Mindful drinkers share their sober stories

I chased relationships with women who I thought Kevin 2.0 deserved to be with. Each time I did my best to keep up, but eventually got exhausted and tapped out. In my professional life I modeled positivity, suppressing my natural cynicism for fear of being called a downer.

Becki went through several treatment programs to overcome her addiction, but each time she became worse. I was struck sober, lying on my living room floor, unable to get up, bleeding from a gastric ulcer just before Labor Day weekend in 2004. That is where this amazing journey in sobriety began.

For Physician Health, ‘Reaching Out Is a Good Thing…. It All Comes Back to Connection and Community’ – Read More

And I think that’s what putting something out in the media does. It puts it into the public eye and passes a value judgment on it and says this is good or this is not good. And most recovery stories are through the lens of rehab, where you might not get to see the beautiful Most people with alcohol and drug addiction survive life that you find in sobriety. And the fact of the matter is that now I don’t have the option to run away or not pay attention to something that’s bothering me. I have to be present and I have to self-reflect and commit to being a better person for the people around me.

Inspirational addiction stories like Jules’ help us realize that there is still hope for a bright future. If you’ve taken part in Dry January®, you may have already noticed some changes in the way you feel both physically and mentally. The number one sign of a successful Dry January is that you’ve learned something about yourself that you can use in the future to take, or keep, control of your drinking.

Dear Annie: Sobriety success stories offer hope, motivation

The week’s most-read stories, delivered Sunday mornings. My family from Ireland visited me in September, and I was their tour guide for the week. My extreme https://accountingcoaching.online/what-if-being-sober-sucks-4-tips-to-boost-your/ efforts to put on a brave face didn’t fool my youngest sister. After a vulnerable conversation, she suggested I ask my doctor about medication.

By quitting drinking, your life will transform in many positive ways – from better skin and brighter eyes to no more hangovers or regrettable behavior. You’ll even have more energy and better sleep with no alcohol-induced anxiety. My friends played a crucial role in this journey, offering support and understanding. Their support, combined with my confidence in my sobriety, empowered me to handle social situations where alcohol was present without succumbing to the pressure. As I quit drinking, I found myself with an abundance of time and energy that I had previously spent on alcohol. It was like waking up to a world full of possibilities.

What happens after 1 year of no alcohol?

Today, I own my story and have become a public advocate. That’s why I created The Sobriety Collective, a community for creatives in recovery from addiction and mental illness. Embarking on the road to recovery from drug and alcohol addiction is a profound journey, often marked by personal struggle, resilience, and transformation.

  • I was able to focus better and my productivity improved.
  • This was initially responsible for her sobering up.
  • Eudaimonia even provides tailored care based on gender and orientation.
  • Addiction is a chronic disorder, not a personal failure.
  • There’s an adage that we heal ourselves by helping others.

They asked me if I had a problem with alcohol, which I flat out denied. I told them that I sometimes would drink quite a lot on weekends, but that it was something I could control. They offered help if I needed it, but I wasn’t ready yet. The ensuing year I tried many times, unsuccessfully, to curb my drinking. With every unsuccessful attempt to abstain, which never lasted more than a day, I became more and more frustrated.

We would see each other for vacation breaks and long weekends. When we were first dating she would have to be back home by the time the street lights came on. We carried on this long-distance relationship for over five years before we were married during the summer before my third year of medical school. While we were dating, I kept the quantity of my alcohol and most of my substance use a secret from her. In one life I was the good student and boyfriend turned fiancé, and in the other I was the unfaithful drunk pothead.

  • I began to drink at home, frequently wondering the next morning how there could be so many empty beer cans on the counter.
  • It’s hard for me to describe it without closing my eyes and getting a little emotional.
  • If you’re also struggling with alcohol, know that it’s never too late to start your journey.
  • Actress Jamie Lee Curtis has been candid about her opioid addiction and her recovery journey.
  • I realize that getting sober was just a beginning.