Seven Years sober
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 507
Seven Years sober
Hi
This is a couple of days late, but I just passed 7 years since I had my last drink. A pint of bitter that I left unfinished on a pub table, on a miserable rainy weekend getaway. A fitting end, really, to an unhealthy 35 year relationship with alcohol.
I don't come on here very often any more as genuinely alcohol plays almost no role in my life or thoughts. I have no desire to drink at all. I can't imagine what would need to happen for me to change my mind about that.
The reason for that is my life is immeasurably better since I quit. I went back to Uni, got a degree in psychotherapy, and have now been in private practice for 4 years. The work is incredibly rewarding and satisfying, and while I do hear some truly heartbreaking stories, I am constantly inspired by seeing and experiencing people's power and ability to bring about change in their lives.
I also feel way more connected with my own family, and have been much more present with my children. A chance to repair some of the damage done to our relationship through not being fully there for them. An ongoing process.
And I'm enjoying life more outside of work. I'm in a band that survived the various lockdowns and is back gigging again. Have a collection of nice guitars that are all paid for with money I've saved through not drinking. Enjoy walks with my dog, and wildlife photography. Lots of ways to have fun that don't involve getting drunk.
I say all this because before I first came across this forum, which I'll always be grateful for, I didn't believe any of these things were possible. How things were, were how things would always be. My own personal therapy journey played a huge role as well. Turns out emotions are actually good things that it's important to experience, even the painful ones. My lifelong attempt to avoid them, including by drowning them out with alcohol, caused far more damage than if I'd allowed myself to feel them. I was finally able to recognise the losses and traumas I'd experienced and begin to process them properly. It wasn't easy, and is an ongoing journey as well, but I'm in a much, much better place for it. I can't change the past, but I can change how the past affects my present and future.
Anyway, enough rambling from me. I guess I really just want to say that there's a reason you're here, and a reason why everyone here wants you to succeed in your journey to a sober life. It's because it's worth it. You're worth it.
This is a couple of days late, but I just passed 7 years since I had my last drink. A pint of bitter that I left unfinished on a pub table, on a miserable rainy weekend getaway. A fitting end, really, to an unhealthy 35 year relationship with alcohol.
I don't come on here very often any more as genuinely alcohol plays almost no role in my life or thoughts. I have no desire to drink at all. I can't imagine what would need to happen for me to change my mind about that.
The reason for that is my life is immeasurably better since I quit. I went back to Uni, got a degree in psychotherapy, and have now been in private practice for 4 years. The work is incredibly rewarding and satisfying, and while I do hear some truly heartbreaking stories, I am constantly inspired by seeing and experiencing people's power and ability to bring about change in their lives.
I also feel way more connected with my own family, and have been much more present with my children. A chance to repair some of the damage done to our relationship through not being fully there for them. An ongoing process.
And I'm enjoying life more outside of work. I'm in a band that survived the various lockdowns and is back gigging again. Have a collection of nice guitars that are all paid for with money I've saved through not drinking. Enjoy walks with my dog, and wildlife photography. Lots of ways to have fun that don't involve getting drunk.
I say all this because before I first came across this forum, which I'll always be grateful for, I didn't believe any of these things were possible. How things were, were how things would always be. My own personal therapy journey played a huge role as well. Turns out emotions are actually good things that it's important to experience, even the painful ones. My lifelong attempt to avoid them, including by drowning them out with alcohol, caused far more damage than if I'd allowed myself to feel them. I was finally able to recognise the losses and traumas I'd experienced and begin to process them properly. It wasn't easy, and is an ongoing journey as well, but I'm in a much, much better place for it. I can't change the past, but I can change how the past affects my present and future.
Anyway, enough rambling from me. I guess I really just want to say that there's a reason you're here, and a reason why everyone here wants you to succeed in your journey to a sober life. It's because it's worth it. You're worth it.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,564
Hi OpenTuning. What a wonderful update. How fabulous that you got that degree, are in a band, & things are going well with the family.
I'm so thankful we aren't numb & stupid anymore.
I'm so thankful we aren't numb & stupid anymore.
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