Let’s start by saying Happy New Year to one and all. And Welcome to all new members who have decided to better themselves.
Take a moment to think on those words:
" Better yourself "
Because this is what you are doing, working on making a better you!
My advice to you would be to write down now, all the reasons why you have decided to make this journey, because that’s what it is, a journey.
Write down all the bad things that your drug of choice has done to you!
And keep that safe for future reference.
You will need it to remind yourself when the going gets tough, which it will.
There is a saying, one of many that you will come across:- It will get harder before it gets better!
Also, read as much as you can, with reading come knowledge and knowledge is a powerful tool!
This app is brilliant, at your fingertips is so much information and support if you use it right. If you have any questions, use the magnifying glass to search for it. I can guarantee that whatever you want to know has been covered at least once on this site. So perhaps before you start a new topic, search your inquiry first. It’s always benifitial to everyone to bring back old threads.
Search the internet, YouTube, read books arm yourself!
Look up AA, SMART, Refuge Recovery etc. These are groups of people who have been or who are like you, starting off. These are the people you need to be mixing with. Yes you will probably find it easier if you stay away from people and places that are associated with your doc. Take it from me, it’s hard to be sober if you carry on going to the club, bars, pubs.
Another saying:- if you sit in a barbers long enough you’ll get a haircut.
And thus brings us to the important bit as far as I’m concerned.
Be prepared to get uncomfortable!!
If you don’t feel comfortable with some advice it’s probably worth trying it.
We have spent too long in a nice cosy comfort blanket. Nothings gonna change if you stay nice and warm. We need to get out there and work for our sobriety.
It doesn’t just happen by stopping!
For the next few months your sobriety needs to be put above everything else in your life. First and foremost, you much protect it!
For me by doing this, by not doing anything that I thought might jeopardize my sobriety I have managed to get to a point where I am comfortable with hanging out with mates in pubs. But I spent a good part of this last year listening to how I felt. If I didn’t feel comfortable, I didn’t do it.
Last piece of advice, you are allowed to have fun! We are not loosing anything, we are not missing out on anything, we are eventually going to gain so much more from life, if we work it now in our early days.
This time last year I was 3/4 months sober, life felt so hard sometimes, fighting with myself to not drink.
Most days these days I can get through without even thinking about drinking, now that, compared to where I was, is a win to me.
Once upon a time, drinking was my life, from the moment I woke up till the moment I went to sleep. I was never far away from a drink. I obsessed about it. Now through over a year of hard work I can honestly say I’m happy I’m a non-drinker.
I’m happy with my freedom!
Now I’m not very techy minded and I know there are guys out there that have all sorts of valid info bookmarked, so if you guys would like to add any relavant info, threads, whatever that may be of benefit to us, or anything that I have missed that you feel is relavant, please, feel free to post.
Once again welcome to your future people.
And thanks for reading.
