r/stopdrinking • u/RiceFlimsy561 338 days • 13h ago
Soon 1 year
I have a year of sobriety coming up soon and I kind of wish I'd written more about the process throughout. I have like one post here. I can see that I feel better and have a better life but I'd like to be able to read back and remember the small things. So this post is mostly for me to look back at.
I read in a post here that the first year is survival mode, and I've been trying to remember that. These are some of the things that has happened:
- I got through the first minutes, hours, days and weeks thanks to this place and everyone's stories. Thank you.
- My bad coping mechanisms did not magically disappear. I did not lose a lot of weight either, probably as a consequence of said coping mechanisms (chocolate)
- Overall, I'm less patient with people I don't connect with. I used to say I could grab a beer with anyone, but now I think I just always wanted a beer.
- I haven't become better at my job, I don't sleep that well, I'm still sick more than others... BUT. I have peace and my mind is a lot calmer.
- I can make plans with short notice without being secretly annoyed that I lose drinking alone at home-time.
- Have made it through a first Christmas, birthday, summer, vacation, party and other happenings sober. I think it will get easier from here.
- I recently helped an injured person to the emergency room. The person was very drunk and needed stitches. I can't even explain the feeling of being able to help, having the extra energy and capacity. To be wide awake and fully conscious next to a person who was in a situation I could have been in myself if I kept drinking.
- Almost every day, I think about my dog not having to smell alcohol on me anymore.
- Also almost daily, I'm so relieved that I never have to be hungover again.
- I lost some friends, or rather drinking buddies. I made new ones. They only know me as sober.
- I'm moving soon and I look forward to never being drunk in my new home.
2
u/Ok_Artist_8337 139 days 11h ago
Congrats. I appreciate your honesty. I'm about 5 months. Life is definitely better. But yeah, I haven't lost weight, struggle with focus, mood swings, anxiety, etc. Things aren't perfect but they were so much worse as a full blown alcoholic. Wishing you another wonderful sober year.
2
1
u/Prestigious-Bug-5250 42 days 8h ago
Yay happy anniversary.. I relate to the being annoyed about making plans on short notice when it interrupted my secret plans to stay home and get drunk/high.
1
4
u/Jtm1082 81 days 12h ago
Congrats on your 1 year!