I see a lot of topics concerning length of abstinence. The Sober Time app is great at setting short term goals. It really helps having the countdown on different milestones. But what does it really mean? There are entirely too many relapses. I have seen countless posts through the years where I am following someone at their different days, and boom at 3 months, 6 a year,…a relapse. They usually come on and post regret about the relapse, and you never see them again. Gone.
I am 48 years old, and drank heavily on and off for 28 years. I always drank after work. There were times I drank at work, drank all night, blackout of course, drank for weeks didn’t eat much, didn’t drink for times. Varied. I would drink in the day and then times not drink during the day. Quit for a month, a few days. Never really felt better. I finally quit for good a couple years ago. I rarely check my days anymore.
What you have to look forward to is often overlooked. Imagine a better life.
I should write down all the positive things. Off the top of my head. Here are some things.
Sleeping normal, eating normal, bowel movements normal (very rarely get diarrhea), lasting energy, waking up normal, better memory, better at reading, learning is easier, writing easier, concentrating, less coughing, don’t get angry as easy, more patience, less paranoid, can drive whenever, go to bed normally, unwind more natural, on and on.
I have plenty of regrets from drinking, but very few since I quit. You aren’t missing anything. All the events are still there. Your buddies everyone. You can still hang. Or you can avoid and cange your settings. You need to get comfortable, so you can handle them and the situation. Everyone will respect you after a while and they admire the fact that you are not drinking. Imagine a kid at events, they don’t drink. What is the secret?
The secret is to be a kid again, afresh. Or just avoid the triggers for a while.
