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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 1
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Hi everyone! So very ready to explore this new chapter in my life. My alcohol use is not one of addiction, but an unhealthy habit I have created many, many years ago. It has become my friend, my rock, even my lover at times. Losing my husband 7 years ago intensified that even more so. It fills that evening void like none other.
Everything in my social life includes alcohol and it has been a challenge to abstain while around them. How do I proceed with that? Everyone drinks. Social life revolves around drinking and eating. Both heavy methods of numbing oneself and I have been a loooonnnggg time abuser of food for numbing, so that has been a challenge.
This new chapter in my life, as I enter retirement, is to find my authentic self and be comfortable with her. Find the unaltered joy and magic out there before my life ends. Thank you for listening!
Everything in my social life includes alcohol and it has been a challenge to abstain while around them. How do I proceed with that? Everyone drinks. Social life revolves around drinking and eating. Both heavy methods of numbing oneself and I have been a loooonnnggg time abuser of food for numbing, so that has been a challenge.
This new chapter in my life, as I enter retirement, is to find my authentic self and be comfortable with her. Find the unaltered joy and magic out there before my life ends. Thank you for listening!
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
No one likes to use the, "addiction," word, or even, "alcoholic." Luckily it's not necessary in order to quit.
I had food and alcohol issues too. It's a lot to untangle.
Are you planning to quit drinking entirely?
Welcome to the site.
I had food and alcohol issues too. It's a lot to untangle.
Are you planning to quit drinking entirely?
Welcome to the site.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,238
There were many before me that shared their experiences,
strengths and hopes with me, guiding me all along the way
to achieve what so many of them have and are still achieving
each and every day they remain sober.
That freedom of insanity that comes with addiction.
My recovery journey began that first full day without alcohol
in my system. August 11, 1990. Many one days sober
without a drink, ago.
Folks explained to me that it would get worse before it
would get better. And it was no lie.
I saw these folks day in and day out listening to them,
learning from them, often telling myself at first that I was
no where's near the way some of them were. That my
life wasnt as bad as theirs. I even had thoughts that surely
I wasnt and alcoholic.
I was told to keep coming back day after day and to not
leave until the miracle happened. What the heck was that
and when would it happen or how will I know, which were
just a few questions i had swirling around in my heart, soul
and mind.
The one constant thing I had in early recovery was and after
watching other folks leave for some time and then return, sharing
what happened to them, reinforced my desire to not drink no
matter what.
All those folks coming and going where the ones that kept
and continues to keep me from having my misery returned
that came with drinking alcohol.
Over the yrs, I have hung onto those achieving success in recovery.
With making changes in my life, within myself, all still a
work in progress and definitely not perfect, I am enjoying
the many wonderful gifts and blessings that comes with
remaining sober.
I didnt leave before the miracle happened because miracles
happen everyday.
Now, it's your time.
strengths and hopes with me, guiding me all along the way
to achieve what so many of them have and are still achieving
each and every day they remain sober.
That freedom of insanity that comes with addiction.
My recovery journey began that first full day without alcohol
in my system. August 11, 1990. Many one days sober
without a drink, ago.
Folks explained to me that it would get worse before it
would get better. And it was no lie.
I saw these folks day in and day out listening to them,
learning from them, often telling myself at first that I was
no where's near the way some of them were. That my
life wasnt as bad as theirs. I even had thoughts that surely
I wasnt and alcoholic.
I was told to keep coming back day after day and to not
leave until the miracle happened. What the heck was that
and when would it happen or how will I know, which were
just a few questions i had swirling around in my heart, soul
and mind.
The one constant thing I had in early recovery was and after
watching other folks leave for some time and then return, sharing
what happened to them, reinforced my desire to not drink no
matter what.
All those folks coming and going where the ones that kept
and continues to keep me from having my misery returned
that came with drinking alcohol.
Over the yrs, I have hung onto those achieving success in recovery.
With making changes in my life, within myself, all still a
work in progress and definitely not perfect, I am enjoying
the many wonderful gifts and blessings that comes with
remaining sober.
I didnt leave before the miracle happened because miracles
happen everyday.
Now, it's your time.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,569
Wonderful to have you with us, NewStart. I drank for decades & couldn't imagine my life without it. I was so relieved when I found SR & knew the support of the people here would lead me in the right direction. That was 15 yrs. ago, & I never looked back.
Welcome to a great place
Welcome to a great place
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: London, England
Posts: 1,713
Originally Posted by NewStart2022 
This new chapter in my life, as I enter retirement, is to find my authentic self and be comfortable with her. Find the unaltered joy and magic out there before my life ends. Thank you for listening!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 278
I definitely don't lose any sleep over whether the term "addiction" applies. Instead I look at it like this: if you would like to drink less (or not at all), but find that goal hard to accomplish, then tools in the recovery toolkit may be helpful.
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