Author: James Anderson
Most people with alcohol and drug addiction survive : NPR
So for me, the things that have been difficult like friendships and relationships are different now that I can stand up for myself and set boundaries and I know what I want. I never knew what I wanted, so how would I have known what to ask for? I can walk away from situations now knowing I am able to express myself and not wishing I had the strength to have said or done something. Sometimes I don’t have strength in a moment but I recognize that if I continue to behave the way I had, then nothing’s going to change. And I didn’t stop drinking to act the same way I was when I was drinking.
Embracing Sobriety as a Lifestyle Choice
These stories of overcoming addiction detail the lives of everyday Americans with very unique journeys of recovery. You’ll see clearly that addiction doesn’t discriminate, and that anyone can become addicted. Quit drinking success stories are often a beacon of hope for those struggling with alcohol addiction. Most people look at addiction or alcoholism from the outside and wonder, How could they sink so low?
- Fearing my own recklessness and lack of control, I clung to the idea that settling down would slow my drinking and having a partner would ease my emotional turmoil.
- During the most unsettling time of my life, I craved all the messy, tragic, complex, wonderful stories that could show me what was on the other side.
- It’s not like, hey, I’m normal and I have to do this the exact same way you would if you had to do it.
Lifestyle
I regularly needed to quench an absolutely uncontrollable thirst for alcohol; I wanted to drink until I was sick or blacked out. By the time I was 34 years old, I was getting up every day and drinking alcohol. I don’t think I even really liked drinking — it just seemed to make things a lot easier. And it seemed to make things more fun for awhile. Now when people ask, I tell them that it just doesn’t suit me… It doesn’t do anything for my spiritual state, my mental state, or my creative state.
Excessive drinking, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), involves consuming more than moderate amounts of alcohol regularly. This movement towards a healthier lifestyle is not just a passing trend; it appears to be indicative of something larger. A study by drink research firm CGA Strategy reveals an interesting shift in our society’s relationship with alcohol.
Breaking Free from Family Patterns
There are many ways to get sober and 12 Step is just one of them. However, it was foolish of me to stop drinking on my own without consulting a doctor. I wasn’t drinking to escape any real emotional trauma, despite having been through a lot. My relationship with alcohol just got seriously out of control.
After the healing, a better life
I paint this picture where I got sober and then my life was great. I did get sober and my life did get better because it was so low and dark. What it looks like for me is that I now have tools to be a normal, decent human being, which I wasn’t before.
As a rule-follower, I found a sponsor and asked her if I was in the right meetings. She diagnosed me with “a pupu platter of addictions”—not too much of any one thing, but enough of each one to be concerned. Her advice was to quit drinking, quit smoking, quit emotional eating, and quit trying to control and manage my family’s crises.
He attributes his success to the power of these meetings. A common thread woven throughout many success stories of addiction recovery is the role of other people in inspiring sobriety. After one year without alcohol, liver function improves significantly. Risk for certain cancers reduces and overall physical and mental health often see marked improvement. Yes, many people report experiencing increased happiness and improved mental health after overcoming the initial challenges of sobriety. Beyond medical support, recovering from substance abuse also involves emotional and psychological healing.
There’s little more challenging than fighting cravings for drugs or alcohol while you’re clinging to sobriety. A sobriety journey often results in healthier relationships as well. This comes from increased emotional stability and being present for loved ones without the influence of alcohol clouding judgment or actions. Your physical health also stands to gain immensely after quitting alcohol. Recovery leads to improved liver function, better sleep patterns, weight loss among other things.