8 Years
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 507
8 Years
I hope people don't mind my popping in here to post an annual update. It's now 8 years today since I last had a drink.
I remember first coming here as I tried to figure out if I was an alcoholic. That was a bit of a red herring for me, and eventually I just accepted I had a problem with alcohol, and realised my life would be better if I stopped. These forums made all the difference to my making the decision to quit and I'll always be grateful for the help and support I found here.
For those who can't picture a life without alcohol, like me back then, please believe me when I say my life is dramatically better without it. In every way. I have a new career as a Psychotherapist after going back to Uni. I've learned to play bass and have been in a couple of bands and played in some very cool venues. My relationships with my wife and kids are much stronger. I have a great collection of guitars all paid for with money I didn't spend on booze.
Most importantly I feel way more present in my own life. Experience emotions more deeply and authentically. I have good days and bad days, but the bad ones are no longer self inflicted.
I'm at the stage where I genuinely do not want a drink. Full stop. If some pill or whatever came along guaranteeing I could drink moderately I'd say no thanks. I don't miss it.
So when those inner voices tell you to give up, try and convince you sobriety is all about miserable sacrifice, please don't listen to them.
And if I can throw in a bit of advice, what made a big difference for me was personal therapy. Addressing the underlying reasons why I drank made such a difference. You might think I would say that, given what I now do for a living, but I do what I do now because I know the difference it can make.
Whatever approach or method you use, or combination, the most important thing is to keep going. The goal of a sober life is so worth it.
I remember first coming here as I tried to figure out if I was an alcoholic. That was a bit of a red herring for me, and eventually I just accepted I had a problem with alcohol, and realised my life would be better if I stopped. These forums made all the difference to my making the decision to quit and I'll always be grateful for the help and support I found here.
For those who can't picture a life without alcohol, like me back then, please believe me when I say my life is dramatically better without it. In every way. I have a new career as a Psychotherapist after going back to Uni. I've learned to play bass and have been in a couple of bands and played in some very cool venues. My relationships with my wife and kids are much stronger. I have a great collection of guitars all paid for with money I didn't spend on booze.
Most importantly I feel way more present in my own life. Experience emotions more deeply and authentically. I have good days and bad days, but the bad ones are no longer self inflicted.
I'm at the stage where I genuinely do not want a drink. Full stop. If some pill or whatever came along guaranteeing I could drink moderately I'd say no thanks. I don't miss it.
So when those inner voices tell you to give up, try and convince you sobriety is all about miserable sacrifice, please don't listen to them.
And if I can throw in a bit of advice, what made a big difference for me was personal therapy. Addressing the underlying reasons why I drank made such a difference. You might think I would say that, given what I now do for a living, but I do what I do now because I know the difference it can make.
Whatever approach or method you use, or combination, the most important thing is to keep going. The goal of a sober life is so worth it.
I love your post, it's very positive and it's great to read that your life is so much better without alcohol.
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,938
Congrats 8 yrs sober. Thank you for the wonderful share that there is great hope in soberity.Self-Care and Wellness Retreat (Purplrks3647)
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,169
What a great post and excellent description of recovery. I remember so well that struggle trying to figure out if I was an alcoholic or not, and then finally settling on the undeniable conclusion that alcohol was a big problem in my life. It doesn't matter what name this affliction has. It is what it is, and it's up to us to deal with it.
Yeah, just keep going. Don't quit sobriety, just keep going an we will be OK.
Yeah, just keep going. Don't quit sobriety, just keep going an we will be OK.
Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Where I’ve longed to be all my life…..here, now.
Posts: 7,337
Absolutely wonderful, OT.
I spent my evening reading your history of posts, and the responses given here.
You are truly an inspiration, your posts were ALWAYS supportive of folks touting encouragement.
Thats our MO here……..
Huge congratulations on those 8 years, and thank you again for posting an update. Your new life sounds AMAZING.
🎊🎉♥️🥰
Big hugs
I spent my evening reading your history of posts, and the responses given here.
You are truly an inspiration, your posts were ALWAYS supportive of folks touting encouragement.
Thats our MO here……..
Huge congratulations on those 8 years, and thank you again for posting an update. Your new life sounds AMAZING.
🎊🎉♥️🥰
Big hugs
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