convinced things had really happened I was really glad my wife was around to try and convince me it hadn't (although it took a few days to believe her). Thankfully they didn't last for long and I am now sleeping great and feel so much better and rejuvenated, compared to being unconscious and waking up feeling dreadful.
Health - no more liver pains, and my tests have improved month on month. I also suffer badly from anxiety and my medication was not working well. Within a week of stopping drinking my meds have been working fine and I've had no issues since. I also had gastric issues which have also vastly improved.
No more hangovers - obviously
Time & Energy - I have so much more energy and time to do the things I (and my family) want. I now have time to spend with my wife and kids, instead of drinking and making excuses. I feel I have my family life back and my kids have a dad again. I am now able to concentrate on work.
My hands don't shake any more - how embarrassing was that?
The only real downside so far has been gaining weight, as I have used used chocolate etc. to dampen any urges. It's time to make a start on changing that now, as I want to get fitter. I've struggled to find AF drinks that I like to drink, but I have found AF beers to be useful for me (I know it's a controversial subject). There are a lot of poor tasting examples out there, but some are nice and I enjoy them as an occasional alternative to other soft drinks. I do drink too much coffee now.
It's been tougher these last few months, but I think and hope I'm through the worst now. I've just got to keep pushing on, one day at a time. I still visit the site daily and take inspiration from reading posts from other members. To anyone struggling out there - it's incredibly difficult at first, and it will feel like hell, but it is worth it if you can get past the first few days and weeks.
I'm so glad I found this resource, I honestly believe I would be dead in the next 5 years if I hadn't stopped when I did. Hopefully I will now last a bit longer than that to see my kids grow up.
Take care and stay sober.
Andy.
Thank you for a wonderful, uplifting post Andy. Congrats on 1 year of a whole new way of life.
I think getting through that first year, with all it's challenges, is so encouraging. I remember wondering how holidays, vacations, & other celebrations would be. I was so afraid life would no longer be fun or exciting - yet I was always in a fog - how much fun is that?
Well done!
I think getting through that first year, with all it's challenges, is so encouraging. I remember wondering how holidays, vacations, & other celebrations would be. I was so afraid life would no longer be fun or exciting - yet I was always in a fog - how much fun is that?
Well done!
Congrats on the first of many sober years! And thank you for the inspiring post. It was posts like yours that encouraged me when I was just starting out. I am sure your message will help many newcomers.
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