Evoo

I used to think of alcohol as a warm blanket, a good friend, a comfort - the only thing that could still my racing mind, calm my anxieties, and bring me peace.

But I can see now I wasn't wearing a blanket. It was a straightjacket. It wrapped around me like a vice grip and sapped me of energy, motivation and coping skills. It was all an illusion of peace. And the harder it squeezed, the more I felt like I needed it. In my first several months of recovery I still felt like I was missing out on something, I grieved it like a loss... but I had only to gain by taking on the rest of my life sober.

To folks in the throes of addiction right now, imagine breaking free... a year or two later you may have a totally different view on where you are now. Tear off the straightjacket. Breathe free air. God bless.

Introvrtd1

mns1

Well-said Evoo.

brighterday1234

Thanks for a great post 🙏

Happytobehere60

Isn't that the truth. Thank you for the very effective re-framing.

KTB5000

I can relate to this fully. This is where I am. It is a process detaching once dependent and fear of missing out is what makes it more difficult for me. It's really insane.

kes

Hi Evoo

I see it along very similar lines. It's to me a python in the jungle. It wraps around and chokes the hell out of you. The more you struggle and try and wriggle free the tighter its grip until you die a slow and lingering death, exhuasted and broken. It's the devil like the serpent in the garden of Eden. A classic conman, gains yout trust, tells you everything you want to hear, pretends to help you and then the STING. You've been had over and theres **** all you can do.

I was so badly ripped off by it. I despise it down to my core. It stiill "speaks" to me. saying things in my subconscious like I'm here anytime, you'll come to me, I wony come to you, good luck if you think you don't need me anymore etc etc. The best thing you can do with a conman is ignore them, don't give them the time of day and they move on, looking for the next victim.

I want to turn the table and choke the living day lights out the serpent and enjoy watching it squirm!!

Hope this makes sense guys, sound like a rant, but I absolutely hate it with all my heart and soul.

Alpine

Great post and insight. Thanks

M0onChild

Great way to put it!

JamesW

Great post kes, the seductive serpent, wonderful analogue.

zenithboy88

Great analogy Evoo!

Behappy1

This is so very true. For those who think they can't get to the other side... I was one of them. For YEARS. It took a DUI to get it through my thick head that I cannot do this. I am only 160ish days, but 155 days ago I thought Not possible. I could go for a day, week or a month. But ALWAYS right back to it. My ego told me that I could do this myself. I'd gotten myself into this mess, I could get myself out. I couldn't do it alone. I needed people, I needed support.

Although I am still fresh from alcohol, I feel so very much better all the way around and in every aspect.

least

It was definitely a strait jacket for me. . So glad to finally be free of it .

DriGuy

I remember something someone said in AA: "Alcohol gave me wings to fly, but took away the sky."

FlyingDutchMan

This is the second long-term-perspective-post that I’ve come across today and I needed both of them. Thanks for sharing your insights.

VikingGF

Thanks for this post, Evoo, what a fantastic and accurate analogy.

LoveHateWhine

Great post! It is indeed a straight jacket.

Mags1

Great post and analogy Evoo!