36 days sober and have been doing pretty well with it! One thing I have been struggling with is all the inspiring quotes and advice I see is in regards to numbing, avoiding real life, etc and I never drank to do any of that. So I feel like it makes my addiction less viable, like I have less of a problem (or maybe not a problem at all—which I know isn’t true). Im a good time drunk, I overindulge while socializing. Often and sometimes to the point of making a total ass out of myself. I have tried placing rules on my drinking and we all know that doesn’t work.
My rock bottom was falling and breaking a friends chair, with my face. I’m grateful that I didn’t break my nose in the process. It wasn’t the first time I’ve fallen, but I want it to be the last.
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I was the same, for the most part. Drinking wasn’t necessarily an escape for me, and I too questioned the severity of my drinking problem. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter, not drinking has improved my life more than drinking ever has, and that’s what’s important.
What are 3 positive things you’ve experienced from.l sobriety so far?
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Same here, I didn’t use alcohol to escape anything.
Addicction is addiction, no matter where it comes from.
A sober life is more fullfilling.
Keep going and congrats on 36 days 
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I generally go about 3am and straight back to sleep 
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I don’t think it’s the “reason” someone stops drinking that is the critical element …. I think it’s the - internal knowing - that drinking doesn’t work for someone, that is. And to @HoofHearted’s point, identifying/knowing how you feel better when you don’t is what matters the most.
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The only physical thing I’ve noticed is that I’m an esthetician and people have commented that my skin is looking good, otherwise I have realized the attitude of the people around me, kind of eye opening to who are enablers, unsure of how to ‘handle’ me and those that are supportive.Third, I have been able to explore myself more, the journal prompts are helpful. I’ve learned that I can go out, have a couple of NA beers and still be social, if others around me are drinking it’s just as easy to have fun. I’ve learned that I didn’t actually care for the taste of most alcohol, champagne is the big loss in my mind. I have vacation soon and it’s during Carnaval in Mexico, and I’m worried that is when I’m going to relapse.
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The physical improvements in the face is huge in the first month or two. Skin clears up, color becomes vibrant, bloating goes away. It’s amazing, the sharp contrast, in that short of time.
People’s attitudes and behavior is certainly an eye opener. Like many of others, I’ve lost “friends” when I quit drinking, the drinking buddies; the enablers. They had no interest in maintaining a friendship unless booze was involved. It made me realize what it means to be a friend. My champions stood by me, elevated me, cheered me on, those are the true friends.
This is a very real thing to be worried about, but the choice is entirely yours. What would relapse mean to you? Would it mean you give up quitting and go back to drinking? Would it mean you continue with sobriety when you get home? Would it even be worth it? And most importantly, have you already decided to relapse?
I’ve been there before, vacation after being sober for a month, I was worried, but determined. It wasn’t until a month later, I decided it was ok to give up and I relapsed. I drank for another 5 months. In hindsight, it wasn’t worth it.
You can have a great time in Mexico without drinking, it’ll be uncomfortable at times, but it’ll be worth it, I’m pretty sure.
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I appreciate the advice and prompts for introspection. I hadn’t decided to relapse and had begun making plans for activities that don’t involve alcohol. The PM activites are much harder but there’s lot of live music and stuff. I am going to take it an hour at time there.
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