Today Marks 6 Years Sober
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 418
Today Marks 6 Years Sober
On this day, 6 years ago, I woke up feeling like crap as normal.
This time was a little different in that I had decided the day before, to drink something that would definitely make me feel awful. Probably one of those things that drunks do on occasion - I can only speak for myself.
Only this day, I had a plan. There were steps that I knew I had to undertake in order to accomplish the outcome I knew was necessary - I had to stop drinking.
After getting up and sneakily moving the empty bottles into the outside bins, I called my doctor for an appointment. Step one accomplished.
Nothing but time until my appointment. Searched the web for alternative drinks to alcohol. Decided on ginger beer (non-alcoholic of course). I also came across this website.
I know I read through a lot of posts before I actually joined in. In fact, I think I'd seen my doctor and proceeded down my chosen path before I even posted.
In my case, I didn't have cravings. I did attend some group therapy sessions and I also posted here. I'm being purposefully oblique about the method I used to quit because I know we're not meant to be promoting one method over another. Whatever works.
I've accomplished a decent amount since quitting, including buying a house and regaining the trust of my family. Still got another few decades before I fall off the perch, so to speak - Which brings up another thing that's happened - I discovered I really enjoy nature. And taking photos of it. It's what I do whenever I'm not at work.
I remember thinking that the only thing I actually enjoyed doing was drinking... Wow. That was bollocks.
For those thinking I sound like I was a bit of a light-weight... I was pretty bad. When someone asks me why I don't drink, I just tell them I already got the high score and there's no point.
Anyway, just thought I'd make a post here on the anniversary and wish you all the best. If you want to quit and you make the decision to quit, you can quit.
Here's one of the photos I've taken after quitting.
Good luck!
This time was a little different in that I had decided the day before, to drink something that would definitely make me feel awful. Probably one of those things that drunks do on occasion - I can only speak for myself.
Only this day, I had a plan. There were steps that I knew I had to undertake in order to accomplish the outcome I knew was necessary - I had to stop drinking.
After getting up and sneakily moving the empty bottles into the outside bins, I called my doctor for an appointment. Step one accomplished.
Nothing but time until my appointment. Searched the web for alternative drinks to alcohol. Decided on ginger beer (non-alcoholic of course). I also came across this website.
I know I read through a lot of posts before I actually joined in. In fact, I think I'd seen my doctor and proceeded down my chosen path before I even posted.
In my case, I didn't have cravings. I did attend some group therapy sessions and I also posted here. I'm being purposefully oblique about the method I used to quit because I know we're not meant to be promoting one method over another. Whatever works.
I've accomplished a decent amount since quitting, including buying a house and regaining the trust of my family. Still got another few decades before I fall off the perch, so to speak - Which brings up another thing that's happened - I discovered I really enjoy nature. And taking photos of it. It's what I do whenever I'm not at work.
I remember thinking that the only thing I actually enjoyed doing was drinking... Wow. That was bollocks.
For those thinking I sound like I was a bit of a light-weight... I was pretty bad. When someone asks me why I don't drink, I just tell them I already got the high score and there's no point.
Anyway, just thought I'd make a post here on the anniversary and wish you all the best. If you want to quit and you make the decision to quit, you can quit.
Here's one of the photos I've taken after quitting.
Good luck!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,172
Congratulations. I like your picture. What kind of camera do you have?
I think it would be OK to describe your program or even name it. It might even help someone else. What you want to stay away from is promoting it like it's the best or only way a person can get sober. Whatever it is, it got you six years, so there must be some merit in it. As you say, "Whatever works," and I'll second that. I suppose if there is something risky or dangerous about it, you wouldn't want to put it out there, but how much you disclose is your choice. Just sayin'.
Originally Posted by DrunkenDonuts 
I'm being purposefully oblique about the method I used to quit because I know we're not meant to be promoting one method over another. Whatever works.
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Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: CA, USA
Posts: 29
Congratulations and thank you very much for posting this. I have 3 weeks as of yesterday. Feeling really good but dealing with all the feelings of "ok, I'm sober, what the hell do I do now?" It's good though. Baby steps and I often look at the posts here for hope, inspiration and comfort, knowing I am not alone.
Well done and beautiful photo!
Nicole
Well done and beautiful photo!
Nicole
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 418
Originally Posted by Mizz
Congratulations! I am so happy for you.
That photo is beautiful. I do hope you post more of your art.
That photo is beautiful. I do hope you post more of your art.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 418
Originally Posted by ANM
Congratulations and thank you very much for posting this. I have 3 weeks as of yesterday. Feeling really good but dealing with all the feelings of "ok, I'm sober, what the hell do I do now?" It's good though. Baby steps and I often look at the posts here for hope, inspiration and comfort, knowing I am not alone.
Well done and beautiful photo!
Nicole
Well done and beautiful photo!
Nicole
I actually went on reddit and found a hobby that interested me and would help me make some more money. It was pretty time consuming, but I don't do that much anymore. Mainly just the photography.
sober style
Join Date: May 2016
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,388
Congrats on 6 years sober, DD! That's how it's done, just tremendous. Choosing a new life over sure death, sobriety over continued alcohol-aided self-destruction, and then sticking with it for days/weeks/years etc. A winning strategy right there.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,602
Congratulations on 6 years of sobriety DD.
Before I got sober, this time, for real, I thought about photography too, but went out drinking again and lost my camera, in a pub. A really good Nikon. Now I've only got the camera on my phone.
So many losses.
I wasn't much of a photographer, but I liked the process. It made me look at things more closely, observe the life around me. An 'in the now' experience. Drinking removes me from the Now, kept me in the Was.
Your shots of nature, the birds, are beautiful. Thanks for posting.
Before I got sober, this time, for real, I thought about photography too, but went out drinking again and lost my camera, in a pub. A really good Nikon. Now I've only got the camera on my phone.
So many losses.
I wasn't much of a photographer, but I liked the process. It made me look at things more closely, observe the life around me. An 'in the now' experience. Drinking removes me from the Now, kept me in the Was.
Your shots of nature, the birds, are beautiful. Thanks for posting.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Sweden
Posts: 530
Great photos. Glad to hear the things you've accomplished without alcohol. Love the bird pictures, might seem wrong to ask but i'd love to see some great pictures of the australian landscape. Based on the pictures you can do it 
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