It makes you give less of a shit about what you’re doing, who you’re doing it with, and whether any of it is healthy or safe. It also blurs your perception of time, and can even cause blackouts, where you’re conscious but have no memory of what’s happening. Even after being in recovery for a while, you may not be delighted with the changes you have made.4 In fact you may realize you don’t like being sober. For with changes comes adjustments, which can be challenging. So it may take some time before you truly feel content in your new life.
What Being Sober Really Feels Like
- Knowing what you should do isn’t enough.
- Not only because not drinking is hard, but also because we live in a society where most everyone around us drinks.
- I haven’t resolved all of the issues that drove me to drink, but I’ve reached a point where alcohol is no longer an option for me to deal with them.
So, now that you are sober—stay sober so that you can continue to be a productive member of society. Every person struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol has enablers in their life, whether it’s a spouse who shields them from consequences or a so-called “friend” who is their drinking or drugging partner. Sometimes, separating from friends who are still actively using may be necessary. It might sound counter-intuitive, but drinking or using drugs really isn’t that much fun. Think about it – being intoxicated might feel good for a while, but are you really enjoying yourself?
Sobriety doesn’t solve your problems.
- It’s easy to down a lot of empty calories with just a few drinks.
- There is no doubt in my mind about that.
- Now, do you really want to feel that way again?
- I am very happy and grateful to be two years sober, but I wish I’d known then, what I know now.
You’ll reach a point where you accept that there are some difficulties ahead of you, but you’re not afraid of them. You don’t feel defined by your being sober sucks past as strongly. Prove to yourself that you can finish what you start and be reliable. Push through and show up, even on days you don’t want to.
Alcohol Isn’t The Only Problem
Chances are that is not going to work out for you in the long run. When we got back from our little holiday on December 19, 2016, I told him I was done with the drinking for real this time. My husband and I booked a three-day all-inclusive getaway to celebrate our third anniversary and drank our weight in watered-down piña coladas. I’ve been thinking about what I wanted to say about this milestone, how to be helpful. Whenever someone asks me how I managed to quit drinking, I struggle a little to answer.
They can feel overwhelming and like they will never end. Even if you are making one small choice to improve how you feel each day, like working out more or eating better, track it. You can then consistently look back, see how far you’ve come, and assess what you have accomplished along the way. If you’re outside the United States, there are almost certainly resources in your area that you can connect with. It’s an absolute shame that he wasn’t able to wrestle his demons and remain alive, but it’s no question that he wanted to get better. We at MetalSucks would once again like to extend our condolences to his friends, family, bandmates, and fans.
I did for years before I finally quit, largely because I was fighting the wrong enemy. Your sobriety will most likely be a culmination of a series of shitty things that happened, mistakes you’ve made, and consequences you’ll have to live with forever. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.
Funny Insults That Don’t Sound Like Insults
When you abuse alcohol, you become the center of the universe and can’t imagine why anyone might want to escape your orbit for a second. Your problems come rushing to the surface, and you become the person who emotionally unloads on acquaintances or work friends. We’re all works in progress, but I hope that you can find encouragement to keep moving forward, even if you don’t really believe it’s possible to change.
