I’m new to this. This isn’t my first time attempting sobriety. I’ve realized that I desperately want to be sober and everytime I’ve felt good without drinking and I liked it but change happens, bad changes. Mood, behavior in other or just my mind… and boom. Back to drinking. Anybody else an emotional drinker? I mean do you drink due to mental health or because you feel worthless? Idk. Its hard opening up and finding other that relate. I just don’t want to go back to that version of me.
Welcome Elizabeth.
I think we are all emotional drinkers. Sad. I use to drink. Happy. I use to drink. Depressed. I use to drink. Frustrated. I use to drink. Frankly it was exhausting. Now I can finally feel my feelings and deal with them in a calm sober manner. It’s really not so bad. Feelings come. And then they go and are replaced by a different feeling.
As far as mental health goes; My son, who use to battle with his mental health, bi polar 2, has been living a great life the past 6-8 years since he got sober. It took him awhile to get the message. If he stays away from mood altering drugs and booze and just takes his mood stabilizing drugs he finally knows he can live a good productive life. And he is. He’s a fucking miracle.
You’re worth it.
We all are.
I hope to see you around.
Thank you so much! I know I’m worth it and then those days or moments come and I just want to drown out my self telling me other wise. It is the hardest to just deal with the feelings, but I know I will be worth it. I just keep relapsing and I want it to stick this time. I’m determined! So I hope I do remain sober the rest of my life for myself, family and friends. Thank you so much for your comment.
The old saying. One day at a time. That’s the only way I can look at it. I didn’t put any pressure on myself to stay sober the rest of my life. Frankly it terrified me. I just know I’m not drinking today. And I’m probably not drinking tomorrow.
This is a great forum. Have a good read around. Lots of helpful people here to help us support each other. Join in when you feel comfortable. Got any questions just ask.
For me I learned that I have to face the feelings, especially if its something that keeps taking my serenity away. I drank to avoid feelings alot. It worked great for a long time until it didnt. Then it started creating feelings I couldnt run from like remorse, shame, regret, self loathing.
I have found that processing feelings with clarity of mind helps put them to rest. Its not always fun but at the end of it I can find a way to make it into something I can live with.
Drinking over them gives no solution. It just postpones the pain for a while. Eventually it replaces it with even more pain.
Reaching out is good. We don’t have to do it alone. In recovery you will always find someone who has been there done that. Glad your here!
Thank you so much for that! That’s exactly how I’ve been feeling. It does just replace it with more pain. I’m tired of standing in my own way! I just have to sit down with myself and sort through my emotions. Glad to be here.
That’s a powerful statement!
That’s a realization I’ve had about myself. I keep that in mind as I continue my journey in recovery. As I process things I realize how much of that emotional baggage is stuff I carry around for no good reason. My thinking makes most things harder than they actually are.
Welcome. You just described life. It’s good, bad, exciting and boring. For me, getting sober meant to relearn how to live.
I was desperate too. I came here, 90 days later I knew I was going to cave. I walked into an AA meeting. I have been sober for 1274 days. Desperation finally got me to do what was needed to maintain sobriety
Thank you! And congratulations!