Today, I am ten years sober.
It really was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. I don't miss it. I don't miss the draining of my wallet. I don't miss the feeling of being hungover constantly. I don't miss watching it physically hurt me. I don't miss sheepishly apologizing for wildly inappropriate behavior the next day. I don't miss the weight gain. I don't miss being a drunk.
I still miss the friend I thought I had.
My first counselor told me two lists to remember as I started this journey.
The first is to create a foundation by making sure the following things are in your life:
- 1) Some kind of physical activity
- 2) Some relationship with whatever higher power you follow, or regular quiet personal meditation if you don't have a higher power you follow.
- 3) A counselor to talk with
The second list was just as simple:
- Love yourself.
- Love others.
- Have others love you.
The liquor industry spends a lot of money trying to make you convinced you HAVE TO drink to have fun. You don't. That's a lie and the fun I have now is far more rewarding and memorable than the fun I had before.
Get help if you need it, but don't feel like you have to drink anymore if you don't want to. My stopping saved my life on many levels.
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