I've been sober for 1 1/2 yrs now. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. Obviously, in the early days it was harder than now. In the early days of my quit, it was quite a battle. I did take Campral, but my body strongly rejected it, so I could only take it for 3 weeks. I think that was enough time to break the cycle.
The hardest thing to do is break the cycle. You have to change EVERYTHING. You cannot do the same things and expect it to be different. It doesn't work that way. I couldn't be around anyone who drank, which means that I couldn't go to my sister's. Her hubby and I would get shitfaced together every time I went there. I haven't been to my sister's house since I quit. Was it easy for me to decide it? No, but it was worth it. Now, breaking the cycle. If you normally get home from work and crack open a beer (or pour a drink), you have to change that habit. Go take a shower first, or grab a snack. Anything so that you break that habit. If you have to take a different route home to avoid your favorite spot to purchase AL, then that's what you do.
When the thought hits my mind these days, I simply take a stroll down memory lane, and it ain't pretty. I think about all of the things that I did while drunk (cringe), and how I felt the next day, both physically and mentally. That stops the thoughts of drinking for me. I never ever want to go back there. For me, one is too many and 10's not enough.
I was put in the situation of a party that I HAD to attend. It was my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Everybody was drinking (or so it seemed to me). I didn't. What I did instead was talk to my parent's friends and helped take care of the guests. I brought them their cake and did the dishes and anything that kept me busy. Before I knew it, the night was over and I survived. It was funny to listen to everyone complain the next day of a hangover; whereas I was feeling perfectly fine.
I think of all the days that I wasted nursing hangovers, all of the horrible things I did when drunk and just the lost days that I could never get back.
I enjoy life today. I have found my favorite hobbies enjoyable again. I discovered food actually tastes good when I'm not stuffing a bag of chips in my mouth, drunk. I no longer have to watch TV with one eye closed. I enjoy watching certain television shows and don't miss them because I passed out.
Life is so much better sober. It's not boring being sober. If anything, it's more interesting.
I hope these words help someone out there. Keep fighting for your sobriety. It really is worth the fight.
Best wishes,
SK
The hardest thing to do is break the cycle. You have to change EVERYTHING. You cannot do the same things and expect it to be different. It doesn't work that way. I couldn't be around anyone who drank, which means that I couldn't go to my sister's. Her hubby and I would get shitfaced together every time I went there. I haven't been to my sister's house since I quit. Was it easy for me to decide it? No, but it was worth it. Now, breaking the cycle. If you normally get home from work and crack open a beer (or pour a drink), you have to change that habit. Go take a shower first, or grab a snack. Anything so that you break that habit. If you have to take a different route home to avoid your favorite spot to purchase AL, then that's what you do.
When the thought hits my mind these days, I simply take a stroll down memory lane, and it ain't pretty. I think about all of the things that I did while drunk (cringe), and how I felt the next day, both physically and mentally. That stops the thoughts of drinking for me. I never ever want to go back there. For me, one is too many and 10's not enough.
I was put in the situation of a party that I HAD to attend. It was my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Everybody was drinking (or so it seemed to me). I didn't. What I did instead was talk to my parent's friends and helped take care of the guests. I brought them their cake and did the dishes and anything that kept me busy. Before I knew it, the night was over and I survived. It was funny to listen to everyone complain the next day of a hangover; whereas I was feeling perfectly fine.
I think of all the days that I wasted nursing hangovers, all of the horrible things I did when drunk and just the lost days that I could never get back.
I enjoy life today. I have found my favorite hobbies enjoyable again. I discovered food actually tastes good when I'm not stuffing a bag of chips in my mouth, drunk. I no longer have to watch TV with one eye closed. I enjoy watching certain television shows and don't miss them because I passed out.
Life is so much better sober. It's not boring being sober. If anything, it's more interesting.
I hope these words help someone out there. Keep fighting for your sobriety. It really is worth the fight.
Best wishes,
SK
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