How could I possibly be happy without booze? Weekenders 14 - 17 April 2023
Magsie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 26,702
How could I possibly be happy without booze? Weekenders 14 - 17 April 2023
How could I possibly be happy without booze?
Weekenders 14 - 17 April 2023
Making the decision to stop drinking......forever, wasn’t something I thought I was capable of and maybe didn’t want to contemplate either.
After so many failed attempts, reaping the repercussions that drinking brought to me, I realised this was the only way...complete abstinence.
That was something I didn’t relish, being without booze...forever.
I saw a life stretched before me that would be unbearable, boring, sad and pathetic.
How could people laugh and enjoy themselves without booze...I reasoned to myself.
All these thoughts and doubts and many more ran through my mind wondering what laid ahead in the new sober life.
Could there possibly be a life after booze? Could it be a good life?
If this is your first weekend sober, or many, come join us for support and chat...as we know the weekends can be a struggle sometimes.
I will be here along with many others, all of us ex drunks and alcoholics. We are your scouts and can tell you what is on the trail ahead so you can be ready for any obstacles. I can tell you to come on! It is rocky and slippery but if you focus on where you place each step, you will have no trouble getting to where I am on the trail.
All of us can tell you where the potholes are, bumps in the road, and the slippery places, but we can't walk your path for you. We can only take joy as you succeed, and cheer, one and all!
Weekenders 14 - 17 April 2023
[/Making the decision to stop drinking......forever, wasn’t something I thought I was capable of and maybe didn’t want to contemplate either.
After so many failed attempts, reaping the repercussions that drinking brought to me, I realised this was the only way...complete abstinence.
That was something I didn’t relish, being without booze...forever.
I saw a life stretched before me that would be unbearable, boring, sad and pathetic.
How could people laugh and enjoy themselves without booze...I reasoned to myself.
All these thoughts and doubts and many more ran through my mind wondering what laid ahead in the new sober life.
Could there possibly be a life after booze? Could it be a good life?
If this is your first weekend sober, or many, come join us for support and chat...as we know the weekends can be a struggle sometimes.
I will be here along with many others, all of us ex drunks and alcoholics. We are your scouts and can tell you what is on the trail ahead so you can be ready for any obstacles. I can tell you to come on! It is rocky and slippery but if you focus on where you place each step, you will have no trouble getting to where I am on the trail.
All of us can tell you where the potholes are, bumps in the road, and the slippery places, but we can't walk your path for you. We can only take joy as you succeed, and cheer, one and all!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 782
Morning Mags, Dee, Captain,
Thank you for the intro. I'm in for another sober weekend. Plenty to keep me occupied - although I have a few days off work I have projects to complete as always.
Warm wishes to all Weekenders,
Forwards.
Thank you for the intro. I'm in for another sober weekend. Plenty to keep me occupied - although I have a few days off work I have projects to complete as always.
Warm wishes to all Weekenders,
Forwards.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 467
Morning everyone
Thanks Mags - your opening post is exactly the way I feel at the moment - I feel like everything is beige.
I'll be celebrating 90 days sober on Sunday - which is a small miracle!
I'm in for a sober weekend
Thanks Mags - your opening post is exactly the way I feel at the moment - I feel like everything is beige.
I'll be celebrating 90 days sober on Sunday - which is a small miracle!
I'm in for a sober weekend
Magsie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 26,702
Congratulations on shotgun Robbie! 
overforty, congratulations on 90 days sober. Life does take a different turn when we get sober. For me, once the anxieties passed and I ‘found my feet’ (and then found Sr) I did find there was a life, a fulfilling life after booze, which was a surprise to me!. Though I found recovery helped me get my life back. Hang in there, the beige will develop into other colours.
overforty, congratulations on 90 days sober.
Life does take a different turn when we get sober. For me, once the anxieties passed and I ‘found my feet’ (and then found Sr) I did find there was a life, a fulfilling life after booze, which was a surprise to me!. Though I found recovery helped me get my life back. Hang in there, the beige will develop into other colours.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: US
Posts: 16,921
Thanks Mags 
I used to feel that way too, uncomfortable with the idea of “forever” …. then I learned (at least in my personal experience) that it had a lot of similarities to a breakup from a toxic relationship…. I felt like there was no way I could do without that person in my life, then one day realized I’m so much better off without them….then came: Omg, Why didn’t I do this sooner!?
I did just see a post from our friend Toots mentioning fear of complacency, which I definitely need to keep in mind….so glad you are all here to help keep me in check! Thanks friends!
I used to feel that way too, uncomfortable with the idea of “forever” …. then I learned (at least in my personal experience) that it had a lot of similarities to a breakup from a toxic relationship…. I felt like there was no way I could do without that person in my life, then one day realized I’m so much better off without them….then came: Omg, Why didn’t I do this sooner!?
I did just see a post from our friend Toots mentioning fear of complacency, which I definitely need to keep in mind….so glad you are all here to help keep me in check! Thanks friends!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 12,514
Thanks Mags as always.
For me it was a question about being happy, it was more about how to deal with life's challenges. If I was overly stressed or upset that is what I would run to for an escape...And of course those situations were still there. So darn glad and relieved that I am sober now dealing wit what I have been dealing with.
For me it was a question about being happy, it was more about how to deal with life's challenges. If I was overly stressed or upset that is what I would run to for an escape...And of course those situations were still there. So darn glad and relieved that I am sober now dealing wit what I have been dealing with.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: New England
Posts: 1,482
Thank you Mags1 for continuing to provide a timely weekenders safe space here on SR. In for the weekend and trying to avoid complacency as well as developing ways to be happy without the chemical enhancement. Best to all.
Pledging for today. Day 193.
Pledging for today. Day 193.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,426
"Unbearable, boring, sad, and pathetic" could be used to describe my life while still drinking. Not now. It does feel that way though when first quitting, like your whole life the way you've always known it is over. It's not. In many ways it's just beginning.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,797
I didn't think there was much else to do but drinking, but found out differently after a few moths sobriety. 
Haven't been able to get to sleep so far.
. Laid down and started itching badly. I have my phone appt with the shrink this afternoon and am going to tell her about the itching getting worse and the awful overwhelming fatigue I've been feeling lately. . I hope she'll have some suggestions for relief.
Glad to be starting out another sober weekend.
Haven't been able to get to sleep so far.
. Laid down and started itching badly. I have my phone appt with the shrink this afternoon and am going to tell her about the itching getting worse and the awful overwhelming fatigue I've been feeling lately. . I hope she'll have some suggestions for relief.Glad to be starting out another sober weekend.
Giving up is NOT an option.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 7,809
Thanks, Mags. I'm in.
I remember being so afraid to quit drinking, because my whole social life was centered around booze. I was SURE my life would be sad, lonely, and boring without it. I also wasn't sure how I was supposed to relax and unwind after a stressful day, or get myself relaxed before a stress-inducing event (party, plane trip, family gathering). I used alcohol as an aid to overcoming my insecurities and fears. And I really believed it worked. I was so scared to go without my crutch. And yes, in early sobriety, things were bleak. Life seemed overwhelming, I felt so lost and alone, I wasn't sure I could do it. I was in IOP, though, and going to AA, so I KNEW there was life beyond booze. I just needed to keep going, and not quit before the miracles started to happen. And they did start to happen. I'd never go back to that life of using alcohol to help me get through life. That was an illusion, anyway. I get through life SO MUCH BETTER now. Not sure I'd say I'm happy, exactly, but I'm definitely much more content, and I can relax and enjoy life a lot more. I still don't like my job, LOL, but the rest of life is pretty good!
I remember being so afraid to quit drinking, because my whole social life was centered around booze. I was SURE my life would be sad, lonely, and boring without it. I also wasn't sure how I was supposed to relax and unwind after a stressful day, or get myself relaxed before a stress-inducing event (party, plane trip, family gathering). I used alcohol as an aid to overcoming my insecurities and fears. And I really believed it worked. I was so scared to go without my crutch. And yes, in early sobriety, things were bleak. Life seemed overwhelming, I felt so lost and alone, I wasn't sure I could do it. I was in IOP, though, and going to AA, so I KNEW there was life beyond booze. I just needed to keep going, and not quit before the miracles started to happen. And they did start to happen. I'd never go back to that life of using alcohol to help me get through life. That was an illusion, anyway. I get through life SO MUCH BETTER now. Not sure I'd say I'm happy, exactly, but I'm definitely much more content, and I can relax and enjoy life a lot more. I still don't like my job, LOL, but the rest of life is pretty good!
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